Messages sorted by:
[ date ]
[ thread ]
[ subject ]
[ author ]
>>>>I hear you, but the reality is that, on a powerboat and near-shore, I
have never-ever seen anyone do that. In fact the idea of being dragged
along behind a power boat at 8 kts until somebody noticed, isn't very
attractive.<<<<SNIP>>>>If you look at all of the stories of voyages through
Panama which I consider offshore, nobody ties on to the boat, even in rough
weather.<<<<
The fact that people don't do something, doesn't mean it's a bad idea.
Nobody likes life-harnesses. They get in the way, catch on things, get
wrapped round you, and are generally a pain in the neck. But think of the
alternative. Think about putting that natty MOB procedure you last
practiced a year ago (you DO practice, don't you?) in daylight, fine
weather and calm water into practice to save a crew member in pitch
darkness, driving rain, and ten foot waves after that force six wind blew
your glasses off. Think about it being your petite wife having to haul your
great carcase inboard in the same conditions, especially if you're
hypothermic. And it doesn't even need storm conditions to kill you (See the
Rob James story below).
I'd say being towed along by your boat until somebody notices you're
missing would be a lot better than watching the stern light disappear into
the darkness at eight knots, but a proper lifeline shouldn't be long enough
to let you fall that far. Rig stainless steel wire jackstays along the
deck, keep the harness-line down to about 1.5m long and the line might well
keep you from going right into the water at all, especially if you keep
your lifelines or rail high. Rig your jackstays so that crew can clip on
BEFORE they go outside through ANY hatch or door.
I know the above sounds a bit fanatical, and I don't wear a harness all the
time either, but when I'm in two minds about whether the conditions warrant
clipping on, I say two words to myself - Rob James.
Rob James was an ex-Merchant Navy officer and a very experienced and
successful ocean racing skipper. In March 1983 while manoeuvring the
trimaran Colt Cars GB in harbour in daylight and calm weather he fell
overboard. His crew were unable to retrieve him from the cold water in time
and he drowned. Now I wasn't there, so I don't know what nifty patent
retrieval gadget or cleverly thought out MOB procedure might have saved
him, but in fact he ended up stone cold dead at the age of 36. He wasn't
wearing a harness, or a lifejacket. Like many of us, he probably thought
that in easy conditions in harbour it wasn't necessary.
I'm sorry to go on at such length on such a depressing subject, but I've
yet to see an MOB retrieval procedure in which I'd place much confidence. I
know it's been done, but I wouldn't rely on it. Wear a harness, stay on the
boat.
Regards, Robert Bryett
Sydney, Australia.
mailto:
