V2N13
Home 
FROM THE NAV STATION
======================
Wow! Look at the calendar! The Mac-Solo is only 5 weeks away. And important milestone is fast approaching. The deadline for applications is this Friday, May 17. If you haven't sent it in
already, now is the time. In fact, take a short cut!
Send it direct to me at:
5319 Stony Creek Drive
Midland, MI 48640
Step # 5 - Go Through Your Safety Checklist -- Get it on Board
===============================================
In many respects, this item in the countdown to the Mac-Solo may appear to be mindless. It is that task of packing stuff on your boat that you hope you never use! Liferaft - ya gotta have it,
but I hope you never use it. Same with flares. The same with many items on the GLSS Safety Checklist. Refer to the GLSS Required Equipment List at:
http://webhost.sailnet.com/glss/allmac.php#equip
It may appear that some items appear to be so trivial that you'll convince yourself that you can do it the night before the start. Don't put it off to the last minute! You don't want to be looking for a 'Signal Mirror' at 9:00 PM on June 14! Look for your mirror now, and put it on board. Get your flares organized now. Go buy them. Or you can beg, borrow (or steal!) the extra flares from a Doublehanded buddy or from a big-Mac racer. Hacksaw, spare VHF antenna or hand-held VHF, personal strobe, radar reflector, first-aid kit and a bucket with a 6-foot lanyard - get 'em on board now.
There are some things that you will want to do the night before the Mac-Solo. You probably won't want to rig your jack-lines & tether right now. But put that stuff in a box to ensure yourself that you won't be looking for it at the last minute. Reserve a spot on your boat for your safety stuff. Keep your last-minute to-do list to a minimum.
Respectfully,
Patrick Nugent