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What`s your view on this? I spent 17 years in the Merchant Navy sailing worldwide as a navigational officer, and have since spent 18 years as a full time Coastguard based at Dover. On top of this I have been sailing since the age of 7. I read the article on the dilemma of single-handed sailing with interest.

Just a couple of points....Power does give way to sail EXCEPT when navigating within a traffic separation scheme when it is the reverse (the prime example being the Dover Strait). Sir Robin explains that if a single-hander is run down by another vessel then they are both to blame. Yes that is so in any collision because the rules were written to prevent such a collision but blame will always be apportioned and if you were not the stand on vessel and were not keeping a lookout then I think the courts would be 90 - 10 against you. Especially when marine lawyers come into play.

Mention is made, again by Sir Robin, of 'wandering around in an Open 60'. Here we should think of the total tonnage of that vessel and the kinetic energy stored up in it when travelling at speeds in excess of 20 knots and the kind of impact it would have on a small fishing vessel or other yacht. Talking of those kind of speeds one should also think of the distance travelled in that "15 minutes" of power sleeping...5 miles...will you see the stern light of another vessel 5 miles ahead when it is blowing a bit? and perhaps more importantly will you have seen the fast commercial vessel who is on a reciprocal course also doing 20 knots 10 miles away with a time of closest possible approach of 15 minutes?

Yes the majority of larger commercial vessels do sail on auto pilot but there will always be a routine of watch keeping 24 hours a day. I would hate to kill anyone's fun and I admire the strength of some of our intrepid single-handers but knowing what I do know about the sea and what I have experienced in my career, also remembering the fact that in the past 12 months alone there have been 12 collisions between commercial vessels in the Dover Strait alone single-handed sailing makes me realise just how sane I am.

From Vikki Penney
What`s your view on this? I totally agree that no where near enough help is given to solo yachtsmen/women.Trying to obtain sponsorship for high profile races like the Around Alone or the Vendee obviously causes these racers more than the odd headache.

I still maintain that one of the most important steps needed is for all sailing enthusiasts to bombard the BBC and ITV Broadcasting Company's with requests for more TV coverage of this sport.I truly believe if there was more coverage on British Television then more of the Big Companies needed for Sponsorship would be more encouraged to put their money and name behind the up and coming new breed of British Sailors.

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