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Have you ever been responsible for steering a seagoing vessel?

Sailing (4) Challenges (3) Life history (1)

Back in the good old days, I was asked to crew a sailing ship along the Californian coast, not having had any more experience than as a passenger on a cruise ship. The weather was atrocious, so sails were lowered, and, after recovering from seasickness, I was sent up on deck to be in charge of the tiller.
The Californian coast is littered with oil wells sticking up out of the sea (or was in the 'seventies). I was sure I was going to run into each and every one of them. Have you had a similar challenge? How did you cope?

#Sailing
#Challenges
#Life history

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Top Answers

I have actually and it was the Young Endeavour. I was lucky enough to be one of the crew on the voyage from Adelaide to Melbourne. I steered once we were in Port Phillip Bay.

by annlu

Kind of. Years ago we used to go out on my in-laws yacht & I would usually get sea sick. I'm not the greatest sailor unfortunately. My Father in law would get me to steer the yacht to get my mind off feeling ill. We were out in the middle of the ocean so no chance of running into anything. Not sure if it worked but it was a bit of fun nevertheless.

by Therese B

Yes I have, and it was totally great fun.
No problems, even on rocky seas.
Wish I could do it again..maybe this summer.

by jonaja

I've never steered any sort of vessel before.

by Bryony Harrison

I'm not sure if this fits, but I was once on a ship and each passenger (about 30 of us in total) were allowed to give the steering wheel a go. I was fortunate enough to be part of that journey and it was an exhilarating experience to be able to steer a ship of that magnitude.

by Xarah

Wow Grann, your experience sounds like something out of a Hollywood flick.
I have never been asked to take charge of a sailing vessel. I am not sure how I would perform.

by Happy Mom

No I have not done this

by Finy

When I was 9, was staying with my Mum, on Hayman Island, GBR.
Day Cruises through the Whitsunday Passage were offered, so went.
On the way back, I asked the Captain if I could 'have a go' at steering the boat! He allowed me, & I did that for about 10 minutes', with him, of course, right there with me!

It was a marvellous experience, which I thoroughly enjoyed!

by donjo

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