Getting back on a boat after falling out when you are alone is difficult. But by adding extra elements or attachments to the boat, you can do that easily. Here are some tips to get back on a boat after falling out.
You can get back into the boat after falling overboard by tying a small rope ladder on any side of the boat(port or starboard side), before starting the boat ride. If you don’t have rope ladder, then tie a rope in U-shape on any side of the boat. So, you can put your leg on the rope for support.
By following the above steps, you can climb into a boat. These steps will work if you are not stuck in any currents or huge winds. Among all the incidents that happened, most of them have happened while people are simply playing on the boat, or sometimes they forget to pull the ladder.
Tying a rope ladder on any side of the boat
- A rope ladder is very useful. If you are using a boat, then try to have one in your boat. Just tie one rope ladder on any side of the boat without leaving the other end in the water.
- Just keep the rope ladder on any side of the boat without leaving the other end in the water. If you fell in the water, it should be in a reachable distance to your hand. In a way that you can pull it out from the boat, and you can climb.
- By tying a rope ladder to your boat, you can easily get back into the boat quickly. While buying a rope ladder, go for a bit long rope, just in case if a tall person falls into water, it will easy for them to climb.
Tying a rope in U-shape on any side of the boat
- If you don’t have a rope ladder, then you can use this simple trick. Just tie a rope in the U-shape on any side of the boat. If anyone falls aboard, with the help of this rope, he can take support by keeping his leg on the rope, and he can get into the boat.
- By tying a rope in this way to the boat, you will get good support. You can push the body upwards by keeping leg on the rope, and you can get into the boat.
- Whenever you are boating, don’t forget to wear a life jacket. learn how to wear a life jacket in the water, and practice that.
Check this helpful video on how to get back into the boat without a ladder. They had explained it very well.
How to prevent falling overboard?
You can prevent falling off a boat by following some basic steps.
- Don’t sit on any side of the boat while the boat is moving.
- Wear boating shoes to avoid slipping on a boat.
- Don’t play or run on a boat while the boat is moving.
- Don’t forget to tie kill switch to your hand (if you are riding the boat).
1. Don’t sit on any side of the boat while the boat is moving
- The best way to avoid falling overboard would be, not to sit on the port side or the starboard side of a boat while the boat is moving. If you decided to sit on either side of the boat, be careful. Avoid sitting on any side of the boat if the boat is moving fastly.
- You might think you can handle that. But when it comes to big tides and harsh weather, you can’t handle that. The boat won’t be stable in the water during bad weather.
- So, sit on any side of the boat when the boat is stable in the calm water.
2. Wear boating shoes to avoid slipping on a boat
- When it comes to boating, there are so many shoes that are specially designed to use them while boating. Use those shoes whenever you are doing boating.
- The specialty of these shoes is that the sole of this shoe is very broad, which can hold your shoes properly and gives a good grip on slippery floors.
- Whenever you are buying shoes for boating, don’t buy waterproof shoes. If water goes inside these shoes, it won’t go out easily, and it will irritate you while boating.
Check my recommended gear on boating shoes click here (don’t worry, it will open in new tab). In that article, I mentioned everything you need to consider while buying shoes for boating.
3. Don’t play or run on a boat while the boat is moving
- It is not running. What I want to say is don’t play on the boat when the boat is moving, or when the boat is in bad weather.
- Many cases related to falling out of a boat are mainly caused while playing only. But don’t forget to wear a life jacket while playing. Even if you fall overboard, you will float in the water.
4. Don’t forget to tie kill switch to your hand
- This step is essential than others, now let’s assume that you are alone in the boat, and you fell overboard, and the outboard motor is still working. Then the boat will be moving in the forward direction, and you can’t catch the boat. This will the worst situation.
- This scenario will happen if you didn’t tie the kill switch to your hand. What kill switch does is, if you move your hand away, the key will come out, and the outboard motor will stop automatically.
- Now, if you fall off a boat, the kill switch will come out, and the boat will stop automatically. Tying kill switch to your hand is very helpful if you are alone in a boat.
All these steps are basic and very known steps to be followed while boating.
What to do after falling overboard?
Generally, you will see two cases
- If you are alone.
- If you are not alone
1. If you are alone in a boat and you fell overboard
If you are alone in a boat and you fell off the boat, then do this
- First, check the surroundings properly see whether any boat is coming behind you are not.
- If someone coming, try to move out of the way as quickly as possible.
- If no one is coming, go near the boat and climb up.
- If the water is choppy, then try to hold any floating objects in the water (if any)
2. If you are not alone in a boat and you fell overboard
If You are not alone in a boat and fell off the boat, then do this
- First, check the surroundings properly see whether any boat is coming behind you are not.
- If someone coming, try to move out of the way as quickly as possible.
- Then ask your friends to throw a life ring or flotation device near you, and ask them to pull you. Then climb up the boat with the help of your friends.
Bottom line
Be cautious while you are in the boat, and don’t do any unnecessary things in the boat. Always wear a proper size life jacket while boating. Check my article on Safety tips for boating: A detailed guide (don’t worry, it will open in new tab). In that article, all the safety tips in detail.