Thom Stewart wrote:

Doug,

Every Skipper, worth his Salt, in his own mind evaluates conditions,
course, weather, ability of the crew and the DURATION of the voyage.

Sure. And probably have a plan for what his best (fastest)
passage might be, or how long it might take if conditions
are unfavorable.


... If
he figures he will have to helm the whole voyage, that is the Skipper
decision (IMHO) If he can do it fine. That is HIS DECISION! If he can't
he should get competent help or cancel the trip.


Or get an autopilot.
And my point is that one way... the best way IMHO... to get
competent help is to *teach* somebody to be competent.



Who I'm I to make a judgement of right or wrong? Decision making isn't
something that can be set down in a memo that can be correct for all
unknown future conditions. IMHO it had better be left to the person
doing the evaluation.


Agreed.

CM's Voyage was a success and therefore a proper decision period.


Agreed
Although (again IMHO) he let slip an excellent opportunity
to teach another sailor.


Let's don't let some desk jockey get involved in something he cannot
possible envision all the variable in the future.

Let's keep; Freedom of the Sea---FREE!


Agreed. The land is getting less & less free, so we gotta do
something!

DSK