It wasn't until he was backing the trailer down the ramp that he saw his buddy headed to his vehicle with some of his gear. Meanwhile, he also could see his boat was drifting away from the beach. Thankfully, there was no wind assisting the glide that was caused when his buddy stepped off the boat and ever so accidentally but gently pushed it away from shore.
The owner immediately stopped backing, got out of his vehicle, and quickly started removing his watch, cellphone, keys, wallet, glasses, shirt, and shoes. About the same time, his buddy offered to go for the swim. Aware that the buddy, however, wouldn't know how to run the boat, the owner thanked him for the offer but kept moving toward the water himself.
After swimming the 150 feet or so to the starboard side of the boat's stern, the owner grabbed the stern with his right hand, then got a good grip on the assembly where the steering cables hook up to the motor. He then found the cavitation plate with his foot and the trim/tilt switch with his finger, and voila, he was able to sprawl on the rear deck.
From there, he got up, started the motor, re-beached the boat, and finished backing the trailer into the water. Soon thereafter, he was headed home, none the worse for wear, thanks to the fact he often had considered what he would do if he ever found himself in the water and needed to get back aboard his boat.
As a result of this incident, the owner learned a couple of lessons. First, take nothing for granted. Give instructions, no matter how obvious they might seem. And secondly, plan ahead. Think about what you might do in various situations with what you have available to you.
This incident, as originally reported on a fishing forum, elicited the following response from another forum member and "seasoned" boater:
"I understand the importance of having a plan. I have fallen off my boat twice now...the last time while I was alone. I had an inflatable flotation device in the boat and planned to wear it but was waiting to get away from the dock first.
"I quickly made the decision to lose the combo I had in my hand. The wind was blowing just enough that, by the time I reached the boat, I had only enough energy to hang on until the wind blew me and the boat to shore. It was a very frightening experience. I was lucky and hope to never find myself in that spot again."
This latter fella went on to explain that he had a dear friend who had drowned in a lake near where they both lived a little earlier in the year. As it turned out, this fella was in the hospital at the time, or he likely would have been with his friend.
This tragedy, which occurred on a windy day, involved a 43-year-old male, who was a great swimmer and as strong as a bull. He left a wife and three half-grown kids behind.
Being prepared is not something to take lightly.
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