Cold Water Boating.......No Life Jacket

[TiltonBB]

Boat sinking.

This time of year in a small sailboat with no life jacket. What were you thinking?

The 17-foot capsized sailboat was towed and secured to shore.

https://www.laconiadailysun.com/news...3f50215e5.html

[thinkxingu]

Does anyone know if these types of rescues are treated the same as hikers/backpackers? Do "unprepared" people get charged for rendered services?

* I'm not saying that's the case here, but it occurred to me ask after reading the article.

Sent from my SM-G990U1 using Tapatalk

[fatlazyless]

This Marine Patrol twitter post ...... http://www.twitter.com/NH_StatePolic...091264/photo/1 ..... says he had a cell phone but did not have a pfd.

I find it hard to believe that he would not have a pfd while sailing a 17' sailboat in "strong winds and choppy water conditions" so could be the pfd was lost when the sailboat flipped over in the wind or something and got blown away. Sailboats can flip with a wind gust and an inexperienced sailor and a pfd that was not actually being worn can suddenly go missing when you need it plus it's not too easy to put on a pfd while in the cold 57-degree water. One wants to be wearing a pfd before a capsize happens and everything becomes discombobulated.

A 17' sailboat can weigh about 500-lbs or so without a motor. A 17' motorboat can weigh about 1500-lbs and be much less tippy-wippy.

A very happening 17' Sandpiper sailboat capsize video from June 16, 2008 ...... www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxC-dnTNYG8 ..... Mazinaw Lake, Ontario, Canada ...... a volume blaster!

Is always a smart move to have a foam noodle as well as a pfd as a second flotation device when a small sailboat flips in the wind because the two combined keep you higher up in the water or to wave it around as a signal. .... ...... hey there ..... come rescue me!

[John Mercier]

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

Does anyone know if these types of rescues are treated the same as hikers/backpackers? Do "unprepared" people get charged for rendered services?

* I'm not saying that's the case here, but it occurred to me ask after reading the article.

Sent from my SM-G990U1 using Tapatalk

Not sure if State Marine Patrol has the same enabling legislation as NH F&G...

But generally, a 17' craft would need to be registered, and thus the cost would be absorbed like a snowmobile or OHRV rescue. All three of the registration formats having a charge on them to support the majority of the funding from the F&G SAR.

[fatlazyless]

From ..... https://www.nhfishandgame.com/instruction.aspx?m=hs ......

"Unless the person shows proof of possessing a current year:

NH Hunting or Fishing License
NH Off Highway Recreational Vehicle of Snowmobile Registration
NH Boat Registration
A voluntary Hike Safe Card"

So, when you register your boat you get the same hiker rescue-off-the-trail service as the $25-NH Hike Safe card.

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by John Mercier

Not sure if State Marine Patrol has the same enabling legislation as NH F&G...

But generally, a 17' craft would need to be registered, and thus the cost would be absorbed like a snowmobile or OHRV rescue. All three of the registration formats having a charge on them to support the majority of the funding from the F&G SAR.

Ah, yes—I forgot about that!

Sent from my SM-G990U1 using Tapatalk

[FlyingScot]

Small boat sailor and strong swimmer here--it is idiotic to sail a 17' dinghy while not wearing a PFD, especially while alone, even in July...

Righting a small boat requires "only" standing on the centerboard...but you didn't flip on a calm day in your bathing suit. You flipped with lots of wind and chop, with the boat blowing away from you, your wet clothes pulling you down, and the general shock/disorientation of the surprise. Add in hypothermic conditions, and the guy's lucky to be alive

[ApS]

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

Boat sinking.

This time of year in a small sailboat with no life jacket. What were you thinking? The 17-foot capsized sailboat was towed and secured to shore. https://www.laconiadailysun.com/news...3f50215e5.html

Sinking is not the same as capsizing. Most small sailboats can capsize, yet be restored to normal operation in one to three minutes. (Depending on agility, wind- and surface- conditions).

All modern boats 20-feet or less are required to have flotation. (Unless crushed badly by another boat, continued "non-sinking" is assured).

When sailing my catamarans (Hobie-17 or Tornado-21) I'm always wearing one, regardless of fresh- or saltwater conditions. In my smaller sailboats, I've got a second life jacket tied down in front of me to keep oversized-boat wakes from filling the cockpit.

So far, only two PFDs have been lost, but that's half the number that I've found on Lake Winnipesaukee's surface!

Anybody interested in a PFD--size XXXL?

[SailinAway]

Originally Posted by FlyingScot

Small boat sailor and strong swimmer here--it is idiotic to sail a 17' dinghy while not wearing a PFD, especially while alone, even in July... Righting a small boat requires "only" standing on the centerboard...but you didn't flip on a calm day in your bathing suit. You flipped with lots of wind and chop, with the boat blowing away from you, your wet clothes pulling you down, and the general shock/disorientation of the surprise. Add in hypothermic conditions, and the guy's lucky to be alive

Possibly also gasp reflex when you end up in the water.

[dickiej]

For a good read on this subject, get “Suddenly Overboard “ by Tom Lochhaas’s. True stories of sailors in fatal trouble, not wearing pfd’s…