Since the topic of heaters came up, I thought I'd start a discussion about cold weather boating. Being an old U.S. Army Ranger, I have some first-hand experience with hypothermia and the training associated with countering its effects.
Each winter, I spend a lot of time at the Chesapeake Bay-Bridge-Tunnel (CBBT) complex at Norfolk, VA. The water temps get down to 40 deg. by the end of Jan, and the air temps can get a bit below freezing (I stop fishing when the line freezes in the guides). I also fish at night under the lights of the bridge during this time, so the danger is significantly increased. Not a lot of boats are on the water in the winter, and the time it would take for the Coast Guard to react would probably exceed the time it would take for someone who fell overboard to succumb to hypothermia.
This last weekend, while we were out on the water at the CBBT, two fishermen lost their lives at the 3rd or 4th Island due to going into the water and probably succumbing to hypothermia.
http://hamptonroads.com/2009/12/two-fou ... bay-bridge
Last winter two lost their lives:
http://cruelkev2.blogspot.com/2009/01/2 ... shing.html
As a result, I carry towels, a sweat suit and thick socks, and a sleeping bag in the winter. If someone fell overboard, you don't have much time to get them back on board, get them out of their wet clothing, get them dry, and tucked into the sleeping bag. Once that is done, you can head for port and have the Coast Guard either meet you on the water in route, or have medical authorities meet you at the dock.
The other thing that scares the dickens out of me at the CBBT at night is the ripping tidal current. If someone fell overboard, it would not take long for them to disappear outside of the light line to be lost forever. I carry one of those strobe lights that when you toss it overboard, it flashes about once every two seconds. It is stored upside down, and when tossed overboard, it floats right side up. When righted, the light is activated. I also have a knife taped to the pulpit rail to cut the anchor line in a hurry. If someone fell overboard while we were anchored on the light line, the strobe would get tossed overboard, and the anchor line would get cut and the light would be chased down.
One problem I've not completely solved is how to get the person back on board if they are unable to provide any help. A water temp of 40 deg. would sap the energy of even the most physically fit person. I keep the boarding ladder on board. It is easy enough to get the person to the motor bracket where they can be dragged up onto it. Then they have to be lifted over the transom onto the deck where they can be helped out of their we clothes.
Any thoughts on getting a wet very cold...nearly helpless...person back on board?
Dave
aka
Each winter, I spend a lot of time at the Chesapeake Bay-Bridge-Tunnel (CBBT) complex at Norfolk, VA. The water temps get down to 40 deg. by the end of Jan, and the air temps can get a bit below freezing (I stop fishing when the line freezes in the guides). I also fish at night under the lights of the bridge during this time, so the danger is significantly increased. Not a lot of boats are on the water in the winter, and the time it would take for the Coast Guard to react would probably exceed the time it would take for someone who fell overboard to succumb to hypothermia.
This last weekend, while we were out on the water at the CBBT, two fishermen lost their lives at the 3rd or 4th Island due to going into the water and probably succumbing to hypothermia.
http://hamptonroads.com/2009/12/two-fou ... bay-bridge
Last winter two lost their lives:
http://cruelkev2.blogspot.com/2009/01/2 ... shing.html
As a result, I carry towels, a sweat suit and thick socks, and a sleeping bag in the winter. If someone fell overboard, you don't have much time to get them back on board, get them out of their wet clothing, get them dry, and tucked into the sleeping bag. Once that is done, you can head for port and have the Coast Guard either meet you on the water in route, or have medical authorities meet you at the dock.
The other thing that scares the dickens out of me at the CBBT at night is the ripping tidal current. If someone fell overboard, it would not take long for them to disappear outside of the light line to be lost forever. I carry one of those strobe lights that when you toss it overboard, it flashes about once every two seconds. It is stored upside down, and when tossed overboard, it floats right side up. When righted, the light is activated. I also have a knife taped to the pulpit rail to cut the anchor line in a hurry. If someone fell overboard while we were anchored on the light line, the strobe would get tossed overboard, and the anchor line would get cut and the light would be chased down.
One problem I've not completely solved is how to get the person back on board if they are unable to provide any help. A water temp of 40 deg. would sap the energy of even the most physically fit person. I keep the boarding ladder on board. It is easy enough to get the person to the motor bracket where they can be dragged up onto it. Then they have to be lifted over the transom onto the deck where they can be helped out of their we clothes.
Any thoughts on getting a wet very cold...nearly helpless...person back on board?
Dave
aka
