Hmmm,,,,
My questions would also involve why ? What was the cause of the
capsize ?
Avoid surprises :
1. Getting and paying attention to the
weather forecast, and check the
marine weather channel feq, every so often. Also, look at the
wind direction and speeds, any changes in strength or direction. Good plan is also , and also read the cloud cover situation and types of clouds.
2. If 40 kts of
wind forecast, were they reefed down with a small
jib ?
3. What is the true experience of the
skipper, his knowledge of seaman ship ?.
We seldom see catamarans with sticks actually sailing, especially to windward.
We do see them on auto pilot /
gps . Is this all cat drivers, of course not, but it is
the majority.
Also, our experience is ocean, and not lake sailing, but on lakes , it would seem
that if there were mountains or valleys or venturi wind areas between tall buildings,
that much stronger gusts could surprise the
skipper. And WHAM, no one ready to
Cut ( release) the main sheet and let it run free, and immediately reduce the rapidly
increasing heel .and prevent a
capsize.
4. Life Jackets : If we are sailing into rough weather or strong winds, everyone
puts on a life jacket. No exceptions These are mono hulls. No cat experience.
S.O.P Without fail , every one board, knows where the life jackets are ,and as skipper I show them how to put on the PFD's, and show them where they are stowed. Normally, good weather, we do not require anyone to put on a life jacket, But sometimes a passenger is not familiar with sailing or the ocean, and feels better wearing a life jacket ' and that is perfectly OK. It is also OK for the skipper to require passengers or crew to wear life jackets.
Also, we take at least one life jacket and secure it to the stern pulpit with a slip
knot.
Quick access and release to toss to anyone that has gone
overboard. We also have
The horseshoe man
overboard pole rig and and line, located on the stern as well.
I also train people, that if anyone does go over board, One person points at the victim and do not take your eyes off of them, and we get a
PFD to them ASAP.
Also, I prefer the quick stop
MOB method, that is coming about, and heave to, stop the vessel in the vicinity of the
MOB. Very simple and easy.
That all being said, in 35 years as a professional licence Capt, I have never had
Anyone overboard. Nor have I ever capsized a mono
hull keel boat, or even seen one
capsize. Do not want to, as that can be a very , very serious situation.
However. if in any kind of seaway, it could be very problematic hauling anyone who is 140 pounds plus back up on a high freeboard, without swim ladders or similar rigs. As to climbing up the stern swim step in a sea way, the stern bounding up and down and slapping hard into the rough ocean, bad ju-ju, just something else to consider.
Also, as to hauling a person in a life jacket on board. If possible to grab on to the life jacket, grab on to the front shoulder area of the life jacket and fall backwards, You
should be able to haul them on board. Works for white
water rafting and vessels with
low free board.
The main thing is not to lose some one overboard, or capsize in the first place.
monohull or
catamaran. Let's keep everyone alive and well, and bring the boat back to the
dock, with all of the people we started with, and the vessel floating upright.
.