I was out alone, no life presever on or close by, with the motor running in forward gear. I reach down to retreive something in the water, lost my balance and fell in. I manage to swim up to the boat and grap the rudder and look to the right at the prop spinning and decide this option was a bad idea. Fortunately, I wasn't to far from shore and managed to swim in. After waving my arms, a boat came over and asked what the problem was. "I am here and my boat is there, going around in big circles, getting further away". He said " You are lucky you are not a statistic because it was late October and the water was starting to get cold" He took me back out to the boat. After getting that scare, I brought an inflatable PFD and force myself to wear it when I am out alone. I didn't tell my wife for fear of what she would say. As I saw it, she had 3 options. #1 Sell the boat. #2 You can't go alone any more. #3 Is your life insurance paid up. Seriously, I have learned from my mistake. Hope no one else ever has to go thru this ordeal..
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Charlie
Luck is with us most-times!
Bart, I did cringe while reading your post. I came close this last year to a similar situation, but was able to "hang on". We all have done similar things - just reminds us that this sport can be dangerous... Glad all turned out well! Charlie "Good Medicine"
Bart, I did cringe while reading your post. I came close this last year to a similar situation, but was able to "hang on". We all have done similar things - just reminds us that this sport can be dangerous... Glad all turned out well! Charlie "Good Medicine"
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Eric Lorgus
An invaluable lesson
Bart: I singlehand frequently. One thing I've been taught and am religious about doing is to never leave the helm with the motor on and in gear. It seems silly sometimes to slow down the revs and shift to neutral, just so I can attend to something in the cockpit out of reach, but in the long run, it's probably worth it. Sounds like you were very lucky. Eric Lorgus
Bart: I singlehand frequently. One thing I've been taught and am religious about doing is to never leave the helm with the motor on and in gear. It seems silly sometimes to slow down the revs and shift to neutral, just so I can attend to something in the cockpit out of reach, but in the long run, it's probably worth it. Sounds like you were very lucky. Eric Lorgus
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Dante McLean
Tow a Line!
I always tow a 50 foot line from the stern cleat when I am out alone, even in fairly calm weather. Also, I always wear my life jacket. Tow the line from the cleat _opposite_ the prop, if you don't you'll only foul the motor. It might help get a grab on the boat, and if you are really lucky, it'll foul the prop when the boat starts going in circles, so your problem will be (sort of) taken care of for you. Please don't do this in crowded waters however, or you won't be popular with other boaters!
I always tow a 50 foot line from the stern cleat when I am out alone, even in fairly calm weather. Also, I always wear my life jacket. Tow the line from the cleat _opposite_ the prop, if you don't you'll only foul the motor. It might help get a grab on the boat, and if you are really lucky, it'll foul the prop when the boat starts going in circles, so your problem will be (sort of) taken care of for you. Please don't do this in crowded waters however, or you won't be popular with other boaters!
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Patrick Ewing
A towed line may be reassuring but
if the boat is moving at anything over about one knot, you probably would not be able to get back aboard. I tried to pull myself up and onto the boat once ( as a test with a crew )using a towed line and if the boat was moving much at all, I was not even able to move up the line. If the boat speed was above two knots, it was all I could do to just hold on and breath. The higher speeds will pull you completely under the water even with a life preserver. The conditions at the time of my experiment were warm and sunny and calm. I was wearing a swim suit. If you are dressed in any clothing or rain gear, the problem is worsened quite a lot. If you plan to tow a line, attach it to an engine shut off switch or your steering mechanism. I suggest that you test out any such system in warm weather and good conditions and let us know what you find. In my neighborhood, most mortals are not able to swim to shore or anywhere else because of the water temperature even if they are close.
if the boat is moving at anything over about one knot, you probably would not be able to get back aboard. I tried to pull myself up and onto the boat once ( as a test with a crew )using a towed line and if the boat was moving much at all, I was not even able to move up the line. If the boat speed was above two knots, it was all I could do to just hold on and breath. The higher speeds will pull you completely under the water even with a life preserver. The conditions at the time of my experiment were warm and sunny and calm. I was wearing a swim suit. If you are dressed in any clothing or rain gear, the problem is worsened quite a lot. If you plan to tow a line, attach it to an engine shut off switch or your steering mechanism. I suggest that you test out any such system in warm weather and good conditions and let us know what you find. In my neighborhood, most mortals are not able to swim to shore or anywhere else because of the water temperature even if they are close.
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Darrel
Problem solver
The best thing to do is wear a harness and tether yourself to the boat. Why chance a dip in the drink when it so much easier.
The best thing to do is wear a harness and tether yourself to the boat. Why chance a dip in the drink when it so much easier.
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John
Almost a year ago
In about November of last year I took the famiy out for one more overnighter. We spent that night totaly alone. There was no one around for miles. On Saturday morning I woke to see that someone had showed up over the night on a 30 or so foot O'Day. He was in his early to mid thirties and was alone. He was sitting on the deck drinking coffie and talking on a cell phone. I gave him a quick wave as we pulled out for a couple hours of fun out on the bay. I motored out because there was absoutely no wind. It was one of thoes calm, warm mornings. After about 4 hours we were pulling back into the anchorage when I noticed about four different police boats. Upon talking to the locals (They are a little more open when your a fed) they told me that this guys three friends came over to meet him about three hours ago and noticed him missing. Since the boat was ancored, all the power, radio and what not was still on and the dink was still tied to the back, they were concerned about where he could have gone. I told the county police that I had seen him approximately four hours ago when we were pulling out, and if his friends showed up three hours ago????? Feeling quite badly about the situation and guessing what the divers were going to pull up as they started hoping in, I decided to take the kids to another spot about a mile down the coast. About two days later I read that they found him in about 5ft of water approximately 20 feet away from the boat. The lesson I got is that it doesn't really matter if your boat is actually moving, in high seas, or even tied up to a dock. If your alone, and you take a fall and bump your head......?? You can twist it all around in your head about what if we had not left so early.....what if his friends showed up a little earlier? I think it comes down to these thing happen. And even though I still solo it as often as I can, and I still don't always ware a vest. I try to as often as I can.
In about November of last year I took the famiy out for one more overnighter. We spent that night totaly alone. There was no one around for miles. On Saturday morning I woke to see that someone had showed up over the night on a 30 or so foot O'Day. He was in his early to mid thirties and was alone. He was sitting on the deck drinking coffie and talking on a cell phone. I gave him a quick wave as we pulled out for a couple hours of fun out on the bay. I motored out because there was absoutely no wind. It was one of thoes calm, warm mornings. After about 4 hours we were pulling back into the anchorage when I noticed about four different police boats. Upon talking to the locals (They are a little more open when your a fed) they told me that this guys three friends came over to meet him about three hours ago and noticed him missing. Since the boat was ancored, all the power, radio and what not was still on and the dink was still tied to the back, they were concerned about where he could have gone. I told the county police that I had seen him approximately four hours ago when we were pulling out, and if his friends showed up three hours ago????? Feeling quite badly about the situation and guessing what the divers were going to pull up as they started hoping in, I decided to take the kids to another spot about a mile down the coast. About two days later I read that they found him in about 5ft of water approximately 20 feet away from the boat. The lesson I got is that it doesn't really matter if your boat is actually moving, in high seas, or even tied up to a dock. If your alone, and you take a fall and bump your head......?? You can twist it all around in your head about what if we had not left so early.....what if his friends showed up a little earlier? I think it comes down to these thing happen. And even though I still solo it as often as I can, and I still don't always ware a vest. I try to as often as I can.
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David Foster
PFD and tether
Our rules are: We have comfortable PFD's, and all wear them when on deck and under way. I always use a harness and tether when underway and there is not another qualified skipper on board who is able to execute a man overboard drill. Actually, we find that making these ideas a habit makes them easy and automatic. A last note: I read somewhere recently the the coast guard statistics show that relieving oneself over the side is the number one cause of falling off the boat. The admiral surmises that this is often combined with alchohol.
Our rules are: We have comfortable PFD's, and all wear them when on deck and under way. I always use a harness and tether when underway and there is not another qualified skipper on board who is able to execute a man overboard drill. Actually, we find that making these ideas a habit makes them easy and automatic. A last note: I read somewhere recently the the coast guard statistics show that relieving oneself over the side is the number one cause of falling off the boat. The admiral surmises that this is often combined with alchohol.
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Trevor
Inflatable PFD attached to jacket
I find that by leaving our inflatable (by CO2 cartridge or manual) PFDs attached to our sailing jackets, we end up wearing lifesaving devices more often. We just leave them attached year 'round and feel good about being in the habit. There are similar inflatable vests (Airforce) available for sale in the online store on this site, as well as some nifty looking jackets and vests that have inflatable PFDs built right in (click on 'Clothing' tab). Trevor
I find that by leaving our inflatable (by CO2 cartridge or manual) PFDs attached to our sailing jackets, we end up wearing lifesaving devices more often. We just leave them attached year 'round and feel good about being in the habit. There are similar inflatable vests (Airforce) available for sale in the online store on this site, as well as some nifty looking jackets and vests that have inflatable PFDs built right in (click on 'Clothing' tab). Trevor
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Jim
My approach
In my old boat-a Catalina 22 I did three things when soloing. (1) I wore a PFD from the time I left the dock until I anchored or was secured to the dock again. (2) I rigged a tripline for the outboard tied to the deadman's switch (I never left the motor in gear if I left the helm) and (3) I towed a line while under sail. I tried once (with someone else on board) to see if I could get aboard and was able to pull myself to the cockpit, trip the line holding the rudder and drop the ladder (swing up model mounted on the stern.) Haven't had a chance to go out on my Hunter 23 but I think I will follow these precautions if alone.
In my old boat-a Catalina 22 I did three things when soloing. (1) I wore a PFD from the time I left the dock until I anchored or was secured to the dock again. (2) I rigged a tripline for the outboard tied to the deadman's switch (I never left the motor in gear if I left the helm) and (3) I towed a line while under sail. I tried once (with someone else on board) to see if I could get aboard and was able to pull myself to the cockpit, trip the line holding the rudder and drop the ladder (swing up model mounted on the stern.) Haven't had a chance to go out on my Hunter 23 but I think I will follow these precautions if alone.
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LaDonna Bubak - Catalina Owners
Not just when soloing
The bassist for Loverboy just died while off the California coast. He had 3 other people on board when a 20' wave knocked him & the wheel off the boat. They immediately turned around (I'm assuming after affixing the emergency tiller - you have one too don't you?) & several boats were on the scene within 10 minutes but they couldn't find him. No tether, don't know about PFD but I'm guessing not. It's a tragedy. But a lesson can be learned - wear that tether when things start kicking up, no matter the temperature or how many crew are aboard. LaDonna
The bassist for Loverboy just died while off the California coast. He had 3 other people on board when a 20' wave knocked him & the wheel off the boat. They immediately turned around (I'm assuming after affixing the emergency tiller - you have one too don't you?) & several boats were on the scene within 10 minutes but they couldn't find him. No tether, don't know about PFD but I'm guessing not. It's a tragedy. But a lesson can be learned - wear that tether when things start kicking up, no matter the temperature or how many crew are aboard. LaDonna
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Justin - O'day Owners' Web
Jackets at all times
Everyone aboard my boat, or any boat under my command, wears a jacket at all times while abovedeck and underway, end of discussion. This includes in the cockpit though I am sometimes willing to bend that part of the rule on larger boats. I have a bunch of inflatable jackets, so I can make wearing protection as unobtrusive as possible, but I am adamant that they will be worn. My jacket is equipped with a harness, and I wear it whenever there is not another person capable of controlling the boat without my assistance present with me in the cockpit. Does no good to watch to boat sail away while my crew is forward or asleep below, or worse, watching me from the cockpit unable to get the boat back to me. Like those who insist that they cannot enjoy riding their motorcycles while wearing a helment, I respect the right of those who choose to sail without gear on, but it strikes me as a needless gamble. Justin - O'day Owners' Web Here in Maine, the water temperature tends not to go much above
Everyone aboard my boat, or any boat under my command, wears a jacket at all times while abovedeck and underway, end of discussion. This includes in the cockpit though I am sometimes willing to bend that part of the rule on larger boats. I have a bunch of inflatable jackets, so I can make wearing protection as unobtrusive as possible, but I am adamant that they will be worn. My jacket is equipped with a harness, and I wear it whenever there is not another person capable of controlling the boat without my assistance present with me in the cockpit. Does no good to watch to boat sail away while my crew is forward or asleep below, or worse, watching me from the cockpit unable to get the boat back to me. Like those who insist that they cannot enjoy riding their motorcycles while wearing a helment, I respect the right of those who choose to sail without gear on, but it strikes me as a needless gamble. Justin - O'day Owners' Web Here in Maine, the water temperature tends not to go much above
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Chris Van Lauwe
Check that cartridge
This summer had a friend test his auto inflate suspenders. Guess what? He jumped in the water and it did not work. His wife had purchased them mail order and as some mailorders find the cartridge to be a hazardous substance they ship them without the cartridge. If it was shipped to your house and you want the cartridge the senders charges considerably more to ship. Everyone on the dock checked their auto inflates after that episode.
This summer had a friend test his auto inflate suspenders. Guess what? He jumped in the water and it did not work. His wife had purchased them mail order and as some mailorders find the cartridge to be a hazardous substance they ship them without the cartridge. If it was shipped to your house and you want the cartridge the senders charges considerably more to ship. Everyone on the dock checked their auto inflates after that episode.
Man-overboard drills
Everyone– wait, I mean EVERYONE– ought to regularly practise man-overboard drills with the regular boat crew. It is not hard to do and can actually be fun. Take an example from school fire drills. Inform everyone that there can be a drill at any time. This is realistic. An appointed person (start with the most experienced one) without warning takes a handy throwable cushion, wings it over the side, yells 'man overboard', and then drops out of the action– goes below, sits there mutely, does NOTHING but mind the chronometer as the crew come about without him to retrieve the cushion. This is particularly valuable for all of us who sail wih 'wife and kids' –those people who may too rarely ever get to command the boat. It will be very badly screwed up the first few times and you might even break things, but if you treat the drill as a real emergency you will all at least learn what a crisis can demand. Practice makes perfect– your homework didn't end in school. Maybe you could do as the schools do and have a set maximum of sailing days before you HAVE to have conducted a drill. Better the lost PFD or broken boom preventer in practice now than a lost crewmate– and family member– some day. J Cherubini II
Everyone– wait, I mean EVERYONE– ought to regularly practise man-overboard drills with the regular boat crew. It is not hard to do and can actually be fun. Take an example from school fire drills. Inform everyone that there can be a drill at any time. This is realistic. An appointed person (start with the most experienced one) without warning takes a handy throwable cushion, wings it over the side, yells 'man overboard', and then drops out of the action– goes below, sits there mutely, does NOTHING but mind the chronometer as the crew come about without him to retrieve the cushion. This is particularly valuable for all of us who sail wih 'wife and kids' –those people who may too rarely ever get to command the boat. It will be very badly screwed up the first few times and you might even break things, but if you treat the drill as a real emergency you will all at least learn what a crisis can demand. Practice makes perfect– your homework didn't end in school. Maybe you could do as the schools do and have a set maximum of sailing days before you HAVE to have conducted a drill. Better the lost PFD or broken boom preventer in practice now than a lost crewmate– and family member– some day. J Cherubini II
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MS
That's all well and good J.C.
But the question posed was "Sailing Alone". And, yeah, it would be great to get people to do a man overboard drill. But the reality is often people are just inviting guests, I can't expect my guests who sometimes are non-boating people to do the drill...they might but a larger percentage will refuse. Mostly feeling very uncomfortable taking over a boat --- especially a sailboat. I am not a Captain Dictator....I can ask (and have) to do a drill with loved ones and family that just want to enjoy the sail......they just say ---"Don't even think of falling off the boat!".......Though,if I was doing extended cruising, I would expect it from my crewmates. In heavy seas (when I start feeling really uncomfortable) I put on the the life jacket----and yes I do have a harness and have used it......I think that is the key.......If I do something stupid on a nice day....well that's a different story......(scary as it might be)
But the question posed was "Sailing Alone". And, yeah, it would be great to get people to do a man overboard drill. But the reality is often people are just inviting guests, I can't expect my guests who sometimes are non-boating people to do the drill...they might but a larger percentage will refuse. Mostly feeling very uncomfortable taking over a boat --- especially a sailboat. I am not a Captain Dictator....I can ask (and have) to do a drill with loved ones and family that just want to enjoy the sail......they just say ---"Don't even think of falling off the boat!".......Though,if I was doing extended cruising, I would expect it from my crewmates. In heavy seas (when I start feeling really uncomfortable) I put on the the life jacket----and yes I do have a harness and have used it......I think that is the key.......If I do something stupid on a nice day....well that's a different story......(scary as it might be)
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