Rope! I hate rope... well I do when it wraps itself around my propeller

Yesterday, when out running in the Suzuki DF6 engine all went quiet when a lobster pot rope which didn't have a marker buoy decided to entangle the prop, stopping the boat dead. I put down the anchor and set about seperating the rope from the prop. It wouldn't budge and so a sharp knife cut me free and I sorted out the mess when back at base.

Fortunately, I had 2 engines, a good anchor with plenty of rode and a sharp knife. It was a great demonstration of how an event like that can cease to be anything more than an annoyance instead of what could have been a major worry and a potential call for help.

I strongly believe that everyone should carry a sharp knife. It is an essential piece of safety equipment.