The decision has been made to make landfall...

🔍 Key Concepts

• Surf landings in oar-propelled lifeboats – how you prevent the boat from broaching (turning sideways) in the surf • Purpose of a sea anchor (drogue) – what it does to the boat’s heading and speed relative to the waves • Difference between towing line and tripping line on a sea anchor and how each one affects control

💭 Think About

• In slight surf, do you want the lifeboat to rush ahead faster than the wave, or be held back and aligned by the sea anchor? Think about broaching risk. • Which line (towing or tripping) should normally be taking the main strain to keep the bow properly oriented to the seas? • When a wave is just about to overtake the boat, what combination of oar action (pulling ahead vs backwatering) and sea anchor line control best keeps the boat under control and prevents turning broadside?

✅ Before You Answer

• Identify which line is intended to hold the sea anchor under strain (towing) and which is intended mainly to trip/recover it (tripping). • Check which choices are using the tripping line for continuous control instead of just for tripping – is that realistic seamanship? • Make sure the chosen procedure would keep the bow to the sea and control the boat’s speed as it approaches the beach, rather than letting it surf uncontrollably on the wave.

The decision has been made to make landfall through a slight surf in an oar-propelled lifeboat. How should the sea anchor be utilized?

keep a strain on the tripping and towing lines, as the wave overtakes the craft release the tripping line and backwater

keep a strain on the towing and tripping lines to control the advancement of the craft as the waves roll onto the beach

secure the towing line, as the wave overtakes the craft pull on the tripping line and order backwater to advance to the beach

secure the tripping line, as the wave overtakes the craft release the towing line so the craft can advance to the beach

🔍 Key Concepts

💭 Think About

✅ Before You Answer