<p>I got washed from the bow to the cockpit of a Luders 44 as a Midshipman in 1982 on an ocean race to Bermuda from Newport, RI. The only thing that saved me was being clipped on to the safety lines we had rigged. We b****ed about clipping on during watches - but not after that. I doubt they could have picked me up in the weather we were sailing in. It was bad.</p>
<p>Personal EPIRB is a great idea for any sailor - as is wearing a flotation vest at all times. It’s easy to get whacked in the head and lose consciousness on a sailboat - especially in a race. </p>
<p>We had radios in our flight vests that would transmit on the guard frequency for rescue, but i’m not sure that extends to flight deck crews. Anybody know?</p>