Capsize drill

Open sailing boats and dinghies often capsize and learning to right the boat is part of learning to sail. All Sea Scouts who sail should take part in capsize drills regularly so that they are proficient when the unexpected capsize occurs.

Capsize drill is related mainly to sailing craft, but other craft may occasionally capsize.

1. Stay with the boat - it is much easier for rescuers to see a boat in the water rather than a swimmers head.

2. Are all crew present? Is anyone still under the boat?

3. If possible, right the boat. However if a craft has no buoyancy, it may be better to leave it capsized as there will be air trapped underneath and it will float well.

4. Crew members should be roped together or to the boat to prevent anyone drifting away.

5. One person may sit or stand up on a capsized boat to signal for help.

Capsize Drill

The helmsman must position his crew and arrange for leverage downward on the centreplate and on the upper side of the boat to help right it.

The leverage should quickly start the righting process but if the wind is very strong, the mainsail should be lowered by releasing the halyard, and pulling the sail into the boat before trying to bring the capsized craft upright. As the boat starts to come up, the crew member floats into the boat from the opposite side. He is thus scooped up as the boat becomes upright. The crew may help the helmsman on board, over the stern.

The boat should then be bailed out. If the boat has more than two in the crew, the remaining crew members should stay in the water, holding onto the boat at the bow until enough water has been bailed out to make her stable. If the top of the centre board casing is below the level of the water, it may be very difficult to empty the boat, and so the centreboard case may have to be plugged by using a sail bag or even the sail.

If a boat cannot be righted, it may be possible to climb onto the upturned hull.