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Event Notice: Crew Overboard Rescue Tests
In the 2005 Crew Overboard Retrieval
Symposium on San Francisco Bay on August 9-12, 120 volunteers took part in some 400 day-and-night tests of rescue skills and
equipment. Forty items of safety gear and many maneuvers were tested in conditions ranging from 36 knots and a three-foot
choppy sea, down to a moderate wind and smooth water. Almost 200 hours of trials
were held on 15 boats ranging from 21 to 53 feet in length – seven keel cruisers, a keel racer, a catamaran, three trimarans,
and three powerboats. This was the first crewoverboard rescue trial involving a fleet so big and so representative of American
cruising boats.
Reports from participants at the event will be found in the following magazines: Blue Water Sailing,
Kazi, Latitude 38, Multihull, Practical Sailor, Sail, Sailing, Sailing World, Santana, Soundings,
and Yachting.
A comprehensive report from the Crew Overboard Executive Committee will be available to the boating public
by early November. This report will be based on data collection, observations, video, and still photos taken from the
event. All information will be available to the public. There will be a minimal fee for handling.
The following three photos provide an overview of one of the tests. The toughest part of a crew
overboard rescue often is getting the victim back aboard. The following photo shows a victim being lifted out of the water
with no special equipment. This is called the "elevator method."
A line is fixed to a stern cleat and draped over the side, leading to a cockpit winch. (Photo by John Rousmaniere)
The vicitm stands on the line and prepares to be lifted. The key for the victim is to use the line to balance him or herself.
(Photo by John Rousmaniere)
The victim is lifted by the force of the winch, which raises the line. (Photo by John Rousmaniere)
This next short group of photographs touch upon some of the elements that are part of these tests.
This is a Hans Christian 38, one of about 20 sailboats that were used in these tests. It is blowing about 30 knots in this
photograph as the participants are on their way to perform one of the tests with a wet-suited victim aboard. The winds during
the upcoming tests in early August of 2005 are expected to be approximately 25 knots most afternoons.
After each day of tests we will have a Round Table discussion at the Golden Gate Yacht Club from 6-9pm. This post-event analysis
has proved to be very valuable in the past and we plan to have a lively analysis of what took place each day. In some cases,
we will be featuring videos of these events.
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