Crew member information – Man Overboard (MOB) or Crew Overboard (COB)
Probably over half of the long time sailors who race have gone overboard at one time or another. One design boats such as J-22s and J-24s or Sharks (24s) have no life lines. Other boats have various hand holds or lack of hand holds and life lines. These incrementally increase the chances of a crew overboard situation. Rough seas, broaches, heavy weather all lead to possibilities.
So what do you as a crew member do to increase your comfort for safe recovery and return. Thankfully, I have never gone overboard on a racing yacht. This is largely because I have done mainsheet trim for most of the years I have raced. Early on, I did run the foredeck chores on a 30’ boat for about 10 years and I developed several strategies to feel secure bouncing around up there. This included using an aluminum reaching strut -common in those days - where I sat on the strut on the high side while close reaching with the chute up.
But we learn mostly by stories.
I was once kayaking in the Cattaraugus Creek with two fellow sailors in the off season and was caught in a situation where I almost drowned. This took place some years ago during a cold April day – it had snowed the day before and the blow-down trees and strainers (underwater trees and bushes) were everywhere. I was not wearing a wetsuit suitable for conditions. I was wearing a life jacket. All the conditions of hazardous water environments were present – cold water, extreme current, unstable craft (kayak) and underwater hazards. I twice turtled the kayak – the first time was an extreme condition where I went into a strainer (got tangled in underwater tree/bush) and my head was upside down, my eardrums were hit by cold water and I had no idea where up was. My eyes immediately focused within 2 or 3 feet underwater. There was a roar of water around me. My thoughts were “I don’t want to die in the Cattaraugus” – maybe a little stronger than that. I popped out of the kayak – lost the paddle and boat to the current and extracted myself from entanglements and swam for the light (surface). I returned into the kayak with wet clothes and hypothermic conditions. And turtled the kayak again trapping the boat under a giant Oak tree which had toppled from a cliff. My companion sailors had helped me recover the kayak – I never got the paddle on the second time but we were on opposite sides of the raging current. I subsequently climbed the Oak tree which was easily scaled due to the angle and got back to the vehicles. This was an eye opener – I had underestimated everything - the power of the water, the conditions of the creek and the weather and temperature and my own skill level (I am definitely not an expert kayaker).
So what’s to be learned from this?
Based on my experience the mental and physical preparation of me as an individual crew member is preparation prevention, and implementation.
Preparation – prepare to stay on the boat
Using equipment deemed appropriate for sailing, as much as possible prepare, understand and use personal aids and equipment to stay safe on the boat.
While not a requirement, the ability to swim should be considered a big plus when racing.
Examine and understand handholds, life lines, tethers and tether points for strength and safety.
Open and close shackles for tethers to see how they work
The proper use of PFD and examination is incredibly important.
Examine your life jacket for durability and flotability by putting it on and jumping in the water on warm, clear days.
• Inflatables – check valves and cartridges – blow up using breather/inflator and sit on jacket to test for leaks
• Conventional jackets – put on and jump in water to test fit and rideability (does what its supposed to)
• Try your PFDs over rain and foul weather clothing. See how hard it is to use.
Physically get the safety equipment out of the bag and touch and understand it including:
• COB poles
• Life slings
• Horseshoe buoys and rings with/without tether
Mentally prepare for flexible action
Anything can happen on a racing yacht including equipment breakdown or breakage, things swinging (booms and poles). Just get ready.
Communication systems
Create and use a communication hand signal system on your boat – I’m OK, I’m hurt, stop, go left, go right, etc.
Other ideas?
Prevention – Stay on the Boat
As much as possible, take care of yourself when moving about on racing yacht including:
• Judging – make a levelheaded decision on whether or not to race with your team skipper and crew members – talk out sea state and crew strength issues openly and honestly
• How to move - Talk through and implement movement strategies with other crew members
• Talk through and show new crew members what “One Hand for Yourself, One for the Boat” means.
Other ideas?
Implementation – if overboard
If you find yourself overboard, here are some strategies to get you home safely:
• Mentally visualize a good outcome – “I can get through this” “God has my back” or whatever works for you and your belief system
• Float/Rotate onto your back if possible
• Adjust your PFD if needed (straps, etc.)
• Push water out more than panting – slow your breathing to calm your mind
• Do a 360 rotation when stable to assess your position in relation to boats around
• When engaging rescuers if not OK, perform a not OK signal – open hand then cover thumb
• Slow your motions to stabilize your energy (bare steerage)
• When engaging a tow line, tethered tow line or flotation device grab the implement with an open hand so you can release it quickly if necessary
• Comply with apparent primary rescuer if directed – if getting multiple directions – say “I need one clear direction”
• As much as possible convey your condition to rescuers using signals
• Consider dropping clothing that may be dragging you down
Other ideas?