Nomination
for Arthur B Hanson Rescue Medal
On 25 January 2006, a Basic Cruising Class underway on Richardson Bay,
an arm of San Francisco Bay, heard the screams of an individual who had
capsized his sailboat and was in the water.
The Basic Cruising training boat was subsequently maneuvered near
the person in the water allowing the quick and safe recovery of the
person in the water.
The
Basic Cruising class was underway on the 31 foot S/V Vienna, home ported
out of Sausalito, California. The
class is part of the Club Nautique sail training program with Dave Scott
as the instructor and licensed boat operator.
On board the boat were students Denise Allard and Martin Jakob. The class had anchored as part of the class objectives in the
vicinity of Cone Rock Light, Richardson Bay.
Just after noon, the students had raised anchor and the boat was
under power moving away from the anchorage.
The
winds at the time were estimated as a sustained 10-12 knots.
A stronger gust, estimated at 18 knots crossed thru the area.
Soon after, Denise stated she heard someone yelling for help.
When the crew turned around they saw just a small portion of a
boat hull out of the water and someone waving to them and yelling.
David
Scott operated the S/V Vienna as it moved under power to the person in
the water. David received assurance from the individual in the water
that only one person was in the water, then had a student throw a life
sling to the person. The
person was pulled to the Vienna. Once
along side, the person in the water was instructed to strap himself into
the sling. Once at
the stern of the S/V Vienna, a swim ladder was placed in the water; the
individual was able to climb aboard without incident.
The
person in the water was never identified.
He stated he was new to sailing; when a stronger gust occurred he
failed to release the mainsheet. He
was not wearing a life jacket; two life jackets were observed floating
in the water about 15
feet from him. The capsized
boat is described as an 18 foot sailing dingy.
The
crew of the S/V Vienna then recovered the life jackets and oars.
David Scott declined to provide salvage of the boat but did allow
the owner to contact a commercial salver on David's cell phone.
When it appeared the salver would be recovering the capsized S/V,
David took the individual to the nearest Sausalito dock.
David
Scott is an instructor at Club Nautique.
The S/V Vienna is moored at Club Nautique's facilities in
Sausalito, CA. Water
temperature at the time was estimated at 53 degrees F.
Air temperature was estimated at 60 degrees F.
The
area where this person was recovered is well away from land and other
boaters. Without survival gear, this individual was in immediate
danger of succumbing due to hypothermia.
In an interview with David after the incident, he stated how
important the training and emergency discussions held as part of the US
SAILING and Club Nautique instructor training had been to this incident.
There was no panic or confusion; the class was able to continue
with the course having received an exemplary lesson in person in the
water recovery.
Gary
E Walker
CWO(BOSN) USCG retired
School Director
Club Nautique
1150 Ballena Blvd Suite 161
Alameda, CA 94501
Date
of Incident:
25 Jan 2006
Event Name:
Basic Cruising Class
Sponsoring Yacht Club:
Club Nautique
Event City:
San Francisco Bay
Event State:
CA
Body of Water:
Richardson Bay
Was this day or night:
Day
Water temperature:
mid 50s
Wind speed:
10-18
Wave height:
flat
First Victims Name:
unknown
First Boat Length:
18
First Boat Make Model:
sail
Was a PFD worn:
n
Rescuing Skipper:
David
Scott operator and instructor
Rescuing Boat 2 MakeModel:
Hunter 31
Rescuing Boat 2 MakeModel: Vienna
Rescuing Boat 2 Length:
31
What was the nature of this incident:
person in water from capsized and swamped sail boat
What recovery method was used:
under power
Did the victims boat lose site of the victim:
no
What search pattern was used:
no
Was electronic MOB function used to locate the victim: no
Was a rescue swimmer put in the water:
n
Did the victim have a strobe light or whistle:
n
Was the victim able to help in the recovery:
y
Was any injury sustained by the victim:
n
Was a Lifesling aboard:
y
Was it used:
n
How long was the victim in the water:
8 min
Did a Mayday call go out:
no
Nominators Name:
Gary Walker
Can your story be published:
y
Can you provide articles about this event:
n
What position:
single handed sailing
Rescuing Crews Names: Denis Allard,
Martin Jakop students and crew
Rescuing Boat 2 Crews Names:
What happened:
26 January 2006
Awards Committee
US SAILING
15 Maritime Drive
PO Box 1260
Portsmouth, RI 02871-6015
