As afternoon fades into evening, scarce clouds hover on the horizon. For a sailor in his Wayfarer, an ominous feeling cannot be shaken. A voice breaks the persistent silence between the rushing of water against the sailboat, “Crew Overboard!” It is not something anyone wants to hear while sailing, but these few simple tips about rescuing crew members is invaluable:
1)First it is important to note the position of the overboard crewmember and mark the time. The crewmember's position could change over time if there is a current.
2)Throw as many flotation devices to the overboard crewmember as possible, as it will help the person overboard, and also create a localized area enclosing the person.
3)Have at least one person on the crew spot the overboard crewmember while rescue is underway so that he or she is always being monitored.
4)If the size of the crew is minimal, one of the crew may have to let go of the jib and maneuver with the main sail alone.
5)Use either the Quick Stop Method or Figure 8 (Quick Turn) Method to bring the crewmember back on board the sailboat.
One clear advantage of the Quick Stop Method is that when it is preformed correctly it is very fast to do. The boat can remain close to the overboard crewmember in this method and thus allow a greater ease in spotting the crewmember. However this method is disadvantageous since a gybe maneuver must be performed which can be difficult in high winds or especially when the crew is minimal. If the boat is on a run, the quick stop method cannot be preformed.
A gybe is not required in the Figure 8 (Quick Turn) Method, making it advantageous as well as it can be performed from any point of sail. However trading in for these advantages leaves the consequence of being farther away from the overboard crewmember and possibly lose sight of him or her.
Successful retrieval of the crewmember will also depend on the availability of safety equipment such as flotation devices. It will also help if the crewmember is wearing a boat life jacket. While most regulations require life jackets, ideally the life jacket should have the boat’s name, and be fitted with reflective material and a whistle. Preferably, the whistle should be one that does not have balls in them, since when filled with water, they are significantly harder to blow. The life jacket should also contain a flare so that in the event of poor visibility, the overboard crewmember could light it to signal his or her location in the water.
If something were to happen to the boat, there should definitely be a liferaft aboard. The liferaft should be stowed in a location that allows its retrieval in 15 seconds or less. If it is greater than 90 pounds, the liferaft should not be stowed below deck. Make sure to verify that the boat liferaft is kept up to date and inflated every so often so that in a critical moment, it operates as expected. In an easily accessible location, there should be a ditch bag with emergency meal rations and water.
Sailing can be dangerous, but only if proper safety rules are not followed. There is no foreseeable reason that the crew cannot have a great day on the water, as long as the crew remains vigilant and calm.
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