I chose a slightly different self rescue. I added a web line, as an "overboard jack line" around both sides of the boat at rubrail height. The line goes around the stern to the centerline where a boarding ladder can be deployed by pulling on a line dragging through the water. My regular jack lines are on the side decks and tight enough to usually keep me on deck unless something really bad happens. But if a wave pushes me over the side, instead of being left hanging by the tether and trying to pull myself up a line (I'm too old for that effort), I can attach the second clip of my tether to the overboard line, cut the first tether line and let the water drag me around to the stern. Once behind the boat I don't have to rush or fight waves. The job is as simple as tugging a line and carefully climbing the stainless boarding ladder. I did try it on a beam reach in 12 knots of wind with help on board in case it didn't work. The hardest part is staying still enough to clip the second tether while bouncing alongside the boat. You also need to be careful not to lose your knife!! Once I released the first tether I was rapidly moved to the stern by the water rushing by. From the stern it was surprisingly easy to board.
Wow! Beautiful. That is a fantastic approach that I have never heard of before. Thank you very much for sharing that. I will definitely try that. I love the potential for redundancy as well. That solves a problem that has come up in this thread. So simple and easy to rig as well. Bravo mate. Thank you. I will be rigging this and may even do it in addition to the ladders. I think many more will follow.
Thank you for the video and the effort you took to make it. At 79 years of age I often sail solo. I don't think i stand a chance if i go overboard, even though I'm fairly fit. I've often wondered about it. Your video has convinced me. I MUST STAY ON THE BOAT!!!!
I have a swing down stern ladder and that would be a help but I’m realizing that I need to put a release for it that I can reach from the water. I’m in my mid 70s and I stay fit but I realize I probably can’t do what I did in my 30s
A really valuable skill for all solo sailors and one that is underestimated! I have the standard rope ladder that can be released from water level, but the older you get, the harder everything is! As you rightly say, be aware that this CAN happen and have a plan! Thanks again, sir!
Thank you. Great ideas. I anticipate my capacity to further diminish with age.... I have some ideas to try out to make it a bit easier for us "older" sailors.
Yep and do NOT think YOU ain't gonna age out because you most certainly WILL! Tell you what when I was 20 years old I could climb a 40 foot mast in a bosun's chair like it was nothing. Now at 81 I cannot even walk!
I read all the comments and watched the video several times. This subject is extremely important, because, even encouraged by your advice, each of us solo sailors will certainly encounter an unfriendly scenario like the one you show us. And this sets off the purple alarm!! Considering that there was an involuntary fall, the psyche will react violently through panic, which, if left uncontrolled, will drain bodily energy, reducing our chances even further. So, it's not enough to just train the stairs and a supposed faster technique. I noticed that the ladder has become a tangled vine, in which the foot cannot fit... (W.O) If you hang on the side, the arm will fail, due to the height... (W.O) We really have to rethink these objects and devices, because your demonstration only shows us what should be avoided. I say that things are really serious!
Thank you for the very thoughtful and considered comment. I agree. These are very serious circumstances. I also agree, we need to come up with some alternate ideas that are less based on brute strength and also be able to implement after we recover some composure in such an event. One viewer suggested control lines to either stop the boat, or have it heave to under sail from a position hanging over the side. I think these ideas have potential and will test some rigging ideas I have soon. Another improvement would be to reduce the brute strength required to get back aboard. I have some ideas here too that come from the rock climbing world. I will share once I refine and try some of these. We would all love to hear if anyone has other ideas to manage these otherwise dire circumstances. All the best mate. And thanks again. We can all learn a lot from each other.
I noticed there are different styles of these ladders. Would the rung style possibly be easier to climb? Seems with the extra space it would be likely harder to get a foothold.
Thanks for filming this drill. I'm 75 and single hand a lot on the East Coast. I've become a little laxed about using my jack lines. After watching this, I'll be using them more often and also plan on shortening my tethers. I won't be doing what you did - for practice or for real. Thanks.
I agree. I will add that I now put the ladders on for intercoastal sailing, and jacklines when the wind is above 10 knots -- and clip very short in those conditions.
@@TM-529 Probably true, although the propwash would also be something to contend with. I'm just thinking I wouldn't make my plan contingent on using that ladder with a boat under power. Imo coming up the side would be safer and possibly easier, depending, of course, on many factors out of anyone's control during an emergency.
Thanks for this demonstration and recommendations - especially pre-positioning the climbers. I'm 62, a single-hander and cautious about jacklines and harness, but recognize even with those I could still go overboard. Now I gotta work out and set up an opportunity to practice.
Thanks for the note. You and I are close in age. You can buy some at MEC or you can make some yourself out of rope or sling. And yes, practice practice practice. As a start, you may want to practice in a tree in your back yard, or a playground -- or perhaps in the rafters in your basement. I have done all of those over the years. Get comfortable with the technique, then try it on the boat at the dock, and go from there with a moving boat -- add one variable at a time. Best wishes.
One more comment if you decide to make some yourself: look carefully at the design: the upper loops need to have some slack when the lower ones are loaded -- so you can get your upper foot into the loop while under load with the lower foot. This is achieved by offsetting one side. (rock climbers learned this quickly).
Several important points about what you did. 1. You boarded the yacht from the worst possible angle, being from a side. The water pressure is at maximum, and you risked being sucked under the yacht, which greatly increases if the sea state is not flat calm like it was. Additionally, pulling yourself back to the yacht against the full water force is much harder. The Best re-entry point is the stern, and via a fixed boarding ladder preferably onto a duckboard first, then the yacht cockpit. 2. Use a dinghy mainsheet as a safety line so that you can always keep it a the shortest working length. You extend/shorten the length just the same as letting the boom move in and out, and if you fall overboard, it will prevent you from becoming exhausted trying to pull yourself back and maintain the closer position to the yacht when you need to rest. You just use the jam cleat the same as if sailing the dinghy, to "winch" your way back with the block onboard attached to the safety line eye, and the jam cleat block attached to your harness. Using this is possible when injured as well, and if a paraglider kiting harness is used as a body harness, because the hook attachment points are higher up near your chin, it is possible to "bodysurf" over the top of the water much better. The ability to rest ( totally ) and move back to the yacht at whatever speed you are able to, is the best safety point that you want to get to. I am assuming that you have the correct size safety vest on and it is fitted correctly. If you have not, then say hello to Davy Jones locker, because like others who have been knocked/slipped and gone over the side without proper safety equipment being used, that's where you will also go. 3. A large rope with large knots about .600 apart and at least 2 x the length of the boat left dragging astern if working on the deck, is a very good safety device. 4. A smaller line left dragging astern with a pull release knot that deploys a wakeboard that you can lie on and reduce the water friction/drag effect is easy to setup and easier to use to get back to the yacht, if you are not super fit. 5. The BIGGEST problem is not getting onboard, but getting back to be able to. Approaching from the stern means eddy water that has rotors that swirl the water around, from the sides you face much higher water pressure that increases the bigger the swells/wave actions, and THE SPEED of the yacht. Most of all NEVER PANIC. Panic causes the brain to stop thinking, and if you cannot think then you cannot pull on that dinghy mainsheet, and then step up the boarding ladder. This method has been repeatedly tested in varied sea states, with multiple crew of mixed age, fitness and experience. It has worked every single time, and in one particular day it was performed in the middle of Cook St, between the North and South Islands of New Zealand, on a 20 knot medium sea state 3 mtr swell against a 4 knot tide. The yacht was a H28 under sail. Try it and see how you get on. It is the best we have been able to test out with 100% success results.
Wow. Thank you for the detail. Those are excellent ideas that I have never heard before. I will try some of them. Thank you for sharing these valuable experiences with all of us.
Thank you very much for your videos! I singlehanded my 30' Joel White for many years around Vancouver Island and all of your videos seem very useful (and correct) - I'll recommend them to anyone I encounter who is starting on their learning journey! Fair winds / Cheers
Excellent demonstration - thanks. Being pulled through water at anything more than a couple of Knots creates significant drag and needs, as you've shown, significant strength/energy to overcome.
Thank you. Agree. It is honestly shocking how hard this was for me at 5.5 knots through the water.... Perhaps younger and stronger sailors will have less trouble....
Thanks for sharing, as a solo sailor in the UK I know it's pretty much game over if I fall out of my boat so my rule is to always be tethered when underway on deck
Excellent video, thank you. There is a lot of bla-bla on this topic, but this is the first time I’ve ever seen an actual demonstration. I personally use very short tethers since I am 69 and though fit, doubt my upper body strength. I also string a rope alongside on both sides, to use to step on, but of course have never actually used it. I might try it at anchor next summer (in Scotland! Brrrr!) anyway, sailing 55 years without falling overboard. Hope to continue my success!
Thanks for the note. Those are some good ideas. I hope to improve my chances with a few other ideas. One idea I rigged is a control line to kill the engine from over the side -- it can be seen here ruclips.net/video/A5IR81KTlNs/видео.html
I very much compliment Respect the Risk for his lesson on self-rescue. It must be a sobering experience to watch your boat sail over the horizon while treading water, and I have every confidence that has happened many times through the ages. Now, while it is true most Man Overboard incidents happen with the boat sitting still, the rare, but terrifying incidents happen in heavy weather, washed or knocked over the side, so getting back aboard in the very conditions that caused someone to go by the run is very difficult. As we trained for such, even at 21 years old and our fitness level the best it would ever be, most did get back to the Zodiac but could not get in while under way in easy seas. They had to be pulled back aboard, and that is with low freeboard and topsides with a grip. Darkness adds another dimension, as do breaking seas. Alone at sea, clip on, make certain your lifeline and stanchions are up to the strain, and take your reef when you first think about it, then go below. When the sky lowers and the sea rises, it may be too late to go forward alone. Fair winds.
I had a long to and fro on the comments section on a video series with other commentators about the dangers of going overboard whilst singlehanded. My argument was not to go overboard for any reason other than an emergency repair. Having sailed singlehanded across most of the oceans I can say its the scariest of notions to be floundering in mid ocean and your boat hightailing away from you. Its not always convenient to be tethered when you have to scampering fore and aft taking care of everything to keep the boat moving. Its especially not advisable to hop overboard just to scrape off barnacles. The changes of being attacked by sharks and stung by jellyfish is quite high. However some commentators argue that its quite safe if you have a line trailing the boat.....NOT SO....As you say the freeboard on a 26ft boat is still a height to haul oneself up and back on deck, unless you are a lightweight and very fit.
Thank you for this detailed and considered comment. I salute you sir on singlehanding across even one ocean. Those are hard won miles that take considerable fortitude. I have yet to make such an achievment -- and may no longer have the sangfroid to even attempt an ocean singlehanded. We are all grateful to have such feedback from such a seasoned singlehander. Thank you.
@@dmitripogosian5084 In ideal conditions like in a calm river or estuary maybe, but offshore things are very different when the boat is rolling and pitching and being propelled by wind and tide, you have to ask yourself is it worth risking it as ones life is on the line.
Great ideas here. Solo or not. The ladders tethered each outing seems a no brainer - now I have seen them ! Anyone even with deck help will bless those ladders.
Totally agree. These ladders can make sense even with crew. Even if just stowed ready to be deployed... especially at night for example. And in cold water, they can really help reduce the exposure time to cold water and hypothermia.
I offer you my most heartfelt gratitude for doing this demo. I have often thought about the risks of going for the Deep Six and how to actually do it and figure out how to get back aboard. I guess we will all have our individual ways of doing that but I would strongly recommend taking the plunge to find out what works for you. Incidentally, I think this video may be the best recommendation I have seen thus far in favour of having a diving platform on the transom of your boat! 😂
As someone who looks at things from an engineering point of view and as an occassional boater, it seems to me the primary issue for a solo sailor is to be on a short tether that prevents you falling in the water. That tether could run on a line inboard of the boat deck minimising the amount of times you have to re-clip. This seems to me to be key as when solo you simply do not want to fall in at all. Other than that I agree with one person who said there needs to be a lanyard or remote with your life jacket that can at least kill the engine when under power.
Thank you. Some of this stuff is quite esoteric and it's great if we can all share learnings and ideas with like-minded folks, especially in regard to safety and rescue practices.
A rear ladder would be a huge help. Agree, a PLB would be a life saver especially if one got separated from the boat. In cold water, we wouldn't have a lot of time though.
Great video - didn't know about those ladders, makes it look possible! I saw a great comment from a solo sailor recently (Wind Hippie I believe) who sails solo a lot...and she has a long light floating rope (like a heaving line) behind when she does ocean crossings, trailing out about 75 feet or more, with a few knots....so should she ever have a freak falling off when not clipped in...she would merely have to swim to the middle of her wale and grab the line. I thought that was brilliant myself...good security! Thanks for your video!! Watching from North Vancouver, Canada. Regards, Jules.
Yes, I have heard of this as a technique. You would have to hold yourself along the rope until you got to the back of the boat. But then you’re going to need a method of getting up on the boat. Also, if you ever have to start the engine in an emergency, this rope could get tangled in the propeller.
I fell off the boat in February wearing a long winter coat. Luckily I was at the dock and the boat was tied at the stern with the outboard in neutral and I went in at the bow. 40 degree water is cold and my heart stopped for a second. My boat was extremely not easy to climb. I could reach the rail from the water, but there is nothing below the waterline to put your feet on. The dock was the same. My outboard was running but didn’t look climable. Since I had a line in the water, I was able to tie a loop to put my foot in and get up out of the water and get out of my clothes and into bed to warm up. After that I attached a folding ladder at the rail midship, so it could extend into the water and I used it for getting in and out of a kayak. Both of my next boats have had a swim step on the stern with a folding ladder with a line attached to trail behind. You just have to make sure the line floats so it can’t get into the prop.
Wow. What a great anecdote. It is amazing that you had the sangfroid to think that clearly while immersed in that cold water. Well done! Great ideas. Thank you!
Admirable, and thanks for thinking of this and more importantly, putting yourself through this strenuous technique. I noticed you said you are a rock climber and obviously, despite your protestations, in excellent shape for a 59 year old man. I've done a lot of singlehanding, and a double-handed circumnavigation, which entails doing a lot of singlehanding when the other crew is asleep or merely below. I dealt with it by using your rule #1, but have had some edgy incidents even in a protected harbor, albeit one of challenging distances to shore, strong chop and current, and cold water. It's good to think of every possible worst case scenario and have a plan for it, which you've done a great job of.
Thank you for sharing your experiences. Wow: A double-handed circumnavigation -- congratulations. Very impressive mate! I have been in the water twice singlehanded -- once was under sail practicing a MOB drill on my own where I lost my balance reaching for the life jacket I was rescuing. And another time just at the dock with the boat adrift in neurtal. I had not put the ladders on yet and hand traversed the rail to the stern. It was reminder that we may need them even in benign conditions.
@@respecttherisk2022When my buddy and I got back from our trip, I sold the big boat and we got a traditional Catalina 22 with a folding keel to sail in a nearby bay with shallow waters. BTW, props for having Contessas! I love the 26 and almost bought one. One of the first things we did on a refit was to put a boarding ladder on the transom with a lanyard on it to enable deploying it from the water...because of just what you said. What if I were alone, even at the mooring, and fell in? There's no place to climb up the side of a boat, but your straps are a great idea. I've taught sailing for 30 years and I've only had two people go in the water, and both of them fell in from the dock! As you know, this is a problem even in a marina, since a majority of people cannot hoist themselves onto a float from the water. I'm sure you could, and I'd like to think I could, but then I'm not getting any younger.
Wow - fantastic and sobering demo thank you. As a lifelong power boater I appreciate even more the safety factor of the ignition lanyard when I’m out solo. Having to deal with a boat that simply won’t stop because the sails are set is a whole other level of hazard. I wonder if there is a way to rig release lines you could reach from the back of the boat that would let the sheets go to stop or slow down significantly reducing the physical effort fighting drag.
If there isn’t an auto pilot steering the boat, it will round up and not go very far under sail. But most people have auto pilot when they are sailing alone and leaving the cockpit. I had a remote on one boat so I could sit on the bow and still make changes in direction, but I don’t know how far away you could get before it didn’t work
@@respecttherisk2022 - thanks I’ve been pondering it myself all day actually. At first I thought lines rigged to put upward pressure on cleats or whatever is keeping the sails set so it releases. Then I thought maybe run something to a quick release pin that just disconnects the boom itself or traveller, but if remote controls are common for auto pilot equipped boats, a spare packed in a waterproof bag attached to your pfd might be the simplest option as has been suggested.
Nice video, great idea..I am working on putting up 5 feet lifelines, im 6,2...jacklines are tight...and finding a way to depower the boat by grabbing looped trailing line....redundancy seems like a great idea, esp when singlehanding.
Nice idea. I have some other ideas I would like to try as well -- control lines to kill switch and tiller to stop boat, or at least have it heave-to or stall in irons. Agree -- redundancy in how many chances we have to get back aboard singlehanded.
Oh man. I am sorry to hear that. Thanks for sharing that though. Hopefully, we can all learn from some of these terrible scenarios and thus prevent a few from happening in the future.
Great video. I can't imagine surviving in anything less than perfect conditions. In the "must have" list for my eventual boat, is a swim platform essential and would it actually make this situation survivable? Rather than hanging on your arms, could you clip your harness to a lifeline, just to provide rest? Can't say how much I appreciate your willingness to address this critical safety issue. I feel like many sailors think this is un-survivable and consider it as frivolous. Thanks
A swim platform could help for sure. The challenge if you go over the side is how do you get to the swim platform while being dragged by your tether? Absolutely, with an offshore harness with a short and long tether, one would clip the lifeline or anything for that matter, to get a rest, shake out, calm the F___ down...! My take on it is I would like at least a chance to try it if I go over the side in hard conditions. (rather than be thinking, "I should have put the nylon ladders on...." as my last thoughts....)
A pull string to your boarding ladder and a trailing line are how i set up for solo. You can get bumped around before being washed or falling overboard. The slack water at the stern is not as difficult to maneuver in. But yes Stick With Rule #1. Dont fall overboard.
Practical boat owner , addressed this very issue years ago , in a series called sketch pad . Usually found at the back of the magazine , they eventually became published as a sketch book series . A set of three notebooks full of ideas , such as dinghies cut in half , to nest inside each other , or even shaped to fit round a mast . Dripping windows having a gutter inside the cabin , that incidentally doubled as a hand rail . A grab strap for our four legged friend , security of companion ways . I could go on , each page was a different subject , but to be honest despite having the complete set , i can't remember them all off hand . They addressed the single-hander many times , and suggestions here ranged from a fender hanging over the side , to running the jack stays closer to the centre line with a whole host of ideas in between . They even addressed an issue not many will admit to doing , the not wearing of a harness . One idea suggest a long line trailed behind with a fender on the end . Marked with a flag , the idea was you could swim and grab . Now pulling yourself back aboard , or even back to the boat would prove exhausting , but they suggested rigging a trip line to disengage the auto steering , and turn the boat down wind . Maybe an idea perhaps .
Awesome comment. Thank you. Lot's to digest there and some great ideas. I have also been thinking about rigging a control line to kill the engine, or make the boat heave-to while sailing with the windvane. They are just ideas right now -- but could be workable ideally reachable from a position overboard close to the ladders. Pull on the line to stall the boat or have it heave to. Once the boat is stalled, the chances of reboarding are dramatically improved. Thank you for sharing your learnings and readings. I will see if I can find them online.
@@respecttherisk2022 Practical boat owner was a really good read , back in the 70's , 80's , and 90's , but now i don't bother . The format changed when the online version emerged , the magazine shrank , and the price went up . Shame really , but i guess that's life nowaday's . Moving 70 miles inland didn't help , as news agents didn't stock it like they did . I just felt the grief and price to high a price to pay . I never bothered to learn how to use a computer either , until the late 2000's . Try looking for "practical boat owner sketch book" . It seems they are up to issue 5 , and Amazon stock all of them , both paperback and Kindle down loads . Not sure if i've got them all , i know i have at least 3 , maybe 4 , but i really don't know if i have 5
Mostly sail solo. Always on a tether, normally long enough that I would float to behind the stern. Where there is a stern ladder. Attached to the tether a couple metres from the fixed end are two light lines. On pulling the tether tight, one lifts off the autopilot, the other releases the jib sheet (from a cam clear). So in theory she will round up and stop…all I need to do is wait for a warm day to try it out, I sail in Scotland…..still waiting. That was on a small catamaran, my current one is 5.4 m wide, so a short tether keeps me well away from the side. I must add that I believe that going over the side+is much less a risk on a cat, they don’t lean over much, but also don’t suffer from sudden vigorous rolls that mono do.
That appears to be under calm seas and light winds. How does this work under 25 knts and 20 ft seas? Based on my experience, that seems to be the more likely conditions when I would be in the water.
I have a swing down swim ladder on the stern of my boat. I attached a line to the ladder and a handle on the other end. I drag the end with the handle behind the boat. It's also short enough that it will not get tangled in the prop. If I fall over the line is long enough to allow me to hang on to the boat which in turn will pull the ladder into the water, allowing me to climb up.
Interesting video. But would you be able to do that in an auto inflate life jacket rather than a buoyancy aid? I think your point about properly situating your jack stay is an important one. I think a PLB, kill cord when under power and a spray hood would also greatly increase likelihood of survival. An interesting demonstration though, thanks.
Definitely more difficult with auto inflated vest. I like the kill-cord idea or perhaps a control line on the windvane Tiller to force the bow through the wind to heave to. Just ideas so far. A few viewers also had some other good ideas.
@@respecttherisk2022 cruising in the British Isles making sure you don’t succumb to water inhalation due to cold water shock is the key reason to wear an auto-inflating vest. ruclips.net/video/rH3gZuSr6Y8/видео.htmlsi=IQuR7MAVs4ugVa3g
An issue power boaters have had to deal with in a practical matter. The auto kill switch on lanyard. Now supplemented with the remote kill switch key fob, conveniently attached to your life vest. However, your video is certainly most relevant when she's under sail...
Thanks for the demonstration but there were a few factors not taken into account, effects of cold water shock, sea state, clothing, weight, ability. I'm with many others in the comments, if you fall overboard singlehanded your chances are slim to none. If the boat can be stopped via a control line once overboard I think that might go a long way. Again thanks for this demonstration.
Thanks for the note. Absolutely agree with your comments. Those factors are all critical elements that will make it harder, or even not possible. The ladders merely offer a slightly greater chance of getting back aboard. A you can see, even in perfect conditions, it was quite a struggle.
I really like your idea of figuring out a way to stop the boat via a control line somehow. I have thought a bit about it and have some ideas that remain untested.
I have used a line trailing the stern with hand loops in it. And i have a weight to pull the tiller over. And i use a wrist strap kill switch on the outboard.
I am so sorry to hear that, and am sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing that with with us here so that the rest of us might learn and thus modfiy and improve our safety measures with the knowledge of such an egregious consequence.
I’m very sorry for your loss and the suffering which your friend succumbed to. None of us want to die in such a manner. Thank you for the sharing of this✨. Perhaps your very comment will ‘save a life’. May your friend Rest In Peace. ✨🕊️✨
I think a limit switch (or several) located near the water line where the tether would bring you is a great and fairly cheap idea. With some ingenuity you could hook it up to a number of systems on the boat, including the engine, autopilot, and vhf to send an auto mayday. Definitely want to research these ideas after watching this; I seriously doubt I could pull off that climb.
that demonstration was scary it showed how much of a struggle it was for a reasonably fit person to accomplish .. that was scary to watch . stay safe .
I don't mind telling you, it was intimidating to execute as well. And difficult. It is a great reminder for all of us to clip short and stay on the boat. That said, without the ladders it would have been even more difficult. Here are the modifications in equipment and technique that I made based on what I learned in this video. It is executed much easier, allows the sailor to rest at any time, and does not require as much power and endurance to reboard. ruclips.net/video/U_FHWEgDWzM/видео.html
As an older fellow…61 I took one look at this man’s forearm and could recognize he has some good grip strength. One must maintain this as one ages. It takes some effort and be intentional about it. If you cannot hold on….yeah….no way could you get back in the boat. Also, I have wondered about a heavy bit of cargo netting. You could fasten to the aft. Maybe throw it over if working on the rudder or prop. Or even in nasty weather. This would be a great help in climbing back in or least holding on. In addition, I have wondered if a sort of kill switch could be incorporated by some one more intelligent than myself into the auto pilot. Whereby if the single sailor fell overboard and got some distance away the autopilot would crank the rudder over to one side throwing the boat into a circular route. This would be better than watching your boat sail away over the horizon.
Great ideas mate. Thank you. I am going to try three things soon: control lines for both a kill switch on the engine, and to make the boat heave-to under sail -- deployable from a position in the water over the side. The third is lifeline close to the water line to allow the singlehander to safely get to the stern to another ladder there.
I gave a talk on what to do if falling overboard whist clipped on and sailing singlehanded. The takeaway was to use the shortest tether line possible. Less than a foot long. This keeps you higher out of the water and makes it eaiser to climb back.
Thanks for this clear test and example. But still had some reservations. How great is the danger of a propeller when not using an outboard? Fixed propeller is usually deeper under the boat. Given the resistance of the water on the side..seems more powerful than behind in wake of the boat..therefore isn't it wiser to climb on it in the back of the boat? If the back is not too steep and high. Isn't it more convenient then to mount a thick rope net at the back that you also can release from inside the water and then roll out behind the boat..say 3 to 4 metres. And put on some tension due to the forward motion of the boat...possibly aided by some water anchors/pockets. After which you can climb in and through that net up into the boat using now both hands and feet. But maybe this already exists...
Thanks for the thoughtful comments. These are very interesting ideas that I believe have potential. I haven't heard of those so thank you! On the propellor -- an inboard is further away for sure. I was still a little worried that in my thrashing, scissor kicking etc. that I might kick the propellor while trying to haul myself forward and up. Back of the boat can work for sure too. One of the challenges to overcome would be if we went over the side slightly forward and were clipped short and being dragged. How do you get to the stern? It would be very frightening and possibly dangerous to unclip from the boat to get there... you can't make a mistake at that point. But, I do consider my windvane and Watt and See generator mounting frame as a boarding ladder on the stern. I did actually have to use it for real once... I was just leaving the dock and slipped as I was pushing the boat away.... I hand traversed the rail to the stern and climbed in. I should have had the ladders in place but hadn't put them on since I was only island hopping.... Thank you again for your thoughtful and creative ideas.
I see you're wearing a different type of life vest there, my self inflating life vest might hinder any attempt to climb back aboard. Thanks for the video, some real food for thought.
Yes. A self inflating vest would make it harder for sure -- and would create more drag in the water. Perhaps a test is in order with all the offshore gear.... I'm anxious already....
Thanks for the video - good effort! You're wearing a buoyancy aid but a life-jacket will significantly affect how you can manage a self-recovery. I have a AIS emergency beacon installed in my life jacket, which are not cheap but worth a life. I'm reminded to carry a knife in my pocket to cut the tether and put my faith in the lifejacket or else be drown by dragging.
Seems like there might be some way, similar to the engine kill leash made for outboard engines, to stop a boat from in the water. Perhaps a way to cause the boat to steer up into the wind or maybe release the main and jib sheets. Just brainstorming. Any ideas?
Thanks for the note. I have some ideas for the kill switch and for the tiller on the windvane to make the boat heave-to from a position in the water over the side that remain only ideas at this point. I would like to test them and implement a few other ideas that viewers have commented on.
Quiz: Say you dive or fall off the bow of a 49ft vessel, sailing at just 2 knots. How long before the boat has passed you by? You'll probably drown, before you've figured that one out. Same situation, but metric: You fall of the bow of a 15 meter yacht moving at 1 m/s? See how quickly a swim in light breeze can go wrong? Have a nice day!
Hi, I have a line tied to the bow led back to the stern (outside of the rail) and tied into a heavy duty 2m dia sea anchor held in an inverted bag on the transom rail, from there I have a Yellow 30m floating rescue line which I trail behind the boat when I am sailing alone. The rescue line and the sea anchor are held with 2 small cable ties. If I fall overboard then I pull the rescue line trailing the boat, this breaks the cable ties and releases the sea anchor into the water, this will fill and pull the bow off course and stop the boat, even when on autopilot. At 6 knots I will have 10 seconds to swim approx 2m to pull the rescue line. This is meant for use whilst sailing only (not motoring). As a Whitbread veteran 89/90 I know too well the risks of sailing alone, in my opinion falling overboard and being dragged at 6 knots or more by a harness attached at the waist is not recoverable, a severe back injury or drowning is the likeliest outcome, if a harness is to be used then it should be releasable under load to prevent this. I'm not saying that my idea is the only or best option but it gives me a chance at least. Mark Fisher 42ft steel hull sloop, Lymington UK.
Wow. What a great idea. Thank you for sharing that! I have never heard of that concept but I really like it. I absolutely agree with giving ourselves the best chance, or even just a chance as you outline. Thanks again for sharing this -- clearly you have put a lot of thought into it -- and we can all learn from you.
Thank you for your kind words, you will not of heard of it before as it is my idea, it really does work, read carefully how I rig it to the bow and outside of the rail, this gives the sea anchor a good chance as the boat will not sail with the drag created, the boat will be pulled off course and will stop with the autopilot bleeping and the sails flapping. This will work on any sailing boat and at any point of sail in any conditions, a smaller boat than mine might be able to use something smaller than my sea anchor, some lighter boats might even be able to use a strong bucket. I have my system permanently rigged and coil the rescue line at the stern, when I want to use it then I just throw it into the water and it's ready for use.@@respecttherisk2022
Respect the risk; any chance you can recreate what mark describes and do a video on it? We saw how absolutely exhausted you were. At 59, I thought I was in great shape. Then 60 hit and back problems (I’m now 64). Slowing the darn boat down would help me a lot.
@@dogbone6315 hi, that would be great, I’ve tested it but not on camera, it would be a good learning for us all and I’m sure promote a healthy discussion.
What I know about being in the water just practicing kayak emergency procedures is whatever stamina and breath holding you have or think you have, most of it seems to vanish. I've got a nice sugar scoop on my Hunter. For my sugar scoop and swim ladder, I would still want a method that that would continue 'working,' until I'm well on the boat. Your Aider for big wall climbing? I'd have that so there a loops well above the point I'd be back onboard. The other thing I'm sure you've considered is sailing with people who don't know how to sail. At the very least teach them to Heave To to stop the boat so you can swim back. Next would be to turn on the motor and turn around.
In a real live or death situation you can do so much when your full with adrenaline. In a big storm on the Northsea my dad once pulled my mother back on board over the railing with a single hand and a single pull.
Dinghy technique with pulling somebody in if you can grab him/her by the lifejacket is to fall backwards, using your weight at the same time as person in the water (hopefully concisous) makes a pull with hands
If you rig a trip system and have it tied to a trailing rope, the trip pulls out a pin and either drops your sails, or releases the tension so they swing downwind and cease functioning, slowing the vessel. If your were going upwind, their drag now helps stop the vessel. That way if you go over, you have TWO trailing ropes--the usual dead-man's rope, and your trip line. The dead man's rope has wrist or foot loops spliced into it every few feet. The trip line is just a polyester rope trailing beside it. It does not matter which one you grab first, the trip will drop or release your sails, and the dead man's rope lets you work your way back to your now much slowed down vessel. At the stern just above waterline is your boarding ladder, tied with thin zip ties, so pull it down snapping the ties and climb aboard. Every crew member must practice doing this until all are proficient. On a single handed watch late at night there may not BE any help, but one can, if one has crew aboard, also fit a man overboard REALLY loud alarm inside the vessel activated by the trip line sequence. Yes, loose flapping genoas and swinging booms are a bloody pain in the arse, but they are better than a watery grave on which no roses grow.
FYI for the power boaters out there- you can install a man overboard engine kill switch. As long as you can swim faster then your boat drifts away, your ok, as long as you can navigate the freeboard.
Great video. I notice you do it wearing a buoyancy aid common with dinghy sailors rather than an inflatable life jacket typically used on yachts. Have you ever tried it wearing an inflated life jacket?
A recent man overboard in box type waves wearing an inflatable horseshoe collar said that waves in his face was terrible and he strongly recommended the clear hood attachment to the system
Thank you. Not yet. I think I should -- at a minimum to ingrain it in my psyche how difficult it will likely be. Fear is a great motivator to inspire us to take the appropriate precautions.
Thanks for the note. Yes -- ladders on each side. And I clipped extra long in the demo on purpose to see how I would fare. I would endeavor (and suggest) to clip short to avoid the scenario all toghether.
Absolutely excellent presentation! Very important lessons and superb demonstration. Much appreciated. I Will Do These things. The prospect of going overboard, wl while alone, is very scary, indeed!
Absolutely agree mate. Read through some of the comments -- there are some great suggestions from viewers that I intend to try. One of them I prototyped and can be found here: ruclips.net/video/A5IR81KTlNs/видео.html I want to try a control line on the my Windvane so I can make the boat heave-to under sail. Stopping the boat will make this exercise much easier. Another view suggested a lifeline under the gunwale that could be clipped and thus traversed to the back of the boat to climb up in the wake. I want to try that idea well in conjunction with these others. It's all about creating "chances" to get back aboard in the event the worst happens....
I like your demonstration. And also think a ladder system of some sort is key here. Tedder alone is unsafe to me. A disabeling system for the main sheet or the pilot or the engine would be an extra safety too.
That’s a relief! Should be made explicit in the video. It’s a very valuable drill but that is a key precaution, the key difference between supreme preparation and actively courting disaster should not be omitted in my opinion, even if it heightens the drama, which it totally does! You were like “I’ve got an hour of sea-room here.” That’s when I got concerned for your safety and the safety of those who would emulate you.
Pardon me, i re watched your video and realised I missed that written blurb. I don’t read so good I guess! However, I would still say a bit more emphasis of that key point is called for.
After swimming out to get my 13 ft fishing boat (engine off) that left the dock and not being able to pull myself into the boat, I ended up swimming the boat back to the dock. Since I found out I couldn't get in a low aluminum boat I bought a rope ladder (Amazon) that I can pull off the stern. At my age (70 years) you have to use your legs.
I know a guy who owns a sailing school who recounted how he fell off a boat. It was on a lake, after sunset (nobody around). He was alone. He was just routinely moving boats between locations. He had no PFDs on, no phone or other means of communication. He slipped and fell and was dangling off the railing while the boat was doing circles. If he fell into the water, there was no chance of anybody finding him, of him swimming to the shore or of him being able to get back on the boat. He would surely die. It took him 4h to get back on the boat. Anyway. If you are alone on a boat, make sure you are strapped properly or have PFDs on. But PFDs alone will not save you as you are likely to die of hypothermia unless you can signal for help and the help can arrive AND locate you very quickly.
Thanks for the note. I know what you mean. Without the nylon ladders, I have to use the windvane and power generator mounting on the stern as a ladder.
@@respecttherisk2022 would you recommend having the nylon ladders hanging off the side? also, should you be tied to the lifeline at midship and not behind?
Yes. In rough sea conditions I have three ladders per side. 2 in more moderate. The first line of defense is using a tether and jacklines and clipping short to avoid going into over the side into the water in the first place. The nylon ladders are meant as a last resort in case the unthinkable happens and one goes over the side. They do give me peace of mind that I have another chance to save myself. Part of the challenge of multi day passages singlehanded is fatigue, mentally and physically. By day 5 I feel like I am operating with 50% capacity so I feel like I have to give myself every chance. And, we can make simple mistakes when we are that tired.
thanks for the note. For sure. It won't solve all the problems, but it might make reboarding possible especially if coupled with clipping short. Make sure to have crew handy to help you or stop the boat if you attempt. Even practicing does have risk of injury or worse....
Ive sailed 1000s of miles solo in a Catalina with a tiller steering. The best way is to tie a 100 ft rope to the tiller arm and thread it through your stern side cleat then tie on a dock fender to it.toss it in..if you fall in while underway grab the rope when you can and hold on..the boat will jibe and come pick you up . Redundancy Rules !... out on the deep blue sea .
Thank you very much I keep telling people this I had a friend he said look at the boat you're about to buy and what would happen if you were thrown off the boat why it was moving how could you get yourself back on the boat. Is the gunnels are they too high are you condition to get your body out of the water on the side of a boat not many people can I know that I probably can't that's why a sugar scoop sailboat is really important or on a powerboat to have a very big swim step or enough grab holds to pull yourself onto that swim step. Also you make overboard devices now that if you're the only person on the boat it will shut the engine off now on a sailboat you have a problem that if your sales are up it's going to be moving forward but if you have a sugar scoop we have enough grab rails where you can grab and pull yourself on board that's the thing. There's no way in hell would I buy an older boat with 5 ft of gunnels no way in hell I can't get back on but like that. I think people need to think that really hard how are you going to get back on a boat if you're thrown overboard before you buy the boat you need to ask yourself that question can you get on that boat if you can't then you need another boat that you can get on to because your life depends on it on easy access
@@respecttherisk2022 no one should die falling out of a boat no one you have to set your boat up right so you can get in the easiest way possible especially when you're really tired beat up and not almost able to pull your weight into the boat that's why swim step sugar scoop when you're sailing always trail a safety line so someone can grab it
I bet I would jump back in and not be fully wet. Fire is what I worried about offshore. Most boaters purchase a tiny fire extinguisher just to comply and not get ticketed. I had 3 full size and my toes would be well done before I'd abandon ship and become shark food.
Could you stuff one of those aiders into a PFD pocket just in case you forget to set one up so it's always on you? Slip it over a cleat or have a carabiner attached that can clip onto a stanchion or a hole in the toe-rail
Those are excellent ideas. In mountaineering we do that when travelling on glaciers for self rescue in crevasses. I am thinking about some ideas along those lines using the same mechanical clamps as rock climbers use.... maybe a bit cumbersome... but could add security and increase probability of success -- and a way to rest at every step.
Oh yeah for sure. Sorry mate, we get too comfortable with some of our terms. "Clipping Short" means keeping your tether short, maybe 18 to 24 inches. "Clipping Long" implies a tether that would be perhaps anything greater than 36 or 48 inches. In this video, the tether or old climbing rope I was attached to was perhaps 12 feet long.
En lowcost sailor habla de un dispositivo electrónico que al estar a cierta distancia del barco se pararía. Supongo que yendo a motor. A vela ya sería otro cantar.
Thanks for the note. I am sure electronics will solve these challenges at some point. For now, us regular guys just need some simple, if crude, ways to get back aboard.
Overboord vallen is iets wat je nooit realistisch kunt oefenen. Harnas om, en lifelijn als je alleen vaart altijd Overboord .en hopen dat je deze kunt grijpen. 😊🎉
That is true. Every situation will be slightly different. It is possible, IMHO, to rehearse possible tactics to reboard the boat while singlehanded which could make the difference in a survival situation. All the best mate.
Not having a swim ladder deployable using something near the waterline, perhaps with a low hanging pull release cord, does seem to make returning nearly impossible.
Good video. Important stuff. Were you single handed when you attempted that drill? If so it wasn’t a drill, You were OB single handed on purpose which is very reckless. Respect the risk and have someone on board who can stop the boat and help you if need be. NO ONE SHOULD EVER PRACTISE THAT SOLO. Even if you’ve done it a hundred times and it’s very easy for you, which it clearly wasn’t.
Good idea thanks for sharing but yeah being on the high side would be damn near impossible to grab the rail. I like bobmeador4465's idea about running an additional line lower. I'd saw maybe just a little above the waterline then you can use it as a pull up rope when your healed over and a step. Both are great ideas thanks for sharing
this is pure bull, first if you end up overboard unplanned, your momentum will carry you out away from the boat, are you dragging a line behind your boat, need about 100 feet or more of floating line, a drag line. Also your flotation fest will have triggered and inflated providing drag to your swimming efforts to reach that tow line dragging behind your boat. Do you do cold weather sailing, or even late spring early summer in the gulf of Maine. Always be clipped in, never unclip. I was in my youth a long distance solo sailor, you fall overboard unclipped your dead unless the boat rounds up. you think you could pull yourself back to your boat, hand over hand in 48degree water in a bib long underware boots sweater, your dreaming.
Absolutely agree. Thank you for sharing that color and details. The conditions you outline would be absolutely desperate and likely result in death for sure -- especially if unclipped and over the side. (I was clipped on a long tether for this illustration partly to make it more difficult on purpose) Also agree 100% -- this was done in absolutely perfect conditions without an inflatable vest -- and, as you can see was quite a struggle. A vest and offshore boots and clothes would make even this demo more extreme and difficult -- I likely would not have had the strength and endurance in vest and offshore clothes and boots even in these otherwise perfect conditions. Thank you for sharing your experience. The risks in these events are under-evaluated so it is awesome to hear from a sailor of your experience to coach the rest of us. Even when clipped short, I still have these ladders deployed so I can more easily and quickly reboard if I have a mishap to reduce time in the water. Thanks again for your wisdom on this topic.
this why lifelines are better than solid rails. you can grip them better. i’ve been there, holding on for life. the hook grip is best with a small diameter hold. make sure your lifelines are in good order.
Thanks for the comment. Quite a few folks have suggested something like that. I would further suggest staying tied or clipped to the boat in some way at all times, in addition to the web ladders. In a later video in this series, I added a method to get back aboard using a GriGri and an ascender with a web ladder on a 10 mm nylon (climbing) rope. This method allows the single-hander to have a "hands-free" rest while getting back aboard. Best wishes mate.
The stirrups themselves need to coloured coded red so they stand out. The stirrups also need to be have a thick rope step as it’s tread as opposed to just a flat ribbon!
What about also carrying a tiny PLB that will alert search and rescue if you need help. They only weigh about 120 grams and are smaller than a cigarette packet.
![Can You SINGLE HAND a Big Sailboat? | Sailing Wisdom [S4 Ep4]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/S-U3AoplnTM/mqdefault.jpg)
I chose a slightly different self rescue. I added a web line, as an "overboard jack line" around both sides of the boat at rubrail height. The line goes around the stern to the centerline where a boarding ladder can be deployed by pulling on a line dragging through the water. My regular jack lines are on the side decks and tight enough to usually keep me on deck unless something really bad happens. But if a wave pushes me over the side, instead of being left hanging by the tether and trying to pull myself up a line (I'm too old for that effort), I can attach the second clip of my tether to the overboard line, cut the first tether line and let the water drag me around to the stern. Once behind the boat I don't have to rush or fight waves. The job is as simple as tugging a line and carefully climbing the stainless boarding ladder. I did try it on a beam reach in 12 knots of wind with help on board in case it didn't work. The hardest part is staying still enough to clip the second tether while bouncing alongside the boat. You also need to be careful not to lose your knife!! Once I released the first tether I was rapidly moved to the stern by the water rushing by. From the stern it was surprisingly easy to board.
Wow! Beautiful. That is a fantastic approach that I have never heard of before. Thank you very much for sharing that. I will definitely try that. I love the potential for redundancy as well. That solves a problem that has come up in this thread. So simple and easy to rig as well. Bravo mate. Thank you. I will be rigging this and may even do it in addition to the ladders. I think many more will follow.
Why use a knife mate, you just need to use two climbing carabiners. One to clip to the side line before unclipping the overboard tether!!!
@@nivid01I would think that tether is under strain, would be hard to unclip.
Can you do a video?
Yep, that sounds like a solid plan. I would like to see a video on this one. If it looks good, I'll definitely rig it up on my boat.
Thank you for the video and the effort you took to make it. At 79 years of age I often sail solo. I don't think i stand a chance if i go overboard, even though I'm fairly fit. I've often wondered about it. Your video has convinced me. I MUST STAY ON THE BOAT!!!!
What about also carrying a tiny PLB that will alert search and rescue if you need help.
Mee to mate. Me too!
Great idea.
I have a swing down stern ladder and that would be a help but I’m realizing that I need to put a release for it that I can reach from the water. I’m in my mid 70s and I stay fit but I realize I probably can’t do what I did in my 30s
Stay on the boat good man
A really valuable skill for all solo sailors and one that is underestimated! I have the standard rope ladder that can be released from water level, but the older you get, the harder everything is! As you rightly say, be aware that this CAN happen and have a plan! Thanks again, sir!
Thank you. Great ideas. I anticipate my capacity to further diminish with age.... I have some ideas to try out to make it a bit easier for us "older" sailors.
Older people can train to remain capable. Diana Nyad swam from Cuba to Florida at 64. She failed when she was younger.
Yep and do NOT think YOU ain't gonna age out because you most certainly WILL! Tell you what when I was 20 years old I could climb a 40 foot mast in a bosun's chair like it was nothing. Now at 81 I cannot even walk!
I read all the comments and watched the video several times. This subject is extremely important, because, even encouraged by your advice, each of us solo sailors will certainly encounter an unfriendly scenario like the one you show us. And this sets off the purple alarm!! Considering that there was an involuntary fall, the psyche will react violently through panic, which, if left uncontrolled, will drain bodily energy, reducing our chances even further. So, it's not enough to just train the stairs and a supposed faster technique. I noticed that the ladder has become a tangled vine, in which the foot cannot fit... (W.O) If you hang on the side, the arm will fail, due to the height... (W.O) We really have to rethink these objects and devices, because your demonstration only shows us what should be avoided. I say that things are really serious!
Thank you for the very thoughtful and considered comment. I agree. These are very serious circumstances. I also agree, we need to come up with some alternate ideas that are less based on brute strength and also be able to implement after we recover some composure in such an event. One viewer suggested control lines to either stop the boat, or have it heave to under sail from a position hanging over the side. I think these ideas have potential and will test some rigging ideas I have soon. Another improvement would be to reduce the brute strength required to get back aboard. I have some ideas here too that come from the rock climbing world. I will share once I refine and try some of these. We would all love to hear if anyone has other ideas to manage these otherwise dire circumstances. All the best mate. And thanks again. We can all learn a lot from each other.
I noticed there are different styles of these ladders. Would the rung style possibly be easier to climb? Seems with the extra space it would be likely harder to get a foothold.
Thanks for the demo. I think the best advise is "dont fall overboard", use lifeline to stay on the boat.
Best advice is don't solo.
Thanks for filming this drill. I'm 75 and single hand a lot on the East Coast. I've become a little laxed about using my jack lines. After watching this, I'll be using them more often and also plan on shortening my tethers. I won't be doing what you did - for practice or for real. Thanks.
I agree. I will add that I now put the ladders on for intercoastal sailing, and jacklines when the wind is above 10 knots -- and clip very short in those conditions.
What about using the swimming ladder at the stern?
@@TM-529 That could work if the engine was off, but I think you'd run the risk of hitting the prop or fouling your rescue line if not.
@@ontheruntonowhere I think you need to get pass the rudder to hit the propeller, also rescue lines should float imho
@@TM-529 Probably true, although the propwash would also be something to contend with. I'm just thinking I wouldn't make my plan contingent on using that ladder with a boat under power. Imo coming up the side would be safer and possibly easier, depending, of course, on many factors out of anyone's control during an emergency.
Thanks for this demonstration and recommendations - especially pre-positioning the climbers. I'm 62, a single-hander and cautious about jacklines and harness, but recognize even with those I could still go overboard. Now I gotta work out and set up an opportunity to practice.
Thanks for the note. You and I are close in age. You can buy some at MEC or you can make some yourself out of rope or sling. And yes, practice practice practice. As a start, you may want to practice in a tree in your back yard, or a playground -- or perhaps in the rafters in your basement. I have done all of those over the years. Get comfortable with the technique, then try it on the boat at the dock, and go from there with a moving boat -- add one variable at a time. Best wishes.
One more comment if you decide to make some yourself: look carefully at the design: the upper loops need to have some slack when the lower ones are loaded -- so you can get your upper foot into the loop while under load with the lower foot. This is achieved by offsetting one side. (rock climbers learned this quickly).
Several important points about what you did.
1. You boarded the yacht from the worst possible angle, being from a side. The water pressure is at maximum, and you risked being sucked under the yacht, which greatly increases if the sea state is not flat calm like it was.
Additionally, pulling yourself back to the yacht against the full water force is much harder.
The Best re-entry point is the stern, and via a fixed boarding ladder preferably onto a duckboard first, then the yacht cockpit.
2. Use a dinghy mainsheet as a safety line so that you can always keep it a the shortest working length. You extend/shorten the length just the same as letting the boom move in and out, and if you fall overboard, it will prevent you from becoming exhausted trying to pull yourself back and maintain the closer position to the yacht when you need to rest.
You just use the jam cleat the same as if sailing the dinghy, to "winch" your way back with the block onboard attached to the safety line eye, and the jam cleat block attached to your harness.
Using this is possible when injured as well, and if a paraglider kiting harness is used as a body harness, because the hook attachment points are higher up near your chin, it is possible to "bodysurf" over the top of the water much better.
The ability to rest ( totally ) and move back to the yacht at whatever speed you are able to, is the best safety point that you want to get to.
I am assuming that you have the correct size safety vest on and it is fitted correctly. If you have not, then say hello to Davy Jones locker, because like others who have been knocked/slipped and gone over the side without proper safety equipment being used, that's where you will also go.
3. A large rope with large knots about .600 apart and at least 2 x the length of the boat left dragging astern if working on the deck, is a very good safety device.
4. A smaller line left dragging astern with a pull release knot that deploys a wakeboard that you can lie on and reduce the water friction/drag effect is easy to setup and easier to use to get back to the yacht, if you are not super fit.
5. The BIGGEST problem is not getting onboard, but getting back to be able to. Approaching from the stern means eddy water that has rotors that swirl the water around, from the sides you face much higher water pressure that increases the bigger the swells/wave actions, and THE SPEED of the yacht.
Most of all NEVER PANIC.
Panic causes the brain to stop thinking, and if you cannot think then you cannot pull on that dinghy mainsheet, and then step up the boarding ladder.
This method has been repeatedly tested in varied sea states, with multiple crew of mixed age, fitness and experience.
It has worked every single time, and in one particular day it was performed in the middle of Cook St, between the North and South Islands of New Zealand, on a 20 knot medium sea state 3 mtr swell against a 4 knot tide.
The yacht was a H28 under sail.
Try it and see how you get on.
It is the best we have been able to test out with 100% success results.
Explain or show that dinghy mainsheet rig, would you?
@@stugc88 Have a look at a dinghy on davits-same setup and works the same only the person in the water is the dingy.
Wow. Thank you for the detail. Those are excellent ideas that I have never heard before. I will try some of them. Thank you for sharing these valuable experiences with all of us.
Thank you very much for your videos! I singlehanded my 30' Joel White for many years around Vancouver Island and all of your videos seem very useful (and correct) - I'll recommend them to anyone I encounter who is starting on their learning journey! Fair winds / Cheers
Thanks for the note.
Excellent demonstration - thanks. Being pulled through water at anything more than a couple of Knots creates significant drag and needs, as you've shown, significant strength/energy to overcome.
Thank you. Agree. It is honestly shocking how hard this was for me at 5.5 knots through the water.... Perhaps younger and stronger sailors will have less trouble....
Thanks for sharing, as a solo sailor in the UK I know it's pretty much game over if I fall out of my boat so my rule is to always be tethered when underway on deck
Thanks for the note. 120% agree.
Yes except you'll most likely still go over the side and get dragged. Right?
Correct, dragged to death. But better than floating for days.
Excellent video, thank you. There is a lot of bla-bla on this topic, but this is the first time I’ve ever seen an actual demonstration. I personally use very short tethers since I am 69 and though fit, doubt my upper body strength. I also string a rope alongside on both sides, to use to step on, but of course have never actually used it. I might try it at anchor next summer (in Scotland! Brrrr!) anyway, sailing 55 years without falling overboard. Hope to continue my success!
I should add that I also have an old-fashioned boat with low freeboard.
Thanks for the note. Those are some good ideas. I hope to improve my chances with a few other ideas. One idea I rigged is a control line to kill the engine from over the side -- it can be seen here ruclips.net/video/A5IR81KTlNs/видео.html
I very much compliment Respect the Risk for his lesson on self-rescue. It must be a sobering experience to watch your boat sail over the horizon while treading water, and I have every confidence that has happened many times through the ages. Now, while it is true most Man Overboard incidents happen with the boat sitting still, the rare, but terrifying incidents happen in heavy weather, washed or knocked over the side, so getting back aboard in the very conditions that caused someone to go by the run is very difficult. As we trained for such, even at 21 years old and our fitness level the best it would ever be, most did get back to the Zodiac but could not get in while under way in easy seas. They had to be pulled back aboard, and that is with low freeboard and topsides with a grip. Darkness adds another dimension, as do breaking seas. Alone at sea, clip on, make certain your lifeline and stanchions are up to the strain, and take your reef when you first think about it, then go below. When the sky lowers and the sea rises, it may be too late to go forward alone. Fair winds.
Fantastic distertation mate. Great examples and suggestions for all of us to hear. Thank you for this mentorship. All the best.
That's why sailors of the past did not particularly learn to swim. Not much point ...
That exact question is something we all really ought to practice the answer to !
100% agree mate!
I had a long to and fro on the comments section on a video series with other commentators about the dangers of going overboard whilst singlehanded. My argument was not to go overboard for any reason other than an emergency repair. Having sailed singlehanded across most of the oceans I can say its the scariest of notions to be floundering in mid ocean and your boat hightailing away from you. Its not always convenient to be tethered when you have to scampering fore and aft taking care of everything to keep the boat moving. Its especially not advisable to hop overboard just to scrape off barnacles. The changes of being attacked by sharks and stung by jellyfish is quite high. However some commentators argue that its quite safe if you have a line trailing the boat.....NOT SO....As you say the freeboard on a 26ft boat is still a height to haul oneself up and back on deck, unless you are a lightweight and very fit.
Thank you for this detailed and considered comment. I salute you sir on singlehanding across even one ocean. Those are hard won miles that take considerable fortitude. I have yet to make such an achievment -- and may no longer have the sangfroid to even attempt an ocean singlehanded. We are all grateful to have such feedback from such a seasoned singlehander. Thank you.
Well, if you purposefully hop overboard, you surely have a ladder lowered and you checked that you can climb it
@@dmitripogosian5084 In ideal conditions like in a calm river or estuary maybe, but offshore things are very different when the boat is rolling and pitching and being propelled by wind and tide, you have to ask yourself is it worth risking it as ones life is on the line.
@@sklenars Certainly
Thanks for this. I have 3 safety rules (a bit glib but) 1) The sea stays on the outside. 2) The Crew stay on the boat. 3) At all times fear fire.
Thank you for sharing that. Crisp. Concise. Well said!
Great ideas here. Solo or not. The ladders tethered each outing seems a no brainer - now I have seen them ! Anyone even with deck help will bless those ladders.
Totally agree. These ladders can make sense even with crew. Even if just stowed ready to be deployed... especially at night for example. And in cold water, they can really help reduce the exposure time to cold water and hypothermia.
@@respecttherisk2022 Oh yes the water here is cold all summer and freezing cold all other 340 days of the year.
Well done. Thanks for the tips and for sharing.
Glad it was helpful!
I offer you my most heartfelt gratitude for doing this demo. I have often thought about the risks of going for the Deep Six and how to actually do it and figure out how to get back aboard. I guess we will all have our individual ways of doing that but I would strongly recommend taking the plunge to find out what works for you.
Incidentally, I think this video may be the best recommendation I have seen thus far in favour of having a diving platform on the transom of your boat! 😂
Thanks for the note and supportive comments. Several viewers also have some great suggestions as well that I intend to try. All the best.
As someone who looks at things from an engineering point of view and as an occassional boater, it seems to me the primary issue for a solo sailor is to be on a short tether that prevents you falling in the water. That tether could run on a line inboard of the boat deck minimising the amount of times you have to re-clip. This seems to me to be key as when solo you simply do not want to fall in at all. Other than that I agree with one person who said there needs to be a lanyard or remote with your life jacket that can at least kill the engine when under power.
All excellent ideas. I intend to try a few things based on some viewers ideas.
Well done. Good sharing experience.
Thank you. Some of this stuff is quite esoteric and it's great if we can all share learnings and ideas with like-minded folks, especially in regard to safety and rescue practices.
Perfect! Have been waiting for something like this for years!
Thank you.
Not perfect. Have a look at the topmost comment, that's an improvement over this system.
I have a ladder on the back of my boat for general swimming and rescue. I also suggest a PLB.
A rear ladder would be a huge help. Agree, a PLB would be a life saver especially if one got separated from the boat. In cold water, we wouldn't have a lot of time though.
It is often a problem with midrange boats - 22-28 feet that they have an outboard motor at the back
Great video - didn't know about those ladders, makes it look possible! I saw a great comment from a solo sailor recently (Wind Hippie I believe) who sails solo a lot...and she has a long light floating rope (like a heaving line) behind when she does ocean crossings, trailing out about 75 feet or more, with a few knots....so should she ever have a freak falling off when not clipped in...she would merely have to swim to the middle of her wale and grab the line. I thought that was brilliant myself...good security! Thanks for your video!! Watching from North Vancouver, Canada. Regards, Jules.
Thanks for the comment. it's great to hear some other ideas from seasoned and experienced sailors.
Grabing the line is not that of an issue. It is what you can do next ....
Yes, I have heard of this as a technique. You would have to hold yourself along the rope until you got to the back of the boat. But then you’re going to need a method of getting up on the boat. Also, if you ever have to start the engine in an emergency, this rope could get tangled in the propeller.
This demo is really informative. And sobering. Thanks for sharing this.
Thank you. Yeah, even for me. It was in my face just how hard this was even in perfect and somewhat artificial conditions.
Great idea! Could save many lives. Thank you so much. This skill should become a standard in sailing certifications!
Thank you. I agree. And could easily be used when crew are present as well.
I fell off the boat in February wearing a long winter coat. Luckily I was at the dock and the boat was tied at the stern with the outboard in neutral and I went in at the bow.
40 degree water is cold and my heart stopped for a second. My boat was extremely not easy to climb. I could reach the rail from the water, but there is nothing below the waterline to put your feet on. The dock was the same. My outboard was running but didn’t look climable.
Since I had a line in the water, I was able to tie a loop to put my foot in and get up out of the water and get out of my clothes and into bed to warm up.
After that I attached a folding ladder at the rail midship, so it could extend into the water and I used it for getting in and out of a kayak.
Both of my next boats have had a swim step on the stern with a folding ladder with a line attached to trail behind. You just have to make sure the line floats so it can’t get into the prop.
Wow. What a great anecdote. It is amazing that you had the sangfroid to think that clearly while immersed in that cold water. Well done! Great ideas. Thank you!
@@respecttherisk2022 I think winter coat helped
Admirable, and thanks for thinking of this and more importantly, putting yourself through this strenuous technique. I noticed you said you are a rock climber and obviously, despite your protestations, in excellent shape for a 59 year old man. I've done a lot of singlehanding, and a double-handed circumnavigation, which entails doing a lot of singlehanding when the other crew is asleep or merely below. I dealt with it by using your rule #1, but have had some edgy incidents even in a protected harbor, albeit one of challenging distances to shore, strong chop and current, and cold water. It's good to think of every possible worst case scenario and have a plan for it, which you've done a great job of.
Thank you for sharing your experiences. Wow: A double-handed circumnavigation -- congratulations. Very impressive mate! I have been in the water twice singlehanded -- once was under sail practicing a MOB drill on my own where I lost my balance reaching for the life jacket I was rescuing. And another time just at the dock with the boat adrift in neurtal. I had not put the ladders on yet and hand traversed the rail to the stern. It was reminder that we may need them even in benign conditions.
@@respecttherisk2022When my buddy and I got back from our trip, I sold the big boat and we got a traditional Catalina 22 with a folding keel to sail in a nearby bay with shallow waters. BTW, props for having Contessas! I love the 26 and almost bought one. One of the first things we did on a refit was to put a boarding ladder on the transom with a lanyard on it to enable deploying it from the water...because of just what you said. What if I were alone, even at the mooring, and fell in? There's no place to climb up the side of a boat, but your straps are a great idea. I've taught sailing for 30 years and I've only had two people go in the water, and both of them fell in from the dock! As you know, this is a problem even in a marina, since a majority of people cannot hoist themselves onto a float from the water. I'm sure you could, and I'd like to think I could, but then I'm not getting any younger.
That must be a nightmare for any one single handed. Lots to think about and a great reminder of the dangers. Good job.
Thanks for the note and sentiment. Perhaps it will help inspire behaviors to prevent even one egregious event....
@@respecttherisk2022 I hope so.
Wow - fantastic and sobering demo thank you. As a lifelong power boater I appreciate even more the safety factor of the ignition lanyard when I’m out solo. Having to deal with a boat that simply won’t stop because the sails are set is a whole other level of hazard. I wonder if there is a way to rig release lines you could reach from the back of the boat that would let the sheets go to stop or slow down significantly reducing the physical effort fighting drag.
If there isn’t an auto pilot steering the boat, it will round up and not go very far under sail. But most people have auto pilot when they are sailing alone and leaving the cockpit. I had a remote on one boat so I could sit on the bow and still make changes in direction, but I don’t know how far away you could get before it didn’t work
Thanks for the note. You are welcome. Those are excellent ideas. I intend try some of them. Once I do some testing, I will share my learnings here.
@@respecttherisk2022 - thanks I’ve been pondering it myself all day actually. At first I thought lines rigged to put upward pressure on cleats or whatever is keeping the sails set so it releases. Then I thought maybe run something to a quick release pin that just disconnects the boom itself or traveller, but if remote controls are common for auto pilot equipped boats, a spare packed in a waterproof bag attached to your pfd might be the simplest option as has been suggested.
Nice video, great idea..I am working on putting up 5 feet lifelines, im 6,2...jacklines are tight...and finding a way to depower the boat by grabbing looped trailing line....redundancy seems like a great idea, esp when singlehanding.
Nice idea. I have some other ideas I would like to try as well -- control lines to kill switch and tiller to stop boat, or at least have it heave-to or stall in irons. Agree -- redundancy in how many chances we have to get back aboard singlehanded.
Epic solution the boat l have - the owner was lost over board in round the world single hand race in 1986-87 ❤thanks
Oh man. I am sorry to hear that. Thanks for sharing that though. Hopefully, we can all learn from some of these terrible scenarios and thus prevent a few from happening in the future.
I like them ladders, gonna have to look into those.
I have never done that underway. I'll try and avoid that situation.
Thank you. Haha, me too mate. Me too.
Great video. I can't imagine surviving in anything less than perfect conditions. In the "must have" list for my eventual boat, is a swim platform essential and would it actually make this situation survivable? Rather than hanging on your arms, could you clip your harness to a lifeline, just to provide rest? Can't say how much I appreciate your willingness to address this critical safety issue. I feel like many sailors think this is un-survivable and consider it as frivolous. Thanks
A swim platform could help for sure. The challenge if you go over the side is how do you get to the swim platform while being dragged by your tether? Absolutely, with an offshore harness with a short and long tether, one would clip the lifeline or anything for that matter, to get a rest, shake out, calm the F___ down...! My take on it is I would like at least a chance to try it if I go over the side in hard conditions. (rather than be thinking, "I should have put the nylon ladders on...." as my last thoughts....)
A pull string to your boarding ladder and a trailing line are how i set up for solo. You can get bumped around before being washed or falling overboard. The slack water at the stern is not as difficult to maneuver in. But yes Stick With Rule #1. Dont fall overboard.
Great ideas. Thank you for sharing.
Practical boat owner , addressed this very issue years ago , in a series called sketch pad . Usually found at the back of the magazine , they eventually became published as a sketch book series . A set of three notebooks full of ideas , such as dinghies cut in half , to nest inside each other , or even shaped to fit round a mast . Dripping windows having a gutter inside the cabin , that incidentally doubled as a hand rail . A grab strap for our four legged friend , security of companion ways . I could go on , each page was a different subject , but to be honest despite having the complete set , i can't remember them all off hand . They addressed the single-hander many times , and suggestions here ranged from a fender hanging over the side , to running the jack stays closer to the centre line with a whole host of ideas in between . They even addressed an issue not many will admit to doing , the not wearing of a harness . One idea suggest a long line trailed behind with a fender on the end . Marked with a flag , the idea was you could swim and grab . Now pulling yourself back aboard , or even back to the boat would prove exhausting , but they suggested rigging a trip line to disengage the auto steering , and turn the boat down wind . Maybe an idea perhaps .
Awesome comment. Thank you. Lot's to digest there and some great ideas. I have also been thinking about rigging a control line to kill the engine, or make the boat heave-to while sailing with the windvane. They are just ideas right now -- but could be workable ideally reachable from a position overboard close to the ladders. Pull on the line to stall the boat or have it heave to. Once the boat is stalled, the chances of reboarding are dramatically improved. Thank you for sharing your learnings and readings. I will see if I can find them online.
@@respecttherisk2022 Practical boat owner was a really good read , back in the 70's , 80's , and 90's , but now i don't bother . The format changed when the online version emerged , the magazine shrank , and the price went up . Shame really , but i guess that's life nowaday's . Moving 70 miles inland didn't help , as news agents didn't stock it like they did . I just felt the grief and price to high a price to pay . I never bothered to learn how to use a computer either , until the late 2000's .
Try looking for "practical boat owner sketch book" . It seems they are up to issue 5 , and Amazon stock all of them , both paperback and Kindle down loads . Not sure if i've got them all , i know i have at least 3 , maybe 4 , but i really don't know if i have 5
Mickey1299 - awesome comment and ideas you’ve shared with all of us.
THANK YOU 🙏!
Now I wonder if the series of sketch pads was ever published? 🤔
Correction: sketch book* not sketch pad
Mostly sail solo.
Always on a tether, normally long enough that I would float to behind the stern. Where there is a stern ladder.
Attached to the tether a couple metres from the fixed end are two light lines. On pulling the tether tight, one lifts off the autopilot, the other releases the jib sheet (from a cam clear).
So in theory she will round up and stop…all I need to do is wait for a warm day to try it out, I sail in Scotland…..still waiting.
That was on a small catamaran, my current one is 5.4 m wide, so a short tether keeps me well away from the side.
I must add that I believe that going over the side+is much less a risk on a cat, they don’t lean over much, but also don’t suffer from sudden vigorous rolls that mono do.
Great suggestions. Thanks for the note. I want to try some of those control line ideas out soon.
That appears to be under calm seas and light winds. How does this work under 25 knts and 20 ft seas? Based on my experience, that seems to be the more likely conditions when I would be in the water.
Thanks for the note. Yes -- absolutely perfect conditions. Great question mate. Agree.
I have a swing down swim ladder on the stern of my boat. I attached a line to the ladder and a handle on the other end. I drag the end with the handle behind the boat. It's also short enough that it will not get tangled in the prop.
If I fall over the line is long enough to allow me to hang on to the boat which in turn will pull the ladder into the water, allowing me to climb up.
Great idea mate. I intend to add a version of that for my boat.
Interesting video. But would you be able to do that in an auto inflate life jacket rather than a buoyancy aid? I think your point about properly situating your jack stay is an important one. I think a PLB, kill cord when under power and a spray hood would also greatly increase likelihood of survival. An interesting demonstration though, thanks.
Definitely more difficult with auto inflated vest. I like the kill-cord idea or perhaps a control line on the windvane Tiller to force the bow through the wind to heave to. Just ideas so far. A few viewers also had some other good ideas.
@@respecttherisk2022 cruising in the British Isles making sure you don’t succumb to water inhalation due to cold water shock is the key reason to wear an auto-inflating vest.
ruclips.net/video/rH3gZuSr6Y8/видео.htmlsi=IQuR7MAVs4ugVa3g
wow very hectic experience friend
Thanks for the note. Agree. I don't mind telling you I was quite fatigued and winded by the effort here in otherwise perfect conditions.
@@respecttherisk2022 cheers
An issue power boaters have had to deal with in a practical matter.
The auto kill switch on lanyard. Now supplemented with the remote kill switch key fob, conveniently attached to your life vest.
However, your video is certainly most relevant when she's under sail...
Great ideas. Thank you.
Nicely done!
Thank you! Cheers!
Thanks for the demonstration but there were a few factors not taken into account, effects of cold water shock, sea state, clothing, weight, ability. I'm with many others in the comments, if you fall overboard singlehanded your chances are slim to none. If the boat can be stopped via a control line once overboard I think that might go a long way. Again thanks for this demonstration.
Thanks for the note. Absolutely agree with your comments. Those factors are all critical elements that will make it harder, or even not possible. The ladders merely offer a slightly greater chance of getting back aboard. A you can see, even in perfect conditions, it was quite a struggle.
I really like your idea of figuring out a way to stop the boat via a control line somehow. I have thought a bit about it and have some ideas that remain untested.
Very good demo. Thank youi!
Thank you. Glad you liked it!
Good job getting back on board!! I am sure if water was not flat it would prove to be much more difficult
Absolutely agree mate. This was difficult even in perfect conditions.
Great experiment, thanks.
Thank you! Cheers!
Oh yeah I really want to thank you for demonstrating how you get back into your boat it's maybe that'll save someone's life in the future
Thank you.
I have used a line trailing the stern with hand loops in it. And i have a weight to pull the tiller over. And i use a wrist strap kill switch on the outboard.
Thank you. Great ideas.
@@respecttherisk2022 and I always wear a buoyancy vest when on deck solo
Outstanding video, thank you
Thank you.
Thank you for that. very useful and helpful.
You're welcome. Glad it was helpul. All the best mate.
I lost a friend recently when he went overboard while under way without his life vest. Just a couple of weeks ago. 😔
I am so sorry to hear that, and am sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing that with with us here so that the rest of us might learn and thus modfiy and improve our safety measures with the knowledge of such an egregious consequence.
I’m very sorry for your loss and the suffering which your friend succumbed to.
None of us want to die in such a manner. Thank you for the sharing of this✨. Perhaps your very comment will ‘save a life’.
May your friend Rest In Peace. ✨🕊️✨
Always have a kill switch when you're single handed. You can even tie a line to the wheel or tiller to steer the boat into irons or heave to.
I love that idea. Thank you.
Never heard of a killswitch on a diesel engine but I guess it's possible.
what if you're sailing and the engine isn't on?
@@ratandmonkey2982 Read the second sentence.
I think a limit switch (or several) located near the water line where the tether would bring you is a great and fairly cheap idea. With some ingenuity you could hook it up to a number of systems on the boat, including the engine, autopilot, and vhf to send an auto mayday. Definitely want to research these ideas after watching this; I seriously doubt I could pull off that climb.
that demonstration was scary it showed how much of a struggle it was for a reasonably fit person to accomplish .. that was scary to watch . stay safe .
I don't mind telling you, it was intimidating to execute as well. And difficult. It is a great reminder for all of us to clip short and stay on the boat. That said, without the ladders it would have been even more difficult. Here are the modifications in equipment and technique that I made based on what I learned in this video. It is executed much easier, allows the sailor to rest at any time, and does not require as much power and endurance to reboard. ruclips.net/video/U_FHWEgDWzM/видео.html
As an older fellow…61
I took one look at this man’s forearm and could recognize he has some good grip strength.
One must maintain this as one ages.
It takes some effort and be intentional about it.
If you cannot hold on….yeah….no way could you get back in the boat.
Also, I have wondered about a heavy bit of cargo netting.
You could fasten to the aft.
Maybe throw it over if working on the rudder or prop.
Or even in nasty weather.
This would be a great help in climbing back in or least holding on.
In addition,
I have wondered if a sort of kill switch could be incorporated by some one more intelligent than myself into the auto pilot.
Whereby if the single sailor fell overboard and got some distance away the autopilot would crank the rudder over to one side throwing the boat into a circular route.
This would be better than watching your boat sail away over the horizon.
Great ideas mate. Thank you. I am going to try three things soon: control lines for both a kill switch on the engine, and to make the boat heave-to under sail -- deployable from a position in the water over the side. The third is lifeline close to the water line to allow the singlehander to safely get to the stern to another ladder there.
I gave a talk on what to do if falling overboard whist clipped on and sailing singlehanded. The takeaway was to use the shortest tether line possible. Less than a foot long. This keeps you higher out of the water and makes it eaiser to climb back.
Absolutely agree mate. Thank you for sharing with us.
Well done. Thank you.
Thanks for watching!
Thanks for this clear test and example. But still had some reservations. How great is the danger of a propeller when not using an outboard? Fixed propeller is usually deeper under the boat. Given the resistance of the water on the side..seems more powerful than behind in wake of the boat..therefore isn't it wiser to climb on it in the back of the boat? If the back is not too steep and high. Isn't it more convenient then to mount a thick rope net at the back that you also can release from inside the water and then roll out behind the boat..say 3 to 4 metres. And put on some tension due to the forward motion of the boat...possibly aided by some water anchors/pockets. After which you can climb in and through that net up into the boat using now both hands and feet. But maybe this already exists...
Thanks for the thoughtful comments. These are very interesting ideas that I believe have potential. I haven't heard of those so thank you! On the propellor -- an inboard is further away for sure. I was still a little worried that in my thrashing, scissor kicking etc. that I might kick the propellor while trying to haul myself forward and up. Back of the boat can work for sure too. One of the challenges to overcome would be if we went over the side slightly forward and were clipped short and being dragged. How do you get to the stern? It would be very frightening and possibly dangerous to unclip from the boat to get there... you can't make a mistake at that point. But, I do consider my windvane and Watt and See generator mounting frame as a boarding ladder on the stern. I did actually have to use it for real once... I was just leaving the dock and slipped as I was pushing the boat away.... I hand traversed the rail to the stern and climbed in. I should have had the ladders in place but hadn't put them on since I was only island hopping.... Thank you again for your thoughtful and creative ideas.
I see you're wearing a different type of life vest there, my self inflating life vest might hinder any attempt to climb back aboard. Thanks for the video, some real food for thought.
Yes. A self inflating vest would make it harder for sure -- and would create more drag in the water. Perhaps a test is in order with all the offshore gear.... I'm anxious already....
I would hope you have company when filming these MOB videos, no point in taking serious risks for views.@@respecttherisk2022
Thanks for the video - good effort! You're wearing a buoyancy aid but a life-jacket will significantly affect how you can manage a self-recovery. I have a AIS emergency beacon installed in my life jacket, which are not cheap but worth a life. I'm reminded to carry a knife in my pocket to cut the tether and put my faith in the lifejacket or else be drown by dragging.
Great addition. I should do that myself. Thank you for the suggestion.
Outstanding. Thank you!
You're very welcome!
Seems like there might be some way, similar to the engine kill leash made for outboard engines, to stop a boat from in the water. Perhaps a way to cause the boat to steer up into the wind or maybe release the main and jib sheets. Just brainstorming. Any ideas?
Thanks for the note. I have some ideas for the kill switch and for the tiller on the windvane to make the boat heave-to from a position in the water over the side that remain only ideas at this point. I would like to test them and implement a few other ideas that viewers have commented on.
Thank you for sharing this
No worries mate. Thank you.
Quiz: Say you dive or fall off the bow of a 49ft vessel, sailing at just 2 knots. How long before the boat has passed you by? You'll probably drown, before you've figured that one out. Same situation, but metric: You fall of the bow of a 15 meter yacht moving at 1 m/s? See how quickly a swim in light breeze can go wrong? Have a nice day!
Great quiz mate. The answer is sobering. You too mate.
In 2008, three retired Australians disappeared at sea after falling from a catamaran on the Great Barrier Reef, in an episode called "Ghost ship".
Terrible event....
Hi, I have a line tied to the bow led back to the stern (outside of the rail) and tied into a heavy duty 2m dia sea anchor held in an inverted bag on the transom rail, from there I have a Yellow 30m floating rescue line which I trail behind the boat when I am sailing alone. The rescue line and the sea anchor are held with 2 small cable ties. If I fall overboard then I pull the rescue line trailing the boat, this breaks the cable ties and releases the sea anchor into the water, this will fill and pull the bow off course and stop the boat, even when on autopilot. At 6 knots I will have 10 seconds to swim approx 2m to pull the rescue line.
This is meant for use whilst sailing only (not motoring). As a Whitbread veteran 89/90 I know too well the risks of sailing alone, in my opinion falling overboard and being dragged at 6 knots or more by a harness attached at the waist is not recoverable, a severe back injury or drowning is the likeliest outcome, if a harness is to be used then it should be releasable under load to prevent this.
I'm not saying that my idea is the only or best option but it gives me a chance at least.
Mark Fisher 42ft steel hull sloop, Lymington UK.
Wow. What a great idea. Thank you for sharing that! I have never heard of that concept but I really like it. I absolutely agree with giving ourselves the best chance, or even just a chance as you outline. Thanks again for sharing this -- clearly you have put a lot of thought into it -- and we can all learn from you.
Thank you for your kind words, you will not of heard of it before as it is my idea, it really does work, read carefully how I rig it to the bow and outside of the rail, this gives the sea anchor a good chance as the boat will not sail with the drag created, the boat will be pulled off course and will stop with the autopilot bleeping and the sails flapping.
This will work on any sailing boat and at any point of sail in any conditions, a smaller boat than mine might be able to use something smaller than my sea anchor, some lighter boats might even be able to use a strong bucket. I have my system permanently rigged and coil the rescue line at the stern, when I want to use it then I just throw it into the water and it's ready for use.@@respecttherisk2022
Respect the risk; any chance you can recreate what mark describes and do a video on it? We saw how absolutely exhausted you were. At 59, I thought I was in great shape. Then 60 hit and back problems (I’m now 64). Slowing the darn boat down would help me a lot.
@@dogbone6315 hi, that would be great, I’ve tested it but not on camera, it would be a good learning for us all and I’m sure promote a healthy discussion.
What I know about being in the water just practicing kayak emergency procedures is whatever stamina and breath holding you have or think you have, most of it seems to vanish. I've got a nice sugar scoop on my Hunter. For my sugar scoop and swim ladder, I would still want a method that that would continue 'working,' until I'm well on the boat. Your Aider for big wall climbing? I'd have that so there a loops well above the point I'd be back onboard.
The other thing I'm sure you've considered is sailing with people who don't know how to sail. At the very least teach them to Heave To to stop the boat so you can swim back. Next would be to turn on the motor and turn around.
Agree. Great suggestions. Thank you.
In a real live or death situation you can do so much when your full with adrenaline. In a big storm on the Northsea my dad once pulled my mother back on board over the railing with a single hand and a single pull.
Wow. Thank you for sharing that. I hope for such stregth and fortitude in the moments when it really counts.
Dinghy technique with pulling somebody in if you can grab him/her by the lifejacket is to fall backwards, using your weight at the same time as person in the water (hopefully concisous) makes a pull with hands
Very informational appreciate input. Thanks for putting yourself out there to give us this video.
Glad it was helpful!
If you rig a trip system and have it tied to a trailing rope, the trip pulls out a pin and either drops your sails, or releases the tension so they swing downwind and cease functioning, slowing the vessel. If your were going upwind, their drag now helps stop the vessel.
That way if you go over, you have TWO trailing ropes--the usual dead-man's rope, and your trip line. The dead man's rope has wrist or foot loops spliced into it every few feet. The trip line is just a polyester rope trailing beside it. It does not matter which one you grab first, the trip will drop or release your sails, and the dead man's rope lets you work your way back to your now much slowed down vessel. At the stern just above waterline is your boarding ladder, tied with thin zip ties, so pull it down snapping the ties and climb aboard. Every crew member must practice doing this until all are proficient. On a single handed watch late at night there may not BE any help, but one can, if one has crew aboard, also fit a man overboard REALLY loud alarm inside the vessel activated by the trip line sequence.
Yes, loose flapping genoas and swinging booms are a bloody pain in the arse, but they are better than a watery grave on which no roses grow.
All excellent ideas. Thank you for sharing those with all of us.
FYI for the power boaters out there- you can install a man overboard engine kill switch. As long as you can swim faster then your boat drifts away, your ok, as long as you can navigate the freeboard.
Thank you for the note. That is a great tip.
That is a problem with sailboats - no kill switch for the sails ... If they are set up - it goes
Great video.
I notice you do it wearing a buoyancy aid common with dinghy sailors rather than an inflatable life jacket typically used on yachts.
Have you ever tried it wearing an inflated life jacket?
A recent man overboard in box type waves wearing an inflatable horseshoe collar said that waves in his face was terrible and he strongly recommended the clear hood attachment to the system
Thank you. Not yet. I think I should -- at a minimum to ingrain it in my psyche how difficult it will likely be. Fear is a great motivator to inspire us to take the appropriate precautions.
Thank you!
You're welcome!
So this only works if you have a rope ladder on each side and clipped in but had enough slack to go overboard?
Thanks for the note. Yes -- ladders on each side. And I clipped extra long in the demo on purpose to see how I would fare. I would endeavor (and suggest) to clip short to avoid the scenario all toghether.
Is this in the PNW? Cold water and all. Much respect for doing this at 59!
Yes -- Gulf Islands. Thank you.
Priority One: get into great shape!
Priority Two: STAY ON THE DAMN BOAT!!!
Absolutely excellent presentation!
Very important lessons and superb demonstration.
Much appreciated.
I Will Do These things.
The prospect of going overboard, wl while alone, is very scary, indeed!
Absolutely agree mate! Staying on the boat is may even be Priority One!
Absolutely agree mate. Read through some of the comments -- there are some great suggestions from viewers that I intend to try. One of them I prototyped and can be found here: ruclips.net/video/A5IR81KTlNs/видео.html
I want to try a control line on the my Windvane so I can make the boat heave-to under sail. Stopping the boat will make this exercise much easier. Another view suggested a lifeline under the gunwale that could be clipped and thus traversed to the back of the boat to climb up in the wake. I want to try that idea well in conjunction with these others. It's all about creating "chances" to get back aboard in the event the worst happens....
I like your demonstration. And also think a ladder system of some sort is key here. Tedder alone is unsafe to me. A disabeling system for the main sheet or the pilot or the engine would be an extra safety too.
Great ideas. I want to try something low-tech like that.
It’s like lighting a fire on board to practise putting it out. Insane.
Not quite.... there was crew on hand just out of the frame.... all the best mate.
That’s a relief! Should be made explicit in the video. It’s a very valuable drill but that is a key precaution, the key difference between supreme preparation and actively courting disaster should not be omitted in my opinion, even if it heightens the drama, which it totally does! You were like “I’ve got an hour of sea-room here.” That’s when I got concerned for your safety and the safety of those who would emulate you.
Pardon me, i re watched your video and realised I missed that written blurb. I don’t read so good I guess! However, I would still say a bit more emphasis of that key point is called for.
After swimming out to get my 13 ft fishing boat (engine off) that left the dock and not being able to pull myself into the boat, I ended up swimming the boat back to the dock. Since I found out I couldn't get in a low aluminum boat I bought a rope ladder (Amazon) that I can pull off the stern. At my age (70 years) you have to use your legs.
I have had similar revelations recently mate. I agree wholeheartedly.
I know a guy who owns a sailing school who recounted how he fell off a boat. It was on a lake, after sunset (nobody around). He was alone. He was just routinely moving boats between locations. He had no PFDs on, no phone or other means of communication. He slipped and fell and was dangling off the railing while the boat was doing circles.
If he fell into the water, there was no chance of anybody finding him, of him swimming to the shore or of him being able to get back on the boat. He would surely die.
It took him 4h to get back on the boat.
Anyway. If you are alone on a boat, make sure you are strapped properly or have PFDs on. But PFDs alone will not save you as you are likely to die of hypothermia unless you can signal for help and the help can arrive AND locate you very quickly.
Thank you for sharing that experience. Very sobering. A great reminder to all of us.
oof. this would be tough on my Westsail 32. even sitting still, I can only really climb up by getting a foot on the rudder.
Thanks for the note. I know what you mean. Without the nylon ladders, I have to use the windvane and power generator mounting on the stern as a ladder.
@@respecttherisk2022 would you recommend having the nylon ladders hanging off the side? also, should you be tied to the lifeline at midship and not behind?
Yes. In rough sea conditions I have three ladders per side. 2 in more moderate. The first line of defense is using a tether and jacklines and clipping short to avoid going into over the side into the water in the first place. The nylon ladders are meant as a last resort in case the unthinkable happens and one goes over the side. They do give me peace of mind that I have another chance to save myself. Part of the challenge of multi day passages singlehanded is fatigue, mentally and physically. By day 5 I feel like I am operating with 50% capacity so I feel like I have to give myself every chance. And, we can make simple mistakes when we are that tired.
i was thinking about practicing this once i get my yact sea worthy but seems kinda sketchy lol
thanks for the note. For sure. It won't solve all the problems, but it might make reboarding possible especially if coupled with clipping short. Make sure to have crew handy to help you or stop the boat if you attempt. Even practicing does have risk of injury or worse....
Ive sailed 1000s of miles solo in a Catalina with a tiller steering.
The best way is to tie a 100 ft rope to the tiller arm and thread it through your stern side cleat then tie on a dock fender to it.toss it in..if you fall in while underway grab the rope when you can and hold on..the boat will jibe and come pick you up . Redundancy Rules !... out on the deep blue sea .
If you lose your rudder you should have two heavy plastic buckets and two 100 ft lines for steering to the closest port .
A roll of aluminum foil balled up and hammered into the rudder shaft will stop the water from coming in...lol.. I've been there ! In big kahuna's lol
Another lucky day..lol
Life threatening moments come and go on the brinny in small craft..be safe and be prepared .
I love that idea. Thank you for sharing that will all of us.
You had someone on board with you when doing this demonstration right?
Absolutely.
Thank you very much I keep telling people this I had a friend he said look at the boat you're about to buy and what would happen if you were thrown off the boat why it was moving how could you get yourself back on the boat. Is the gunnels are they too high are you condition to get your body out of the water on the side of a boat not many people can I know that I probably can't that's why a sugar scoop sailboat is really important or on a powerboat to have a very big swim step or enough grab holds to pull yourself onto that swim step. Also you make overboard devices now that if you're the only person on the boat it will shut the engine off now on a sailboat you have a problem that if your sales are up it's going to be moving forward but if you have a sugar scoop we have enough grab rails where you can grab and pull yourself on board that's the thing. There's no way in hell would I buy an older boat with 5 ft of gunnels no way in hell I can't get back on but like that. I think people need to think that really hard how are you going to get back on a boat if you're thrown overboard before you buy the boat you need to ask yourself that question can you get on that boat if you can't then you need another boat that you can get on to because your life depends on it on easy access
Excellent commentary mate. Thank you for sharing that.
@@respecttherisk2022 no one should die falling out of a boat no one you have to set your boat up right so you can get in the easiest way possible especially when you're really tired beat up and not almost able to pull your weight into the boat that's why swim step sugar scoop when you're sailing always trail a safety line so someone can grab it
I bet I would jump back in and not be fully wet. Fire is what I worried about offshore. Most boaters purchase a tiny fire extinguisher just to comply and not get ticketed. I had 3 full size and my toes would be well done before I'd abandon ship and become shark food.
Great suggestion. Thank you.
Could you stuff one of those aiders into a PFD pocket just in case you forget to set one up so it's always on you? Slip it over a cleat or have a carabiner attached that can clip onto a stanchion or a hole in the toe-rail
Those are excellent ideas. In mountaineering we do that when travelling on glaciers for self rescue in crevasses. I am thinking about some ideas along those lines using the same mechanical clamps as rock climbers use.... maybe a bit cumbersome... but could add security and increase probability of success -- and a way to rest at every step.
Clipped short? Clipped long? Perhaps some terms definition would help.
Oh yeah for sure. Sorry mate, we get too comfortable with some of our terms. "Clipping Short" means keeping your tether short, maybe 18 to 24 inches. "Clipping Long" implies a tether that would be perhaps anything greater than 36 or 48 inches. In this video, the tether or old climbing rope I was attached to was perhaps 12 feet long.
En lowcost sailor habla de un dispositivo electrónico que al estar a cierta distancia del barco se pararía. Supongo que yendo a motor. A vela ya sería otro cantar.
Thanks for the note. I am sure electronics will solve these challenges at some point. For now, us regular guys just need some simple, if crude, ways to get back aboard.
First thing is a 50m dragging line to hold which switches the autopilot off and brings the the leiter down. This i will install on my boat.
Great idea. I want to try something like that as well.
Overboord vallen is iets wat je nooit realistisch kunt oefenen. Harnas om, en lifelijn als je alleen vaart altijd Overboord .en hopen dat je deze kunt grijpen. 😊🎉
That is true. Every situation will be slightly different. It is possible, IMHO, to rehearse possible tactics to reboard the boat while singlehanded which could make the difference in a survival situation. All the best mate.
Not having a swim ladder deployable using something near the waterline, perhaps with a low hanging pull release cord, does seem to make returning nearly impossible.
Great idea. I rigged up a prototype here: ruclips.net/video/A5IR81KTlNs/видео.html
Good video. Important stuff.
Were you single handed when you attempted that drill? If so it wasn’t a drill, You were OB single handed on purpose which is very reckless. Respect the risk and have someone on board who can stop the boat and help you if need be. NO ONE SHOULD EVER PRACTISE THAT SOLO. Even if you’ve done it a hundred times and it’s very easy for you, which it clearly wasn’t.
Thanks for the note and advice. Crew was on hand just out of hte frame. Well said mate. Well said. 120% agree.
Good idea thanks for sharing but yeah being on the high side would be damn near impossible to grab the rail. I like bobmeador4465's idea about running an additional line lower. I'd saw maybe just a little above the waterline then you can use it as a pull up rope when your healed over and a step. Both are great ideas thanks for sharing
I really like bobmeador's idea as well and plan to install that in addition to the ladders. Nice to have options in a survival situation.
Doing this in all weather gear in bad weather is not gonna end good man.
It's good to train this and see the reality of it and not take it for granted
Agree mate. This was difficult in perfect conditions wearing shorts and t-shirt. It was a great reminder for me.....
this is pure bull, first if you end up overboard unplanned, your momentum will carry you out away from the boat, are you dragging a line behind your boat, need about 100 feet or more of floating line, a drag line. Also your flotation fest will have triggered and inflated providing drag to your swimming efforts to reach that tow line dragging behind your boat. Do you do cold weather sailing, or even late spring early summer in the gulf of Maine. Always be clipped in, never unclip. I was in my youth a long distance solo sailor, you fall overboard unclipped your dead unless the boat rounds up. you think you could pull yourself back to your boat, hand over hand in 48degree water in a bib long underware boots sweater, your dreaming.
Absolutely agree. Thank you for sharing that color and details. The conditions you outline would be absolutely desperate and likely result in death for sure -- especially if unclipped and over the side. (I was clipped on a long tether for this illustration partly to make it more difficult on purpose) Also agree 100% -- this was done in absolutely perfect conditions without an inflatable vest -- and, as you can see was quite a struggle. A vest and offshore boots and clothes would make even this demo more extreme and difficult -- I likely would not have had the strength and endurance in vest and offshore clothes and boots even in these otherwise perfect conditions. Thank you for sharing your experience. The risks in these events are under-evaluated so it is awesome to hear from a sailor of your experience to coach the rest of us. Even when clipped short, I still have these ladders deployed so I can more easily and quickly reboard if I have a mishap to reduce time in the water. Thanks again for your wisdom on this topic.
this why lifelines are better than solid rails. you can grip them better. i’ve been there, holding on for life. the hook grip is best with a small diameter hold. make sure your lifelines are in good order.
I think when I start single hand life 1, drag a yellow float line 50ft long. 2, web ladders both sides.
Thanks for the comment. Quite a few folks have suggested something like that. I would further suggest staying tied or clipped to the boat in some way at all times, in addition to the web ladders. In a later video in this series, I added a method to get back aboard using a GriGri and an ascender with a web ladder on a 10 mm nylon (climbing) rope. This method allows the single-hander to have a "hands-free" rest while getting back aboard. Best wishes mate.
The stirrups themselves need to coloured coded red so they stand out. The stirrups also need to be have a thick rope step as it’s tread as opposed to just a flat ribbon!
Great suggestions. Thank you!
Where is this video made?
Gulf Islands in British Columbia, Canada -- on one of the warmest days of our summer.
What about also carrying a tiny PLB that will alert search and rescue if you need help. They only weigh about 120 grams and are smaller than a cigarette packet.
Great idea mate. I have a small InReach device that I may put in a zippered pocket in the future.... another chance to survive.