Total Loss is an anthology of selected accounts by some 40 people who have survived the loss of a yacht at sea. The stories are grouped under the principle causes of loss and each is followed by an analysis of the lessons to be learned.
I learned more than a handful of things from this book. It was an entertaining, if scary, read. It's worth buying this book just to read the summary at the end of each chapter, which advises a sailor on the specific steps one might take to avoid the tragedy that has befallen the characters of the preceding story.
I was surprised at the number of stories that ended without a real 'lesson learned' type of revelation. More than a few cases are described where nothing could have been done differently to prevent disaster. Which really just serves as a testament to the truly unavoidable dangers of going to sea.
Dit boek bespreekt ruim 40 ongelukken bij het zeilen waarbij de boot verloren is gegaan. Ieder verhaal wordt afgesloten met leerpunten, zaken als materiaal, voorbereiding en afspraken tussen de bemanning. Zeilen wordt er een stuk enger van want hierdoor weet ik beter wat er allemaal mis kan gaan. Maar.. van fouten kun je leren. Dit boek helpt iedere zeiler om beter voorbereid op weg te gaan!