Synopsis

The narrative traces the fortunes of James Barton, a forty-year old engineer who thought he could get rich with his inventions. He started a company, but it soon became clear that he was no businessman, and he was making a mess of things. Searching for an avenue of escape, he took the rash decision to run away on a boat.
When James announced the plan to Gloria, his wife, she presented an ultimatum. He must choose between a wife or a boat. He left home anyway, not guessing how helpless and unhappy he would be on his own. At first though, he did enjoy himself. The sailing was wonderful. He visited familiar places and met several old sailing friends.

He had an affair with a lovely German woman. However, she cut it short, and in his misery he fell into a common trap laid for live-aboards: excessive drinking.

James realized that he had made an irreparable mistake, and that there was no way back. He had neither the means nor the will to make a fresh start in business, and after having once been his own boss he could not face being a salaried employee. In any case, Gloria had sold the house, and most probably was no longer waiting for him. He lapsed into inactivity, drinking more and more. He remained alone, rotting away in a small Mediterranean harbour.

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Most stories about sailing centre upon heroic, romantic and exotic aspects. Dwelling upon a seamier side might be considered to be a disloyalty to the sport, and it is perhaps for this reason that the message of \"Poor Visibility\" is rarely presented.

The setting is partly in London, and partly in Greece, Turkey and Cyprus.

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