BASIC POWERBOATING. SAFETY & RESCUE FOR SAILING INSTRUCTORS 79


ASSESS SITUATION Condition of Sailors


Perform a headcount and confirm number with other people. Make sure everyone is okay. If there are injuries, attend to the most critical ones first. There may be times when the safety of the sailors necessitates their removal before proceeding with the recovery of the boat.


Assess the Possibility of Reaching the Grounded Boat Take into consideration water depth, wind, obstructions, and surf. If a small boat is aground, you may want to consider an option of bringing the safety boat into the beach, if it is capable of being easily and safely beached (i.e., an inflatable boat in light wind and no surf). If it is windy and rough, consider the options of kedging to make the rescue, or anchoring the safety-rescue boat and letting the wind or current carry a towline with a float to the grounded boat. The latter method can be used if you are concerned about underwater obstacles or shallow water. If wind or current is too weak, it may be necessary to consider walking or swimming the towline in to the grounded boat. If this option is used and there is only one person in the safety boat, the boat must be anchored and the engine shut down.


COMMUNICATION


Communication is a critical element in recovering a grounded boat. There may be times when you cannot get close enough for effective voice communication and you must use hand signals that the sailor knows or are obvious.


RESCUE METHODS


There are several basic rescue methods, each with its advantages and disadvantages. These may be altered or combined to suit your particular situation.


Towline is tied


Boat-Specific Points E Boats with Centerboards. When boats with centerboards or daggerboards are involved, make sure their boards are raised or removed to prevent damage to them as the boat is pulled off the bottom. If these boats have removable rudders that could be damaged, remove them.


E Boats with Keels. If a keelboat is involved, you may have enough water to bring your safety boat in and pass over a towline. There may be situations where a sailboat can be heeled over (leaned sideways) to free the keel from the bottom.


Table of Contents Let go of towline


I need assistance


I cannot hear you


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