Yachting and Boating World forums: Man overboard ........

10.00hrs in the Lossie Marina it was a nice sunny day relatively calm sea and SWMBO and I were up for a bit of a sail. But forecast was for wind increasing before 12.00 so we decieded to have a go at "recovery" of man overboard instead. We all ( well some) know the theory but have you practised it? I dont mean "throw in fender or tyre" and go about and with your arm extended "hook" it from the water as on my dinghy course. I mean throw in a proper man ..ME or YOU!!!! Well the idea was mine so SWMBO said "in you go".

Please note man overboard will (should) never occur for us as we will be always hooked with 3 hook harnesses

So we have physically done single handed pick up with a lone female rescuer.

Boat Folkboat low freeboard no guard rails.

MOB Male 66yrs 11.00stone.

SWMBO Blonde blue eyes age (mature) ex rock climber and diver scared of nothing.

Gear. Crewsaver 275 LJ/S x2 crotch straps 3 point harnesses
The skipper explained the basics to the crew (SWMBO). she says "OK get in the water and I/ll give it a go".
We are alongside the pontoon (with luck nobody is looking) as the "volunteer" in his wet suit and Crewsaver jumps into the water. Tried to make it a bit funny..... now the serious stuff begins. Remember we are not in a heavy sea which would magnify the problems x100.
Its July but god this water is cold ....pull cord...huge "Woof" as LJ inflates ...thats a good start.
SWMBO knows what to do (she's read the book) "Keeping her eye on the MOB" she depowers the Main and removes the Main Sheet from its usual position (half way along the boom) and places it at the end of the boom.
God its cold in here why doesn/t she get a move on.
She removes the main sheet from the main sheet track (dont worry she's well clipped on) and offers the snap hook to me (what if I was unconscious) .My hands are cold ..the 275 is holding me well .....I finally clip on. I am to be rescued (even from the Marina) BUT .....SWMBO hauls away ...first I drift away from the boat ..... and "Hera" heels like in a force 10. With a little advice from the "volunteer" pull the "f++++in" boom in I arrrive back at the boat and we can start again. But SWMBO has problems with the Main Sheet ..in a moment of panic she has managed to get the pulleys crossed up. God its cold in here ..what if no wet suit. Pulleys sorted now and I am nearly back on board but still SWMBO cant seem to get me onboard even with no guard rails to get in the way of my fully inflated LJ. So she dropped the tail of the main sheet to me and I managed to haul myself up and aboard. We tried this 4 times before SWMBO managed to haul me inboard on her own (shear bloody minded ness on her behalf).

Lesssons learned No.1 Stay clipped on at all times.
No.2 Wear LJ/s all time.
No.3 Buy expensive boat with "Sugar scoop"
No.4 Buy boat with "swimmin" ladder at stern.
No.5 Main one NEVER FALL OVERBOARD and practise your drill with real people.

Safe sailing to all ...Mike and Rita.

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I'm happy to be free as the wind as the wind is tax free, so far.

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