"Capt. JG"

Like all these threads, this one shows that different priorities are at work
in different parts of the world, and give rise to different practices.

UK winter sailing is a cool affair - 6degC is not uncommon. I lost an
aviator friend who bailed out into our North sea. He was recovered from the
water within 15 minutes, but died. A couple of years later a very
experienced skipper (James) went over the side in light conditions off
Salcombe, Devon, 10degC. With a strong crew of four aboard, they were unable
to recover him quickly enough (they estimated 15 minutes) and he died. A
second crew member who went in to tie a line around him also became
seriously hypothermic, but survived. No ladder.

I make two points now.

First, the variability of different people's ability to withstand cold shock
is great. An average of 20 minutes covers a range from 5 minutes to an hour
and a half.

Second, the majority of MOBs occur in benign conditions when people aren't
wearing harnesses, and don't have them attached - a passing wash, peeing
over the stern, transferring from dinghy to boat, slipping when stepping
from shore to vessel (alcohol doesn't help). These are common situations,
and people are off gaurd. Also, more MOB occur in crowded and moderately
sheltered waters - 'cos that's where the yachts are, often racing.

In my opinion there's too much emphasis on the more remote situations among
trainers, leading them to dismiss the mundane. I was guilty once - til I
started analysing the stats.

And, JG, it's naughty of you to assume I'm stupid enough to jump into the
sea to attempt to rescue an MOB. And equally naughty to dismiss the stern
ladder because, in your opinion, it doesn't work in very rough weather.
Remember the common situations . . .

You trained people to use halyards. So did I. In the same sessions I also
trained people to use stern ladders, and left them to choose which technique
they preferred. As I said above, horses for courses . . . depends on the
conditions. I still think it's stupid to go to sea on a boat which doesn't
have a stern bathing ladder which can be deployed from within the water . .
..

JimB
www.jimbaerselman.f2s.com/
Comparing European Cruise areas, with detail on Greece.