ericv
2009-10-24 16:55:07
While doing my usual checking of the 17th District USCG web site for Alaska this morning I saw that a search is underway as I post this looking for the fisher aboard the F/V Miss Dee Dee based out of Sitka. The vessel was found hard aground in Fish Bay north of town, in gear and running, no sign of the operator. It appears none of the safety gear was missing off the vessel.
I have wanted for some time to open up a dialog with my fellow fishers and maritime friends as to ways we can rig our vessels to enable us to self rescue ourselves, be it while underway or anchored. I'm looking for inexpensive, reliable and feasible ideas that allow us to still perform the tasks we need to do. There are several high tech items out there, many are out of our price range or application, others simply do not allow one to move about as we do on deck.
I exclusively single hand fish our power troller, not out of pride or overbearance. Since trolling is a second job for me, it falls under economics and an unwillingness to force a family member to go along. Additionally is my frequent practice to fish away from the pack, often where few boats are around. For years now I have trailed a 50' shot of poly with a seine cork at the end. It is secured high on the aft portion of our hayrack. Last winter I did some serious rethinking and relocating of our various safety gear items and bouyant aparatus. This in part due to running several table top "what if" scenarios in my mind of the set up I had, only to find many cases of epic failure should something occur.
To add to the line and cork set up is my close fitting vest PFD. Worn one for all my fishing years, adds warmth and has saved me twice from certain busted ribs. The other part is despite being an adequate swimmer, I sink faster that the 60# leads on my deep gear. I want my energy channeled to self rescue, not deep sea diving. I concluded that yes I probably could gain the poly line, even clipping in to it with the stainless climbers clip on my vest, then what. Get dragged at 2.6 kts with the added river current of prop wash added to that? If I could somehow pull myself back to the stern, how to shimmy up 5/8" poly to gain the deck - not going to work.
My solution (untested in real mind you) was to keep the line and cork, making it a bit longer and tying a knot every 2 feet for at least someting to grab hold of and pull. Off the aft hayrack I rigged 2 poly lines about 18" apart that had stout pieces of heavy 2" PVC drain pipe cut and secured ladder style that has enough rungs to at least get a foot hold and climb up, this attached to the dragging cork line. Took some adjusting so this contraption would not tangle into my trailing float bags, especially on a hard turn, or get tangled with my longer King spreads while hauling them in off the kill line. Have tested the ladder while at the dock, not sure pipe will hold a guy who dresses out on the plus side but in "theory" it is better than what I had for years. The summer 2009 season found this set up trailing fine with few problems working the gear. As nuts as it sounds, I'd actually sometime like to don a dry kyakers type suit with PFD just outside our harbor area with a competent friend at the helm and do the drill.
So what are your ideas and thoughts? Was common in the past for trollers to tow their skiff behind, that still sounds good to me. Was looking at Boaters World and saw these hard plastic contraptions people sit on and get yanked behind a speed boat on - might work? Again I 'm thinking inexpensive, simple, reliable and not hindering operations.
To add to this is do you have a device to haul someone aboard? Had a recent case here near Sitka of a fisher who was in the water but options and conditions were not available for rescuers to be able to get them aboard for awhile. My boom swings out and has a common boat trailer winch and open block with braided nylon that a homemade lifesling device attaches to. Just like my cork contraption, hasn't been tested on a human, only our faithful yellow lab and his harness (another story for another day).
This topic will certainly generate various view. Years ago at an AMSEA forum we discussed this issue and use of PFD's. A well respected highline longliner said he and his family had no problem if he was lost at sea. I can respect that but it differs for me and my family. I want every chance I can possibly get to still be a dad and spouse, to be that crusty old timer telling tall tales on the 3rd floor of our Pioneers Home someday, driving the nurses crazy.
I just can't imagine what must go through ones mind after falling overboard alone or undetected off a vessel. To see her slip away, often just out of arms reach. Lost a great friend and pilot just last year to what was determined by USCG forensic assessment of his onboard GPS of that same likely scenario. As far as the operator of the F/V Miss Dee Dee goes, I can only hope the USCG and other good samaritan searchers are able to find him, one way or another. Lets see what we can do together to help ourselves if this should occur.
Thanks for your time.
Eric Van Cise F/V New Hope Sitka, Alaska
aktroller
2009-10-25 04:40:12
two thoughts: some type of remote kill switch to turn the engine off, and allow easier reboarding of the boat. or personnal epirb w/ gps about 400 bucks and small enough to wear.
ericv
2009-10-25 15:39:06
Thanks for the replies on this. I have heard of what Biorka is talking about but have not looked into it's application to the older style diesels like my 453 Detroit. Thanks for the link, I'll check it out. The tether issue is a big one to overcome. Our 453 has an airbox vent flap that is spring loaded, just a quick pull on the string on the side engine cover shuts the whole works down by choking off the air intake supply. I've yet to figure a way to "jury-rig" something all the way back to the work deck and accomodate all the moving around I do. Aktroller brings up some key points as well. The personal size GPS driven EPIRBS are a serious thought to consider as well as somehow getting one's self back on board. To my knowledge, those EPIRBS do not self activate with water and must be manually activated and in some cases the steel band antenna must but unfirled as well. This is unlike our self activating larger EPIRBS on the boat, but if one is conscious and able to get it fired off that would be a huge plus. A few hundred bucks is mighty cheap Life Insurance.
However, if the EPIRB is attached to a person who is sinking due to full Xtra-Tuff boots, waterlogged raingear and clothing, the signal is drastically reduced or gone underwater. Brings in the issue of a comfortable, non-hindering PFD or inflation suspenders so one can focus on the tasks of self rescue or EPIRB activation instead of trying to prevent going under. Have seen those who have rigged a dangling line off the stern that is attached to a segmented ladder device that in theory unrolls when pulled allowing some form of gaining the deck. I hang such a device off a midship cleat and have it deployed while anchored in the event I do an unscheduled dip into the water as I am often the lone vessel in that location. Can also be used if someone is still able to climb after getting rescued as opposed to cranked up by the boom winch.
Despite having some or all of these safety things in place, tested and functional, we all know that there are times that the cards just aren't in our hands. Things happen out there and can happen damn quick that despite all we plan, it's over a second after it starts. Those who work on the water recognize it is a risk of the business, we do our own Risk/Benefit analysis on things and carry on. Drills with self and/or crew seem to be the key. Get a buddy to look over your safety set up with un-jaded eyes and provide feedback, it all can make a difference. The AMSEA statement "It could have been prevented" is a valid phrase. It's a phrase I hope to avoid being said in reference to me should something (God or Gods forbid) happen out at sea.
Thanks again for the replies, lets keep the issue alive.
gumpucky
2009-10-25 18:23:34
I agree with dragging a cork line and rigging a jacobs ladder made with pvc pipe over the rungs to keep the lines apart and mounted just foreward of the pole on whichever side gets the least traffic with a line over the side to be able to deploy it. I think the cork line should be attached to the kill switch with a breakaway point just so the normal troll speed pressure on the line won't kill the engine yet light enough that a good hard pull will break it so it can do it's job.
Mike is a good friend and I'll refrain from using the word "was" til they call off the search,but I admit it doesn't look good.This hits close to home and has me really thinking again about installing this shut down system.
Sasquatch
2009-10-26 01:50:14
There are electric solenoids available that are capable of shutting down the 53, 71 and 92 series engines. They work the same way that the manual pull cable does and are pretty easy to install.
One of those with a spring operated switch rigged up with a lanyard would do you for an emergency stop.
The other place your at risk is anchoring. I wear a pfd when I go forward when I am on the boat alone and have some kinda reboarding plan in place.
Salty
2009-10-26 16:51:57
I believe anchoring is one of the most dangerous times for those of us alone on our boats. I always take the boat out of gear when I go forward. I have not been so careful to have a reboarding plan but I am going to think about it now. The one time I fell overboard was at the ice shute and I turned around, grabbed the guard heaved myself up, grabbed the rail and rolled over it. The ice man heard the splash but by the time he looked over I was already back on deck. I was in my 30's at the time. I don't think I could repeat that heave now that I am 60.
Years ago I rigged a winch and a sling so the boys or my wife could hydraulically hoist me if they needed to. It is amazing how fast this cold water saps your strength. I went in one time in May to cut line out of my wheel. A nice sunny day in May in a shallow bay and flat calm water with the anchor set. It only took me about three breaths to go down with a sharp knife and then come up with the job done. I still remember what a tough time it was getting myself out of the water after that short exposure. I had two women and several children standing by and it was still a bit spooky.
I wonder if someone makes a good waterproof cell or satellite phone? I know they make good handheld waterproof vhf's and I always thought if you had one of those in your pocket when you fell overboard it might give you a chance to call for help.