Safety

j.i.wilson00 · 28 August 2020, 20:15

While out a few weeks ago my son fell off the RIB. No drama, safe water near beach, wearing bouyancy, he was recovered safely and fairly quickly. He climbed in over the transom through the A frame.

But

It got me thinking. If I went over I wouldn't be so nimble! At 72 it would be a struggle to get back on board.

There isn't room for a boarding ladder at the stern because the Yam 115 takes up so much room on my fairly narrow RIB (Humber Destroyer 5.5m).

What means do others have for getting back on board?

beerbelly · 28 August 2020, 20:43

was just talking about this today with an ex lifeboat man and he suggested a webbing strap with a carabineer on each end that could be fastened to the hand line that runs down each tube fastened in front of a front d ring and behind a rear one forming a loop that you could stand on in the water to help you get aboard . he also said if it wasn't too choppy someone on board could let the sponson on your side down enough to help you get aboard then could be pumped back up with the pump i carry

j.i.wilson00 · 28 August 2020, 20:49

Amazing. I've just made a "boarding loop". The idea is it loops over one of my (strong) rod holders on the A frame. It will hang over the side. I have spliced an eye in the end which has a rigid pipe and so forms a stirrup. This can be used over the side or stern to get back on board.

Peter_C · 28 August 2020, 21:03

Good to know how to get back onboard solo. The kill switch being worn...do I actually need to say it? Often it is easy enough to step on the outboard and climb back on over the transom. Good to practice in calm conditions and figure out body movements. It might be climbing on the engine and landing the butt on a tube, then swinging a leg over the transom. Or as simple as putting a foot on the outboard, grabbing the tower, and pulling yourself onboard.

A loop of some kind is only good if it is kept in place and can be deployed from the water. This also means it can't be so long that it could tangle in the prop. Some ladders must be deployed while still in the boat which makes them kinda useless from water level.

j.i.wilson00 · 28 August 2020, 21:04

Agreed, if solo.

beamishken · 28 August 2020, 21:11

Presumably if your solo the kill cord cut the engine off if not then the helm can switch off and use the engine av plate as a step & climb in over the stern. We used this method when we did a lot of waterskiing years ago. Simple & effective

ShinyShoe · 28 August 2020, 21:14

Some of the suggested methods.

A rope loop could do similar to webbing less comfortable bit will work in emergency. May need a lower and higher loop. You can buy a ready assembled webbing for not a huge price. Our sailing club has bought these for covid times to allow socially distanced self recovery.

The other method not mentioned is to (engine off obviously) stand on the cav plate of the engine and use the trim and tilt to lift the engine (and you)

I find casualty facing away and grab straps of bouyanch aid at shoulders and lift so they come up and sit on the tube works very well. Some people think it makes communication with the casualty harder ...and they can't assist at all. Will be hard on a 20 stone bloke.

ShinyShoe · 28 August 2020, 21:16

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rib-Inflata.../dp/B011DH4ZKE

j.i.wilson00 · 28 August 2020, 21:19

Great. I'll buy one!

HDAV · 28 August 2020, 22:12

Never done it but always wanted to try this

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GQuIJ3D5Kcc

Nasher · 28 August 2020, 22:15

I cut a standard folding boarding ladder down the middle and welded it back together just wide enough to get a foot in.

Works really well for us.

Nasher.

HDAV · 28 August 2020, 22:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShinyShoe

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rib-Inflata.../dp/B011DH4ZKE

Cheaper here https://boatworld.co.uk/webbing-ladder?search=Ladder

Would be if it was in stock

Oldman2 · 29 August 2020, 05:47

I wonder how hard it would become getting back in the single crewed boat in unfavourable sea conditions in winter wearing chest waders over lots of warm (now wet) clothing with your life vest now fully inflated. My opinion is that I being the wrong side of 70 and overweight, assuming I had managed to keep with the boat I would really struggle to get over my 52cm tubes. The transom with engine and launch wheels fitted is not easy either. I think if I didnt make it back on board in a couple of attempts, I would be too exhausted to try again. I could set off a flare, except they are safely on board. I can use my hand held VHF, but thats maybe not clipped to my vest and even if it was, the limited wattage signal transmitted at sea level wont reach far. So lets hope the wife raises the alarm when I dont come home on time. Not a pretty picture is it, The young and fit will make it back in, us others just need to be a lot more careful and buddy up where possible with other sibs/ribs when out for fun or fishing.

smallribber · 29 August 2020, 06:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShinyShoe

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rib-Inflata.../dp/B011DH4ZKE

The issue with those is that your feet tend to go under your boat when you try and use one of those

smallribber · 29 August 2020, 06:14

If your outboard is PTT and yopu have a button on the engine it is possible to stand on the cav plate and press the up button and let the engine lift you on

HDAV · 29 August 2020, 08:52

If you are out solo, get a PLB and keep it on your person!

j.i.wilson · 29 August 2020, 08:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by smallribber

If your outboard is PTT and yopu have a button on the engine it is possible to stand on the cav plate and press the up button and let the engine lift you on

Is the additional weight an issue for the PTT?? OK in an emergency but not perhaps sensible as a regular exercise.

j.i.wilson · 29 August 2020, 08:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by HDAV

If you are out solo, get a PLB and keep it on your person!

Agreed - got one. But it seems somewhat perverse to mobilise the Rescue Teams when I am bobbing around next to a perfectly serviceable RIB

j.i.wilson · 29 August 2020, 08:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oldman2

I wonder how hard it would become getting back in the single crewed boat in unfavourable sea conditions in winter wearing chest waders over lots of warm (now wet) clothing with your life vest now fully inflated. My opinion is that I being the wrong side of 70 and overweight, assuming I had managed to keep with the boat I would really struggle to get over my 52cm tubes. The transom with engine and launch wheels fitted is not easy either. I think if I didnt make it back on board in a couple of attempts, I would be too exhausted to try again. I could set off a flare, except they are safely on board. I can use my hand held VHF, but thats maybe not clipped to my vest and even if it was, the limited wattage signal transmitted at sea level wont reach far. So lets hope the wife raises the alarm when I dont come home on time. Not a pretty picture is it, The young and fit will make it back in, us others just need to be a lot more careful and buddy up where possible with other sibs/ribs when out for fun or fishing.

You state my dilemma better than I did. I was thinking of a safety line so I cant fall out at all.

j.i.wilson · 29 August 2020, 08:59

Thanks for the views - its good to understand how others deal with the issue. I am going to research getting a SS boarding ladder and modifying it as Nasher suggests. Probably ask Stainless Steve in Lymington to do the welding.

Thanks again.