There’s no doubt that the biggest story in the Pacific Northwest boating community from the last month is the successful recovery of two sailors who found themselves overboard during a blustery mid-distance Center Sound Series race. The details of their 40 minutes in the water are chilling and their eventual rescue is incredible, and you can read Sheridan Ferguson’s riveting first-hand account in the April issue (and as a web article later this week).

I’ve had a pretty emotional response to this incident since I know both people in the water, and have sailed a whole lot of miles with one of them. With so much attention, curiosity, and engagement about the situation and rescue (thanks to a widely circulated video of the recovery), one notion seems to be sticking with me more than any other. It came from a conversation with Tolga Cezik, the skipper of the J/111 Lodos that pulled both swimmers from the water. Tolga and I reviewed his crew’s entire experience—their remarkable seamanship as well as some of their takeaways should they ever find themselves in a similar situation again. The way he wrapped up our conversation was what struck me: “I didn’t feel like we did something extraordinary, and I would like to expect all sailors out there have the same kind of attitude toward recovery and being prepared. It’s a great story, but this should be the standard.”

It almost reads as harsh, but I assure you that Tolga conveyed this response in the most empowering and vulnerable way. It is such an important reminder; one I take very much to heart. We mariners are truly dependent on one another—we are each others’ best chance of rescue. This is a central tenet in offshore sailing especially, and I can remember being a little shocked when I first learned that there’s no helicopter coming to save you once you’re more than 150 miles offshore (so for, say, 85% of a race to Hawaii—if you are rescued, it will be by a boat). Tolga sailed Lodos in the 2022 Pacific Cup, and is currently preparing for this summer’s Transpac Race. He and his crew are well aware of this and are actively training to not only be fast across the Pacific, but also to be safe; for themselves, and potentially others. The immensely valuable US Sailing Safety at Sea Course is a part of the entrance requirement, and that information, expertise, and education was certainly on display in this recent recovery; and it goes hand-in-hand with the Lodos crew’s practice of these skills.

Through the years I taught sailing and ran a sailing club, I have presented the maritime Good Samaritan rule and obligation countless times. I’m not sure I ever really understood it quite like I do now. The three most recent crew overboard situations that 48° North has reported on had something in common: the individuals in the water were all rescued by a different boat than the one they fell off of. That speaks volumes about the level of skill, commitment, and awareness of our fellow mariners; but it also shines a light on how ready each of us must be, just as Tolga said and just as those who responded in this instance were.

So count me in as someone inspired-as-ever to raise my game when it comes to crew overboard recovery, and doubly dedicated to returning to the dock aboard the same boat on which I left. Personally, I don’t think I’ve been uniquely deficient or cavalier in this area of seamanship, but I would not describe myself as someone notably committed to it either. I hope I’m never in the situation my friends found themselves in last month; but if I am, I’ll be damn desperate that anyone rescuing me has been more devoted to these essential safety skills and standards than I have been—more like those who rendered remarkable aid in this scary story with a happy outcome.

I’ll see you on the water,

Joe

Header background photo by Jan Anderson. 

Editor's letter Joe Cline