Racers, due to their frequent encounters with other boats on the race course, are frequently more comfortable with tight turns, rapid tacks, slowing and speeding up the boat, jibing, and other maneuvers. The cruising or day sailing boater on the other hand, may go to some lengths to avoid these maneuvers. Conclusions You cannot depend on throwing flotation to the victim in the water, ordeploying gear in close proximity. Even in circumstances where a person is prepared to throw a Type 4 PFD to a victim, it is impossible to get it to the victim every time. PFDs drift faster than a person can swim in winds about 10-15 knots.
Crew members have to wear flotation at all times-period.
Rescues where the helmsperson took control and talked everyone through the rescue were much more successful. Leadership makes a giant difference. It makes a giant difference if you know how to handle a boat. Many sailors who have not started in the sport by sailing dinghies, or have not received competent instruction, are not able to sail well and are very nervous about sailing close by someone in the water. Even very good sailors screwed up once or twice.