Remember that capsize drill we did?

[khiemtran]

We were in the middle of de-rigging after Sunday's race as the Pacers came in, with one capsizing just a little way short of the club ramp.



Unfortunately, the crew didn't manage to right it before it had tipped fully upside down, an event known as "turtling". When this happens, the usual technique is to stand on the side of the hull and lean back on the centreboard until she rights herself.



Just don't let the centreboard swing back into its box...



Now they have an interesting problem. The next thing to try is to stand on the back corner of the boat, until she tips back into the normal capsize position. You can also free a jib sheet (one of the ropes that control the jib, the small sail at the front of the boat) and use it to pull on.



Looks like they're going for the corner technique.



Almost back to a normal capsize position now. Unfortunately, it is very hard to pull out the centreboard from the outside of the hull. (It's a bit easier if someone swims around to push it out...)



But they've managed to get it out! From here, they can try a normal capsize recovery by pulling on the centreboard. There's just one problem. They've forgotten they need to point the boat into the wind first (which they can do by having one crew member hold the bow until she drifts around).



Because of this, when the boat comes up, the wind catches the sail...



And she goes straight over again.



At least this time she didn't turtle.



I think here they are trying to turn the boat head-to-wind...



One more try, and this time they get her upright...



Now all they have to do is get back in again. Note the rescue boat standing by the whole time, and apparently enjoying the show...

Comments

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

LOL. The rescuer does indeed seem to be enjoying the show.:P

[khiemtran.livejournal.com]

When they first lost their centreboard, we were wondering if the rescue boat would come and pluck them out straight away, but they seemed very laid back about the whole thing...

[puddleshark.livejournal.com]

A most excellent demonstration - I particularly liked the "and this is how not to do it" moments...

[khiemtran.livejournal.com]

Yes, it was an great educational experience - especially when you get to experience it from a few metres away on dry land...

[amaebi.livejournal.com]

Thanks-- that was interesting.

[khiemtran.livejournal.com]

I showed Liem the photos afterwards and talked through the sequence of events. I've had turtles before, but I've never had a centreboard retract on me, so it was interested to see the recovery procedures actually applied.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

The guy in the rescue boat really does seem to be enjoying himself.

The foregrounded seagull in flight in the fourth photo seems interested, too.

[khiemtran.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure what the seagull would have made of all the capsized boats out on the course earlier in the day. It certainly must have been something to see...

[green-knight.livejournal.com]

Thanks for sharing this with an expert comment - you're seeing a lot more in those pictures than I would.

The rescue guy is good at his job!

[khiemtran.livejournal.com]

You're welcome! I think it was a good learning experience for all concerned - for the crew because it happened in a nice, safe environment close to the club, and for everyone else because they got to watch it all close-hand without even getting wet (although most of us were wet enough after the day's events anyway...)

[carl-allery.livejournal.com]

Great sequence of photos. :)

[khiemtran.livejournal.com]

Thanks! It was very educational for me as well...