Raced yesterday. My life jacket got capture in the center of my back to the
Sea Dog clamp that's on the jib sheet and attached to the jib clew. It did
this on the way through the jib slot and mast upon righting the boat. As it
restrained me in the middle of my back, it continued from upright to
capsized on the opposite side. Trapped against the deck with my back, the
boat turtled with me under it, or pulled me under. There is a little
breathing area under a turtled boat. I did have enough length to force
myself to the outside, barely. It took 10 to 15 minutes to undo myself. I
was at the end of the fleet so there was no rescue possible.
Lessons:
1. Know how, and practice bailing out of your life jacket and than
harness. The same as it is taught in Scuba to take off your tank underwater
if ever snagged.
2. Have a knife attached to you.
3. Don't use a sea dog clip on the jib clew/sheet. Use a shackle. If
you use them, tape them.
Good luck and be safe. The misfortunes of others are good lessons. You
don't always need to learn first hand.
Rob
025 is for sale.
|