PAGE 16 • SPRING 2005 THE JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SAILING ASSOCIATION
FEATURE STORY
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disturbance was that - minimal. The third yacht was at
anchor at Phi Phi Island. While an adjacent anchored
fishing boat ended up in the trees ashore, our yacht rode
out the day at anchor. Unlike most sailing companies
here, our policy of having oversize anchoring systems,
mobile phones on board and two rescue boats really
showed its benefit. Our clients were ashore for breakfast
and were thankfully uninjured. They contacted us by
phone to let us know they were OK and stayed on the
island assisting in the rescue effort. Thanks to Thomas
and Chris for your efforts.
Due to prevailing international perception, all our
January (peak season) bookings have been cancelled.
Media talk of the spread of disease is pretty dramatized.
There is no reported disease here and no outbreak is
An upturned fishing boat lies at the cliff base beside a day
expected. There is no shortage here of drinking water trip boat swept ashore.
and food. 80% of the local hotel rooms remain open to
business as usual. (If people wish to help, they should
visit.) This will help keep everything going and will help
people to survive.
We are planning a charity day on January 30 to raise
funds for the local victims of the tsunami, because my
fear is that once the tourists affected by the disaster are
gone, people will lose interest in the situation and the
locals left behind will suffer.
Should anyone wish to donate, please contact us and we will give
you the details. The proceeds will be passed to a Royal Charity to
ensure the money gets to the places it’s most needed without any
deductions. yachtpro@phuket.asianet.co.th
The boat that rode the wake of the Tsunami and survived!
R
SAFETY AT SEA
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either present or forecast, that might be hazardous to little freeboard or any other low-powered craft. There are
small boats. If a mariner notices a small craft advisory also exceptions for “small craft” in some of the 72
pennant displayed, he should determine immediately the COLREGS. In this case, “small craft” are those under 12
reason by tuning his radio to the latest marine broadcast. meters (39.4 feet)… If, when cruising, a small craft
Decision as to the degree of hazard is left up to the warning gets your attention and makes you a little
boatman, based on his experience and size and type of concerned....you have a small craft… If you have to ask
boat. There is no legal definition of “small craft.” The ... it’s a small craft! The US Navy’s definition of the
small craft advisory is an advisory for Coastal Waters and distinction between a ship and a boat is this: “If a craft
Nearshore forecasts for sustained winds, frequent gusts, can be lifted and placed onto a ship, it is a boat!”
or sea/wave conditions, exceeding defined thresholds
specific to geographic areas. A Small Craft Advisory may
NOAA regional definitions for small craft advisories, two
also be issued when sea or lake ice exists that could be
examples:
hazardous to small boats. Eastern (ME.SC, Lake Erie, Lake Ontario) - Sustained
Notice that NOAA states that “no legal definition of
winds ranging between 25 and 33 knots (except 20 to
‘small craft’ exists.” So what might we consider to be a
25 knots, lower threshold area dependent, to 33 knots
“small craft?” To “clarify” this point, look at the answers
for harbors, bays, etc.) and/or seas/waves 5 to 7 feet and
from one recent internet discussion group I viewed:
greater, area dependent.
“According to
Pacific (HI, Guam, etc) - Sustained winds: northwest
Chapman’s, the Weather Service defines
“small craft” as “small boats, yachts, tugs, barges with
through east/southeast winds of 25 to 33 knots for the
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