It had worked loose, and fallen out!
I ran forward and caught the bolt in mid air as it rolled off of the drum.

In the same situation, you would have tripped over the fender!

You are ONE clumsy idiot! And sudden gusts do come up, but I've yet to lose any
bolts because I maintain my boat.
You are some awful sailor to lets bolts work loose. I check my boat carefully
on a regular basis. If you did the same a fender on deck would not fill your
heart with terror.

Hoooh ahhh!

RB