CAPSIZE DRILL
in single-handers, if a capsize to leeward, it’s possible (and quicker) to climb out to windward and right boat before you’re in water
else always right a capsized boat with your back to the wind – avoids it righting on top of you
stay with the boat – especially if you cannot right it
RYA ‘scoop’ method works but is slow
in total inversion, worst case scenario is when people are trapped under hull, but it is not dangerous: it is relatively warm – no wind chill factor it is light – refracted through water there is air through c/b casing you can hear what’s happening outside you can talk through c/b casing to outside helpers/crew
if all are under, one person should get out; take care not to trap buoyancy aid under gunwhale/mast or equipment, may = drowning:
best method of exit is: lie back, hands over head and grasp gunwhale head should be up at all times try to lift gunwhale over your body to your feet – this will propel you out from under the side of the hull
depending on circumstances, ie if safety boat in attendance, get other members out one by one – most nervous first – and ensure they are transferred to safety boat or that they stay with hull – if necessary, tie them to it
if no help is at hand, get assistance of another volunteer and try to right boat by scoop method, ensuring members remain inside hull to be scooped but that they refrain from clinging on to hull/seats/spars above them (which keeps hull upturned and counters any righting effort)
bounce boat, and/or lift transom corner to break the vacuum formed under the foredeck
centre-plate of Beaufort may well slide back down into its casing creating a lower centre of gravity and no righting lever outside the hull; once boat is recovered to half inverted position, crew should swim to c/b case and push centre-plate fully out for helm to stand on
with Whammels, (= no centre-board) helm needs a sheet or halyard to lean his feet/body against side – normally hull rights fairly easily but hull may be slimy and offer poor foot holding
if righting efforts fail, or a member starts panicking, it may be necessary to re-enter the hull to re-gather strength and/or reassure members/de-fuse the situation;
each crew should carry some method of contacting help – ie mobile phone; depending on relative warmth of water compared to outside wind, being under the hull will normally be safer than being outside, but rescuers need to know how many people are under the hull awaiting rescue
