[Public-list] Boarding Ladders

[Roger L Kingsland]

Rod writing, "Hopefully non of us has to use the ladder to get back on board 
in an emergency, but this is a good safety feature as well....."  rouses 
safety musings:

Years ago, I remember reading an article in one of the mags (maybe I just 
dreamed it) about a large sailboat found in the doldrums in perfect shape 
with sails up and nobody on board.  Only thing out of the ordinary was 
scratch marks on the hull.  Speculation was, in the heat of the day, 
everyone spontaneously decided to take a group swim the freeboard was high 
enough that no one could get back on board.  If its true, a 
from-the-water-releasable boarding ladder would have saved the day.

I wonder if, when singlehanding under self steering or autopilot, there is 
any way to stop progress of the boat if you fall overboard.  The wireless 
remotes for the autopilots seem to have limited range.  Probably because, 
duh, they think you will actually be using them wile on the boat.  I suppose 
one could tow a line that, when pulled, interrupted forward progress.  That 
assumes the fish aren't practical jokesters (hey, Charlie, let's make that 
sailboat stop again) and the line is long enough that one has time to swim 
to it before the old barkey sails over the horizon.

I guess wearing the safety harness while on deck is the best technique.  Has 
anyone actually fallen overboard wearing one?  I picture myself dangling 
from the harness in an awkward, mouth open facing forward, position between 
the hull and the deep blue sea trying to figure out how to get back on board 
before I scoop up too much water.

Roger

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Rod Symmes" <harmony at aztec-net.com>
To: "Alberg 30 Public List -- open to all" <public-list at alberg30.org>
Sent: Wednesday, March 29, 2006 8:58 AM
Subject: Re: [Public-list] Boarding Ladders


>A valuable feature that I wasn't aware of until after I had purchased and 
>installed my boarding ladder............
> Hopefully non of us has to use the ladder to get back on board in an 
> emergency, but this is a good safety feature as well.....
>
> SPINDRIFT   swings on a mooring in front of our cottage and while cooling 
> off with a swim, I often want to climb aboard to tinker or sun bath.   So 
> the most important feature to me is to be able to lower the ladder myself 
> from the water and also be able to swing it back up and secure it, from 
> the water when I am ready to swim ashore.
> Just remember.....there may not be someone on board to lower the ladder 
> for you when you need it.
>
> Cheers,    Rod
>
>  ----- Original Message ----- 
>  From: Dave Terrell
>  To: public-list at alberg30.org
>  Sent: Tuesday, March 28, 2006 5:10 PM
>  Subject: [Public-list] Boarding Ladders
>
>
>  I am intereted in finding out what sort of boarding ladders are in use
>  in the group? Tansom vs side ladders? What are the plusses and minuses
>  of each type? Recommendations for really good ladders? Warings for bad
>  ones?
>
>  In particular,I am interested in the removable transom ladder sold by
>  westmarine (P. 630) in the 2006 catalogue. I remember that this ladder
>  was mentioned several years ago, but I do not know if the dicussion is
>  still avaliable. In any case a lot of water has gone under the dam since
>  that discussion.
>
>  I realise that this query is part specific and part fishing expedition.
>  Any contributions would be most appreciated. In case you wonder, my
>  current ladder is a rather inexpensive, lightweight ladder I purchased
>  from Defender.
>
>  Thanks for any and all insights
>
>  David, Talisman, # 432
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