Please select your home edition
Edition
C-Tech 2020 Battens 2 728x90 TOP

Sea Rescue Sled for man overboard rescue and retrieval

by Niki Morrell 14 Feb 2018 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.

Related Articles

Pyewacket 70 race-ready for more wins
Pyewacket 70 - one of the world's top offshore and trans-oceanic race boats is ready for a new owner As the sun sets on Roy Disney's latest campaign with the V070 Pyewacket 70, the sailing world looks forward the next era of one of the world's most successful and storied offshore racers. Posted on 16 Sep
PredictWind works out your sail changes
New Predictwind feature helps cruisers and racers optimise performance and safety Predictiwnd has introduced a Sail Crossover Charts feature, a cutting-edge tool designed to help sailors make smarter, safer, and more efficient sail changes. Posted on 25 Aug
C-Tech has a quiet presence in big regattas
Behind each result in AC2025 and the Fastnet, lies months of development by C-Tech Behind each result in AC2025 and the Fastnet, lies months of development by C-Tech working quietly with sailmakers and teams to get the right materials in the right place, designed precisely for the rig, the sails, and the campaign. Posted on 7 Aug
PredictWind launches PredictRain
New app From PredictWind delivers hyper-accurate, short-term rain predictions PredictRain is a groundbreaking standalone app that combines advanced AI modelling with intuitive tools to provide timely and precise rain forecasts for all types of outdoor activities. Posted on 5 Aug
Catalyst 45: Project Render delivery voyage
Catalyst 45 proved its versatility, and seaworthiness completing a 1,100nm Pacific Ocean voyage. While better known as an America's Cup tender, the Catalyst 45 proved the versatility, and seaworthiness of the design completing a 1,290nm Pacific Ocean delivery voyage to Fiji. Here's the story... Posted on 24 Jul
Admirals' Cup: Old rivalries take centre stage
The keen rivalry between North Sails and Doyles steps up another level in the revived Admirals' Cup “The one thing for sure is the North/Doyle rivalry hasn't calmed down. Many think we've actually thrown some fuel on the fire. There's plenty of rivalry in the cell making brands, that's for sure.” Posted on 19 Jul
Moth take a big step forward at Garda Worlds
The just concluded Int Moth Worlds at Lake Garda, Italy were technically much more complex than NZ The just concluded Int Moth Worlds at Lake Garda, Italy were technically much more complex than the 2024 World Championship, held just six months ago in New Zealand. Posted on 17 Jul
Admirals' Cup: Predictwind weather supplier
Predictwind champions diversity and empowers Women in Offshore Racing PredictWind, a global leader in marine weather forecasting, is proud to announce its significant involvement in the upcoming Admiral's Cup 2025. Posted on 17 Jul
BOISW - New Committee announced for 2026
New Committee working hard behind the scenes to rework the 2026 Bay of Islands Sailing Week . A newly appointed committee is already working hard behind the scenes to rework the 2026 Bay of Islands Sailing Week event while honouring the traditions that have made it so special to the sailing community. Posted on 26 Jun
U-DECK 2023 - No.2 728x90 BOTTOMC-Tech 2020 Tubes 728x90 BOTTOMTNI Pindar SW Ads_728x90px-3 BOTTOM