4 fall in during the last month

colhel

colhel

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A friend of mine is a keen fishermen and is on a Poole fishing forum. Apparently 4 people have fallen in either off pontoons or MOB where they the rest of their year has been incident free. Possibly the pontoons and decks can be slippery, our bodies are less flexible in the cold and we have to wear more which could restrict our movement. As this is our first Winter afloat, it's made me think.
Thought it might be worth metioning.
 
It is worth mentioning.

The last I heard ( and this was years ago so probably more now ) 3 liveaboards had died ( separately ) in the small marina at Emsworth, all during the winter.

I have skidded on icy pontoons at Ocean Village myself, only saved from going straight over the other side by having the bow line in hand.

If there's no-one around to help, going in wearing ' normal ' clothes without a lifejacket and / or being unfit is not a good prospect; when a chum new to boats ended up living aboard in winter in a marina due to divorce I advised him to always have a mental idea of where the safety ladders were...
 
Yup, pontoons can be as slippery as hell and extra care must be taken. Had a situation this time last year when stepping off the boat onto the pontoon in windy weather. My right foot slipped on the pontoon while my other foot was still in the boat, then the boat moved away slightly, ended up doing the splits :D Managed to grab the safety rail with one hand and the other on the mooring rope. Was a bit embarrassed, but I could have easily fell between the boat and the pontoon.
 
When we berthed at Hellevoetsluis the harbourmaster slipped off a pontoon and drowned at around this time of year. Wooden pontoons seem to develop some sorth of algae covering at this time of year. Tread carefully!
 
The Wood decking I have in my garden is leathal when wet........maybe finger pontoons should be changed to galvanised Steel grid.Chicheter marina staples wire netting to its ramps to avoid slippage which helps.
 
It's a perfect storm at this time of year. Pontoons are slippery either from algae, leaves or ice so greater chance of going in. You're possibly using the boat less so less familiar.Water is cold so cold shock/ hypothermia is quicker, very few people about so longer for someone to come to your aid,. All adds up to major problem if you go in.
 
It's worth being aware of slippy pontoons. I spent the last two winters living aboard and whilst I never fell in, I did slip over a few times. Stepping off the boat was a common one but the worst was a night where a damp day was followed by freezing fog that night. On my walk back to the boat, despite treading as carefully as I possibly could I still ended up flat on my back twice.
 
Seajet said:
... I advised him to always have a mental idea of where the safety ladders were...
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Yes indeed - and if there's not one close at hand, the nearest low and accessible sugar scoop or mobo stern platform ... anything rather than become exhausted trying to lift oneself onto a high pontoon.
 
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jac said:
It's a perfect storm at this time of year. Pontoons are slippery either from algae, leaves or ice so greater chance of going in. You're possibly using the boat less so less familiar.Water is cold so cold shock/ hypothermia is quicker, very few people about so longer for someone to come to your aid,. All adds up to major problem if you go in.
Click to expand...

+ dark for longer
 
Let's face it, in the UK going over the side at a mooring or off a pontoon at this time of year and for quite a few months to come is unlikely to have a happy ending.

Possibly a relatively discreet ' cool looking ' dark blue lifejacket would be more acceptable to wear in the pub ?

A tip I was told in aircraft accident training; always put an arm out towards the safety exit as you go in.

Personally I always everywhere carry a bright waterproof LED torch, and would carry a short sharp serrated knife if stupid police rules let me !

Back to the topic of going over the side of pontoons, not so long ago there were waterproof jackets with buoyancy inside, must have been worth a go and probably good insulation too ?

Meanwhile don't forget the Top Tip re LED torches, they're so useful and cost buttons nowadays.
 
Seajet said:
not so long ago there were waterproof jackets with buoyancy inside, must have been worth a go and probably good insulation too ?
Click to expand...

Yep - still available, Fladen being a well-known maker. Seem to be popular with anglers.

If I had to use a tender to get to my boat I'd definitely think of getting one, as long as they provide a useful amount of buoyancy (not sure exactly how much they do have).

Pete
 
Hydrozoan said:
Yes indeed - and if there'e not one close at hand, the nearest low and accessible sugar scoop or mobo stern platform ... anything rather than become exhausted trying to lift oneself onto a high pontoon.
Click to expand...

We were sent on a course to the RNLI centre in Poole. Specifically to deal with the situation of a lone dock worker falling into the marina. Getting out, fully clothed, wearing a lifejacket was nearly impossible without a ladder. We found that if you have a safety harness strop clipped onto your lifejacket you can use it to make a strop around a pontoon cleat and get onto a pontoon that way. It does work !
It was an eye opening course. I never want to fall in and take extra care all the time.
Chris
 
Lakesailor said:
In the Lakes people tend to cover wooden jetties with chicken wire. Doesn't look super, but it gives great grip.
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I don't think chicken wire does give that good a grip. Far better IMHO are some of the metal meshes, in particular the type used on some van ramps.

How come the jetties at Ferry Nab have no escape ladders?

Also the bridges onto the pontoons area lethal when the lake is down and they are wet. I have slipped badly on them as did my wife who seriously hurt herself, snapping a shoulder tendon requiring an operation, sadly we did not think anything of it at the time and properly report.
 
skyflyer said:
They do - it is only illegal if you do so "without good reason". What you describe is about as good a reason as anyone could think of - saving life!
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He said "everywhere, always" - as I too used to carry a multi-tool on my belt. "I might need to cut a jammed sheet" isn't going to help you in Tescos.

I've read far too many accounts of people arrested for less tenuous "good reasons" that that, to want to risk it with the current state of our police :(

Pete
 
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