12 things to consider before you set sail offshore

Make sure you inject some reality into your dreams; you cannot just hoist the sails and leave your home port, much as you would like to.•Where are you going?This should be pretty obvious really, but there still could be a last minute change. You may sail out of Miami intending to sail to the Bahamas, but find a strong wind right on the nose. Be in a position to decide whether to uncomfortably beat to the Bahamas, or turn to port and sail with the wind up to the Carolinas.If you are going to another country, contact the embassy or consulate to find out their conditions of entry, how long you can stay, the Customs requirements, the visas you require. What are the official ports of entry?Get a flag of your home country, and a small flag for each of the countries you intend to visit, as a courtesy. Get a “Q” flag too, being the flag to request quarantine inspection upon arrival.•Get up to date chartsIf you can get a chart which has both you departure port and your arrival port on the one sheet. This is the one you will use when out at sea. Get detailed charts of your ports of entry.•Find out the best time of year to go.When are the winds most favorable for the direction in which you wish to travel? Get a cruising guide for the area. This should also tell you the lights and radio signals for your landfall.•Check on the weather forecastAlways set off during the best fair weather window of opportunity, so you get a comfortable first day and night at sea. This will enable you to check on things around the boat, without worrying too much about actually sailing the boat. Just point the boat in the right direction, set the autopilot, and start checking things around you, rigging, sail set etc. It also helps to stave off any effects of seasickness.A weather fax is an essential part of offshore cruising these days, I assume you would have taken the time before you left to become familiar with its use and interpretation.•Seaworthiness of boat and crew.How experienced are you and your crew, especially if your crew consists of your spouse? You should have both attended a sailing school at some stage; this will give everyone more confidence and tolerance. You will save your marriage and perhaps avoid having to put your boat up for sale in Hawaii or Tahiti after your first voyage together! Believe me, this happens a lot – check out the marinas in those places if you want to buy a bargain boat!•Plot your courseHow experienced are you and your crew in navigation? I assume you have a GPS system, but remember this is an electronic system, and could break down. Try to learn elementary celestial navigation and how to use a sextant, just in case. If you can afford it, get a second GPS system.•Safety equipmentGet your equipment thoroughly checked out, preferably by an experienced independent person, who will have a checklist. Are the batteries in the EPIRBs fully charged? Have the fire extinguisher and the life vests been checked? How new is your life raft? No matter how well you prepared for your voyage, or how experienced you are, things can go wrong, and the sea is a lonely place.•HealthAre you and your crew healthy enough to travel? Do you have enough medication on board? Check the first aid kit for bandages, antiseptic, aspirin, scissors, sunscreen. Get a fist aid kit with the requirements for stocking it printed on the lid.•Arriving at your destinationAdvise the authorities at your port of entry of your time of arrival, and get the time when they will be ready for you. Find the proper place to moor, while you await customs clearance. Fly your “Q” flag.Although this list may seem daunting, it is by no means complete, but don’t let it put you off realizing your dream; just accept that there are things you need to do before you go.Then go, and fair sailing to you all!©Peter Phillips 2007

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