On
January 31, 2004 in the McAllister Creek sailboat race hosted by the
South Sound Sailing Society in Olympia, WA in Puget Sound, the air
temperature was 49-degrees, the water temperature was 45-degrees with
winds at 10-15 Knots and waves at 1 foot.
Balder,
an Ericson 38-200 skippered by John DeMeyer prepared to jibe the boat.
When the boom came across, it hit Tom Droescher, the spinnaker
trimmer, into the water, flat on his back and he was unconscious.
Even though he did not have a PFD on, the air in the layers of
clothing held him afloat temporarily, and time was of the essence.
The
boat returned quickly while clearing lines, controlling the spinnaker
and ultimately grabbing Droescher who had become conscious.
They pulled him around the side of the boat back to the transom
to the stern ladder and asked him to help by stepping up on it.
Two crew assisted Droescher up the ladder.
Droescher had spent three to four minutes in the icy water.
The
crew assessed Droescher’s injuries which included bad bruising to the
side of the neck and jaw, and over they eye caused by his eyeglasses
being torn off.
Congratulations to the Rescuing Crew on Balder including
John DeMeyer, Lynn Price, Dwight Young, Dan Briscoe, Joanne DeMeyer, and
Steve Klockow for their fast return to their fellow sailor, removing him
from the hypothermic waters, and attending to his injuries. US SAILING is pleased to present the Arthur B. Hanson Rescue
Medal in recognition of this event.
Bill
Munster
Safety
at Sea Chairman
by direction
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The
Arthur B.
Hanson Rescue Medal was presented
June 14, 2005
by Bruce
Campbell, past Safety at Sea Committee member,
on behalf of US SAILING
at the South Sound Sailing Society
Annual Meeting at the Olympia Yacht Club |
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DETAILS:
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Date
of Incident: 01/31/2004
Event Name: McAllister Creek sailboat race
Sponsoring
Yacht Club: South Sound Sailing Society
Event City: Olympia
Event State: WA
Body of Water: Budd Inlet / Puget Sound
Was this day or night: Day
Air temperature: 49F
Water temperature: 45F
Wind speed: 10-15Kt, T
Wave height: 1FT
First Victims Name: Tom Droescher
Was a PFD worn: No
Rescuing Skipper 1: John DeMeyer
Rescuing Boat Make Model: Ericson 38-200
Rescuing Boat Name: Balder
Rescuing Boat Length: 38'
What was the nature of this incident: Man overboard
What recovery method was used: Quick Stop. Boat was turned around and
headed back within two boat lengths.
Did the victims boat lose site of the victim: N0
Was electronic MOB function used to locate the victim: No
Was a rescue swimmer put in the water: No
Did the victim have a strobe light or whistle: No
What color clothes were visible above the water: Yellow foul weather
gear
Was the victim able to help in the recovery: Yes
Was any injury sustained by the victim: Yes
Was a Lifesling aboard: Yes
Was it used: Yes
How much time did the victim spend in the water: 3-4 minutes
Did a Mayday call go out: No
Who responded: N/A
Nominators Name: Chuck Hawley
Nominators Address: West Marine
What position: Spinnaker Trimmer
Rescuing Crews Names:
Lynn Price Foredeck
Dwight Young, Mast
Dan Briscoe, Guy
Joanne DeMeyer, Pit
Steve Klockow, Trimmer
What happened:
While boat was sailing downwind at 6-7 knots victim was knocked
overboard during a jibe maneuver. He landed in the water, flat on his
back and unconscious. He was not wearing a PFD. The trapped air in the
several layers of clothing and foul weather gear kept him afloat until
he was brought aboard. The quick action of the crew in clearing lines,
controlling the spinnaker and then grabbing the victim as the boat as
the boat was brought alongside resulted in getting him back on board in
3-4 minutes.
How
did victim help himself back onboard:
By the time we got the victim to the stern ladder he was able to respond
to commands, i.e. " Tom can you put you foot on the ladder"
How
did the victim get hoisted onto the deck:
He was assisted by two crew up the stern ladder
What
type hypothermia included: Bad bruising on side of neck and jaw, also
over eye caused by eyeglasses being torn off. |
