Seamanship_Secrets_185_Tips_-_Techniques_for_Better_Navigation-_Cruise_Planning-_and_Boat_Handling_Under_Power_or_Sail_(Re)_e..

preventing and handling emergencies 275

unconscious, you must make an approach to bring him or her right next to the

boat. Stopped in a seaway, a boat lies beam to the seas, and this causes it to roll

from side to side. To prevent injury, place fenders or cushions on the recovery

side of the hull before you bring the person alongside. Loop a line around the

person and under his/her arms. Cleat off the line until you work out a way to

get the person onto the boat (see the section on recovery methods).

Sailing Vessel Approaches
REACHTACKREACH METHOD

1. Th row fl otation (life jacket, life ring, cushion, fender); assign crew to
   maintain continuous visual contact.


2. Fall off to a broad reach.


3. Wait until you sail about fi ve boat lengths from the person; then perform
   a quick tack. Fall off to a broad reach and luff the headsail completely. You
   need to be downwind of the person before turning up toward them.


4. Head up onto a close reach as soon as possible. When within one or two
   boat lengths, luff both sails to stop the boat and bring the person alongside.

QUICKSTOP METHOD

1. Th row fl otation; maintain continuous visual contact.


2. Tack immediately and fall off to a run. Do not release the headsail sheet.
   Sheet the mainsail to the centerline to fl atten and depower the main.


3. Jibe; release the headsail sheet.

On a sailboat, one way to approach the overboard crew is by sailing onto a broad reach,
tacking, broad reaching, and making the fi nal approach on a close reach. Luff the mainsail
to slow the boat to a stop.