helmsman overboard dilema - Page 2

joe_db · 24 March 2012, 18:05

You all need to get someone to tow you in a harness to get a feel for exactly how hosed you will be if one of these schemes leaves you tied to the boat and the boat still moving. I just now put a new kill switch on my boat because the old one did not stop the engine more than 1 time out of 4.

mister p · 24 March 2012, 18:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by sib

the engine has cut out but the boat is now 30m at least away from you and being blown further away...nightmare

I think we're assuming the engine has been killed and the vessel is being blown away from ex-helmsman

joe_db · 24 March 2012, 18:34

Yes......my point is the boat MIGHT NOT stop

You are trading one danger, the boat will be gone and you'll need to swim home or a get a ride from someone, for another danger - the boat for some reason won't stop and you'll drown rather quickly.

Where I live the water is bathwater warm all summer, so between all the variations of things you can tow and the dumb ideas kids come up with when you've got 250 HP and parents are miles away, I've had a fair share of misadventures behind a boat

mister p · 24 March 2012, 18:42

I understand you........it is not a good idea to be fixed by a line to an unhelmed vessel which is underway, of course not.

9D280 · 26 March 2012, 14:00

[QUOTE=joe_db;452431]Yes......my point is the boat MIGHT NOT stop

QUOTE]

One good reason to always check your deadman works before you leave the harbour......

captnjack · 26 March 2012, 15:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by mister p

Oh yes and tie a knot two feet away from the carabiner so that you have something to grab onto to give you slack if you need to release yourself in case you get dragged the wrong way up.

Don't use a carabiner. Use a snap shackle which can be disconnected under load. Put a small lanyard in the bail pin. (attached)

Quote:

Originally Posted by joe_db

You all need to get someone to tow you in a harness to get a feel for exactly how hosed you will be if one of these schemes leaves you tied to the boat and the boat still moving. I just now put a new kill switch on my boat because the old one did not stop the engine more than 1 time out of 4.

I totally agree with you, someone is going to drown for all these efforts to get themselves "thrown free" from their RIB but somehow stay tethered to it.

martini · 26 March 2012, 15:38

I think I've said this before but how many of us have actually flipped or barrel rolled a rib except maybe in beach surf?

Very few I imagine, I think people are getting too hung up on it and not seeing the bigger picture.

Connecting yourself to a high speed boat with a long rope just sounds like a recipe for disaster to me.

Sent from my portable speaking device using Rib.net

mister p · 26 March 2012, 20:16

I think it was all a bit hypothetical anyway. It was more about the boat being blown away, no?

willk · 26 March 2012, 20:29

On the whole, I think being tethered to a RIB is a horrible idea and you'd be nuts to try it. Concentrate on staying in the RIB. Plan for expediting your rescue if you do leave it...

captnjack · 26 March 2012, 22:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

Plan for expediting your rescue if you do leave it...

PLBs are downright cheap now.

longjohn · 27 March 2012, 00:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by captnjack

PLBs are downright cheap now.

All relative I suppose .... at least £200 - but cheap if it saves your life