Vital News about EPIRBs

by Nancy Knudsen, Cruising Editor on 30 Apr 2009

One half of the Tai Ping, still afloat after being cleft by a freighter which did not stop SW

While you are reading this I am winging (sadly not sailing) my way from Istanbul to Sydney, and hoping that the Ozzies are preparing some good winter sailing for me. Sailing in the Ozzie winter gives you the country's best season – steady winds, great crisp sunny weather....that's what I am expecting, but I'll let you know!

The saddest news of the week was the sinking of the faithful replica Chinese sailing junk which took six long years to build and was within a day of having completed its double crossing of the Pacific to prove that Chinese sailors COULD have done it 600 years ago. The junk, pictured here, was tragically sliced in half by a freighter which didn't stop.

This week's issue is full of useful – even vital – reading. If you own an EPIRB, you need to CHECK YOUR 15 CHARACTER CODE, as there have been some errors that could endanger your life in a distress situation.

In addition, there are ISAF guidelines for piracy, the new radar technology explained, important advice about how to decide which inflatable PFD you should be using, an excellent discussion on the use – or misuse – of staysails, and even some indispensable sunscreen tips for those who are lucky enough to sail in the sun.

Finally, if you will be sailing in one of the world's oceans any time soon, Science needs you!

Read on, enjoy, and

Smooth sailing!
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