Wahoo - A student lost to an accidental gybe off Yarmouth: Wahoo
Knocked overboard by the boom when an Etchells 22 sail-training keelboat gybed, a student could not be recovered from the water by the accompanying instructors; he tired, lost consciousness, and died.
What happened.
A sailing student was knocked overboard by the boom when the Etchells 22 keelboat Wahoo gybed accidentally off Yarmouth, Isle of Wight. Two instructors following in a diesel launch could not recover him from the water; though he at first reported no injuries, he quickly tired, lost consciousness, and — despite continuous resuscitation — was later declared dead.
A sailing student was knocked overboard from the Etchells 22 keelboat Wahoo off Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, when the boat gybed accidentally and he was struck by the boom. Two instructors who were accompanying the keelboat in a diesel launch were unable to recover him from the water. He initially reported no injuries, but quickly tired and fell unconscious, and despite continuous efforts to resuscitate him he was later declared dead. The Marine Accident Investigation Branch's report (2/2000) set out the safety lessons, which centre on the danger of the boom in an accidental gybe, the real difficulty of recovering a person from the water even with a boat standing by, and how rapidly an immersed casualty can deteriorate.
What it teaches.
- 1An accidental gybe can put a crew member straight over the side. The student was knocked overboard by the boom when Wahoo gybed. Downwind, control the gybe with a preventer and helm awareness, and keep everyone clear of the boom's arc — a swinging boom is a knockdown blow, not just a nuisance.
- 2Recovering a person from the water is far harder than it looks — even with a boat alongside. Two instructors in a launch could not get the student out. Have a practised recovery method and the gear — lifesling, ladder, tackle — to lift a tired or unconscious person; a nearby boat alone is not enough.
- 3A casualty who says they're fine can fade fast. The student first reported no injuries, then quickly tired and lost consciousness. Treat anyone who has been in the water as a developing emergency: get them out at once, keep them horizontal, and watch closely for sudden collapse.
- 4Wear a lifejacket and dress for immersion — especially under instruction. A person in the water tires and chills quickly, and flotation and warmth buy the minutes a recovery takes. Sail-training and club boats should insist on properly fitted lifejackets for everyone aboard.
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