Few of us can or even want to relate to the drama of fact and fiction seen in THE PERFECT STORM, yet the coastal and offshore waters in which we do our recreational boating often serve up storms of a magnitude that can make a believer out of the hardiest skipper. Even an imperfect storm can be a demanding exercise best handled with practical survival seamanship skills combined with a modern drag device.
Boating literature is replete with incidents wherein sailors are unexpectedly put in a survival situation while pursuing their recreational adventures and many are found wanting in survival skills. Without those skills and not having a drag device on board when the chips are down, they find few survival options left other than prayer. When you go offshore be a little pessimistic and consider drag devices before you leave the dock--for afterwards may be too late. Avoid becoming a storm statistic like the ANDREA GAIL.
