Racing Rescue

THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURE IS RECOMMENDED AS A GUIDE FOR RIGHTING MOST VISA CENTERBOARD SAILBOATS. IF THE SKIPPER DISAGREES WITH YOUR INSTRUCTIONS AND WANTS TO FOLLOW ANOTHER PROCEDURE, YOU SHOULD FOLLOW HIS INSTRUCTIONS. 1. MAKE SURE ALL CREW MEMBERS ARE ACCOUNTED FOR AND ARE WEARING LIFE JACKETS. 2. ASK THE SKIPPER IF HE WANTS ASSISTANCE. IF NOT, STAND BY WHILE HE RIGHTS THE BOAT. 3. IS ASSISTANCE IS REQUESTED AND THE BOAT IS NOT UPSIDE DOWN, TELL THE CREW TO TIE A SPARE LIFE JACKET OR OTHER FLOAT TO THE MAST HEAD. 4. TELL THE CREW TO UNCLEAT ALL SHEETS AND BRING THE BOW INTO THE WIND IF POSSIBLE. 5. THROW THE YELLOW LINE(ATTACHED TO THE STERN CLEATS) TO THE CAPSIZED BOAT. THIS LINE WILL FLOAT ON THE SURFACE. 6. INSTRUCT THE CREW TO FASTEN THE TOW LINE TO THE JIB CLEAT OR CHAIN PLATE ON THE HIGH SIDE. IF THE BOAT IS UPSIDE DOWN, PASS THE TOW LINE OVER THE BOTTOM OF THE BOAT AND FASTEN IT TO THE JIB CLEAT OR CHAIN PLATE ON THE FAR SIDE. 7. STATION A CREW MEMBER NEAR EACH SIDE OF THE CAPSIZED BOAT TO STABILIZE IT WHEN IT IS RIGHTED. 8. TAKE UP SLACK IN THE TOW LINE WITH THE RESCUE BOAT AND PULL THE CAPSIZED BOAT UPRIGHT. 9. PROVIDE THE CREW WITH BAILING BUCKETS IF NECESSARY. 10. HAVE THE CREW MOVE THE TOW LINE TO THE BOW AND TOW VERY SLOWLY INTO THE WIND WHILE THE CREW BAILS. CAUTION! REMEMBER YOUR PROPELLER IS NEAR SWIMMERS AND BOATS! IF THE WATER IS COLD AND MANY BOATS ARE CAPSIZED, ANCHOR CAPSIZED BOATS IF POSSIBLE, BUT RESCUE THE PEOPLE FROM THIS BOAT AND OTHERS. PEOPLE ARE NOT REPLACEABLE.