[C320-list] C320 MKII ladder & safety

[Kirk McCullough]

I was in the unfortunate situation some years to recover 3 people that were
thrown out of a small open fishing boat at the mouth of the marina we were
docked at. Large steep seas. 2 children were easy enough with 3 of us
pulling them in. The 3rd was an overweight adult over 50 years and
unconscious at the time we retrieved him. Unfortunately we could not revive
him, even with a CPR knowledgeable nurse with us. None were wearing PFD's,
their dog also drowned

It's tragic and something one never forgets. Take care out there people.

Kirk

#124  

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of warren updike
Sent: 26 January 2009 13:51
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] C320 MKII ladder & safety


"... climb up on the swim step and climb over the stern rail..."
Try doing that fully clothed with inflated vest in cold water. Even in water
at 50deg. You will have a short time before you have lost enough power that
you won't be able to haul yourself onto the swim step. Add to the conditions
a rolling sea and an age of 50 or more and it deteriorates rapidly. Now if
you are 250-300lbs forget it.

In Summer of 2005, BoatUS Foundation along with other groups held a Crew
Overboard Rescue Symposium in CA. See the final report:
http://www.boatus.com/foundation/findings/COBfinalreport/

One interesting point and an important finding was that in spite of all the
traditional material re. maneuvering the boat back to a person in the water
(and all that is very important,) the most difficult and surprising part was
the difficulty removing the crew person from the water.  Even with light
weight dummy (assumes incapacitated person,) experienced boaters found it
difficult.

It's not enough to have a device like a life sling. You need to have the
equipment and a plan for removing a person from the water. That probably
means having a block and tackle ready to rig and knowing how to rig it.  If
the person is conscious and can help all the better. If not, rescue will be
very difficult.

Now, if you are like me and sail with my first mate most of the time, the
question is will she know how to get the boat back to me in the water,
deploy the LifeSling, rig the tackle, haul me out?  For that reason, I've
concentrated on teaching her how to make a MayDay call on the DSC radio to
call for help. In the event I'm unconscious... well, that's why I keep my
life insurance paid up.

Moral: Have the equipment; Have a plan; Practice the plan.  

Warren & Pattie Updike
Catalina 320, #62, "Warr De Mar"
Middle River, Chesapeake Bay



-----Original Message-----
From: crashley at gte.net [mailto:crashley at gte.net] 
Sent: Monday, January 26, 2009 1:01 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] C320 MKII ladder & safety

What's all this nonsense about deploying the ladder from in the water. Just
climb up on the swim step and climb over the stern rail, or deploy the
ladder once you're up there if you want to. The older boats had no swim step
and then you were really screwed, but that's a different story. (I'm sure
this will generate a lot of static.)

CRA 
Rosebud #882


-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Andrew
Santangelo
Sent: Monday, January 26, 2009 9:38 AM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Cc: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] C320 MKII ladder & safety

Yes OD!

Do not count on the ladder if you are alone and fallen in the water.

* If sails are up say bye bye to the vessel.
* If motor is running say bye bye to the vessel and maybe something else!
* If you are in steep seas and you can miraculously stay with the boat, good
luck boarding a ladder that is acting like a spear if down.  Heck - try to
lower a ladder even in 2' seas.

Good things about the ladder:
* Nice for fun and swimming
* If calm or light winds, and someone falls overboard AND you have a crew it
makes boarding easy.
* Great gate way for boarding a dingy
* I use it in the winter to get up on the boat when the boat is in the
cradle.
* Easy access and boarding for rafting up.
* Also good and wide for SCUBA and Snorkeling - one of the original reasons
I loved this ladder!
..add your favorite reasons.

Best Regards,
Andrew
C320 "Dawn Treader"
#333




On Jan 26, 2009, at 9:39 AM, Orlando.Duran at AveryDennison.com wrote:

> I'm assuming all of this talk about grabbing a ladder while single 
> handing presupposes that the boat will be standing still and not 
> moving either under sail or power... :)
>
> If you're sailing alone and fall overboard, good luck in trying to 
> lower any ladder..
>
> My strategery has always been to stay IN the boat.. :)
>
> OD
>