Mac of Cygnet Posted August 23, 2013 Report Share Posted August 23, 2013 I was probably saved from drowning today. Stepped onto the boat at the tail of one of the Hassal Green paired locks on the T&M to take the boat in, but the boat wasn't having any of it, and in I went. Total immersion. Deeper than me. Non-swimmer. Coming up for the second time, I managed to grab the back button. By this time the crew of the boat going down the other lock had seen what had happened and were on my back deck to haul me aboard. Would I have been able to get myself aboard? I don't know, but it is very possible they saved my life. I thanked them at the time (repeatedly), but would like to do so again, just in case any of them read this forum. THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!. Anyway, they got me up the lock, helped me moor up and went on their way. Took about an hour to get things sorted out – shower, cuppa tea, wash clothes, spread money etc out to dry. Camera is kaput, but I have a spare. Phone was on board. Specs stayed on. So up the remaining 14 locks to here. You gotta get back on your horse. Off to the pub now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark99 Posted August 23, 2013 Report Share Posted August 23, 2013 Mac, Have a pint on me mate! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
churchward Posted August 23, 2013 Report Share Posted August 23, 2013 Glad you are OK and unscathed. Good to hear that some folk came to your aid. It is never too late to learn to swim. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 23, 2013 Report Share Posted August 23, 2013 Glad you are OK ~ no body should underestimate just how hard it is to drag yourself out if you fall in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grace and Favour Posted August 23, 2013 Report Share Posted August 23, 2013 Is that a public horse you're going to? (Delighted that you're still breathing) Take care! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nora Posted August 23, 2013 Report Share Posted August 23, 2013 So easy done! glad you are ok, there but for the grace of god. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark99 Posted August 23, 2013 Report Share Posted August 23, 2013 You passed the Arthur Ransome test and proved you are a non duffer. “Better drowned than duffers, if not duffers won't drown.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chop! Posted August 23, 2013 Report Share Posted August 23, 2013 Glad you survived it unscathed. I like the last part of your plan, dry the outsides then wet the insides Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jo_ Posted August 23, 2013 Report Share Posted August 23, 2013 What a fright you must have had. Good to know there were people quick to help rescue and very good to know you're o.k. Getting on with it is a bit part of getting over it .... hope you're having a welcome pint or three. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puddlejumper Posted August 23, 2013 Report Share Posted August 23, 2013 Moral of this post WEAR A LIFE JACKET WHEN ONBOARD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mac of Cygnet Posted August 23, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 23, 2013 Is that a public horse you're going to? No, it's a Bull (clue) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
comfortably numb Posted August 23, 2013 Report Share Posted August 23, 2013 A sobering experience no doubt (the falling in not the pub!) and just shows that no matter how experienced we are, you can never be too careful as this could happen to any of us. Pleased you are okay mac. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ange Posted August 23, 2013 Report Share Posted August 23, 2013 A scarey experience - glad you're ok Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattlad Posted August 23, 2013 Report Share Posted August 23, 2013 Moral of this post WEAR A LIFE JACKET WHEN ONBOARD Still might not get back on board without help. The real moral of this story is DON'T FALL IN IN THE FIRST PLACE!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeanS Posted August 23, 2013 Report Share Posted August 23, 2013 very glad you're ok....frightening. Yesterday I jumped off the boat onto the lock sides....and twisted my ankle.....LETS ALL BE A LITTLE MORE CAREFUL OUT THERE ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tobymonster Posted August 23, 2013 Report Share Posted August 23, 2013 A great outcome, but I sincerely hope that you are going to learn from this experience. As said above, it time you learnt to swim. And ignore all others telling you about how clothes weigh you down, it'll give you the confidence to strip off and save someone else's life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick and Maggie Posted August 23, 2013 Report Share Posted August 23, 2013 You gotta get back on your horse. You're a boater now that you have had a look under! Keep well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mac of Cygnet Posted August 23, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 23, 2013 (edited) You're a boater now that you have had a look under! Keep well. So they say. I've been a boater for 30 years, and this was my first boating submersion. Let's hope it's not the start of a trend. Actually my previous submersion was 42 years ago, and was rather more scary, involving sea-ice and no-one around.. Swimming would not have helped me then. Edited to say thanks for the expressions of concern. I admit that I had perhaps become a mite careless, and hope that my experience will prompt others to move around a bit more circumspectly, as it has me. Edited August 23, 2013 by Mac of Cygnet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigste Posted August 23, 2013 Report Share Posted August 23, 2013 My mrs is a non swimmer and does the locks at times but wouldn't dream of doing them without her life jacket. Glad you are ok but you really should wear the jacket especially as it seems you are solo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurie Booth Posted August 23, 2013 Report Share Posted August 23, 2013 Good to hear that you are all OK. A few years ago I was in Salcombe and about 11.00pm we saw a person fall off the floating pontoon. We got into a launch and could not find him. I noticed a circle of ripples and got the driver to steer into the centre of the ripples. I lent over the side and just pushed my hand down as far as it would go. I felt something furry, grabbed hold of it and pulled it up. Up popped a man and he grabbed hold of the side of the boat. It took two of us to pull him into the boat and at the time we were quite fit being 25 year olds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackrose Posted August 24, 2013 Report Share Posted August 24, 2013 Moral of this post WEAR A LIFE JACKET WHEN ONBOARD A non-swimmer shouldn't be on a boat or working a lock without a lifejacket. Although a strong swimmer can drown if they happen to crack their head on something as they fall in, adding the additional risk of not being able to stay afloat even if you're fully conscious just seems like stupidity to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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