emergency ladders

[crui05]

never been unlucky enough to fall overboard got me thinking about how would i cope if in the drink next to my rib (alone)
is it poss to clamber aboard without a ladder solid or otherwise ?
and whilst sailing does one keep the ladder hnging over the side ?
not much use if your flaoting next to your rib and the ladder is packed away.
i presume?
anyone with any experiance of this ?
james.

[Xk59D]

climb over the engine, worst case if it is electric trim then you can trim yourself clear of water to get a little heat back.

if boating alone then probably worth looking at other options to alert the CG.

[chipko]

We have one of these as use rib for wake boarding. Would also work in an emergency as kept clipped to transom and can be reached from the water.
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F331718903525
Or as already mentioned, and as long as motor is off, then put foot on av plate and climb onboard over transom.

[BigE]

We have a wooden ladder in the boat so when we moor up in the summer off Colwell bay (IOW) we can all jump in and get back on easily. As others have said, over the engine if it's not turning is the simplest router, otherwise it's a lot of pulling and not easy at all.

It's not that easy pulling a big person into the boat from above.

Another way, if you can pull yourself mostly up is to let air out of the tubes (could use a knife if needed to puncture one) and then crawl on. Remember a RIB will still be buoyant with deflated tubes.

[jeffstevens763@g]

I made a ladder out of ratchet strapping with stainless tube rungs fixed to the transom eye bolt inside the boat, I just pull it out over the transom stand on it and use the grab loops along the tube to pull me along the tube and climb the ladder (3 rungs) the tube cone helps as a ramp.
On my rib I had a fixed ladder fastened to the A frame with a weak tie wrap so all I did was to reach up the highest rung I could reach give it a good yank and the ladder drops down put a bungee round it for traveling on the road

[breezeblock]

stand on the outboard and clamber up from there

[mikew4]

Originally Posted by breezeblock

stand on the outboard and clamber up from there

+1

Stand on the cavitation plate and bob's your uncle. Just mind your feet on the prop.

[BogMonster]

I read somewhere that standing on the cav plate and trimming the engine back up out of the water gives you the height to hop back on but never actually tried it, water round here is too cold to go swimming in deliberately!

Personally as I am often alone, not the smallest or fittest person afloat, and usually wearing a bulky flotation suit which might help warmth but does nothing for mobility, I never go anywhere without a PLB for exactly that reason, if I can get back alongside the boat then I could clip the carabiner on the painter on to my LJ ring and summon a helicopter!

[willk]

I'm curious - has anyone entered a RIB by using the "cav-plate technique"? It sounds tricky...

[crui05]

hi Bob
whats a "PLB" ?
FORGIVE MY IGNORANCE.
i saw a film recently of a group of 30 somethings swimming off their yacht in the middle of the ocean and they forgot to lower a step or line. consquently they were stuck in the drink.
a different boat etc but the same emergency could arise especially if you were alone. which gave me food for thought as i sail alone in my rib, in a floatation suit which i agree, might keep you warm but hardly gives you move ability...
in cold water your energy would soon go after a few attempts at boarding.

maybe something to try in safer waters and with help
james.

[mikew4]

Originally Posted by willk

I'm curious - has anyone entered a RIB by using the "cav-plate technique"? It sounds tricky...

Yes. Many times. Its easy. Not sure what the issue is - the cav plate merely provides a step. Simple.

[willk]

Originally Posted by mikew4

Its easy. Not sure what the issue is - the cav plate merely provides a step. Simple.

I wasn't sure if there was an issue either - just that I spent many years pulling lads into boats and it was never handy! I know of one unfortunate bloke who died while unsuccessfully trying to climb into a RIB via the outdrive - but he might have had a heart attack, no-one knows as he was solo. I did wonder about big rounded outboard covers and lardy ribnetters in bulky kit and an inflated lifejacket trying to negotiate entry over the transom. As an ex diver, I know how tricky getting onto a bespoke ladder can be in a bit of a sea, never mind a cav plate. Clearly you've done this and are happy that it's simple! I'd hope other ribbers who plan to do the same in an emergency give it a try in sheltered waters to see how it suits them.

I'm stepping in on the trim tabs

[jeffstevens763@g]

I would urge all to try getting back in your boat with your chosen clothing and inflated life jacket in cold water, not a lot of room on a rib with A frame, aux motor and all the gummings using the cav plate small area to find in a big swell or chop,I choose to wear a dry suit because I boat solo I know if I fall in I could spend hours in the water without getting hypothermia, I could ditch my life jacket to make it easy to climb in and still float. I also carry a ladder on all my boats.

[beamishken]

Originally Posted by willk

I'm curious - has anyone entered a RIB by using the "cav-plate technique"? It sounds tricky...

We used to do this when waterskiing if We were too knackered to haul ourselves over the side of the boat.
Easy enough to do but rule was engine always turned off,turning the steering to one side makes getting past the powerhead easier.
Sterndrives are even easier if there not tucked under a platform as no powerhead to negotiate past

[limeydal]

Do a lot of watersports with the kids and so adapted an off the shelf ladder from West Marine. Folds away when not in use and standoff legs to keep it off the transom and prevents pinched fingers!

[BogMonster]

Originally Posted by crui05

hi Bob
whats a "PLB" ?

Personal Locator Beacon that transmits a distress signal on 406MHz to satellites, and provides a homing signal for a SAR helicopter or vessel. Like an individual EPIRB which you carry with you. I have a McMurdo Fastfind 210.