Sea Rescue Sled for man overboard rescue and retrieval
by Niki Morrell 14 Feb 02:18 NZDT
14 February 2018
Sea Rescue Sled self inflates into a form that is easy for the sailor to ease into and then be hoisted back on board using a sheet or halyard winch © Lloyd Valentine
It never pays to be complacent on the water and even experienced sailors can find themselves in trouble unexpectedly, as Alex Gough recently discovered on the fourth leg of the Volvo Ocean Race.
The 24-year-old Australian crew member of Sun Hung Kai/Scallywag wasn’t wearing a tether or lifejacket and was washed overboard during a sail change.
The incident occurred in the middle of the day in 18 knot winds.
Daylight and warm water temperatures worked in Alex Gough’s favour and he was quickly retrieved unharmed. Many other sailors aren’t so lucky.
The Sea Rescue Sled is designed to assist in the successful recovery of any MOB regardless of size, weight and energy level. The self-inflating sled has no rear transom, enabling a fatigued MOB (or pet) to simply slide onto it, saving precious energy. As the MOB is winched on board using the halyard, the sled forms a secure cocoon holding them in place.
For more information or to order, contact Lloyd Valentine: or visit Sea Rescue Sled's website
The Sea Rescue Sled from Naked Eye DV on Vimeo.