GL: man overboard

[Ralph Yost (home)]

Fred
The answer to your question seems obvious to me -
Learn from what single handed sailboaters do.
First, do all you can to keep yourself from being thrown or falling 
overboard.
    - Use jack lines and attach yourself to something at all times.
Second, think through the "failure modes" that could occur to a single 
hander that are more serious than simple incidents.
    - You get injured on the boat. Cant walk. How do you call for help?
    - Heat attack or some other medical malady you are not expecting.
    - etc
Seems to me that you should always have your cell phone clipped to your 
belt. Have the US Coast Guard phone # in it, and probably your towing 
service (Boat/US or Sea Tow as they have national numbers and they can call 
the Coast Guard if necessary)
Wear SoSpenders or some other inflatable life jacket system at all times 
when on deck.
Have a "check in" system in which your regularly call someone and check in, 
thus they are verifying everything is OK with you. If you fail to check in, 
they call for help knowing your approximate last known position.
Be sure to have an EPIRP on the boat and a personal EPIRP on your life 
jacket system, light and whistle as well.
etc
etc
You can probably think of some other things to add.
R,

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "fred" <fred at tug44.org>


>I have been thinking a lot about what to do if I were to fall overboard ... 
>it
> could be a bit of a problem as I am single-handing much of the time ... 
> and I
> do go out rain or shine.  Now I am arguing with myself about Henry's 
> comment
> about attaching himself to the boat.
>
> What's a safe way of going out on deck when alone on board?  Any thoughts?