Hi new to forum and had to join to comment on this incident. Back in March I acquired my first boat and ended up having to move it from Loddon to Oulton Broad solo. Didn't see another boat the whole journey and eventually reached Fishers Row. Too knackered to attempt manoeuvring the broad I decided to moor up for the night. Fine, until a gust of wind pushed boat out from bank pulling me in. The shock of hitting cold water was terrible but I managed to hold on to fender rope and doggie paddled as I had no idea how deep the water was.As mentioned earlier no traffic on river and after what seemed ages I was ready to give in and let go of fender. Turns out I was only 2 inches from bottom but still couldn't climb out. Suddenly a young man appeared in a kayak , told me not to panic he would soon have me out. He got on to bank, climbed on to boat , grabbed a mooring line and made a loop in end . Lowering into water he told me to put my foot into loop and use as a ladder rung. He saved my life and said he had heard a loud splash so knew he had better investigate.
Never got his name as I was still in shock. I now never step onto boat until my life jacket is on.
Nigel