​Dear readers,

Can you sail? Well enough to be able to steer a ship to the nearest harbour on your own and moor it there without any major mishaps? And not just in sunshine and a gentle breeze, but in foul weather and strong winds?

I’m asking because of recent events. In *YACHT 21* and on yacht.de, we have an article written by my colleague Lasse Johannsen Interview with Gunda Pietsch published. She had suddenly found herself on her own whilst on a sailing trip on the Flensburg Fjord. Her husband had collapsed on board: a heart attack! Gunda Pietsch had to look after her husband whilst also steering the boat – now on her own. I find it remarkable how she mastered the situation and ultimately saved her husband’s life.

Keep calm, call for help, recall what you learnt on a first-aid course – often one that took place many decades ago – even on dry land, many people would be completely overwhelmed if their partner were to suffer a medical emergency. On a sailing yacht, with wind and waves, not panicking at such a moment but, on the contrary, acting calmly – would you really be capable of doing that?

The answer depends on two factors: how well you have yourself under control and how well you have your boat under control. If a person finds themselves in an acute medical emergency – especially if it is preceded by an accident on board – it is easier said than done to keep a cool head. This is especially true if the person involved is close to you – be it your partner, your child or a close friend.

Gunda Pietsch reports that the adrenaline shot through her body and she “simply carried on functioning”. It’s a protective mechanism of the body. It helps prevent you from panicking in an emergency. Instead, you automatically do the right thing. In Gunda Pietsch’s case: administering first aid to her husband, steering the boat towards the nearest harbour and, at the same time, alerting the emergency services via radio and mobile phone.

Pietsch also explains, however, that whilst she is an experienced sailor and has already overcome many a challenge at sea, she has never done so alone. Her husband has always been by her side. After all, many things are simply easier to manage as a pair. And mooring manoeuvres in the harbour have never really been her thing. She’s usually been happy to leave those to her husband.

Nevertheless, the Pietschs are ahead of many other sailing couples. Apart from the much-maligned mooring jetties, both are capable of steering their boat, carrying out sailing manoeuvres and navigating. This is by no means the norm. More often than not, the division of roles is limited to the experienced skipper and their partner, who is merely ‘tagging along’.

He gives the orders, he’s at the helm during all important manoeuvres, and he sets the course and position. She carries out his instructions: handling the mooring lines, retrieving the fenders, tightening the sheet and, if necessary, taking the tiller or steering wheel for a short while. She would never consider herself capable of taking on the role of skipper.

It is difficult to say in general terms why this is the case. It may be down to traditional gender roles. Or it may be because the desire to buy a sailing boat often comes from the man rather than the woman, and she goes along with it ‘for his sake’.

Fortunately, of course, there are now many counter-examples. These include women who sail confidently as solo skippers, as well as married couples in which both partners steer their shared boat on an equal footing and with equal skill. However, they are not in the majority.

The case of Gunda Pietsch and her husband will therefore, hopefully, encourage people to reflect and rethink their attitudes. Even if it isn’t always a matter of survival: shouldn’t it go without saying that, when sailing as a couple, either person can take on the role of skipper at any time?

And that’s not all. Shouldn’t both people on board be able to handle their boat even without the other? At the very least, to get it safely to the next harbour, especially in rough weather.

This is something you can practise. For example, on your next sailing trip, you could simply let your partner have a go on their own. Tacking, reefing the sail, plotting the course on the chart whilst staying on course. And perhaps even carrying out a man-overboard manoeuvre using a fender.

Anyone who then realises that their shortcomings are significant and cannot be remedied with the help of their (know-it-all) partner should take action. Many sailing schools and clubs offer specialised manoeuvre training courses, some of which are specifically for women.

YACHT has also organised such courses in the past; next year we will be offering a Training specifically for beginners to catamaran sailing . For the motorboat group, there is Driving courses for both men and women, brought to you by our BOOTE editorial team.

The good news is that these driving courses are in high demand, and places are usually booked up well in advance. And time and again, participants gain a great deal of insight. “Why didn’t I do this much sooner!” is a phrase you hear time and again.

Fortunately, when it comes to sailing and boating, it’s rarely too late to make up for what you’ve missed. The coming winter is perhaps the best time to take a self-critical look at how well-prepared you are in terms of both your first-aid skills and your skippering abilities.

Anyone who comes to the conclusion that a bit of extra tuition or a refresher course can’t do any harm should, ideally, take the plunge straight away and book a suitable practical course. So that it doesn’t just remain a good intention. But so that you can set off on your sailing trips next season with the confidence that you can handle the boat on your own if necessary.

Pascal Schürmann

Editor-in-Chief of YACHT

Book recommendations

First aid on board – medical charts covers the assessment of injured and ill persons, the treatment of wounds and fractures, and emergency procedures for heart attacks and strokes. Fabian Steffen supplements these medical basics with guidance on the on-board first-aid kit and on preparing for radio medical advice. The charts serve as a handy reference for crews wishing to prepare for medical emergencies whilst at sea.

Stress-free sailing explains how single-handed sailors and small crews can carry out key sailing manoeuvres with as little effort as possible. Among other things, Duncan Wells covers mooring and casting off, reefing, tacking, anchoring and man-overboard manoeuvres. Photographs, illustrations and 21 supplementary videos illustrate the procedures. The focus is therefore on independent boat handling – as a basis for practising manoeuvres specifically within a two-person crew.

Editor’s reading recommendations

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