Sailor Washed Overboard Drowns

[TEE]

Whether to wear a harness or not is up to the captain and crew on any given boat. Ocean sailing is not entirely safe, and it is not for me to call other sailors foolish who choose not to wear a harness. I don't wear one all of the time when I am sailing, and don't intend to. If the weather gets rough, I put one on to provide me with a better sense of security. However, if the sea is dangerous enough you really, really need one, there are plenty of ways to die while you are still attached to the boat.

[jackdale]

Originally Posted by robert sailor

When we were sailing in the South pacific a guy fell overboard, he was clipped on but his wife did not know what to do and eventually he drowned still teathered on.

Stop the frigging boat. Heave-to (especially if MOB went over to leeward), go into irons, luff the sails.

[robert sailor]

Well sure but she simply did not know what to do

[jackdale]

Originally Posted by robert sailor

Well sure but she simply did not know what to do

Why not?

[robert sailor]

I guess you'd have to ask her. Maybe her husband was a know it all dickhead who wanted her to cook and clean and let him to the stuff that required some brains.

[jackdale]

Originally Posted by robert sailor

I guess you'd have to ask her. Maybe her husband was a know it all dickhead who wanted her to cook and clean and let him to the stuff that required some brains.

That is why I like to teach couples to sail.

[cal40john]

Originally Posted by jackdale

Stop the frigging boat. Heave-to (especially if MOB went over to leeward), go into irons, luff the sails.

I guess I shouldn't be surprised at the number of sig. others that don't know much.

http://www.usps.org/seattle/images/l...-mob-cases.pdf

[nimblemotors]

was this man not wearing a lifejacket?
Isn't that what keeps you from drowning if you fall into the sea?
He might have been injured before he fell, like whacked his head against something before he went into the water.
JackB

[Craig Cape Town]

I agree with Rebel Heart. People die everyday from all sorts of accidents. I feel you need to be aware of the dangers and be present as if you were behind the wheel of a car.
I used to hot foot it up and down the deck, pee off the stern - gung ho holding on with one hand, until I was washed off the helm seat on a Leopard 46 cat. The jerry cans lashed along the stern prevented me from going over.
The other two were asleep and would never had found me.
I also used the "freak wave" rational, but these unexpected waves are not so uncommon when conditions get up. See it for what it is.
Stay safe
Craig

[dirkdig]

This location is hard core.

Its justbdown the road from us and we go surfing here from time to time.
In front of the cliffs on the right hand side of the bay the surf breaks up to 30 ft and is One of Australia's best big wave spots.
On the left side breaks a left wave into the point of the bay.
Not unusal on nice days to be 6-10ft swells.
It is a very full on part of the country known and named as the Shipwreck coast.
Just look up Two Mile surf on google and you will get the idea of whats in front of the cliffs

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by dirkdig

This location is hard core.

Its justbdown the road from us and we go surfing here from time to time.
In front of the cliffs on the right hand side of the bay the surf breaks up to 30 ft and is One of Australia's best big wave spots.
On the left side breaks a left wave into the point of the bay.
Not unusal on nice days to be 6-10ft swells.
It is a very full on part of the country known and named as the Shipwreck coast.
Just look up Two Mile surf on google and you will get the idea of whats in front of the cliffs

Try looking up Nazere...

[dirkdig]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Try looking up Nazere...

Very similar setup.

[Snore]

The "do you clip on?" question is one of those that we will never agree on.

Those who grew up in risky utility or construction environments are probably the ones who clip on. We realize that it is not if, but when our human side comes out and we mess up. I've worn steel toe shoes for +/- 40 years not because I plan on dropping something on my foot but for when I do... And I have.

On deck my tether is tight, I've messed up. It is my last line of defense from being referred to as "the late" Snore.

The alternative is to rely on not making the mistake.

No right or wrong, "You pays your money and takes your chances"

[s/v Beth]

A couple of points have come out in this discussion. One is the importance of having another trained seaman on the boat. Another is using your smarts not to be on deck in bad conditions. And then again, sounds like luck or providence plays a part. But I am still clipping in at night.

[jackdale]

Originally Posted by s/v Beth

A couple of points have come out in this discussion. One is the importance of having another trained seaman on the boat. Another is using your smarts not to be on deck in bad conditions. And then again, sounds like luck or providence plays a part. But I am still clipping in at night.

This also a reason I like two crew on a watch.