It was bound to happen eventually. I've given
people detailed briefings on how to get on and
off the boat, but no one seems to listen much.

Climbing on board ECHO over the stern has
been a bit of a challenge. I have the knack for
it, but others, newbies, have had problems.

It involves grasping the rail in two places, placing a
foot on the sloped transom and bringing the other
leg up. The reverse is similar, only the leg is
stretched from the top flat area of the transom
to the dock.

Yesterday, I had my the first victim. I need to
video tape these things in the future.

A lady friend was trying to get off the boat. Instead
of putting her foot on the portion of the dock closest
to the boat, she angled it out some. I was just about
to say something when she slipped and hung from
the pushpit for a brief moment, and then "PLOP"
into the drink.

I hate to think that, less than a second was the longest
she could hold on in an emergency.

Fortunately the tide, which a rare intervals leaves
debris along the dock, had swept the area clear
and the water was very warm and relatively clean.

I hauled her onto the dock, with my double
wrist grip, and she was somewhat embarassed
but no worse for the wear. I will get many years
of laughs thinking about that one.

I've never fallen in, although I have done my share
of freaky dances climbing into and out of dinghy's
in the past.

Anyone else have any good falling in stories?