Received: from hplms26.hpl.hp.com by opus.hpl.hp.com with ESMTP (1.37.109.18/15.5+ECS 3.3+HPL1.1) id AA134712646; Fri, 11 Apr 1997 08:30:47 -0700 Return-Path: <schuh@apm-iris5.arc.nasa.gov-DeleteThis> Received: from apm-iris5.arc.nasa.gov by hplms26.hpl.hp.com with ESMTP (1.37.109.16/15.5+ECS 3.3+HPL1.1S) id AA014282646; Fri, 11 Apr 1997 08:30:46 -0700 Received: by apm-iris5.arc.nasa.gov (8.7.1/1.35) id IAA08206; Fri, 11 Apr 1997 08:24:56 -0700 (PDT) Date: Fri, 11 Apr 1997 08:24:56 -0700 (PDT) From: schuh@apm-iris5.arc.nasa.gov-DeleteThis (Michael Schuh) Message-Id: <199704111524.IAA08206@apm-iris5.arc.nasa.gov-DeleteThis> To: wind_talk@opus.hpl.hp.com-DeleteThis Subject: Re: One last one regarding Tues
I think a lot can be learned from the good decisions and mistakes
that were made yesterday. I found Harry in the water with a broken
mast and two other sailors helping him. Certainly enough people to
get the job done.
Good decisions:
1) I could of sailed on and left Harry because he had plenty of help,
but decided to stick around and make sure he got in safely.
Very quickly after I arrived, the other two sailors went into
shore with Harry's booms and mast base and Harry would have
been alone.
2) I gave him my 20' tow rope. Neither he nor Ken had one.
I think I will replace it with a 30' rope that floats. 20'
was not long enough for those conditions.
3) When the towing looked like it was not going to work, I went
straight to third and got Poulton to call the coast guard.
It was clear to me that Harry and Ken MIGHT make it back but
HIGHLY LIKELY that they would not.
4) After the helicopter arrived, I insisted that it search near marker
8 and not down around the SM bridge. I last saw Harry near 8
and he was moving up wind and not down wind. After Ken came in,
he reported that they were North of 8 (further up wind).
Marker 8 is up by the Coyote point marina. Marker 8a is by third.
The helicopter did not know where to look. Be sure and note
where you are if you go for help. It is hard to find someone
on the water.
5) I gave Ken my strobe and showed him how to use it before
he went out. I also wrote down his name and a description
of his vehicle in case he became the next person that needed
rescuing.
Mistakes:
1) I should have told Ken and Harry that I had gone for the coast
guard. Then Ken would have stayed with Harry and Harry could
have been quickly located.
2) I should have given Harry my fanny pack with all of my safety
gear since he did not have any. I must admit that I found this
difficult to do because I was way overpowered at 150 lbs and riding
an 8'6" bump and jump with a 4.3 race sail. I had way too much
sail. Poulton at 190 lbs was using his 3.7 and doing fine. I
might have needed my own safety gear but should have given it
up anyway to someone who definitely needed it.
3) I think Harry is a very strong sailor. I should have asked
if he would have wanted to try and tow me on his board with
my board. I think Harry might have been able to do this but
am not sure.
4) I should have made a better effort to tell Poulton what I was
doing. I left my buddy and he did not know what happened to me.
This was poor, but I must admit, I do it all of the time. This
is a tough call. Although I have gotten very good at finding
people on the water while sailing, I might have lost Harry.
5) We should have given Ken a radio when he tried to sail back to Harry
in addition to the strobe. Ken Poulton was certainly willing to
loan it to him had he only known.
6) I should buy a new mast and smaller sail for the 30+ conditions.
My four year old mast and 4.3 sail do not cut it for safety reasons.
7) I need to get a bike pump strap for attaching my strobe to my
helmet or arm for when I try to use it. Currently it is lose and
I probably will drop it if I try to use it in extreme conditions.
I should probably get a float for it too.
Michael
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