Bobsprit wrote:

The Boat: Cape Dory 36
Conditions: Fair, boat speed 4.5 knots on a reach

What a disaster! You were sailing alone, 400 miles offshore. No land or vessels
in sight. Your Autohelm 4000 autopilot engaged you sat down for a meal when you
heard a strange noise. Back on deck you see that part of the backstay adjuster
is coming loose. You get to work and place your foot on the aft railing. The
boat lurches from a gust and wave. It's a one in a million shot, but it's
happened. You've fallen off the boat!!!!
You spin fast in the water and grab the 15 foot long line you were trailing.
Slowly, chocking on water rushing over you, you manage to pull your self to the
stern. It's exhausting, but you make it to the stern. Only you can't pull the
ladder down!!! You can't get aboard. The rush of cold water is wearing you down
fast.

What can you do????


Stick your face underwater and take a REALLY deep breath, thus
ridding the gene pool of an idiot who not only was singlehanding
400mi offshore without any sort of tether/lifeline, but was
actually stupid enough to go working in an exposed position
without taking additional precautions.

I propose that there be a Fool's Act put up, or perhaps an
international treaty (Foolish Activities Rescue Refusal Treaty),
where anyone in their majority, regardless of their soundness of
mind or not, be permitted to indulge in whatever stupidity they
wish to, provided it neither physically damages another person,
and provided that they waive all rights to rescue. That way,
those who want to cross the SImpson Desert without water in the
height of summer are free to, those who wish to suicide offshore
may do so, and no-one (who doesn't actually desire to) need put
themselves at risk to retrieve the fools.

--
Flying Tadpole

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