... or worse the forestay. This goes to the discussion on the VIC-Maui report about making things worse. Having the pole bounce around is not a good thing. This why I asked the original question. I want to be able to maintain a response protocol that is limited to steering back to the MOB without sail adjustment. If my stupidity puts me over the side I want my girl friend to be able to get back to me and fish me out, not be stuck hundreds of feet away with a line wrapped around the prop and sails flogging.

Ian did point out that as long as the guy is completly free to run, an released immediately and entirely, the pole should be moving under only its own weight by the time it hits the stay.

Just don't be shy getting into dumping the guy !

If you do this you might not destroy the spinakker, pole or anything else- and be able to get the sail down quickly , which is better than getting it under the boat, or worse stuck and tore up aloft.

I know of no crash stop protocol that gets you back to the casualty without some sail trim sometime, depending on wind and boat. The closest might be with a sloop with a smallish jib close hauled. Then one might tack at once, not touch the jib and let that help haul you around to gybe, come up a little and tack gently into a heave-to (backed jib) to pick the causualty up on the lee side. However, most modern boats have such large jibs that this will not work.

Anyone sailing with crew that really cannot perform a rescue should make plans similar to single-handing - that the boat will be stopped within swimming distance - and hope that whatever caused one to go overboard has left one conscious.

Or perhaps jacklines and tethers as a matter or routine. Why fall off when you can stay aboard?