I believe that even if you make it to the trailing rope it will be impossible for you to get to the boat, much less regain the deck at six knots. Try it some time in ideal conditions. Most offshore boating is done with autopilots or wind vanes so the boat will simply continue to sail away when the watch falls overboard.
I recall a fellow who did just that off the west coast of Mexico while transferring fuel to his outboard as he was towing his sailboat on the hip with the dinghy. After treading water for hours a cruise ship sail by within shouting distance. A woman taking the air on deck after midnight heard his cries resulting in his rescue. Perhaps the luckiest sailor alive. Even dead in the water or anchored, it is extremely difficult to regain the deck. Even a strong sailor as Caleb had his friend to help him, and a low freeboard too I expect. There are cases of folks falling overboard with safety lines properly attached, and still dying. There are many cases of people drowning even with a boat load of people to help them. I recall vividly reading of a very popular, robust, and skilled young woman sailor in San Francisco some years ago drowning right alongside of the boat, in view of the entire crew, when she fell overboard during a race. Everyone in the sailing community was stunned. Ever since that tragic day every race in San Francisco requires a PFD on all topside crew with DQ for any boat with even one visible crewmember not in compliance. Caleb likely owes his life to his life jacket, his physical condition (serenading outdoors at 32 deg!) and his crew. Norm S/V Bandersnatch Lying Julington Creek FL 30 07.72N 081 38.4W ----- Original Message ----- From: Peter Gelinas To: [email protected] Sent: 3/10/2008 5:48:13 AM Subject: Re: [Liveaboard] I made it, But FWIW I remember reading that over 1/2 of male drowing victims had blood in their alcohol and their fly unzipped. Falling in while underway: I have heard that some long distance solo sailors throw a floating line overboard. Knotted every 2 feet, big enough knots so your feet can use them as a support when climbing back towards the boat (maybe an oyster knot). The rope is several hundred feet long and ends in a fender, Remember that at 6 kn, you are traveling about 10 feet every second. After falling overboard, you have about 15 seconds to swim to the rope! At 12 kn the boat will hopefully broach without someone at the helm, because it will be 200 feet away at 10 seconds Peter > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > To: [email protected] > Date: Sun, 9 Mar 2008 18:07:06 -0400 > Subject: [Liveaboard] I made it, But > > I fell in! Head over heels. First time in my life! At a loss for words? Find them by playing Seekadoo! Play now!
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