We were in the water 6 hours

[bedouin]

Most of the year someone going overboard in UK waters dressed in oilies and wearing a Lifejacket will survive several hours (water temperature > 10C say).

I reckon that with an EPIRB, a typical rescue time will be about 2-3 hours (it would be interesting to get accurate figures for that) so I think with both LJ and EPIRB you stand a reasonable chance of survival.

 

[castaway]

A few years back I took my Pacesetter 29 down from her mooring to Itchenor to fill the water tanks and as usual I didnt wear a life jacket.

I was solo and came along side stepped ashore and secured the lines and then promptly stepped down the gap between the boat in the pontoon.

I was amazed that it was totally impossable to lift myself even a few inches out of the water, let alone climb out, and with in a few seconds (this was april I think) I started to lose strength in my limbs due to the cold.

I was fortunate that there were a couple of guys fishing nearby who heaved me out and had a good laugh at my expense.

I can tell you it was a revelation. I still don't often use a life jacket, but aleast I now am under no illusions as to how long I would last.

Regds Nick

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.yachtsite.co.uk/fairweather>http://www.yachtsite.co.uk/fairweather</A>