Report by Jim Heffernan
One June 10, Wayfarer 2458 was racing on the Neuse in a five Class regatta run by the Blackbeard Sailing Club. While following a Tanzer 16 toward the layline for the windward mark we decided to tack a little early to avoid bad air from the Tanzer. I heard an expletive from upwind, and my crew, Lynn Abram, a newbie to sailing, saw the top of a head bobbing in the two foot waves. While she kept her eye on the person in the water, we tacked and worked up toward the man while furling the jib, and I slowly came alongside him so Lynn could grab him.
Since he was not wearing a PFD, she had to grab him by the arm. It was difficult to hold onto him and her hand slid down his arm, but she managed to keep hold of the hat he was holding in his hand as his head went under the waves. I grabbed the other arm, and we were able to get him into a stable position alongside the boat with his head above water. Once we accomplished that, we were able to take a moment to assess the situation. We both realized it was going to take a lot of strength to pull him over the side. Fortunately, he was able to assist in his own rescue and got one hand and then the other onto the deck edge. Then we heeled the boat more to windward, grabbed him under the arms, and with much effort, brought him aboard.
Lynn, a whitewater kayaker with swift water rescue training, grabbed her kit, offered the disoriented sailor an energy bar and cold water, and advised him to take some time to rest and recover. We offered to take him to the race committee boat but he said he wished to get aboard his own boat, which was waiting nearby with his crew. We carefully came alongside, keeping hands away from the banging rub rails, and transferred him to his boat. Then we headed for the windward mark.
Lessons learned:
- We should have started blowing an emergency whistle immediately, hoping that someone downwind would hear.
- We should have had a seat cushion or fender with a line attached that he could have grabbed.
- We could have put a loop in the main sheet to give him a foothold for getting aboard.
- Most importantly, this incident illustrates the importance of wearing a PFD. Had the sailor in the water been wearing a PFD, this would have been a short detour to pick up a passenger instead of an emergency situation.
We are glad we had not tacked earlier with the other Wayfarers and then been too far away to hear the first shout and see the person in the water. Fortunately, we were in the right place at the right time, and this situation ended well.
Jim Heffernan, Skipper and Lynn Abram, Crew
Originally published in the Beat July 2023 a monthly news update for the central east coast from a regional RC Jerry Thompson Subscribe @ thebeatnc@gmail.com