Letter to Insurance Company
Posted: Thu Oct 13, 2005 3:06 pm
Letter to Insurance Company
Dear Sirs:
I am considered an experienced sailor and a typical yacht owner. A routine inspection uncovered a burned out masthead bulb that obviously needed replacement. Not wanting to bother the other members of our sailing club, and with the wife in town shopping, I decided that this simple task could be accomplished alone. The only challenge was: How to get to the tip of the mast.
We have a 50 gallon barrel on board that we sometimes use to carry spare water in for a long cruise. It seemed a very simple solution to fill the barrel with water, and winch it to the top of the mast, whereby I could climb into the bosuns chair and, as the barrel of water descended, I could gently ascend to the top of the mast.
I untied the halyard, holding it tightly to ensure a slow descent of the barrel and slow ascent of myself to the top of the mast. You might note in block number 11 of the accident report that I weigh 190 pounds and 50 gallons of water plus the weight of the barrel calculates to about 450 pounds.
Due to my surprise at being jerked off the deck suddenly, I lost presence of mind and let the halyard slip completely off the cleat. Needless to say, I proceeded at a very rapid rate to the top of the mast. In the vicinity of the spreaders, I met the barrel coming down. This explains the fractured skull and collarbone. Slowed only slightly, I continued my rapid ascent, not stopping until the fingers of my hand were two knuckles deep into the pulley.
Fortunately, by this time, I had regained my presence of mind, and was able to hold tightly to the rope in spite of my pain.
At approximately this time, however, the barrel hit the deck and was split wide open, spilling out all the water. Devoid of the weight of the water, the barrel now weighed 50 pounds. I refer again to my weight in block number 11. As you might imagine, I began a rapid descent down the side of the mast. In the vicinity of the spreaders, I met the barrel coming up. This accounts for the two fractured ankles and lacerations on my legs and lower body. The encounter with the barrel slowed me enough to lessen my injuries when I fell through the bimini top and into the cockpit, fortunately cracking only three vertebrae.
I am sorry to report, however, that as I lay in the cockpit in pain, unable to stand, watching the empty barrel swing atop the mast above me, I lost presence of mind and I let go of the halyard. I need not tell you that the barrel weighed more that the halyard, and when it came down on me, both my legs were broken.
I trust that this information will be adequate in describing this minor accident.
Dear Sirs:
I am considered an experienced sailor and a typical yacht owner. A routine inspection uncovered a burned out masthead bulb that obviously needed replacement. Not wanting to bother the other members of our sailing club, and with the wife in town shopping, I decided that this simple task could be accomplished alone. The only challenge was: How to get to the tip of the mast.
We have a 50 gallon barrel on board that we sometimes use to carry spare water in for a long cruise. It seemed a very simple solution to fill the barrel with water, and winch it to the top of the mast, whereby I could climb into the bosuns chair and, as the barrel of water descended, I could gently ascend to the top of the mast.
I untied the halyard, holding it tightly to ensure a slow descent of the barrel and slow ascent of myself to the top of the mast. You might note in block number 11 of the accident report that I weigh 190 pounds and 50 gallons of water plus the weight of the barrel calculates to about 450 pounds.
Due to my surprise at being jerked off the deck suddenly, I lost presence of mind and let the halyard slip completely off the cleat. Needless to say, I proceeded at a very rapid rate to the top of the mast. In the vicinity of the spreaders, I met the barrel coming down. This explains the fractured skull and collarbone. Slowed only slightly, I continued my rapid ascent, not stopping until the fingers of my hand were two knuckles deep into the pulley.
Fortunately, by this time, I had regained my presence of mind, and was able to hold tightly to the rope in spite of my pain.
At approximately this time, however, the barrel hit the deck and was split wide open, spilling out all the water. Devoid of the weight of the water, the barrel now weighed 50 pounds. I refer again to my weight in block number 11. As you might imagine, I began a rapid descent down the side of the mast. In the vicinity of the spreaders, I met the barrel coming up. This accounts for the two fractured ankles and lacerations on my legs and lower body. The encounter with the barrel slowed me enough to lessen my injuries when I fell through the bimini top and into the cockpit, fortunately cracking only three vertebrae.
I am sorry to report, however, that as I lay in the cockpit in pain, unable to stand, watching the empty barrel swing atop the mast above me, I lost presence of mind and I let go of the halyard. I need not tell you that the barrel weighed more that the halyard, and when it came down on me, both my legs were broken.
I trust that this information will be adequate in describing this minor accident.
