Yachtie on supply run in inflatable dinghy blown away
A Kiwi on holidays in Greece sparked an international search after a short paddle went very wrongA New Zealand tourist has survived two days at sea off the coast of Greece after her inflatable dinghy was blown out to sea while she was heading inshore.
The 47-year-old woman was found at sea after she went missing off the island of Folegandros in southern Greece.
According to the Hellenic Coast Guard, the woman had boarded the boat around noon on November 1 to head inshore to buy supplies. The alarm was raised the next day when she had not returned.
Rescue services launched a search, and the woman was found abourt 40 nautical miles south-west of the island, close to Crete, the coast guard said.
Seven coastguard vessels, three private boats, a plane, and a helicopter were involved in the search, it said. The woman, who had lollies as a meal, was taken to Crete for medical attention.
Images posted by the coast guard show the woman sitting in the inflatable boat fitted with a set of oars, but no outboard engine.
Top tips for rowing an inflatable boat
Strong wind isn’t your friend
Soft-bottomed inflatable boats don’t have any defined keel, so rowing them in a straight line is more about balancing the forces of the oars on each side than it is about generating straight-line speed. It also means that when wind pushes the side of the inflatable, the boat will slip sideways in the direction of the wind. Factor in the wind and the fact that you can’t row in a straight line, and a 10-minute trip in calm conditions can easily become a 30-minute trial as you fight wind and current.
Factor in the breeze when planning your route
A smart move is to sit in the lee of the wind as much as possible. Hug a shoreline or huddle in behind other boats to let the worst of the breeze stream to either side of you.
Always carry water
Rowing can be thirsty work. A bottle on board will keep you hydrated, especially if the wind makes the trip a lot longer than you think.
Carry basic safety gear
A mobile phone, torch and even a marine radio don’t take up much space. They’re cheap insurance if anything goes wrong.
Fit an anchor
If worst comes to worst, you can always hit the brakes by tossing a folding grapnel anchor over the side; it will at least slow down the rate at which you will disappear over the horizon. Another alternative is to fit one of the small plastic anchors used for kayaks.
Identify your boat at night
An unlit boat on the water is near invisible to anyone trying to find it. If you plan on returning to your boat after dark, make sure it has a light onboard that you know the one you’re rowing to is definitely yours.
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