Sailor Washed Overboard Drowns

[captain58sailin]

I have commercial fished for several years alone, only went overboard 1 time, the inflatable life jacket would not have helped and a jack line would have hindered me, I managed to grab the boat hook off the side of the vessel and hang off the stern fender, whilst my horse went in circles in the river. Due to the water temps here, hypothermia is a far greater concern than drowning. If I had been in the ocean at the time, I would have died, instead I was just embarrassed and hypothermic, and managed to rescue myself. The fenders did come in handy, I did buy some pigeon hole steps to cut and weld into my hull so that if there was a repeat of my behavior out at sea, I would be able to climb out. The most dangerous times are when you are performing routine tasks. There are some rules you can look up SOLAS. Night time under sail always clipped in to the compass binnacle, never leave the cockpit with out waking the watch partner, always shorten sail before night fall. I have webbing in the lifelines of "Rose" but wouldn't do much good to stop going overboard, it is more to keep the fish from swimming out once they are on deck. Life jackets are just to help the coast guard find the bodies here, even survival suits aren't going to save you from long term exposure to the water, about 24 hours max. And if you cannot get the suit zipped up even less of course. Much better to stay on the boat and keep the boat afloat.

[jackdale]

For some good sound research on hypothermia check out Coldwater Boot Camp. http://coldwaterbootcamp.com/

[sabray]

I went turtle in a dink in full winter gear Narraganset bay. Pretty sure a jacket would have helped. Really no idea how I got back to the dock saved the dink and my chessie. Went into the chandeliers and bought a new oar lock with wet money. That clerk must remember a wet pup chessie and soaked idiot wanting one oar lock.

[Rakuflames]

Originally Posted by captain58sailin

I have commercial fished for several years alone, only went overboard 1 time, the inflatable life jacket would not have helped and a jack line would have hindered me, I managed to grab the boat hook off the side of the vessel and hang off the stern fender, whilst my horse went in circles in the river. Due to the water temps here, hypothermia is a far greater concern than drowning. If I had been in the ocean at the time, I would have died, instead I was just embarrassed and hypothermic, and managed to rescue myself. The fenders did come in handy, I did buy some pigeon hole steps to cut and weld into my hull so that if there was a repeat of my behavior out at sea, I would be able to climb out. The most dangerous times are when you are performing routine tasks. There are some rules you can look up SOLAS. Night time under sail always clipped in to the compass binnacle, never leave the cockpit with out waking the watch partner, always shorten sail before night fall. I have webbing in the lifelines of "Rose" but wouldn't do much good to stop going overboard, it is more to keep the fish from swimming out once they are on deck. Life jackets are just to help the coast guard find the bodies here, even survival suits aren't going to save you from long term exposure to the water, about 24 hours max. And if you cannot get the suit zipped up even less of course. Much better to stay on the boat and keep the boat afloat.

Webbing will keep you in ... if you move around on your hands and knees.

[captain58sailin]

I have been living in the cold water boot camp since 1967. You can use hypothermia to enable you to swim under your boat to clear your prop. It is hard to get into really cold water above your waist, so you have to allow your body to get somewhat numb, the next step is chest cavity, then the really hard part is submerging your head, which you have to do, in order to get your prop clear.
You can't sling fish on your hands and knees very effectively.