What could go wrong?

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garymalmgren
garymalmgren
1399 posts
1399 posts
18 Jul 2026 3:18pm
This post is not to make light of a serious incident, but to show how easily things can go wrong.
I remember years ago a cat was discovered of North Queensland with the three crew missing.
One theory was that they had gone aground on a bank, Had got off the boat and successfully pushed it off the and away it went. Leaving them behind.
The bloke in this video could have years of experience under his belt.
Gary
FabulousPhill
FabulousPhill
VIC
338 posts
VIC, 338 posts
18 Jul 2026 9:20pm
He needed a stern ladder, the guy aground, or a ladder to deploy up forward, like a folding one.
I've made the same mistake, pushing the bow off.
Chris 249
Chris 249
NSW
3592 posts
NSW, 3592 posts
19 Jul 2026 8:25pm
Jeezers….


How the hell could someone get into the water with those pants on when the danger was so obvious? Well done by the rescuer but that guy was a muppet and could have been yet another statistic used to restrict other people.

IMHO sailing is like surfing or rock climbing - it’s a physical sport and if you are not fit enough and nimble enough in the elements you’re putting yourself at far more risk than any number of devices can compensate for.

I had a vaguely similar incident years ago where I had to rescue someone who had jumped off his boat in a strong tideway. At least he had a stern ladder out and it was interesting to see that although he was barely able to help himself, once I’d towed him back to his boat in my little outboard dinghy he was able to climb up the ladder. I’ve bought a ladder that is going to go underneath our stern platform which is being rebuilt, so it can always be reached from the water, but with practice you should be able to get back aboard without such an aid.
MorningBird
MorningBird
NSW
2713 posts
NSW, 2713 posts
19 Jul 2026 8:57pm
Some years ago I met a fellow via this group who wanted to crew with me for a two handed trip to Lord Howe Island. He was seriously over weight.
On a training sail in Pittwater he capsized the dinghy off the stern at the mooring in Pittwater.
He couldn’t get back onboard using the stern ladder. I told him that I was sorry but he wasn’t able to come with me unless he could get back onboard using the ladder by himself.
I didn’t get to go that year.
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