boat handling

Crew Overboard – Steps for Rescue

/ Ben Starling / Leave a comment
  
If the worst happens and a crew member goes overboard, what are you going to do? 
Best to have practiced in advance to get them on board. That’s exactly what we did with Bernard Mitchell last week while we were training with him.
And practicing in advance gives two great learning outcomes – one is how to actually do it. The other is just how hard it is to get the boat back to the right place by the crew in the water, to hold the boat steady nearby and to get a wet and exhausted person back on board.
 
Here are the ‘Crew Overboard – Steps for Crew Rescue‘ notes that the Can Opener recorded – undiluted wisdom straight from the snout of the awesome teaching genius that is Bernard:
 Crew Overboard  
Steps for Crew Rescue –  
How to Get ‘Em Back on Board
  1. notice
  2. shout
  3. point – one person continuously pointing at crew in water
  4. stop – heave-to 
  5. toss Dan buoy over
  6. check for lines overboard
  7. start engine
  8. press MOB button on VHF/GPS to send distress signal
  9. sailing/reaching backwards and forwards in front of  crew in water (no more than 75 yards away) while equipment to pick them is readied (on the side you are going pick them up on)
  10. approach them at 40-60 degree angle – don’t gybe, always tack
  11. lasso crew and attach them, squished up against side of boat
  12. then use hoisting equipment to get them on board
‘TO DO’: When your boat is at its berth, practice using your hoisting equipment to lift various team members from a prone position on the dock… up into the boat.
The more we practice in advance, the better prepared we’ll be. We have a ‘skills & drills’ list for the team – this is top of the list.

Anything else we should add to the ‘Steps for Crew Rescue’ list? How often have you practiced Crew Overboard procedure this season? We know we haven’t practiced nearly enough.


–Captain Cat 
(transcribed by the Can Opener)

Coastal Skipper Training

/ Ben Starling / Leave a comment

Captains’ Log
Stardate: 2012224
Gloomy days. Just as we approach the much anticipated acceleration point of our Get Cruising Now Plan… I learn of proof beyond doubt that the First Mate has lost all marbles. 

Turns out this cruising crew the Can Opener has been invited to join – they specifically want to practice Crew Over Board training and anchoring… over and over and over again.. for days! 

The Can Opener is practically skipping with joy – when he should be filleting my Sunday night’s prime haddock!

Granted this will be the perfect chance to prep him for the RYA Coastal Skipper exam that I have decreed he will get this year. 

And also granted that being invited to test on the boat with a familiar crew is a boon. Not only will he be familiar with the boat and crew before the test – but it will be quite cost effective. But honestly – COB drills??  

(That’s not Crew Over Board – that’s Cat Over Board drills, Furrball. We can skip this part if you reeeeeeally want us to…) 

Hmm… But……with all this training going on… how will the Can Opener find time to stand over me waving palm fronds as I snooze? (‘Twas never likely, my friend…) 

How will he eke out sufficient time to dust my orb, polish my feather cap and rinse my frillies? (I’ll do it before we go out.)

Ah. Hmm… okay. If you erect a properly sized yoga platform across the foredeck – it’s a done deal. 

(Right-ho, Captain. I’m on it.)




–Captain Cat 
(transcribed by the Can Opener)