BRISTOL, RI (March 25, 2024) – The US Sailing Safety at Sea Committee has awarded the Arthur B. Hanson Rescue Medal to five Chicago-area sailors for saving the life of a skipper who had fallen overboard.
The medals were presented by Matthew Gallagher in an award ceremony on Saturday, March 23, at Wilmette Harbor Club, at Wilmette Harbor, Wilmette Illinois which is north of Chicago. Matt is a member of the US Sailing Board of Directors and Safety at Sea Committee. He is also former Chair of the Arthur B. Hanson medal subcommittee, and former Chair of the Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac committee.
On Friday, September 8, 2023, the Sheridan Shore Yacht Club and the Sheridan Shore Sailing School hosted the 2023 Soling United States National Championship at Wilmette, Illinois Forecast wind was up to 20 knots, waves 3 to 5 feet. The water temperature was 67 degrees Fahrenheit.
Skipper Dave Slaght, Bob Nickel, and Kent Smith on Soling USA 802 were sailing by-the-lee in heavy air when a wave hit them, causing an accidental jibe. Dave was violently flung backward to the leeward side of the boat. He landed on his back squarely on the oak tiller, severing the tiller where it attached to the rudder post, then continued over the side and into the waters of Lake Michigan. Dave, who was 73 years old, stayed alongside the boat by hanging on, and his crew hanging onto him.
In the aftermath, conditions on the boat were challenging for the remaining two crewmembers. The broken tiller made it impossible to steer. The spinnaker was flagging, and the main was catching wind and propelling the boat sideways. The effect of the untended sails on prevented the crew from getting into the proper position to rescue their skipper, who weighed some 220 lbs. After 10 minutes in the water, Dave discovered his PFD was inadequate, and found it difficult to kick and hold on to the boat. His crew kept hold of him for 20 minutes.
Two Race Committee Zodiacs, crewed by John Kennedy, John Kiener, and Richard Traub saw the vessel in distress and came to aid. The Zodiac with 2 crew tossed Dave a line, pulled him to their boat, and together they pulled him on board. The victim completely recovered.
For their high degree of situational awareness, tenacity, and unhesitating action resulting in the rescue of a sailor in peril, US Sailing is pleased to award the Arthur B. Hanson Rescue Medal to the rescuing crews of Soling 802, Zodiac 1, and Zodiac 2.
The sailors honored were:
- Bob Nickel
- Kent Smith
- John Kennedy
- John Kiener
- Richard Traub
Lessons Learned and Safety Reminders:
- Always wear a lifejacket on the water. Adding leg/crotch holds it in place in the water. (Skipper reported that he was having a difficult time keeping his life jacket from riding up over his head)
- Make sure there is a “throw rope” rescue bag on all safety boats. Consider also having a boarding ladder and/or Lifesling to assist in getting the victim out of the water.
- Having a second “type 4” crew overboard “throwable” on board the boat, allows you to throw one, and have a second one for the person in the water to hang onto.
- Evaluate, and re-evaluate weather conditions before sailing.
- Practice emergency VHF radio communications.
The Arthur B. Hanson Rescue Medal is awarded to any person who rescues or endeavors to rescue any other person from drowning, shipwreck, or other perils at sea within the territorial waters of the United States, or as part of a sailboat race or voyage that originated or stopped in the U.S. The medal was established in 1990 by friends of the late Mr. Hanson, an ocean-racing sailor from the Chesapeake Bay, with the purpose of recognizing significant accomplishments in seamanship and collecting case studies of rescues for analysis by the Safety at Sea Committee of US Sailing for use in educational and training programs. Any individual or organization may submit a nomination for a Hanson Rescue Medal.
Visit the US Sailing Hanson Rescue Medal website for more information about these awards, including nomination form instructions and guidelines.