Sailing Education Adventures

That is what a couple of women were thinking a few weekends ago…

Two women had rented a kayak and were out exploring Richardson Bay on a beautiful Sunday when unrepentantly they found themselves next to their kayak instead of on top of it. They tried several times to right the kayak but were unsuccessful. As you are well aware, Richardson Bay is not exactly comfortable swimming temperature, unless you are wearing a wetsuit (which they were not). So now what…

Luckily for them there was an SEA ASA 101 class out on the water. SEA Safety Boat Skipper Wayne McIntosh was at the docks with another student but noticed the capsized kayak and requested on the radio that the SEA boats investigate.

At that time I was out on the water with two students, Priya Venkatraman and Randy Engler, reviewing of all things “Crew Overboard” and the process for approaching and picking up someone in the water. After hearing Wayne’s radio request I quickly took over as skipper and talked thru what we would be doing if in fact the kayakers needed assistance, stressing that the most important thing was to not put ourselves in danger.

There was one other SEA boat and one other small sailboat with two sailors in the vicinity, but we were the first to reach the couple. We sailed up and next to the capsized kayak on a beam reach and went into safety position with the kayak to our leeward side. I spoke calmly to the kayakers, explaining that I was going to bring one of them on board, and encouraging her to let go of the kayak and come right next to our boat. After making sure to move the ballast (body weight) in our boat to the windward side I pulled one of the kayakers up into the boat. As we got everyone situated in the boat and ensured that the kayaker was safe and unharmed (just quite chilly), I looked back to see the other small sailboat approaching the remaining kayaker. Once things were settled and we were again under power and sailing I tacked around and saw that the other sailboat had been unsuccessful in picking up the remaining kayaker. So we followed the same procedure and came up to the remaining kayaker and also brought her on board. My crew was even able to pick up the two kayak paddles!

As we were getting our additional stowaways situated, Wayne was back out on the water with the safety boat and in the process of corralling the wayward kayak. Once he had done that he came over to our sailboat and we were able to safely transfer both of our additional passengers and their paddles over to the safety boat.

While there afternoon paddle turned out to be more exciting and colder than they were expecting, both were safe and unharmed, only missing one set of shoes. Priya and Barry got some real first hand experience in retrieving “women overboard.” And, SEA was able to help our fellow water lovers and ensure the safety of others enjoying Richardson Bay.