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(Thom Stewart) wrote in message ...
Mich & Jon.

I have an interesting story to tell you about SOS.

I no longer allow anyone wearing them to go forward (Bow Pulpit) to work
on setting sails.

Hey Ol Thom,

Im not to fond of any type of gear that can get hung up, deployed or
in the way when on deck. I'd rather (myself) risk going overboard with
nothing on then getting hung up in, or on something. Mobility and
quick action is your best safety system. I have good solid handrails
and netting to keep me aboard RedCloud.

The one time I was washed overboard I was glad I did not have a
lifejacket or inflatable harness on. It was on a 220 foot boat and we
took a large wave on deck. I went over-- the boat rocked back the
other way sucked me under and then came down on me, I was hit by a V
strut in front of a 72" propeller. If I had a jacket on I could of
been hung up or slowed down clawing the 15 foot to the side of the
boat. Plus the impact of the hull might of knocked me out with
flotation on, and I would of been cut up worse from the barnnicales.
If Id been knocked out I would of been sucked in the prop and chopped
up nicely.

Joe
MSV RedCloud

I had a crew member go forward to set the tack on the Assy Spinnaker. He
didn't set his tether to the jack line. He just used it as a hand hold.
As he knelt down to hook the tack, we took water over the bow and into
his lap, inflating his SOS. It pushed his chin up and he couldn't look
down to see the hook for the Tack and was having a hell of a time
locating the Jackline to get back to the mast area.\

The Assy was in a sock and the peak was already hauled up. Poor Bob was
hanging on the the loose end of the "Sock", trying to get hold of the
Jackline. The Jackline going forward gets rather low going to the Bow
Pulpit so the jibs can tack without interference. Bob vision was only
straight ahead. The Mast Man finally made fast the halyard, went down
the jackline, took the loose end of the Sock and sent Bob back to the
mast to give him some slack so he could set the tack.

We don't allow SOS equipped crew forward of the mast any more

Ole Thom