Well Done, Randy! Chuck B C&C 34 Elusive Somerset, MA
On Mon, Jun 13, 2016 at 4:34 PM, ALAN BERGEN via CnC-List < cnc-list@cnc-list.com> wrote: > Way to go, Randy! > > Everyone who sails in cold water should know the 1-10-1 rule: When you > first enter the water, you have one minute to catch your breath, before you > might pass out. The shock of entering cold water can take your breath > away, and leave you gasping for air. You have about ten minutes before > your muscles can no longer help you get back onto your boat. You have > about an hour before you might die from hypothermia. > > Also, keep in mind that when you use a Life Sling, when you pass by the > person in the water, you have to be close to him/her for the sling to be > within reach. > > Alan Bergen > 35 Mk III Thirsty > Rose City YC > Portland, OR > > On Mon, Jun 13, 2016 at 1:17 PM, RANDY via CnC-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com > > wrote: > >> Just a little story to share with you all. >> >> Went out for a leisure sail Friday evening with my daughter her friend, >> in Beaufort 4 or 5 conditions. We sailed under main only, and there was a >> 15" whitecap chop on the water. Hardly any boats on the lake, but one >> windsurfer really hauling ass. >> >> Out in the middle of the lake, we heard some yelling, and looked around >> to see three PFD-less people standing on a small low fiberglass fishing >> boat that was going down by the stern. I barely had time to say "shit, >> they're sinking." Next time I looked, the boat was gone, and the people >> were in the water amongst various debris. There were no other boats in the >> vicinity and I realized we were going to have to rescue them as quickly as >> we could. >> >> Started my Atomic-4 without running the blower first, luffed my main, >> drove to them, and threw out my life sling. Had to circle them three or >> four times dragging the life sling line by them, before we could get them >> all pulled in and aboard via the swim ladder. I missed on the first try or >> two just due to the wind and water conditions and my main flogging. One of >> them was about 30 yards from the other two, who told me to get the lone guy >> first. By the time we got the other two aboard, they'd been in the >> 68-degree water probably ten minutes. >> >> Dropped the main, drove to the marina, docked at the launch ramp, and >> called 911 for the first guy at the request of the second one. I think he >> was very intoxicated or high on something. He was incoherent and unable to >> move his body well, and it wasn't from exhaustion. Plus his friends told >> me to get him first, so they must have known something. >> >> Anyway, couple lessons learned. First, my life sling line was not >> already tied off with the life sling in the bag. It should have been. Had >> to tell my daughter's friend to tie it off before throwing it out. Second, >> in all the chaos we forgot to give them blankets when we got them aboard. >> One went below and my daughter gave them all towels, but they were all at >> least very cold if not in the beginning stages of hypothermia. Third, >> don't expect the Chatfield State Park rangers to respond to a mayday hail >> on VHF 16 - I hailed as soon as I grasped what was happening, to no avail. >> >> It was lucky that I was in the right place at the right time. There were >> no other boats around. These three were too far in the middle of the lake >> to swim to shore and I don't know if they could have given the conditions >> (including theirs). And I'm glad we were able to get a line to them before >> having to witness any of them drowning. Couldn't have done without my >> daughter and her friend (both 22-ish) - that would have been too much for >> me to manage alone. >> >> After we unloaded them, filed our statements, put the boat away, and >> drove home, we toasted the good things in life with many dark & stormies >> and whitecaps. I'd never seen anything like that before, and I hope I >> don't have to again. >> >> Best Regards, >> Randy Stafford >> S/V Grenadine >> C&C 30-1 #7 >> Ken Caryl, CO >> >> _______________________________________________ >> >> This list is supported by the generous donations of our members. If you >> like what we do, please help us pay for our costs by donating. All >> Contributions are greatly appreciated! >> >> > > _______________________________________________ > > This list is supported by the generous donations of our members. If you > like what we do, please help us pay for our costs by donating. All > Contributions are greatly appreciated! > >
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