Question

Explain these difficult statements: To slow the boat down, we dropped the storm jib and lashed a heavy mooring rope in a loop across the stern. Then we double lashed everything, went through our life raft drill, attached lifelines, donned oilskins and life jackets-- and waited. Do not say to refer summary.

Answer 1

These lines describe the precautionary measures that the author, Gordon Cook took to save Wavewalker from the impending danger of the rising storm. At dawn on January 2, the gigantic waves began swelling in the sea all around. The wind was also blowing quite fast. They were required to slow down the speed of Wavewalker.In order to slow down the speed, the crew dropped the storm jib (a small sail ); and to further slow down the speed, the crew lashed (tied) the mooring rope around the stern of the boat. This tying of the rope around the stern increased the friction of the boat against the water, leading to the slowing down of the speed.
Double lashing everything, raft-drill, attaching lifeline( it actually saved the author from drowning later), donning oilskins and life jackets, these were the security measure that the crew took in order to face the onslaught of the looming storm.