Part of learning to sail small boats on the Charles is learning to capsize and then right your boat. Last week, we saw two young sailors conduct a picture perfect capsize and correction after a race collision.
With a crowd of boats approaching and leaving this mark (the floating ball in the water), we could see the collision coming.
One man overboard and then a second. The coaching launch stayed with the young sailors throughout their adventure. (Click on any photo for a larger image)
It takes a bit of teamwork and counter balance to right the boat.
Where's the second sailor?
Already onboard taking control of the lines and tiller. Good job!
If you witness a scene like this one …
Listening to our scanner
That doesn't mean you shouldn't call if you see a boater in trouble. But, share with the call-taker all the details you observe. Do the people have life jackets on, as in this case? Is there a motorized chase boat with them, as you see here? Is there another boat assisting them or taking them onboard?
Count the number of people in the water and try to keep track of where they are in relation to some point on land. Are they in the middle of the river or near the Boston or Cambridge shore?
Offer to stay on the line with the call-taker to give updates as the scene unfolds. This will allow the dispatcher to speed up, slow down, call in additional resources, or call off emergency responders.
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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2013 Penny Cherubino