Helping someone out of the water.

[dhays]

Keep in mind that the person you're trying to help is exhausted, overweight, can't swim, and isn't coordinated.

I resemble that remark.

 

[sdowney717]

An old women at the marina fell off her boat.
She was in the water and we heard a faint help cry.
I was on the hard and had a tall step ladder, so we put ladder in truck drove over, ran down the dock, dropped the ladder in and she climbed right out.

Any ladder would work, extension ladder would be great to have at a marina for people to climb out. She also was a live aboard, and she no longer has the boat.

 

[dhays]

Get a real ladder mounted under the swim platform. A problem with those rope solutions is keeping your self upright rather than going horizontal. Better than nothing? Absolutely. But not by much.

The PO of my boat did just that. The NP43 has a nice swim ladder on the swim step. I would be able to deploy it from the water if I fell in, was uninjured, and hadn’t been in the cold water that long. Otherwise, no way. However, most of the time we have a dinghy on the swim step that prevents the swim ladder from being deployed by anyone.

Because of this, the PO put a swim ladder under the port side of the swim step. It was deplorable by someone in the water and there was a good solid handhold to use when climbing out. Unfortunately, in this location even a good SS ladder was subject to corrosion, and worse, it wasn’t installed very well and resulted in water intrusion into the cavity in the swim step and saturated the plywood framing underneath the fiberglass. I had the yard remove it when the boat was hauled and the the swim step repaired.

If someone knows of a good quality swim ladder that can be mounted under a swim step I’d be interested.

 

[caltexflanc]

I've got a rear ladder that when deployed has rungs below the waterline, but someone would need to be there to deploy.

Doesn't do much good if there is no one there to deploy it... never single hand or work on the boat alone?

 

[caltexflanc]

Keep in mind that the person you're trying to help is exhausted, overweight, can't swim, and isn't coordinated. All those things may not apply but the athletic, alert, swimmer is going to be able to get out, that's just not who we're normally dealing with.

You read stories of strange drownings daily, that seem like they should have been so easily avoided but they happened. There was a drunk guy on our lake who almost drowned in 6" of water, but the wildlife officer saved him. I've seen a dock that had a turn in it and a guy under the influence didn't turn, just walked straight into the water in cold weather. Had we not been there, I don't know if he could have made it out. While I'm not very tolerant of the excessive drinking, I do keep in mind that the drunk who falls in is someone's father and son or mother and daughter and husband or wife. They are important to family and friends.

Having a ladder vastly aids a rescuer in getting down to the person in the water and helping them, rather than bending over / reaching down to them.
A lot of this gets back to the recent discussion about Life Slings.

 

[Fletcher500]

Mine gets used throughout the day during the summer, and stays out all night when at anchor or in the marina..just in case. People with disabilities have used it - no problema.

 

[wkearney99]

Can you put one foot on the "wing" of the outboard skeg ??

If not, you could take a 3 foot length or rope, thread it through a 1 foot piece of pvc pipe and put a carabiner on each end. Just clip that on the bottom rung before you dive in, and remove it after your re-board.

Or tie a bowline or an alpine butterfly loop into a line to use as a step. More than one if you need a ladder-like series. If you had a piece of PVC pipe handy, thread the line through it while tying the knot for the step.

Bearing in mind that a rope by itself is not as useful as a ladder. But if you're in a dinghy and have someone hanging over the gunwales, a quick bowline loop might give them just enough to stand on to get into the boat with your assistance.

It's important to realize that someone in the water may not have the strength to properly exit from it. Knees, backs, arms, etc, beyond just body weight. For that something like a harness would help. But the chance of someone already in the water being able to do this by themselves is unlikely.

 

[wkearney99]

I didn't mean to imply that I endorsed their rational. The Manager was also quick to point out that he didn't share the viewpoint but was just recounting what he recalled when it was discussed a number of years ago.

I intend to ask the board to consider the idea again. Most of the board are new since the last time it was discussed and the HOA had other very pressing issues to contend with at the time.

I didn't mention but there also is an emergency ladder that is designed to go over a cleat on the dock. Great solution if you happen to fall in with someone there who can get the ladder out of the emergency box, return to where you are clinging onto the dock, set the emergency ladder in place, and then be strong enough to help you get out of the water with the ladder. Assuming of course that you haven't drifted away or drowned in the meantime.

Surprisingly it doesn't seem there's a lot of regulation regarding ladders. There is awareness of the problem and some places do have recommendations.

I'd think it would be useful to raise the liability concern to the board. A single lawsuit would likely well exceed the cost of any kind of ladders. Find which regs best suit your marina's layout and use that to bolster the argument on placement. Make it a 'regulated distance' argument, not one about convenience. As in, the regs say X feet/meters apart, so you're getting one HERE regardless of you like it or not. Or conversely the regs say X distance apart, so any more than that would be a waste of the board's money both now AND over time for maintenance.

Then think about it from a person that's in the water's perspective. Where, in a panic, are they going to be able to SEE there's a ladder?

A quick search turned up these:

Research on Marina Drownings Reveals Need for Industry Standards on Ladders and Life Rings | Marina Dock Age

https://www.robsonforensic.com/articles/marina-drowning-expert-witness

SAFETY LADDERS

Planning and Design Guidelines for Small Craft Harbors, ASCE Manuals and Reports on Engineering Practices No. 50:

“Ladders are generally provided on fixed and floating docks to allow emergency access from the water. In addition, where the tide range and fixed piers may not provide convenient berthing access at all tidal stages, ladders are also provided adjacent to the berths (from the finger piers). According to the requirements of UFC 4-152-01 (NAVFAC 2005), ladders to provide access to fixed piers (or floating docks) from the water should be provided at a maximum spacing of 120 m (400 ft) on centers [sic] or within 60 m (200 ft) of any work area.

Ladders should be a minimum of 406 mm (16 in.) wide and reach the lowest water elevation anticipated. Retractable or flip ladders may be used as an alternative to fixed ladders to avoid marina fouling of the lower steps, but they can be difficult for a swimmer to reach and pull down in case of an emergency. There are numerous commercially available ladders made typically of marine-grade aluminum or stainless steel.”

Various forms of “lifting ladders” are convenient for floating docks, where they can be kept in the retracted position until needed. For recreational small craft harbors, ladders are generally spaced according to the management’s anticipated needs, clientele usage, and safety plan. They are often placed at the ends of T-heads of finger piers (so as to not affect berthing in the slips), in fairways, or adjacent to bulkheads so that anyone who may fall into the water can easily swim to a ladder without crossing under or through piers and vessels or across main navigable waterways.”

California Code of Regulations: #4405. Working Over Water:

(a) – “Permanently installed or portable ladders available for emergency use shall be provided on all waterfront docks.
Such ladders shall extend from the face of the dock to the water line at its lowest elevation;
Spacing between ladder installations shall not exceed 400 feet; and
The ladder shall be secured to the dock or pier before use.”
29 CFR 1917.26 (f) First Aid and lifesaving facilities:

“A readily available portable or permanent ladder giving access to the water shall also be provided within 200 feet (61 m) of such work areas.”
National Park Service Marina Standards 2016:

“Access ladders are well-maintained and secured, and appropriately located throughout the marina.”
Safety and Health in Ports, International Labour Office, Quayside Ladders, section 3.3.5:

“Permanent ladders should be provided at the edge of any structure in a port from which persons may fall into deep water to enable them to climb out of the water.”
“Ladders should be spaced at intervals of not more than 50 m (164 ft) from each other or from steps.”
Unified Facilities Criteria (UCF), Design: Piers and Wharves: 7-9.1 Safety Ladders.

“Provide safety ladders from pier or wharf deck to water at a maximum spacing of 400 feet (122 m) or as noted below with regard to life rings. Such ladders should be at least 1 foot 4 inches (0.41 m) wide and should reach to the lowest water elevation anticipated.”
PIANC RecCom WG Report n° 149/part IV – 2017: Guidelines for Marina Design:

“Ladders should be located along quay walls, fixed piers, pontoons, and in whatever place where they could be useful for safety, at a distance of not more of 50 m from each other.”
FURTHER NOTES ON LIFE RINGS AND SAFETY LADDERS

Other interesting notes concerning life rings and safety ladders:

California Code of Regulations: #4405. Working Over Water:

“The dock area immediately adjacent to ladder locations shall be painted a contrasting bright color.”
Safety and Health in Ports, International Labour Office, Quayside Ladders, section 3.3.5:

“Ladders from the water should be conspicuous so as to be easily seen by anyone falling into the water. The tops of the ladder should be clearly visible to persons on the quayside.”
Unified Facilities Criteria (UCF), Design: Piers and Wharves: 7-9.2 Life Rings.

“Co-locate life rings with permanent ladders.”

 

[Al]

Mentally reviewing the comments made to this point, confirms that placed ladders in strategic locations without the marines is a prudent investment, both fiscally and humanal . I know of one such investment, the port of Wrangell, Alaska. There are numerous ladders of commercial construction located in said strategic positions. I have thought many times as I view them, that somebody was on the ball. Wrangell was a leader in placing children life jackets for free use on all of their harbors.
Wrangell is one of few remaining harbors where one can witness young children enjoying the freedom of messing around in small boats, rowing, paddling and more exciting, running OB's without adults onboard. To see kids of under 12 years operating boats in responsible ways is an outstanding moment. Yes, they do have life vest on. so it is obvious that these children have had the training of adults and the confidence of same to have the kids free to roam the harbors."Kids" town. a bit of history, every Fourth the local fire trucks and there are several, are overloaded with the children of all ages who as a tradition, ride the trucks in the parade throwing candy. The result of years and years of this tradition is the near automatic enrollment to the community fire department. It is a 'Rite of Passage' for the youth to look forward to joining the volunteers who years later are the drivers and drive of the fire department.
So, while it is noted regarding the ladders, it is not a surprise.

Regards,
Al-Ketchikan

 

[AusCan]

Mine gets used throughout the day during the summer, and stays out all night when at anchor or in the marina..just in case. People with disabilities have used it - no problema.

Nice ladder. The handhold loops above the water make climbing up so much easier.

I just upgraded mine, adding some hand holds, as a couple overweight friends were struggling getting up it. The ladder is easily pulled down by someone in the water if ever needed in an emergency.

 

[3blade single]

Here is a rescue technique I learned and practiced around the pool. It may or may not work in a dinghy, but when you are out of easier options or not near a boat or dock, give it a shot.
With the person in the water holding onto the side of the dinghy, cross their hands on top of each other. Left over right or right over left.Put your hands on theirs to stabilize. You then want to grab each wrist so that you spin the person in the water face out/away from the dinghy.This way the flattest side of their body is against the side of the boat.
Then "bob" them using the water as displacement to get them in the vessel.
The dinghy presents stability issues and the pool is terra firma.
But when you need an option....the video of the lady doing the under over is leveraging in a similar fashion. Not everyone would want to try that...

 

[sunnyday]

We were taught to lift one leg up on the dock and use your leg muscles to roll up. From experience, legs much stronger than arms. If you can bae them float a leg out to the side and help them thru the plan...it works

 

[BandB]

We were taught to lift one leg up on the dock and use your leg muscles to roll up. From experience, legs much stronger than arms. If you can bae them float a leg out to the side and help them thru the plan...it works

Wifey B: Ok, one strange bit of advice in emergency and life threatening situations. Don't be scared to grab anywhere. Grab a leg and lift it. Grab their shorts or bathing suit even at the risk of a severe wedgie. Don't fear where your hand might touch on male or female if they're in distress and you're trying to help. Rope them if that's the best way. A little rope burn sure beats drowning. I'm not saying to unnecessarily manhandle but when an emergency, do what it takes. If you have someone in your grasp but lack the leverage to get them up, the best leverage may be between their legs. We were told in class and I don't know if true or not, of a girl who almost died even though an AED was there, but the older man hesitated to remove her clothes.

Oh, and don't let anything happen to yourself. If it's freezing water, the last thing you need is to fall in with them. Even if warm, understand in a panic, you might be in with them trying to help and they might take you down with them, so life jacket before dare going in.

 

[sunnyday]

Cute reply, but with one leg on the dock and you arms folded in front of you, even you with all your knowledge B&B, would be surprised how your leg strength can assist you in rolling to SAFETY.

 

[BandB]

Cute reply, but with one leg on the dock and you arms folded in front of you, even you with all your knowledge B&B, would be surprised how your leg strength can assist you in rolling to SAFETY.

Wifey B: I know my leg strength if I wasn't in distress. However, many who need assistance don't have that leg strength. We've done some things like that just for fun, but we were athletic, well conditioned, healthy middle aged adults, not in any level of distress. If we were not injured and not in frigid water, we could get ourselves out in most any situation. We also have long legs, mine long for a woman, and his long for anyone. A lot different if it's a 4'11" woman weighing 194 lbs. Also, much depends on the level of panic of the person you're trying to assist. Sometimes, the most difficult task you have is just calming them down.

My reply wasn't to be cute. It was to use whatever methods required to get the person to safety. 95% of the time, that should be easy. I tried once to see if I could pull my hubby to a dock by myself if he was not helping in any way. Only way I could do it was a harness and boat crane. Two of us could, even two modest sized girls. I've talked to lifeguards and heard their stories of how difficult it was to save someone from drowning and they are well trained.

We have someone we're very close to who is 60 now but when she was young she saw another kid drown no more than 30 feet from her and she saw the kid in the canoe with the drowning kid unable to do anything. A counselor dived in but by the time he swam the 30 yards or so, he couldn't find the victim in the dirty lake water. Our friend never again got in any boat or in any pool or lake.

I think this thread really points out a significant issue. It made us think of our home. How many here have seawall or a dock and seawall at their home? Do you have ladders or any way for someone to get out if they fell in? How far would they have to swim?

 

[dhays]

Surprisingly it doesn't seem there's a lot of regulation regarding ladders. There is awareness of the problem and some places do have recommendations.



I'd think it would be useful to raise the liability concern to the board. A single lawsuit would likely well exceed the cost of any kind of ladders. Find which regs best suit your marina's layout and use that to bolster the argument on placement. Make it a 'regulated distance' argument, not one about convenience. As in, the regs say X feet/meters apart, so you're getting one HERE regardless of you like it or not. Or conversely the regs say X distance apart, so any more than that would be a waste of the board's money both now AND over time for maintenance.



Then think about it from a person that's in the water's perspective. Where, in a panic, are they going to be able to SEE there's a ladder?



A quick search turned up these:



Research on Marina Drownings Reveals Need for Industry Standards on Ladders and Life Rings | Marina Dock Age



https://www.robsonforensic.com/articles/marina-drowning-expert-witness

Excellent advice. Thank you. I also appreciate those links. It gives me some good information and rational to offer the board.

 

[wkearney99]

Excellent advice. Thank you. I also appreciate those links. It gives me some good information and rational to offer the board.

Sometimes it's best to rile up fear of economic catastrophe. But then temper it with "reality". That was my thought for countering the "but I want one TOO!" argument. Fall back on "rules require x", talk that up as a "significant" expense. Say that just reaching that level is going to be "expensive enough". That and flog the long-term maintenance angle... but only bring that out if there's a chance of the "me too" add-ons. You don't want to kill the whole effort by making it look expensive to maintain. You only want to scare off the "me too" folks.

Likewise, placement can use a "rules require x" argument. You might not want it "here" but the "rules require", etc. It can be especially useful to know who would be a whiner about this and set up an alternative that makes them look utterly ridiculous for insisting on it. As in, the offset location would result in being put in an entirely useless location, one people in the water would never readily find/use.

Be ready to have multiple ladder styles as examples. You probably don't want to get into installing multiple different styles, but using one or two different kinds might help assuage concerns about looks/utility/location. Ones with large, tall hoops that anchor them to the decking could present walkway or line-blocking hazards, so there are kinds that just have poles.

With whatever they go with make certain the rules for maintaining the marina are amended to include regular inspection of the ladders. As in, someone's job description is going to have to include checking that the ladders are in place, working and safe to use (not left hanging down, totally encrusted in skin ripping barnacles)

 

[wkearney99]

A counselor dived in but by the time he swam the 30 yards or so, he couldn't find the victim in the dirty lake water. Our friend never again got in any boat or in any pool or lake.

This was why I had our boy take swim lessons starting just shy of 9 months old. It wasn't so much 'swimming' as it was 'anti-drowning'. If there was any chance of falling overboard the murky waters would make it impossible to find him. I wanted at least one shot at retrieving him should he have fallen into the Bay waters.

I witnessed just what happens when a small child falls into water. A friend's 18 month old accidentally fell into a neighbor's swimming pool while at a party. This while everyone was walking/sitting/standing around the pool. The little one fell into the water and SANK LIKE A STONE, with a panicked look on her face. Then sat there at the bottom, frozen in fear. Her Dad was quickly into the pool after her and they both came out unscathed. The whole thing couldn't have taken more than 30 seconds. But the look of frozen panic on the child's face... it was terrifying to see how unprepared she was for the situation. She was in lessons the very next week.

Infant Swim Rescue was the program we chose for our boy. They teach, basically, get back to the surface and float there without panicking. Upside is the instructor does all the work, I didn't have to get in the water with him. Made me the hero, saving him from the lady in the cold water with my 'nice and warm' towel.

 

[BandB]

This was why I had our boy take swim lessons starting just shy of 9 months old. It wasn't so much 'swimming' as it was 'anti-drowning'. If there was any chance of falling overboard the murky waters would make it impossible to find him. I wanted at least one shot at retrieving him should he have fallen into the Bay waters.

I witnessed just what happens when a small child falls into water. A friend's 18 month old accidentally fell into a neighbor's swimming pool while at a party. This while everyone was walking/sitting/standing around the pool. The little one fell into the water and SANK LIKE A STONE, with a panicked look on her face. Then sat there at the bottom, frozen in fear. Her Dad was quickly into the pool after her and they both came out unscathed. The whole thing couldn't have taken more than 30 seconds. But the look of frozen panic on the child's face... it was terrifying to see how unprepared she was for the situation. She was in lessons the very next week.

Infant Swim Rescue was the program we chose for our boy. They teach, basically, get back to the surface and float there without panicking. Upside is the instructor does all the work, I didn't have to get in the water with him. Made me the hero, saving him from the lady in the cold water with my 'nice and warm' towel.

Wifey B: In the case of our friend, I think in today's world the kids would be far more likely to be wearing preservers. I wasn't on the water when young, but hubby was and he never wore a life preserver of any sort except skiing and then only a belt. Camps and other groups just weren't as aware or scared, I guess. We don't have kids but we do have 2 three year old's around some and they know that boat and water mean their PFD's. They have very cute ones. They're both about 4 now and Aurora has had her first swim lessons with Juliet about to have hers.

Hubby had drown proofing in college.

 

[RLKramer]

I like the video too and I have experimented myself with simple dinghy ladders that dont take up too much space for the little bit of time that you use it.

I have made loops for a foot with the painter looped through an aft handle but never find the sweet spot of depth in the water as I un-do it after each use. I am going to try the pvc pipe idea. Nice and simple and out of the way.

One problem I know about non-rigid (ie rope, loop, etc) is that your feet and legs end up going under the boat after you start to climb the ladder which makes maneuverability difficult.

This is way off topic, but on the topic of dinghies, I took a rescue course from Navy SEALs and the way to right an upside dinghy is to take a long painter and attach it to a handle on one side, throw the painter over the dinghy and from the side of the dinghy the bitter end is on, climb on to the top of the upside down dinghy, while kneeling, with your weight on the side opposite the side the rope is attached to and pull the rope-- you'll start to raise the one side of the dinghy and eventually it will flip right. Your goal is to climb into it while it is going right without falling out. I did it all while wearing a red gumby suit. Okay. Just wanted to share.

 

[brewster812]

Our marina is quite large, 540 slips, and there are ladders installed on each dock with some of the longer docks having more than one. The closest one to our boat is 3 slips over. Whenever we walk guests to the boat, whether they've been out with us before or not, I always stop at that ladder and tell them "If you were to fall in the water with no one around, make your way over to this ladder to get out." In the spring when the water is still cold, I go one step further and lower the ladder on the swim platform while we're docked. 3 slips is a long way to swim in 40 degree water!

 

[Stu-L]

Getting in a dingy from the water

I too am a senior citizen and when I scuba dive it is easier to get in the water than back into the dingy. I take my dive gear off then I take a line and tie both ends to the line that runs down the opposite pontoon. I throw this over the other pontoon, this makes a loop in which I can put my foot. This give me enough leverage to get in the dingy. The force is downward on the pontoon opposite the secured line.

 

[Comodave]

Our marina is quite large, 540 slips, and there are ladders installed on each dock with some of the longer docks having more than one. The closest one to our boat is 3 slips over. Whenever we walk guests to the boat, whether they've been out with us before or not, I always stop at that ladder and tell them "If you were to fall in the water with no one around, make your way over to this ladder to get out." In the spring when the water is still cold, I go one step further and lower the ladder on the swim platform while we're docked. 3 slips is a long way to swim in 40 degree water!

I like that you give your guests a brief on the marina as well as your boat before getting underway. Great plan.

 

[bobbyp]

Your marina might want to look at these - they don't encourage possibly dangerous swimming around the marina (moving boats and electricity) - but are there in emergencies.

 

[FoxtrotCharlie]

"This is way off topic, but on the topic of dinghies, I took a rescue course from Navy SEALs and the way to right an upside dinghy is to take a long painter and attach it to a handle on one side, throw the painter over the dinghy and from the side of the dinghy the bitter end is on, climb on to the top of the upside down dinghy, while kneeling, with your weight on the side opposite the side the rope is attached to and pull the rope-- you'll start to raise the one side of the dinghy and eventually it will flip right. Your goal is to climb into it while it is going right without falling out. I did it all while wearing a red gumby suit. Okay. Just wanted to share.[/QUOTE]

Sounds like the way we used to bring up Hobie Cat sail boats after turning them upside down

 

[jbbmillar]

We have this in our dinghy.

https://www.defender.com/product3.jsp?path=-1|7504|2290202|2290206&id=92385

I admit to not having tried to get out of the water using it, though.

We had one of those web ladders and found it nearly useless: when you put a foot in the bottom rung it swings under the boat.

 

[sbu22]

The marina I’m based in is state owned/operated. This is a fixed, not floating pier, setup. Some years ago, the original ladders were removed. For years, tenants questioned the absence of ladders in the marina. The answer, always the same, was that “liability concerns” prevented their installation. The marina’s lawyers were concerned that ladders would encourage swimming (prohibited) in the marina and create an “attractive nuisance”. The mental masturbation that passes for legal thought in this country is astounding.

Two years ago, on a cold (for here, about 40 F), windy winter morning, a long term live aboard and very experienced boater slipped/tripped and wound up in the drink. This guy is in shape, built like a fireplug, strong swimmer, etc., etc. Using the existing dock/pier features, he couldn’t get out despite his best efforts. Luckily, and not too long after, a couple of tenants showed up, heard the guy hollering, found him clinging to a pile, and through significant effort got him aboard a boat and safe.

This resulted in a significant tenant/management fight that lasted nearly a year that finally resulted in the installation of ladders (the exact model shown at the left in post #47) at the end of each finger pier. It took the demonstration of an actual potential liability causing event (not to mention a human being possibly drowning) to turn them around. Sheesh!

 

[gilbertpark]

Falling In

Usually I am a theorist but for this thread I can tell of my practical experience falling in! I was watching a boat making several attempts at getting into a pontoon berth. It was difficult because of the tide and wind (F5 across the bow). After a while I thought I'd go and help him by taking a line.

I noticed he was a bit heavy on the throttles, but on the second or third attempt he was getting there and then a gust started to push his boat towards the dock and I tried to push him off. He put the throttles wide open and I was left teetering on the dock. Eventually, I fell in. Fortunately, the water was warm and underwater I remember keeping hold of my glasses.

Whe I surfaced he was gone and there were lots of people. The was no rescue ladder so I had to swim to a nearby boat and use their boarding ladder to get back on the pontoon.

I swim a lot from my boat (even I though I am elderly) and find rope and fabric ladders just don't work (see the Practical Boat Owner article that confirmed it). You need a rigid ladder that goes a way underwater so you can get your feet on it (the boat I boarded had this), but also you need a high up handle, again preferably rigid so it doesn't move away from you). The boat I used didn't have this but people were able to help me on board. There was no rescue ladder nearby and looking at the ones we have in the UK they lack the second component of a decent hand hold.

One other thing to bear in mind is that when you fall in your weight will increase by at least 10kg (I measured this for an article I wrote - see PBO - on cold water immersion). If the person is a non swimmer, overweight or panicking don't try lifting them up with a rope around the chest - you'll probably hurt them and your self. Stabilise the situation and get help.

coast2coastmedia.co.uk

 

[rolomart3]

Over the weekend, an elderly overweight non swimmer fell into the water at our marina. We managed to get him alongside an inflatable dinghy and hold him by his arms but there was no way we could pull him into the dinghy, not even a little bit. Eventually someone found a step ladder, and tied it to the side of the dock. We moved him over to that and he was able to climb out with assistance. I am wondering if we had taken the bung out of the dinghy and let it fill with water would it have made it easier to get him aboard? Anybody worked out a strategy to use with just two people in the dinghy and no other aids? Thanks, Richard

The way I do it is by using a 3/8" rope tied to the opposite side or's hook. The other end of the rope has a bowline knot with a loop big enough to fit my foot at about 1.5 feet below the water. I use the loop as a step to rise myself above the dinghy's air chamber.