BASIC POWERBOATING. SAFETY & RESCUE FOR SAILING INSTRUCTORS 69


TURTLED BOAT RESCUES WITH MAST STUCK IN MUD Ideally, the mast should be pulled straight out of the mud along the axis of the mast without any sideways pull, to avoid bending or breaking the mast. Since this is extremely difficult, the objective is to come as close as possible to replicating that straight pull force. Each of the methods described below has different factors that need to be considered for different boats and different conditions.


Centerboard & Bow Line Pull Rescue


This method most closely reproduces the desired angle of pull and is simple. It works best if the mast is stuck at an angle to the bottom and not firmly embedded. If the centerboard is too slippery to grip, use a large rolling hitch or clove hitch slipped over the centerboard.


1 2


Bow line attached to sailboat.


Pull out along axis of mast. 3


1 Approach the centerboard side of the capsized boat.


2 Person at bow holds onto centerboard while the driver holds onto the bow line and gently backs boat.


3 Once the mast is free, proceed with the centerboard push or mast tip lift method to complete the rescue.


Corkscrew Rescue


This method can be used if the mast is not firmly or deeply embedded in the bottom. As soon as it becomes apparent that the mast will not come free easily, stop and use another method.


2 Once the boat rotates onto its side, use the mast tip lift or centerboard push method to complete the rescue.


1 Attach a towline to the bow.


2 Slowly tow the bow in a circular direction to free the mast and cause it to rise toward the surface.


Table of Contents


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98