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Boatyard Acident today

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islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4024 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/21/2012 : 16:07:58

Today we went down to the yard to power buff the hull, Remove the cover, Put up the Bimini and start re-rigging all for my 30th launch date. Another fellow showed up to wax his hull. His boat is directly behind mine an is about a 38ft full keel sailboat. He set up his ladder and while we worked we had some conversations about boats etc. I had just stopped the buffer to give my arms a break when I heard his ladder make a loud sound. I looked back just in time to see him fall backwards from the top of the ladder. This was about 8-9ft. He did a full half flip landing square on the back of his head and shoulders. His feet then came over the top like a backwards roll and then he laid there motionless. I ran over and he was unconscious so I yelled to Sara to call 911. I felt him for a pulse (had one) but I didn't want to move him so I stayed with him while Sara ran to meet the EMS. He started to come around after 3 or so minutes but I didn't want him to move. By now he had blood coming from his mouth so I asked him to wiggle his hands and feet. Both moved so my fears that he had broken his back or neck was eased. He wanted to know what happened, Said he didn't remember falling and thinks he passed out at the top of the ladder. The EMS arrived and I told them what had happened so they put a neck brace on and strapped him to a board for transport to the hospital. Sara now says I'm not aloud to go work on the boat without her because If we weren't there today nobody would have seen him fall. Anyway please be careful when working on your boat on the hard, It can be life threatening.

Scott-"IMPULSE"87'C25/SR/WK/Din.#5688
Sailing out of Glen Cove,L.I Sound

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9080 Posts

Response Posted - 04/21/2012 : 16:45:13

The loud sound followed by the fall suggests he didn't black out and then fall--the concussion probably erased his memory of the fall. What made that noise?

Good work in every respect--calling for help and not moving him.

Everything you do on a ladder is risky--I knew somebody who was cleaning gutters on his vacation home and was found a few days later.

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 04/21/2012 : 18:59:01

It's a good thing you were there. You might have saved his life today. Good lesson for all. Be extra careful on ladders, and don't take unnecessary chances. And, if you start to feel the slightest bit dizzy, stop and rest.

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pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts

Response Posted - 04/21/2012 : 19:56:11

Good job coming to a sailors aid.
Did you tell your wife you have a wing keel? You only need a stool.

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 04/21/2012 : 22:40:56

Well done Scott. He's lucky you and Sara were around and were able to aid him. Have you heard anything further on his condition?

I worry every time I'm up on top of SL when it's on the trailer. The thought of falling 13 or so feet from the deck is frightening. Fortunately I have no fear of heights, so it could be worse I guess. I'd much rather go in the drink than do a header from 1-1/2 stories up.

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5902 Posts

Response Posted - 04/22/2012 : 06:42:31

Also, never trust a boatyard ladder. I picked up a nice looking insulated ladder this spring and found that had a broken leg. There are lots of broken, rotted old ladders in boatyards, and, if the ladder that fails doesn't belong to the marina, they probably won't be liable for it.

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islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4024 Posts

Response Posted - 04/22/2012 : 06:58:05

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Did you tell your wife you have a wing keel? You only need a stool.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
HaHa.. I will try that Frank, I doubt that Sara will stick to it as soon as she has something to do with our daughter and I have to go to the boat but even with a wing I would guess the deck is around 6ft, Heck I wouldn't even want to fall that distance.

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TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 04/22/2012 : 10:13:29

I fell off the Trophy boat on the trailer & broke my arm 15 years ago. Only about 4 feet but I could still have died if I hit my head. Ever since I've been very cautious about ladders. And the height of a sailboat makes it even more dangerous.

I knew I'd do a lot of work on the hard for any sailboat I bought, so the walk-through transom makes a huge difference. I just place a small stool under the swim ladder. If I am doing anything in the cockpit I will still put the swim ladder up just in case I lose my balance.

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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 04/23/2012 : 10:42:59

We finished decommissioning a C22 after a friend was taken to the ER with a dislocated shoulder.

Another argument for raising/lowering the mast on the water instead of on the trailer . . .

Edited by - OJ on 04/23/2012 10:43:40

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 04/23/2012 : 10:49:11

With the height of my deck off the ground when my fin keeled boat is in the cradle, wearing a tether onboard while on the hard is starting to make sense!

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redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3476 Posts

Response Posted - 04/23/2012 : 11:47:27

You the Man Scott!!!

you deserve a drink!

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GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts

Response Posted - 04/24/2012 : 21:24:35

Any word on the condition of the gentleman that fell?

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islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4024 Posts

Response Posted - 04/25/2012 : 13:32:47

No word, Like I said I don't know him personally, Just another sailor who was working on his boat behind me. He was there only 45min. before he fell. Maybe on Sat. when I go down to the yard I will find out more.

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.