Enormous waving flag picks up man and drops him - GIF

[Jon]

Enormous waving flag picks up man and drops him. I've never seen, heard of, or even once thought about this possibility, but there it is.

[Frank S]

Don't mess with those Mexico flags they'er viscous

[hemmjo]

That is fun to do off a spinaker, but then.... you land in the water..

[Frank S]

That is fun to do off a spinaker, but then.... you land in the water..

I've seen that happen a few times. it is really no fun when you are in gale force winds with the seas running 15 to 30 feet at night. No chance the vessel can turn around and retrieve you. So for that reason when on deck at night you keep a safety line firmly attached to your harness in case you are hauled overboard.

[hemmjo]

I've seen that happen a few times. it is really no fun when you are in gale force winds with the seas running 15 to 30 feet at night. No chance the vessel can turn around and retrieve you. So for that reason when on deck at night you keep a safety line firmly attached to your harness in case you are hauled overboard.

Wouldn't the spinnaker in the bag below deck under those conditions?

[Frank S]

In the picture it looks like they had already dropped their main sail and were in the process of lowering the spinnaker to stow it for some relaxation when a gust of wind took them by surprise the guy may have been fouled in the line. Notice the water is mostly calm the yacht on the left is fully lashed.
In storms you wouldn't have anything more than a storm jib raised to help maintain steerage but when a squall hits suddenly or you get caught in a down burst. The biggest danger is the boom getting away and knocking you overboard or even worst knockiing you out as you are being tossed over. I've never professed to be much of a sailor but have crewed in a few regadas it's really scary when you see a seasoned captain swept overboard along with a 1/4 of the crew while the 1st mate feverously tries to lash down the ship's wheel, the remainder of the crew is holding on for dear life and trying to haul those unfortunates out of the water before they drown or their tethers break

[hemmjo]

You do realize that spinnaker "flying" as shown in the photo is a very common recreational activity while as anchor?

[Frank S]

You do realize that spinnaker "flying" as shown in the photo is a very common recreational activity while as anchor?

It might be I never did any recreational stuff on the water . to me there is only 3 reasons to be on a boat either to catch fish, to travel from 1 place to the next or use it as a platform to dive from while making repairs to a drill rig,recreation for me would be either lounging on the beach or taking a dip or diving for clams

[Jon]

Different incident. 1:05 video:

the soldier only suffered of a minor fracture to his ankle as well as concussion.

[ranald]

that had to hurt that gringo ...er drongo.