Powerboats for Rescue

[zdmaster2k]

Hey guys, I'm just wondering how many of you use powerboats for dinghy/windsurfer rescue or are you all recreational users? I'm a rescue driver myself. I instruct at a volunteer school so I have plenty of work to be getting on with!

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Powerboats for Rescue

Rescue windsurfers??? I thought they were put there as moving targets...kind of like aquatic skeet? Geez, I’ve been doing this all wrong.

 

[zdmaster2k]

Re: Powerboats for Rescue

HaHa, Hey 18 Rabbit, nice to hear your light hearted approach...........

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Powerboats for Rescue

Originally posted by 18rabbit:<br /> Rescue windsurfers??? I thought they were put there as moving targets...kind of like aquatic skeet? Geez, I’ve been doing this all wrong.

Naw, 18R, I think you're mixin winsurfers up with PWC riders.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Powerboats for Rescue

ldsa, i don't go looking to rescue people out boating, but if they're in need of help i at least go offer the help. this year i've assisted 3 peoples in need. the worst was 1 fat lady, 2 fat teens and a skinny teen. they were in they're overtons special 7' people powere paddle pontoon boat(man were they sitting low in the water). W/O lifejackests in a real high wind. they had no hope of getting back. at idle i was near swamping them just toweing. they were very happy to get back to shore for sure. also towed a family back in they're inop speed boat. the other was a sunk pwc. one of those people was looking like first stages of hypothermia. <br />i think it's everyone's responsibility to help people in need on the lake or wherever they are. i figure that someday it might be me that needs the help and figure what comes around goes around. <br />oh, by the way. all my help was offered while useing my fx-140, a pwc. go figure,,,,,, jim

 

[zdmaster2k]

Re: Powerboats for Rescue

wow ziggy, rescue from a PWC, that's impressive!! RIB's, Dories and Commandoes for me I'm afraid! When on duty one does spend most time at anchor.....hey ho

 

[Triton II]

Re: Powerboats for Rescue

Here in Aus we've used PWCs for rescuing kids at big sailing regattas. They're also used by the surf livesavers but my only experience is at regattas. If you're still reading, here's one story.<br />In December 2001 we had 260 Sabots (8.5ft pram dinghy with a Bermuda rig mainsail) on Botany Bay in their Aus Championship regatta. The weather was horrific with gusty westerly winds and bushfires causing havoc with the visibility. Ever tried using a rubber duck in 20-30kts with a 6ft chop? After you've flipped a duck, you really appreciate the power and rough weather handling of a three-seater PWC... you've just got to keep a careful eye on the waves and manoeuvre accordingly. We used the PWC to take the youngest kids two at a time back to shore to stop them getting hypothermia. And also to deliver competent parents back to the abandoned boat to either sail it back or stay in the boat (if it had broken gear) while they were towed. With one PWC we managed to rescue 17 kids in one day. At one stage it had a string of 5 Sabots with broken masts in a line being towed behind it against a 3 kt tide. That afternoon's race was abandoned! A lot of PWC riders are idiots, but my opinion of the craft themselves has changed forever because of the great work done on that day.

 

[shipoffools]

Re: Powerboats for Rescue

I was Director at a camp waterfront on Seneca Lake in NY for 5 years I had 7 sunfish and a Daysailer that kids would use. They were learning and the Lake could put up some good wind so "rescues" were pretty common. My favorite chase boat was a 16' Sea Nymph duck boat with an 18 hp Merc. the boat was quick ,manueverable stable and the low guwhales made it easy to lean over and help (usually getting a Sunfish keel side down again)