05-14-2014, 03:16 PM
On the Park sponsored theme this weekend concerning boat safety....About 2 weeks ago fishing out by Roatary Cove, I had just laid down a rod and as I stepped backwards on the front deck of the Skeeter, I felt my right foot begin to crush a tube of Yamamoto scent laying there. In an attempt to recover I unbalanced and went over backwards into the lake.
Being a poor swimmer I always wear a PFD; one of the inflatable Sospenders 38A models. Never live tested one before however. After the self inflation actuated I was able to calm down and recover my hat and dog paddle over to the back of the Skeeter. I held on to the steering tube while my partner used the trolling motor to get us shallow. We were in near the floating toilet and close to shore. I wasn't wearing shoes or sandals so that was a better alternative than using the tilt mechanism and anti-ventilation plate to boost myself back into the boat. That maneuver I have practiced. Without footwear you chance getting your foot cut on the prop or lower unit anti-ventilation plate.
So.... first time for uncontrolled dumping in over 30 years of boating in all kinds of conditions. Note to self: keep the PFD straps a little tighter. Carry a back up PFD. That ended our day cause I didn't have the spare onboard.
[signature]
Being a poor swimmer I always wear a PFD; one of the inflatable Sospenders 38A models. Never live tested one before however. After the self inflation actuated I was able to calm down and recover my hat and dog paddle over to the back of the Skeeter. I held on to the steering tube while my partner used the trolling motor to get us shallow. We were in near the floating toilet and close to shore. I wasn't wearing shoes or sandals so that was a better alternative than using the tilt mechanism and anti-ventilation plate to boost myself back into the boat. That maneuver I have practiced. Without footwear you chance getting your foot cut on the prop or lower unit anti-ventilation plate.
So.... first time for uncontrolled dumping in over 30 years of boating in all kinds of conditions. Note to self: keep the PFD straps a little tighter. Carry a back up PFD. That ended our day cause I didn't have the spare onboard.
[signature]