‘Non-specific gender person’ overboard !!

[peteandthira]

Jimi

We do that if there's enough crew, but there rarely is. (Why doesn't anyone want to come sailing with us?!) If we have an even further spare hand, I get him (or her) to get on the radio. There's an instruction card near to it, and they will have been briefed on the red button, at least.

This is an extremely interesting thread, one which I once would like to have started but feared mocking and scorn!

Interestingly, my Coastal Skipper skipper, and subsequent examiner, didn't seem to mind what technique you used as long as you got to the fender. I actually missed on the exam and went round again. He had no comment other than "it happens sometimes". He liked me yelling to the fender that I'd be back in a few minutes.

He also accepted that the sailing part of it was simply the syllabus requirement, and that he would get the engine going for real.

Interesting chaps, thanks.

 

[Achillesheel]

As a complete aside, i did my Day Skipper on Eve of St Mawes, a traditional pilot cutter, just outside the Helford River.

The four or five pupils had spent the afternoon going round in circles picking up the fender& bucket. When it came to my turn, a couple of canoeists came over to see if we needed any help! The last thing I needed as I manouvred 38' of gaffer, + bowsprit, was a few canoes getting in the way!!

 

[Twister_Ken]

Should just have asked them to return the fender you'd dropped. Problem solved.

 

[Mirelle]

Showing my age

That boats got too many gadgets on it for the likes of me.

But on my boat (cf "Eve of St Mawes"!) I'd tack or gybe into a hove to position, immediately, WHILST KEEPING MY EYE ON THE BODY IN THE WATER.

So what if we break the boom - better than drowning someone

 

[bigroger60]

Re: Showing my age

We have got a block and tackle on a halyard at the mast, it worked perfectly 2yrs ago when we had a MOB. she had a dislocated shoulder but we got her out. Scary though.

 

[TheBoatman]

Pete
As someone that has to teach MOB drills (mainly in MoBo's) because for my sins I'm a RYA Instructor and as someone that spends most of his time looking after racing boats of all descriptions I can only offer the following from my experience.

1. All MOB/rescues are different - no two are exactly the same.

2. MOB drills are completely different for MoBo's and yachts.

3. MOB drills are completely different for (say) enclosed waters (rivers) and open waters like the middle of the channel.

4. There are to many factors to build in, wind, tide, sea conditions etc, to (say) produce a check list of what is the "correct" method of MOB recovery.

5. The only correct method of MOB recovery is to make contact with them as soon as possible and get them back aboard a.s.a.p. How you achieve this is up to you and in most cases is in the "lap of the Gods" but a bit of practice goes a long way.

6. An incorrect method is when you can't recover them and they drown.

7. However, what I can and do teach, is basic methods to give the person left on board the "best" chance of recovering the MOB.

Peter.

 

[Searush]

My pushpit mounted lifebouy has a lit Danbouy and floating line on it. The line is ALWAYS tied off on the aft cleat. So,

1/ chuck lifebuoy.
2/ sail/ motor round in a circle
3/ stop engine/ heave to
4/ place boarding steps over side
5/ haul in casualty & help up steps
6/ put kettle on & sort out warm dry clothes
7/ get under way again

This is almost certain to get the life buoy to the person in the water with a strong line direct to the boat. Panic over. Rest is about getting back on board & under control. Great plan, never actually done it in panic mode tho' . . .

 

[Billjratt]

My danbuoy has a strop with a clasp at the float which can be hooked on to the casualty ( by them if conscious) the other end is a loop velcroed up at the flag so we can: 1 attach the casualty to the boat while getting the boom tackle ready, 2 haul aboard without worrying about high freeboard.

 

[Duffer]

Re:Non-specific gender person overboard !!

Many good points well made so I won't repeat them.

Quote> "Down below: GPS linked to VHF/Radar/Yeoman plotter/cockpit"

-- Good reasons for having cockpit mounted plotter and hand/held VHF when short crewed.

Also very little on getting the MobWob back on board. If he/she is exhausted/injured/unconscious and weighed down by soaked clothing/full wellies, could you get them back on board by yourself? It could take quite a while for help to arrive and he/she could die of exposure in the meantime. On smaller boats (under 30' or so) you could have a captive pin shackle on the bottom of your main sheet block and tackle and having lowered the main attach it to the D ring on their harness/life jacket (with some difficulty), then heave.

On a larger boat you would probably need a seperate block and tackle to attach to the end of the boom or a halyard. You may have big enough self-tailing halyard winches to use just a halyard instead IF it is long enough to reach the water (many aren't). You may be able to drop a jib over the side (corners secured on board), float the casualty over it and hoist up to get them on board. There are also various products with heavy netting to do this - mostly rather expensive. .

(Potentially halyard led to rope drum on electric anchor windlass could work - just remember to stop before they reach the masthead!!!!) /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I guess we should all practise this next summer when the water warms up to see what works for us - but how many of us actually will?? (PLEASE be careful with electric windlasses though - maybe try with a jerry can or two of water first? Tip: leave some air in it so it doesn't sink first!).

What works for you?

 

[BlueSkyNick]

Re:Non-specific gender person overboard !!

IMHO, everybody is missing the Golden Rule of MOB - don't go over in the first place.

There is no chance of SWMBO, or many other people, getting me back on board.
If there is any swell or chop, it would be bloody dangerous climbing on to the swim ladder. I have told her to launch the liferaft so I can at least climb in that to get out of the water, but having been on the Sea Survival training, I am not to keen.

So you can throw all the floating bits you like, and get back to the MOB, but getting them back on board is not easy unless they are conscious and it is calm, so do everything to avoid the situation arising - ESPECIALLY when only two up.

EDIT Only just read the POB thread and realised I should have put the above comments there, but it still applies.

 

[Duffer]

Re:Non-specific gender person overboard !!

Couldn't agree more. Ditto your edit.