Hope this wasn't Tim R.

Haffro · #1 02-09-2013

Some poor person had a wicked scare and fell into portland harbor during this storm Hope it wasn't Tim R. Luckily it doesn't look like it is life threatening.

Maine Sail · #2 02-10-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by Haffro

Some poor person had a wicked scare and fell into portland harbor during this storm Hope it wasn't Tim R. Luckily it doesn't look like it is life threatening.

Was not Tim R. but it was a very good friend of both of ours. Very scary indeed.

He's very, very lucky to be alive. It happened at 2:00 am. When he fell in he could not get himself back out. This marina lacks self rescue ladders. Hypothermia set in fast and he said he was weak nearly immediately.. He got very lucky that the marina manager was walking the dock and heard him screaming for help. Considering the howling winds it is amazing that anyone heard him.

It took four people to pull him out in the middle of the storm. He told me last night that he was unconscious and does not remember being pulled out.. He was then taken to Maine Med and treated. Air temps were about 9-10F with 35-50 winds and a water temp in the 30's.. He was in the water for about 20 minutes..

His swim ladder will now remain down while at the dock.....

SimonV · #3 02-10-2013

I for one think that some form of self rescue ladder should be mandatory on every marina finger. We might have a lesser chance of hypothermia but a greater risk from the bull sharks that inhabit ours.

PCP · #4 02-10-2013

That situation had happened here also and that is quite an unexpected danger that can be doubled if the boat has not a ladder that can be deployed from the water. If the his boat or the boats around had a system like that he would not be in trouble.

There is talks for that to be mandatory on new EC certified boats a measure that I surely endorse.

Glad to know he was rescued in time.

Haffro · #5 02-10-2013

Wow... 20 min. It is amazing he is alive! The marina should have self rescue ladders at least. Although in water this cold, he still may not have been able to reach them. Some chance is better than no chance though! I wish him the best in recovery!

steve77 · #6 02-10-2013

Wow, he is very lucky. I'm glad to hear that he's ok.

wind_magic · #7 02-10-2013

I bet that marina has ladders next year.

JimPendoley · #8 02-10-2013

As a long time year round new England live aboard this was one of my greatest worries. My dog did fall in one night and getting him back aboard was a nightmare-90 pounds of wet collie! Can not imagine getting a person aboard or myself. Ladder off the rail should be standard procedure.
Jim
Pearson Vanguard 1966 #344
Amesbury, MA

Lake Superior Sailor · #9 02-10-2013

On my boat the ladder folds up, I keep it up with a light duty bungee the type with the ball. On the bottom rung of the ladder I have a 3/8 line attached with a knot on the end , so that it just touches the water. Pulling on this line deploys the ladder! I have also done this to both my neighbors boats. Two years ago I saved my neighbor from drowning, My marina has ladders ,but being in the water all the time made them too slippery and not deep enough in the water........Dale

lsusailing · #10 02-10-2013

Yep, happened to me once, fell of the boat when I was trying to straddle it when I was trying to back it out. Could not get back on, luckily my neighbor had his leader down.
Will never happen again, I keep a trip line affixed to my folding ladder, can easily pull it down.
Is it the Marinas responsibility or the boaters responsibility.
Glad he is okay, pretty scary.