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5:36 AM Mon 30 Mar 2009 GMT
 | | 'Going in - Simulating a MOB. Photo by Colleen Dugan'
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They do it all over the world - they do it in South Africa, they do it in the Mediterranean, they do it in the Caribbean, and they do it in Australia. But nowhere in the world do they do it better than in the sailing-mad city of Annapolis.
Preparation, planning, and prevention were central themes at this week's 30th annual Safety at Sea Seminar held at the Naval Academy in Annapolis in Maryland, USA.
The two-day event, sponsored by the Marine Trades Association of Maryland, included hands-on safety demonstrations, discussions, and International Sailing Federation, or ISAF, certification.
'I think it's so comprehensive; every time I come I learn something new,' said Thad Bench of Chestertown, who was making his third visit to the seminar. 'You can't be too safe.'
This year, Bench brought his wife and two teenage children along because he said he wanted them up on the latest safety information, too. The family is sailing to Maine this summer on their 58-foot Windalier and Bench said he wanted his 'crew' to be ready.
Another attendee, Carol Wills of New York City had a similar story. She said she usually sails in the Long Island area, but hopes to expand to some offshore boating and was looking to do it safely.
'I'm hoping the hands-on piece will be good for me,' she said. '(Plus), I always wanted to come to Annapolis, and this fit in.'
Only about a third of the 255 people who registered for yesterday's all-day session were from Maryland, said Susan Zellers, executive director of the association. About 180 people signed up for both days, she said.
Dan Rugg, master/director of the academy's sailing program, said too many people just go buy a boat and get in the water without taking the proper precautions, which makes events like the seminar extremely valuable.
'The best option is to avoid trouble in the first place,' said Coast Guard Capt. Kip Louttit, who is assigned to maintenance and logistics command in Norfolk, Va.
Think about planning when you're nice and dry - not in the ocean, he said.
If things do go astray and boaters can't remedy a situation themselves, they also need to be prepared when they ask for outside assistance, Louttit said.
This means knowing the vessel's position at a minimum, as well as information about the number of people aboard, the nature of the distress, the description of the craft, and making sure to put on life jackets, he said.
Later, a Coast Guard helicopter was supposed to participate in a water rescue demonstration, but it couldn't take off because of the weather. So, midshipmen on four boats showcased water-rescue techniques themselves.
'You could pick up this stuff eventually, (but) here, it's a one-stop shop,' said Geoff Rhoades, a sailor from Washington, D.C., who first attended a couple of years ago before an offshore race.
The event genesis was another race, the 1979 Fastnet, where 15 people lost their lives in storms. The event caused officials to rethink the issue of sea safety.
'There's a nice, broad, good balance of detail on a broad range of things,' Rhoades said.
Besides lectures and the water-rescue demonstration, there were tables set up around Alumni Hall with the latest safety gear, weather information, and radio equipment.
'It's always good to get more information,' said Karen Moore of Kentucky.
by Theres Winslow,Hometown Annapolis/Sail-World
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