Man Overboard off Puerto Rico -- 7-Hour Swim to Shore

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by Juho

I have a proposal. A long thin line to a sea anchor. When you pull the line, the sea anchor will be launched, and the boat almost stops. If you already have a sea anchor, all you need is one additional long line.

I think this would work, or at least I think it would, don't see why it wouldn't.


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[Lizzy Belle]

Originally Posted by uncle stinkybob

perhaps all that is required is a fresh open mind that has not given in to your , if I didn't do it, it can't be done attitude.

Have you ever been dragged behind (or next to) a boat doing 5 or 6 knots? Even in the calmest of waters?

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Lizzy Belle

Have you ever been dragged behind (or next to) a boat doing 5 or 6 knots? Even in the calmest of waters?

You'll have to wait awhile.. I do believe he's thinking..

[Lizzy Belle]

Originally Posted by boatman61

You'll have to wait awhile.. I do believe he's thinking..

I'm good to go for another year here, so I got time

Originally Posted by Juho

I have a proposal. A long thin line to a sea anchor. When you pull the line, the sea anchor will be launched, and the boat almost stops. If you already have a sea anchor, all you need is one additional long line.

A very long line (you'll need time to get to it ...) which is clearly visible 24/7, even from a fair distance, in rough seas (so - not too thin a line probably).

Your sea anchor (drogues?) must be pre-installed at the stern (!) and you'll have to drag that long, long line 24/7 ...

Still think it's a better idea to stay on the boat

[a64pilot]

Water is I think 784 times more dense than air, so is it fair to say that there would be 784 times more drag?
I doubt that is correct but any beginning water skier has been drug behind a boat as it takes a while before you figure out to let go of the rope when you fall.

Only chance I see you would have is to figure out a way to stop the boat if your Singlehanding.
Falling off has been one of my fears as I've read a couple accounts of someone waking up, wondering why their wife or husband let them oversleep their watch only to find that they are alone on the boat.
So I have AIS alarms on our vests and a DSC VHF, and a water activated flashing light.
Of course does little good if your Singlehanding, but maybe you would get lucky with a DSC radio.


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[Saleen411]

Not to sound like a pedant.....IMHO dragging a line as a single hander is futile. Living on the Delta, I have lots of experience behind a boat. An average person cannot hold on to a rope very long while being dragged, even at low speed. Even with a foot hold the person would have to roll on his back to keep from drowning.

IMHO, a single handing MOB would have next to zero chance of making his way forward on a rope to regain access to his sailing vessel if said vessel was making any kind of speed.

[zeehag]

it seems to me the MOST IMPORTANT lesson a MAN can learn i show to SIT to pee.
sorry but standing off the transom, lost in thought as men are prone to becoming while trying to pee, is NOT the recommended method when
a)solo sailing, or
b)in a sea.
testosterone aside, there is no reason to do that stoopit move.
i bet a plugged nickel he had his bludi pants around his ankles and weenie out as he went. oops bye bye.
he wouldnt have been first, and you all know you AINT gonna cop to being in that vulnerable position.
my uncle the captain used to sing all good sailors squat to pee. i think he is from where i learned to make up my own words to songs to make em appropriate. he learned that art on tallships. rtw.

[Lizzy Belle]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

someone waking up, wondering why their wife or husband let them oversleep their watch only to find that they are alone on the boat.

I know this is isn't nice ... but a few solo sailors, couples and I were discussing this last summer.

The only bright side we saw was it being 'the perfect murder' ... One little push a week or more from shore ... good luck proving it wasn't just a horrible accident

One of the couples has circumnavigated, and both quit smoking right before an ocean crossing. Not recommended, as they both admitted this very thought crossing their nicotine craving minds a few times during arguments mid-ocean

[unclemack]

Just finished reading this and one thought about the triggering aspect of a boat-stopping arrangement occurs.

Nothing original about it, just another application for voice recognition.
Seems probable that a shouted word like STOP or HELP or whatever could be made to trigger a number of motor driven control responses.

No need to carry anything = good, need to be conscious and have a spare lungful of air = bad but I see no reason proximity detection device or car remote key fob couldn't also be used.

"Details? Details?
I've done the hard part - the invention - if you people can't fill in a few details what the hell am I paying you for!?"

[a64pilot]

I guess I've done too much reading, but I read of someone coming upon a Lady in the water on their way back from the Bahamas.
Boy I bet she had a surprise for her Husband.


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[Juho]

Originally Posted by Lizzy Belle

A very long line (you'll need time to get to it ...) which is clearly visible 24/7, even from a fair distance, in rough seas (so - not too thin a line probably).

Your sea anchor (drogues?) must be pre-installed at the stern (!) and you'll have to drag that long, long line 24/7 ...

Still think it's a better idea to stay on the boat

I vote for short lines (tether and jackline) to stay on the boat. If you want to find and catch the long line easily, the best approach is to tow a dinghy with a 100m line.

[boatman61]

I sail solo/crewed with no tether, no life jacket..
However most here will likely use both.. plus foulies in lumpy weather and sea boots (Europe) coastal and offshore.. many are over 50 and mainly unfit.. many overweight.
There have been true stories on here of MOB dressed as above who've gone over and the crew have not been able to get them on board in time when tethered.. they've been slammed repeatedly against the hull and due to the tether flipped on their backs and drowned.. one example had the brother trying to cut the tether when manual efforts by 2 big guys failed to haul him in.. to no avail.
If no tether you go over and need to adjust to the experience.. its unexpected so there's shock delay.. then orientation during which time your getting waterlogged.. now you face a 5 metre swim to grab a dinghy/line/Bay Watch board.. damn the life jacket just inflated.. and the boats traveling at say 4-5kts.. do the math.. 100metres + say 9metres from point of ejection.. how much time have you to react..??
But that's no worry the crew will turn and get you.. unless your solo.
And.. if you want a pee.. do it by the mast between the stays with an arm around one each side.. the transom is for suicide jockeys.

[a64pilot]

I pee in one of these if I'm too lazy to go below.
http://www.sportys.com/pilotshop/lit...J8vhoC_Wbw_wcB


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[uncle stinkybob]

Originally Posted by Lizzy Belle

I'm good to go for another year here, so I got time



A very long line (you'll need time to get to it ...) which is clearly visible 24/7, even from a fair distance, in rough seas (so - not too thin a line probably).

Your sea anchor (drogues?) must be pre-installed at the stern (!) and you'll have to drag that long, long line 24/7 ...

Still think it's a better idea to stay on the boat

So sorry, no more time for nay sayer's. Life is just to short to waste time on such folk. Have a nice day.
I'm digging the block feature here, shuts em right up.

[unclemack]

I don't get the Ich Bin ein Sitzpinkler thing or the macho-peepee-in-the-wild thang either.

Aim as good as I can but at my age got to expect the odd miss. That's no reason to hang off the boat with not enough hands to hold everything.
Shrouds are no nearer than the head on my boat...

Nope, don't get it.