|
It
is generally best to approach a capsized dinghy at right angles To the
forestay. From here:- The safety boat crew have a good view of what is
going on. The risk of injury to people and damage to boats is minimised.
The safety boat crew can support the mast to prevent inversion. An alternative
is to come alongside the capsized hull taking care to Avoid the centreboard
and trailing ropes. From this position, the safety boat crew may be able
to help the Dinghy helmsman by leaning down on the centreboard or pulling
on the gunwale.
SINGLE HANDERS
Single Handers are most-easily righted by the safety boat crew lifting
the mast.
ASSYMETRIC
BOATS
Assymetric boats should have their spinnakers lowered and, if possible,
poles retracted before any attempt at recovery. If the dinghy crew is
still in the water, they should do it. If not, the safety boat crew should
be ready to get into the water to do it for them.
INVERTED
BOATS IN DEEP WATER
In deep water, the first step is to come alongside the casualty, and help
the dinghy crew to bear down on its leeward quarter. If this fails to
bring the boat back to the normal capsize position, lead the windward
jib sheet over the hull behind the centreboard, and pull. A drastic but
effective alternative is to take the painter or a warp, and slowly tow
the dinghy round in circles so that the water flow over the sails screws
it into the 90 degree capsize position.
IN
SHALLOW WATER
The mast is easily broken or bent if it hits the bottom, so the first
move is to get the crew off the inverted boat to prevent their weight
doing any more damage. Any pull exerted on the boat should be as nearly
as possible in line with the mast. The quickest way is to tie a warp to
the shroud and lead it over the hull as for a deep water rescue. A good
alternative or addition is to rig a warp between the bow and stern of
the dinghy. Then back away so as to tow the casualty sideways, allowing
the water to push the sails up into the 90o capsize position.
MULTIHULLS
The main danger associated with a multihull capsized to 90 degrees is
that it will very quickly blow away from its crew. A second risk is that
when recovered, it will sail away by itself. Make sure that the sheets
and traveller are free before recovering the boat. To recover an inverted
multihull, go alongside to leeward, pass a warp over both hulls, under
the windward hull, and tie it to the main beam. With the casualtyÕs crew
near the stern of the leeward hull, pull the boat upright.
ABANDONING
DINGHIES
A safety boat's main role is to save life, not to salvage boats, so it
may be necessary to abandon a dinghy in order to take an injured person
ashore or attend another incident. If possible, anchor the dinghy even
if it is still capsizing or sinking. Tie a buoy or fender to the masthead
to prevent it inverting and to indicate to others that a rescue has been
carried out. Contact the Coastguard and or Harbour Master to prevent false
alarms. If the dinghy is sinking, tie a long line to it and buoy the other
end of the line to mark its position.
LEE
SHORE RECOVERY
In recovering anything from a lee shore, stranded person, dinghy etc,
the main problem is to avoid getting stuck yourself. In light winds and
a steep beach, the simplest approach for an outboard boat is to motor
towards the casualty and pass a warp from your bow, ready to tow him off
by going stern. In stronger winds or shallower water, or if there is any
doubt, the only seamanlike approach is to anchor well clear of any surf
and drop back until you are as close as possible but still afloat. The
throw a heaving line or wade ashore to the casualty. If anchoring is impractical,
a possible alternative is to Motor almost parallel to the shore until
it is possible to Throw a heaving line to the casualty and then motor
directly to windward with the casualty towed astern.
APPROACH to SAILING BOATS
A disabled sailing dinghy may lie in almost any direction. In quiet conditions,
it is generally best to go alongside the dinghyÕs windward side (to avoid
the sails and boom). If it is too rough to go alongside, stand off to
windward and wither throw or float a rope to the casualty.
|
TOWING
ASTERN
If possible, ensure that the tow rope is secured to the casualty so
that it spreads the load over as many strong points as possible: anchor,
cleat, transom brackets, toe straps centreboard case. Lead the towrope
through a fairlead near the stemhead, be prepared to improvise, for
instance you might need to use a short length of rope to tie the towrope
to a dinghyÕs forestay. Unless your own boats has a dedicated tow post,
think about taking similar steps to spread the load. It will be much
easier to steer if the towrope is secured on or near the centre line
ahead of the rudder or outboard, but for light tows outboard-powered
boats may use a bridle. ALWAYS make sure that at least one end of the
towrope can be let go in a hurry.
NEVER use a bowline on both ends.
MULTIPLE
TOWS
An in-line tow can be used for several light boats in gentle conditions.
It involves towing each boat from the stern of the boat in front, so
it is simple to set up, but involves a lot of strain on the boats and
gear of those nearest the head of the tow. A herringbone tow uses a
long towrope from the rescue boat, ideally with loops or stopper knots
at intervals. If each dinghyÕs tow rope leads from the mast or forward
end of the centreboard case rather than to the stemhead, it will reduce
the chance of contact between boats and make it easier to steer.
TOWING
ALONGSIDE
Towing alongside is more like pushing. It is particularly useful for
badly damaged or waterlogged boats, or for close-quarters manoeuvring.
In open water it can be very wet and requires exceptionally good fendering.
The outboard must be behind the stern of the boat being towed. The ropes
used are similar to those for securing to an alongside berth. The rescue
boats fore spring takes most of the load when towing forwards. The rescue
boats back spring takes most of the load when going astern and acts
as the brakes when you stop. Modern rack boats can be quickly and easily
towed alongside without using ropes. The crew heel the boat one way,
to allow a RIB to drive under the raised rack. Once the RIB is in position,
the dinghy crew move across to wedge the rack down onto the RIBÕs tube.
UNDERWAY
Get under way slowly to avoid snatching the towline. Adjust the length
of the tow so that the tug and tow are at least one wavelength apart,
the longer the better, and consider using an anchor or chain as a weight
to reduce snatch. The crew of the sailing dinghy should lower their
sails, raise the centreboard and move their weight aft, and then steer
to follow the towing boat. If the tow starts to catch up with the rescue
boat when going down wind, tow a bucket behind it to slow it down. Waterlogged
dinghies often tow better stern first, with the crew and rudder removed.
MARK
LAYING AND RECOVERY
Race marks usually consist of a solid or inflatable buoy attached to
a length of rope and/or chain with an anchor or mud-weight on the end.
An intermediate sinker may be used to stop the rope getting caught round
keels or centreboards. A pop-up weight may be suspended from the buoy
to keep it vertical.
THE
ANCHORING TECHNIQUE
Anchor the buoy much as though it were a boat: Prepare the buoy and
its ground tackle, making sure that there is enough rope/chain and that
it is ready to pay out smoothly. Drop the anchor slightly up tide or
up wind of where you want the buoy to be. Drop back, paying out the
rope/chain as you go. Drop the buoy and its sinker.
THE
STREAMING TECHNIQUE
This is better when a buoy has to be moved and re-laid quickly or if
very accurate positioning is required. Start down tide (or down-wind)
of where you want the buoy to be. Stream the buoy, its sinker, and most
of its rope/chain astern, but keep the anchor on board as you motor
up wind/up tide. When the buoy (still streamed astern) is in position,
drop the anchor over the stern of the moving boat.
RECOVERING
MARKS
Normal recovery process involves coming alongside the mark, lifting
it aboard, and recovering its anchor as though it were your own.
WATCH YOUR WASH
Keep well clear of kids being taught how to sail. Keep your speed down
when you enter the Lymington River. The Harbour Master is always watching!
|