Man overboard procedure
Whilst preparing for a Yachtmaster exam we practised man overboard procedures under power and sail. The helm’s reactions will depend much on the prevailing conditions but I am a great believer in heaving to almost immediately the cry of “Man/fender/bucket overboard” goes up. Because of the design of Arrow, her size and keel and rudder configuration, it is very easy to heave to and steer straight back to the casualty in the water. It is also easy for a quick witted crew to reach down and grab the casualty with a boat hook or, if it were a real someone, to get a line to them. If the helm has misjudged the heaving to and getting back, the casualty’s position can be marked with a danbuoy and horseshoe buoy in the water nearby, and I have 11 cockpit cushions which can then be tossed overboard to give some form of a line back to somewhere reasonably close to the casualty. After the marking of the location the sails can be doused, and the casualty approached under power from a down wind position.
I always maintain that it is more difficult to recover someone from the water than it is to get back to them. Much will depend on the circumstances, but it is possible that a casualty could be hyperventilating and almost unable to help himself. So have you owners and skippers a plan for these circumstances? What would you do if the casualty in the water was unconscious? This is the worst situation in bad weather, and I keep a dry suit on board, which I reckon I can get on in about two minutes. Once hove to, and hopefully the casualty secured alongside, I plan to go into the water to get him out with either a tribuckle or a 6:1 tackle which is permanently rigged on a spinnaker or mizzen halyard ready for such an emergency. Some of you would argue that I am potentially doubling the problem; my criterion is to have a plan to recover somebody as quickly as possible. What is your plan? Have you thought it through in detail? Will your wife be able to get you out or just thankful that she increased the sum assured on your life policy last week (Mrs Sticky is quite busy at the moment!)?
August 21, 2007 at 3:55 pm
Hi Sticky,
Just became a boat owner in last six months. Bermudan rig, 28ft sail boat.
Biggest difference was the feeling (or weight) of responsibility for passengers and crew.
Think you hit the nail on the head. Plan A plan B and plan C !
Always have a plan or two ready for all emergencies. Which emergencies?
Well, if you can think it…. plan for it
People will always have better plan in hind sight….. But be ready with some plan.
Now enjoying the boat more than ever…