PADDLER 26
PADDLER 26
Photo: Jean-Marc Rhys
We wanted to see if boarding a moving ship on open seas is possible, just as pilots do. This might prove the best way to board if you are still ambulatory and fully operational. We have watched numerous pilotboarding videos before starting this. Maintaining speed during this is better than staying upright, and it is also better for avoiding drift( for the ship itself).
This was also a perfect exercise regarding solid, clear communication. The Rio again agreed to our plans, and we decided to regroup after their offshore dredging activities. Like all our similar exercises, this hasn’ t been done before. Risk analysis; no risk of being pulled underneath the ship, no danger of being sucked into the props, and little / acceptable risk of capsize( with a positive outcome). The crew was ready and in place along the side since the captain would lose visual contact with me.
Since the Rio was loaded, the freeboard was very low. This would not only benefit my extraction, but we would also try to extract my kayak simultaneously. If the freeboard is high, the kayak would be left( in a real emergency situation) behind. I had to attach my long tow line( waist mounted with emergency release) to the bow of my kayak. First, I had to find a ship working from behind my horizon. Check! Via VHF, we agreed on an exact course( 90 ° due east) and speed.
The Rio would slowly creep up on me, giving me( good) chills, as it’ s like an apartment building coming from behind. The Rio’ s speed was slightly higher than mine so I would have one chance of boarding. I threw my paddle on the lower deck when the Rio got next to me, grabbed the railing, and stepped from my cockpit on the Rio without fuss.