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Cruising Alone

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by NYCAP123, Apr 27, 2020.

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  1. NYCAP123, Apr 27, 2020
    #1
    NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    Over the weekend a boater cruising alone on a 39' pleasure craft, and NOT wearing a PFD, got thrown overboard. Amazing how fast it happens. As a kid I did it, and got my leg caught in the controls. I was dragged who knows how long before finally coming free. Thankfully I got thrown clear of instead of under the boat. Another time I recued a guy it happened to as his boat made tighter and tighter circles, eventually spinning on a dime right where he'd been in the water.

    This weekend's fellow was in the water for 15 minutes before being rescued. Up here the water is still cold. Very lucky fellow.

    Here's the story and video of the SCPD stopping his boat:
    https://www.longisland.com/news/04-...ically-stop-runaway-boat-in-bellport-bay.html

    As the summer boating season kicks off up north PLEASE invest in an inflatable PFD and wear it, especially if cruising alone.
  2. Pascal, Apr 27, 2020
    #2
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Even more important than an inflatable PFD is to clip the kill switch...
  3. BRyachts, Apr 30, 2020
    #3
    BRyachts

    BRyachts Member

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    Nowadays there are wireless kill switches. Allows you to walk around the boat to work, set/retrieve anchor, grab a coffee etc but will kill the engines once out of the preset range, usually 50-100'.
  4. NYCAP123, Apr 30, 2020
    #4
    NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    When I read Pascal's response I thought 'Yeah, that'll happen'. but what you wrote is very cool and doable. I'd never heard of it and I'm sure many others haven't either. Good info.
    Here's a video on it:

  5. BRyachts, Apr 30, 2020
    #5
    BRyachts

    BRyachts Member

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    Yup, that's the model I had in mind. I went to look it up but you beat me to the punch, lol.
  6. NYCAP123, May 3, 2020
    #6
    NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    Yep, the boating season has begun up here. This morning's lesson on why to wear a PFD: 4 guys going out Jones Inlet yesterday in a 22' boat got flipped. 1 dead, 1 missing. No place on the water is more dangerous than an inlet. If not there, where were they saving their PFDs for. Did they think they'd be able to put them on in the water?
  7. Beau, May 3, 2020
    #7
    Beau

    Beau Senior Member

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    Sometimes its accessibility that prevents smart behavior. We keep one inflatable on the back of each helm chair.
    When its snotty we just pick it them off the back and put it on, when its not we put them back on the chairs. They get covered from the sun when I put on the chair covers.

    Just watch those young ones when they visit - they luv to pull that dangling inflate lanyard!
  8. NYCAP123, May 3, 2020
    #8
    NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    That's my practice as well but I generally put them on going through inlets, especially on small boats. When it goes wrong there it happens way to fast to get it on.
  9. BRyachts, May 3, 2020
    #9
    BRyachts

    BRyachts Member

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    I hope you guys are aware that an inflatable life jacket only counts to your 1 PFD/person regs if it is being worn. An inflatable hanging on the back of a chair does NOT count to your PFD requirements. Under regs it is only considered a PFD when worn.

    Off-Shore U.S. Coast Guard Requirements for Inflatable PFDs
    The PFD must actually be worn to meet the USCG carriage requirement for having one PFD onboard per person—unlike inherently buoyant life jackets, which are not required to be worn at all times (except by children) but which must be readily accessible.
  10. rtrafford, May 3, 2020
    #10
    rtrafford

    rtrafford Senior Member

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    Inlets are often pretty gnarly places regardless the size of the vessel.
  11. NYCAP123, May 3, 2020
    #11
    NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    I've never been on a boat that didn't have appropriate # of PFDs. My inflatable is for me and always on before it's even close to being needed. But yes, to be counted it needs to be on.
  12. NYCAP123, May 3, 2020
    #12
    NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    Always expected that's where I'd die.
  13. rtrafford, May 3, 2020
    #13
    rtrafford

    rtrafford Senior Member

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    I'd actually say that keeping this thought in your mind is the right away to approach very inlet every time. Could be weather, waves, shifting shoals, unmarked hazards, poor markings, or even merely egress traffic. Had a 5am flat calm dance with 3 Maersks off Sandy Hook one morning once that put added starch in my shorts. Palms just got sweaty just recalling...
  14. rtrafford, May 3, 2020
    #14
    rtrafford

    rtrafford Senior Member

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    On our overnights there is a head count for PFD's on the Bridge as well as Pilot House no matter the conditions. It's just too easy to do this right.
  15. Beau, May 3, 2020
    #15
    Beau

    Beau Senior Member

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    Most of us have enough qualifying PFD's that we would could sustain a 2 boat inspection. Not worried about hanging my inflatable when its 80 and we are cruising up the Hudson River. But I'll have that thing cinched tighter than a ____ when I am running Shinnecock Inlet with a 25k SW 'er against the ebb.
    Last edited: May 3, 2020
  16. NYCAP123, May 3, 2020
    #16
    NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    You should try Moriches some time if you want a thrill.:eek: Although it would be great if everyone wore their PFDs every minute, we're all practical people. Weigh the risks, but be smart. That PFD in the bag down in the cabin isn't going to save your life if you can fall off the boat, get flipped or whatever else might happen fast where you are.