Conference unifix::sailing

1185.0. "Sailing mnemonics and mantras" by CDR::SPENCER (John Spencer) Tue Apr 25 1989 09:40

Over dinner recently with sailing friends, I was encouraged to write this 
note, as it might be useful by others.

On my frig at home is a simple six-line "mantra", which I say quietly to 
myself at least a half-dozen times a week.  It's purpose is to remember 
the rights-of-way of vessels afloat, from most privileged to least.  By
repeating it frequently for nearly a year now, it's become imbedded,
recallable without thought: 

			Overtaken
			NUC/RAM
			Fish
			Sail
			Power
			Plane

I say it with a bit of a lilt, and pronounce the second line phonetically: 
Nuck-ram.  BTW, NUC/RAM stands for "Not Under Command or Restricted in 
Ability to Maneuver."

And while my mind's on it, here's another:  Many people begin to sort out
red/green, port/stbd, etc by remembering the wino's lament: "There's no 
red port wine left!"  Kids love saying it, and it helps them learn to read 
the night horizon while underway.

Anyone have any others related to sailing in any way?

J.

    Works for sailing, or handling any vehicle (learned
    in a motorcycle riding class):
    
     Identify (Potential hazards in your path)
     Predict (How the hazard could involve you)
     Decide (Your best strategy to avoid the predicted involvement)
     Execute (The chosen strategy)
    
    Idenify, predict, decide, execute -- this litany goes
    through my mind when driving a car, a bike, a motorcycle,
    a boat, or doing anything that is potentially hazardous.  Of course, 
    it's only structuring what many would consider "common sense," but 
    for me at least, this litany has helps to focus my mind under 
    stressful conditions...
    
    Dean