GL: Demo/ man overboard

[Charles and Pat Culotta]

With total fear of beating this topic to death I did some research  several 
years ago on the topic, more specifically on how to get someone back on 
board a trawler. Given that most of the time we are talking about a couple 
on the boat -----it aint going to be easy period. IF you can do it at all. 
Any seas will exacerbate a bad situation. If the one in the water is 
incapacitated all bets are off.

I have seen live demonstrations of attempted recoveries **in calm water** 
and it is amazing the amount of time and effort that went into the 
operations. The chance of a man and wife alone on rough seas, add darkness 
and or current!!!!!

The only VIABLE solution is KEEP EVERYBODY ABOARD.

When we are traveling in daylight, flat calm seas, or rivers , it matters 
not, who ever is going out the cabin notifies the other AND GETS A RESPONSE 
before going out. On return the one at the helm is notified.

This is non negotiable!!!!!!!

When my children were young I ran a demonstration. With the boat at cruising 
speed, 8 mph, I threw a life ring overboard and upon the splash I called out 
man overboard and then started the turn.

They were amazed at how far the boat got from the ring before we were even 
headed toward it. And that was with  an IMMEDIATE response!!! One or two 
minutes-----I strongly suggest that each of you run the simple demo that I 
did with my kids, if nothing else to prove the point to yourself and your 
cruising partner.

As always YMMV

CCC

CHARLES C., JR. & PAT CULOTTA
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS
M/V CCRIDER
PATTERSON, LA.
http://geocities.com/charlesculotta