I added something to my boat's toolkit today...

[baz]

When on the Desolation Sound Cruise 2011 a few weeks ago and heading north out of Pender Harbour I unfortunately ran afoul of a loose yellow line from a crab float. I saw the line floating across my bow and maybe a foot or two below the water surface. I slowed up and as the line passed under the boat I quickly put the throttle lever into neutral. However, as the boat passed over the line it was clear it was caught up in my running gear as a small white plastic bottle attached to line started to chase me... Dam it I thought. I called for help on the radio and other tugs came to my aid. By this time our boat was dead in the water and I looked over the stern and could see the yellow line running under the stern. Fortunately after a short while the line dropped away and I assumed it was simply caught on the rudder, and with the boat dead in the water it simply slid down off the rudder and became loose and floated astern. Whew... that was a close call as if it had got around the prop it would be devilishly difficult to get it unwound... and just how would I have been able to untangle it anyhow ? Of course one would need to get into the water and submerge to the prop and somehow remove the line.

So, with that experience behind me I decided I needed to add something to my boat's toolkit.

This is what I've added today.

A water mask.
A pair of flippers.
A snorkel.

With these I would assume the task of freeing a line wound around the prop will be made much easier than trying to do this unaided.

I lucked out as I lunched over at a nearby Port of Poulsbo today and at a local Marine Accessory shop there I found all three items for sale on assignment. The total came to $18. What a deal I thought and without a moment to lose I snapped up all three items.

If any local PNW Tugnut happens to dock at Port of Poulsbo be sure to visit the local Marine Accessory shop there -- you may just find something useful and at a good price. 🙂

 

[RProffer]

I bought a snorkel and mask to work on my last boat a couple of time. I did not get any flippers and did not really need them for what I was doing. I have the snorkel and mask on my Ranger in case they are needed. So far, the grand kids are enjoying them.

 

[Spirit of Gratitude]

I think I would add a wetsuit to that kit! 😀

 

[abcandjrc]

I found that it was easiest to not use fins or snorkle for clearing the rudder or prop on our boats but they may come in handy anyway for other things. We met one woman in The Bahamas who loaned hers to some Bahamas Defense Forces guys that were doing routine checks of boats. One of them dove under the boat and brought her a large lobster in recompense for disturbing her day. (Our CG or locals do that kind of thing all the time, don't they?) :lol:

Our main problem was barnacles, and I found that just getting a good hold with my "off" hand and scraping with the other was the best. It also uses less energy than trying to maintain position with fins. Especially in the case of barnacles, a pair of good, tough gloves is also helpful. For clearing a snagged line, a knife with both a sharp edge and a "ragged" edge also comes in handy. And it is important to make sure none has gotten into the cutlass bearing or it will quickly destroy that.

When we had our Atlantic 44' we bought a 110VAC dive compressor with a pair of lines and regulators. That way we could do all the bottom maintenence with no problem and at our leisure. And run it off shore power, our gen set, or our inverter (for a short time).

A wet suit is helpful if you are in cold water or going to be in for some extended time, but with a suit on a weight belt is almost a necessity to counter the added bouyancy.

 

[Favunclerich]

I'd also suggest adding a curved carpet knife to do the cutting.

 

[tuggertoy]

I would also add a professional diver to my kit.....
I hate having to go into the water for any reason. 😉 :shock: 😀

Eric

 

[RProffer]

I would settle for a mermaid. 😉 😱 :lol:

 

[Ainokea]

Rescue tape. 100's of uses and in designer colours.