Getting Back on the Boat After Falling Overboard

Let's face it. That's not such a scary-sounding proposition if it's warm weather, and/or someone else is in the boat with you. But what if it's cold weather, and you're in the boat alone?

Given the fact that many lack the upper-body strength to pull themselves back into the boat, especially with the added weight of all their cold-weather gear, coupled with how rapidly hypothermia sets in (see accompanying chart above), drowning becomes a very real concern. In this situation, a lifejacket becomes critical. A snug-fitting jacket is better than a loose-fitting one in that it insulates your body from the cold water. A flotation coat or coverall is even better because they cover more of your body and help maintain your core body temperature.

Thankfully, though, there are some precautions people who fish solo can take to prepare themselves for such a situation. One suggestion touted by many is to make your way to the boat's stern and stand on the cavitation plate of the outboard while raising it with the trim/tilt button on the motor. Once the motor is raised to its maximum height, it's hoped you'll be able to help yourself onto the rear deck. According to some who have used this method, however, you may end up having to do a belly-flop to complete the operation.

I've also read about an angler who attached a tether cord to his belt and Sospenders--one long enough to allow him to move freely around the boat. He tied off the other end to the boat's boarding ladder.

In a similar vein, Skip shared an idea with me that a fella posted on his Nitro page. This guy trails a 10-inch piece of pool noodle at the end of a 20-foot length of one-quarter-inch nylon rope behind his boat as it drifts.

According to that post, "If you should fall in, you will have that extra length to swim for and can pull yourself back to the boat. Once there, either use your boarding ladder..." or follow the earlier suggestion of standing on the lower unit's cavitation plate and using the trim/tilt switch on the outboard to lift yourself aboard.

The Skeeter SX-190 that I bought last December has an emergency exit boarding ladder, or E-Ladder, (similar to the one pictured at left) as it's more commonly known. This ladder mounts directly to a jack plate or engine bracket.

A spring-loaded pin easily releases the ladder to climbing level. An automatic locking pin allows you to securely raise the ladder back to its stowed position for travel. The only obstacle I know of with installing this ladder is if your boat has dual anchoring poles.

Whether you use one of these methods, or something of your own choosing, the important thing is to have your plan in place each and every time you hit the water in cold weather.