Issue 24 : May/June 2002
Getting back aboard most sailboats from the water without a ladder is next to impossible. Although many sailboats can have a stainless-steel, pull-down ladder on the transom, others such as ours that have long stern overhangs, cannot. So, for those accidental crew-overboard emergencies, we keep a small rope ladder with plastic rungs on deck at all times.
The top of the rope ladder is tied to the base of one of the stanchions amidships. Although it can usually be reached by someone in the water, if that person were in heavy clothing it might be difficult, so we keep a 1⁄8-inch lanyard hanging over the side. This lanyard is attached to the bottom rung of the rope ladder, and someone in the water can reach it easily.
I would like to say I have never had to use this emergency ladder, but once, when I was alone in an anchorage, I ended up in the drink when carelessly getting into the dinghy. I was back on board again within a few seconds, using the emergency ladder. I was glad there was no one around to see my foolishness.
Thank you to Sailrite Enterprises, Inc., for providing free access to back issues of Good Old Boat through intellectual property rights. Sailrite.com
