how do you MOB?

[zephyrsailor]

seems that every body does it differantly, you teach it one way then the next person comes and teaches it a differant way. i generally go with the philosophy that if you retrieve the MOB without any risk to boat or crew then its succesful. just wondered what is the most commonly used method? (under sail that is!)
i tend to use the hove to, tack to 120, tack to 60, dump jib, head to wind, retrieve MOB.

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[Cornishman]

As an about to retire examiner I can now reveal that I always accepted any method the candidate cared to choose so long as it was safe, seamanlike and produced the goods. Countless discussions at examiner conferences have all come up with the same, and students should be encouraged to pick a method to suit the circumstances as well as their own and the boat's capabilities.

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[Mr Cassandra]

Ime of the start engine, dump all sail as you go, and get back, ASAP. time you have hove to, sorted out your lines, the mob is dead. bobt

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[jimi]

What if your engine's broke or you've wrapprd a sheet round the prop in the confusion what do you do then?

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[tcm]

well then you have to sail it. But i agree with rtboss, shout hang on, engine on and bomb round. With signs of life, towing a throwline or similar will pickem up in the style of a skier, tho won't get a pass on YM as the requirement is to poke them in the eye with a boathook

Seriously, have actually had MOB, the risk of instant mutiny is massive. Because unless the boat is spun round pretty fast (and even if it is) the MOB's hubby,wife, dad or whatever will be planning on jumping in pretty soon to "rescue" them so one has to be ready for this. Consider telling/helping them to get ready first before going in (you won't stoppem theyreally want to ) - tellem to tie on with a long line while we get closer may convince them that you're part of the solution not part of the problem.

imho

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[zephyrsailor]

it was a theoretical question. of course if you actually have someone in the water you start the engine. hence i added the bit about under sail. i was more interested in peoples actual methods of getting back to the same spot that they threw the fender overboard.

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[jimi]

OK you guys that've been moaning about lack of sailing stuff, give us the benefit of your wisdom on this scenario

You're on a cross channel wind F4 wave height 4 foot, two in cockpit , another mate (a YM) is asleep downstairs) engine battery switched off downstairs. Companion in cockpit takes a leak off the back an splash he's in the briney ... what do you do?

 

[Peppermint]

Re:Tried a method that my

YM examiner showed me.

MOB. Tack the boat with backed Jib. Start engine. Furl Headsail. Keep main pinned in hard. Use engine in reverse to balance forward drive of main. This allows you to come down onto the MOB sideways.

The advantages are 1. the helmsman can see the MOB all of the time. 2. The boat is heeled towards the MOB giving lower freeboard for recovery. 3. You dont get far from the MOB at any time. 4. The boat starts to shelter the MOB quite early in the piece.

I'd always been a reach away reach back man upto then.

Re YM exam. Contrary to rumour it's not always a fail if you miss the MOB first time around. It is not a problem to use your engine. The idea is to get the MOB back as quick as you can.



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[jimi]

Re:Tried a method that my

You can't start your engine without going downstairs to switch the batttery on!

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[zephyrsailor]

Re:Tried a method that my

i think the point has been missed some what here. jimi is it just you and i who understand sail? can we change this senario to "you are on a boat with no engine....."

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[zefender]

Re:Tried a method that my

The bloke kipping down below could be useful and so needs waking up. Battery switch is too, if not more useful. Combination of the two needs would cause me to:
1, chuck everything that floats overboard v quickly - danbuoy/horseshoe/cockpit cushions, anything.
2, back the jib to tack quickly, send mate down to deal with waking and engine issues quickly (provided I could see MOB/nearby flotsam). Start engine and leave all sails flapping like hell as I headed to MOB.

But...if I really had no engine, I'd keep blokey at mast pointing at MOB, a do a quick figure of 8 by whichever route is quickest to leave MOB just upwind of me on last turn, and leave him to leeward as I approached.

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[jimi]

Re:Tried a method that my

Aherm ... you're alone in the cockpit your mate's just fallen off the back remember? It you + Rip van Winkel!! Its not an unrealistic scenario is it?

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[ChrisE]

Re:Tried a method that my

Given your scenario, there are two cases, downwind with the spinnaker up and main polled out, etc. In which case, I'd throw a wreath after the MOB to save a lot of time later. If the sails were not constrained then I'd heave to double quick and keeping an eye on MOB and scream like hell to get matey up on deck, so that someone has pair of eyes on MOB. Then I'd prob do the reach/reach turnup thing. If it were dark or there wasn't a spare pair of eyes, I'd follow case 1 regardless of point of sail.

I'm not entirely joking about the wreath bit, if you are downwind or short handed with a four foot swell you'd be lucky to keep visual contact with your victim.

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[zefender]

Re:Tried a method that my

I can understand the crew might choose anything to avoid using your heads given holding tank back pressure risk but pissing over the side bit dodge. Anyway, I obviously miscounted crew numbers.

Hmm, so even more important to get engine started and wake up silly bugger asleep. Would use foghorn to wake dozy below and tellim to turn on engine when he emerges. All other stuff unchanged

But if really no engine, would still have to wake him 'cos MOB won't be able to get back on board probably, even if I do find him.

So, chuck everything overboard. Tack round, let off fog horn, call C16 (am I allowed a handheld in this engineless antique?) chuck more stuff over when passing MOB, do figure of 8 and approach as before throwing a line with loop in it.

3rd option is to suggest that he shouldn't have done something so stupid and leave MOB as a lesson to im. Maybe chuck passport to avoid bureacratic nightmare in France.


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[jimi]

Mayday

In that scenario
1)floaty horseshoe
2)MOB on GPS Mayday
3)Wake mate

then do your best?

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[tcm]

Realism

um yes, i think it IS a bit unrealistic. We're at sea, and one of them has a leak over the side? Duh? And we have an engine but um we've specially ensured it's not available by switching it off? Great. Ooh and then i do get the engine started but now there's a line around the prop? Dagnabit!

The answer for this Grand Moron Expedition must be that, because i was recovering from the lobotomy, I didn't notice he'd gone for a while, cos obviously whilst he's having a leak over the side, I was down below hunting for some painkillers. Hey ho, time to turn around. Oho - but I'm in the Bay of UnlikeyDaftYMQuestions and we've somehow stepped the mast ready for a canal trip on our way into le Havre, so no sails - and now the anchor is mysteriously jammed as well!

At point, being incredibly stupid, I would of course jump over the side to find him, both of us die, and serve us jolly well right.


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[kingfisher]

Re:Tried a method that my

Why would you EVER switch of your engine battery while sailing?? What if the wind dies and a large ship comes right at you. Doesn't seem to bright to me ?

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[jimi]

Re: Realism

Do you reckon? I'm sure
1) many people switch the battery isolator off when sailing
2)I'm not alone in having sailed across the channel shorthanded

au contraire I find it an exceedingly realistic scenario ..

FWIW
My planned reaction would be to crash stop, chuck a horseshoe buoy + danbuoy, heave a line and try to retreive the man. If it obvious its not working then MOB button (if not already) and CH16 Mayday and then do my best.



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[StugeronSteve]

Re:Tried a method that my

I always isolate cranking battery at sea to make sure that i don't flatten it leaving the fridge on etc. I can start the engine off the domestic battery though.

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[tcm]

Re:Oh, great

Worryingly, I see that Zefender's answer was the same as mine - lettim die.

I didn't think about the passport tho, good thinking.

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