Single-handed sailing

Single-handed sailing referred to sail a boat by one person. The term derives from the English term for crew member, hand, and from merely referred to the team strength (see manual for bunk ). For example, equivalent to the German command " All hands on deck " the English " all hands on deck". However, the term is likely to actually get away with that on old sailing ships could be used with only one hand, as there was for the work in the rigging often no backups and the sailors had to hold on with one hand. The phrase " One hand for the man, one hand for the ship. " Describes this circumstance. Today, life belts are standard equipment even small yachts.

History

The first ever circumnavigation single-handed sailor found 1895-1898 by Joshua Slocum instead. As the first woman to cross the British woman Ann Davison 1952/1953 solo the Atlantic. The Englishman Robin Knox - Johnston led 1968-1969 for the first time a single-handed circumnavigation of the globe by without calling at a port. The first Einhandseglerin that flew around the globe non-stop in 1988 was the Australian Kay Cottee, who sailed in their 11 -meter yacht First Lady in 187 days suburb of Sydney Watsons Bay to the earth and back to the port of Sydney.

The number of circumnavigations by solo sailors should now be several hundred, with no institution on such travel book guides. A regular boom experienced the deep- handed sailing through the development of efficient mechanical self -steering systems in the 1970s.

The most famous German solo sailors and also the first German single-handed round the world sailor is Wilfried Erdmann that flew around as a single with the same yacht Kathena Nui the earth in both directions ( ie, with the prevailing wind direction and against it ). The first German woman who sailed around the world single-handed, Gudrun Calligaro was.

Mental challenges

For several days, several weeks or months trip means a special psychological burden for the sailors. In addition to the lack of sleep alone is a danger: Fatigue leads to decreased concentration and performance and impairment of perception to hypnagogic hallucinations. Chills, malaise, listlessness and increased irritability are "normal" side effects, depression and anxiety can be the result.

Requirements on the boot

Many Einhandsegler try all possible maneuvers from one place to perform. Therefore, the single-handed sailing further requirements for construction and equipment of a boat. For example, all sheets and halyards are often performed in the cockpit, so the solo sailors do not have to stray far from the helm of the hoisting, reefing or the sails. Autopilots are standard.

Risks

Strictly speaking, neither single handed with good seamanship nor with international maritime law compatible, since, during the sleep phases of the skipper no guard is held ( no constant lookout, no radio station ). Modern navigation electronics (radar, AIS) can warn of impending collisions with corresponding alarm Systemenen though, but this is not considered a substitute for the human lookout. In practice, collisions of single-handed sailors with other ships, however, are very rare, as they are usually far away from crowded shipping routes are traveling. Nevertheless, close many yacht insurance cover against the one-handed sailing out explicitly. Other risks include the lack of help possible (eg medical ) emergencies, as well as the increased risk of a man - overboard walking, because there can be no salvation by other crew members in this case.

Records

The record of the fastest single-handed circumnavigation of a woman holding Dame Ellen MacArthur, who after only 71 days returned to Ushant in northwestern France in 2005. By January 2008, the world record was only then she broke the Frenchman Francis Joyon, who set the current record of 57 days, 13 hours and 34 minutes. The longest time alone at sea spent the Australian Jon Sanders, the nonstop circumnavigate the world three times, and in 657 days.

Competitions

In 1960 the first transatlantic race Observer Singlehanded Transatlantic Race ( OSTAR ) was aligned, which led from Plymouth, UK to Newport, Rhode Iceland, United States. This race was held under different names to the present day, making it the longest race for solo sailors. German participants in this race were, inter alia, Claus Hehner (1972: 28th place ) and Wolfgang Quix who could not hold their own against international competition, however. Traditionally, the OSTAR of French and English is dominated, which since the 1980s basically multihulls occupied the front seats.

As a demanding race for solo sailors applies the Vendée Globe, which - is organized every four years - such as the OSTAR.

Known Einhandsegler

Known solo sailors are:

In the single-handed round the world now a competition for the youngest person has developed a self-contained world circumnavigation. The following sailors each had to complete their circumnavigation of the age record held ( with the year circumnavigation and age at completion ):

Single-handed non-stop round the world sailor against the wind ( east to west )

Watsons Bay, New South Wales Major depressive disorder Admiralty law Automatic Identification System Sea lane Single-Handed Transatlantic Race Newport (Rhode Island) Rhode Island Chay Blyth
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