Last year I rather foolishly left my crew on a shoal near the shore path on the west side of the creek, but with a deep channel behind him. I used one of the small body boards to rescue him, which was very useful, but it was leaking quite a bit, and I can only imagine that will get worse, so it would be good if it were improved or replaced.
Then a separate issue;
I have a new crew, who is a spirited girl, not long known to me, but who loves the boat, the creek, and the club, and who loves swimming from the boat, but needs a hand back in. The first time she swam a hand was enough, but last weekend we went swimming from the mooring before the boat was afloat, so it would have been a bigger climb to get back aboard. Also, perhaps lulled to a false sense of security by the shallowness of water, we spent longer out, and I think she was already tired when she tried to reboard. Also I think it doesn’t take many attempts to tire, or panic a swimmer.
So I’m thinking what kit I should invest in to be sure of keeping my crew, or what I already have.
A life jacket could easily have been handed to her, and then a halyard could have been fixed to it, but this seemed a bit extreme
I have seen this https://ebay.io/m/TVkW21
But I have also heard of using a storm jib, which I have, and which I have space for, but might be seen as a little disrespectful. The crew has seen footage of Swiss cows being moved by helicopter, and though she is amused, I’m not really keen on giving her this treatment.
I’m posting here because you all know the territory, and some may already have well worked procedures, and if I do purchase kit, that proves no use to me, perhaps it might be of some use to the club, but I don’t want to acquire junk.
Also I think these two stories, though both related to me, in different craft and different circumstances, do well to remind me of how the next mishap/rescue/casualty/or worse, is likely to bear no resemblance to the last, so it is good to have access to robust kit, that can be put to different uses, and have experience and practice of different procedures that might help.
Any contribution is welcome, please don’t worry about causing offence or embarrassment
Stephen
Just a thought but perhaps the use of the step fender being deployed prior to your swim maybe a wise choice. There is one on board Lethera Stowed in front of mast – suggest on lower than normal setting would assist boarding when water low. (May need inflation pump found in top draw of galley area)
Thanks Ken,
I keep the fender ladder in place nearly all the time. I guess I’d take it off for a serious sea passage. And I’m aware that raising/lowering it can help. We managed at the weekend, but I’m trying to think ahead to the unexpected, I’m thinking of improving the fittings on the stern solar panel so that the stern ladder can be more easily used, but even that will not always be enough. I had the poor girl climbing the stern ladder to get into the dinghy, and she managed to fall off it, which was a little alarming, add a little more fatigue….
I think swimming is an essential part of boating, as it might be the only exercise we can get.
This is potentially very dangerous indeed. The water can be a lot colder than the swimmer expects. If Ken’s ladder does not do the trick you can buy rigid boarding ladders with built in hooks at the top that will hang on the toe rail. The key thing is the bottom rung has to be low enough in the water that the swimmer can get their feet on it and climb up like any other ladder. You cannot assume they have the strength in their arms to pull themselves up so the bottom rung needs to be well down. Ignore rope ladders they hang too close to the hull to get your feet on the rungs and bare feet do not go well with a narrow rung anyway. An inflatable or paddle board might help as a swimmer could get on to it first and then be helped on board; would need to be inflated before the swimmer goes in.
Thanks Jonathan,
I replied to Ken as well, but I like your suggestion of some kind of inflatable, as it might double as a get ashore option in very light airs.
As I said to Ken, I find swimming to be important exercise when spending a few days stuck on a boat.
You might look at an inflatable kayak. May not be so easy to get into from the water but is a get ashore option. I used a Sevylor Tahiti for a while. Surprisingly tough for the price but if you want to get ashore fully dressed you are liable to get wet from the paddle. I gave it up, sold it and opted for a lightweight 2m 3D inflatable. Small to inflate on a 24ft boat and can take my 2hp Honda but takes more room than the Sevylor.