Man overboard-VOR

[martinworswick]

Man overboard on leg leader Sun Hung Kai/Scallywag (VIDEO) - Volvo Ocean Race 2017-18

[TheOffice]

I am constantly amazed at these guys do not clip in. So glad he was recovered. Maybe they will change how casually they move around the boat

[SV DestinyAscen]

In those champagne conditions they don't really need to clip in. The error was the young lad deciding to climb on the outrigger without telling anyone and not wearing the right deck gear to do it.

He's lucky he's alive and the able crew were able to recover him in under ten minutes.

[martinworswick]

If it took a full professional racing crew 7 minutes to retrieve him in reasonably calm conditions it sort of makes you realise how much of predicament you'd be in with just a couple on board.I bet he'll learn from that mistake!

[boatman61]

And.. not a single one was wearing a life jacket.

[martinworswick]

Originally Posted by boatman61

And.. not a single one was wearing a life jacket.

worried about the tan lines i'd imagine....

[thinwater]

This also highlights a difference in sailing high speed boats. I'm doubt you would survive hitting the water and then getting towed beside the boat at 20 knots. I read of a singlehander that fell off a tri going 30 knots; snapped a good tether (4500 pounds), which almost certainly resulted in fatal injuries. There are times when you simple must not fall.

I'm not suggesting tethers are not needed. They do use them for certain things. Obviously he goofed. But I suspect it is better that he fell in the water, under those conditions, than got towed. You would need a tether that kept you out of the water.

One size does not fit all.