The tools available to us today, GPS, chart plotters, autopilots, etc. make it so easy, it can lull us into complacency. I've done a fair amount of long distance cruising and just got back to SF bay from New Zealand via American Samoa and Hawaii last week, so I have some fairly strong opinions on the topic. In mid passage, when you've got hundreds or thousands of miles between you and the nearest land and the AIS warning you of any freighter traffic within 20 or 30 miles, it's real easy to just sit back and let the magic boxes do everything.

It's a huge mistake to fall into this trap.

The ocean isn't out to get you, but it can be coldly unforgiving of any mistakes you make as the crew of the Aegean discovered too late. When underway, YOU'VE GOT TO MAKE THOSE HORIZON CHECKS. When within 15 or 20 miles of any land, you've got to be up and alert, not sitting or laying back or reading something and telling yourself that you'll check again in about 20 minutes. It's just too easy to nod off, especially since if you are sailing short handed, you are already pretty sleep deprived.

I've talked to people that say that they just shorten sail and go to sleep at night and let the boat sail itself and it just boggles my mind. Granted, it's a pretty empty ocean. but not that empty. Even when hove to, we keep a watch.