12 Essential Sailing Rules Every New Crew Member Should Know
Discover the 12 crucial sailing rules that every new crew member must follow to ensure a smooth and enjoyable sailing experience. From respecting the captain to maintaining good morale, learn how to avoid the 'beatings' and embrace the adventure!
“The beatings will continue until morale improves” is the single most popular banner on T-shirts bought by tourists in the BVI. The irony is lost on no-one. But it was not long ago that flogging was an accepted and effective form of punishment meted out to school boys, mariners, lawbreakers, and criminals. Charlie can remember his own purple, blue, and black buttocks from school days a mere 30 years ago.
A Glimpse Into Maritime Punishments
In the British navy, the cruel and barbaric punishment of flogging was inflicted for relatively minor crimes, like stealing an extra weevil at lunch. And “six of the best” (the schoolboys’ beating) was pretty tame compared to a flogging with a cat o’ nine tails. Floggings were meted out to those found guilty of thieving, disobedience, and mutiny.
A slice of bread stolen from a bakery would mean transportation to the penal colony of Australia; a voyage of months with no prospects at the end. At the other extreme, during the 18th century, several mundane crimes were punishable by execution. The “Bloody Code,” as the regimen was known, was responsible for executing offenders for “scrumping” (stealing apples from trees in a private orchard), use of obscene language, the cutting down of a tree, stealing a rabbit from a warren, being out and about with a blackened face (definitely worrisome for West Indian crew), poaching, and damaging Westminster Bridge.
Modern-Day Sailing Offenses and Punishments
Charlie has found these historical revelations to be most helpful on his charters. He has made a list of offenses and punishments and pinned them up on a conspicuous bulkhead.
Blocked Head:
Punishment: Six lashesBeing Seasick Over the Windward Rail:
Punishment: Ten lashesNot Allowing Nubile Young Daughter to Go Ashore for Drinks with Captain:
Punishment: Transportation to AustraliaWhining About the Weather:
Punishment: Six lashesNot Leaving Adequate Tip:
Punishment: Summary executionHaving a Hellacious Hangover:
Punishment: Forgiveness (occupational hazard)Asking Dumb Questions:
Punishment: Six lashesAsking the Same Dumb Questions Again:
Punishment: Ten lashesNot Stowing Items Properly:
Punishment: Six lashes
Leaving Hatches or Ports Open While Underway:
Punishment: Transportation to anywhere miles from the seaWhining About Anything:
Punishment: Six lashesNot Being Ecstatic About the Best Sailing Vacation in the World:
Punishment: The beatings shall continue until morale improves.
Hey, lubbers have to learn, and who am I to refute the rulings of our wise elders of yore?
Julian Putley has written for ALL AT SEA since 2005.
Worth your time?
Thanks — noted.
