Patent ID: 7585197

Claim:
A crew overboard self rescue device comprising: a tether having a watercraft attachment device fixed at a first end of said tether for connecting said tether to a watercraft; a crew attachment device fixed at a second end of said tether for connecting said tether to a crew; an ascension device including an ascension attachment apparatus and two or more footholds positioned along said ascension device; a container wearable by said crew for storing said ascension device; two or more attachment loops secured to said tether at locations between said watercraft attachment device and said crew attachment device, said attachment loops having a size large enough to permit insertion of said ascension device attachment apparatus to attach said ascension device to said tether; whereby said crew situated overboard may attach said ascension device to one of said attachment loops enabling said crew to climb said ascension device, hence raising center of gravity of said crew with respect to a waterline of said watercraft, thereby enabling said crew to reenter said watercraft.