The bow doesn't drop like that and ease to a stop at the bottom and then rise. It goes down and hits concrete. I didn't quite have the sail hooked in, but I dropped it anyway on the way down and reached for the headstay. I felt it but didn't grip it in time. I remember the bow bottoming out, the impact at the bottom and missing the headstay. I remember the back flip off the pulpit, which was not a gymnastic feat as I was suspended in water. And I remember that helpless feeling. Oh no. I'm going overboard.

I was right-side-up when I opened my eyes underwater. I saw the keel, surprised at how close it was and how quickly it was moving. From somewhere came enough presence of mind to duck from the oncoming propeller. I didn't have to move much. It missed me by about a foot. I watched it go by, properly folded up. Next came the rudder. Maybe I could grab it. That wouldn't work; I'd still be underwater. All that remained was to surface right at the transom and scream. No need to holler as I looked right into the bulging, blue eyes of our youngest crew member who was looking for me. Hi, it's me your foredeck guy and no, I'm not on the foredeck anymore and yes, could you guys please save me?