Man overboard practise

[Nostrodamus]

How often do you practise "man overboard?"

Obviously it is good to know the various techniques but how many have actually had an engine fail to start when they have been practising?

I know with my better half the only thing I teach her is put the engine on as she has never really wanted to learn how to sail on her own. Teaching her the under sail stuff may sound good in practise but it is not something she want's to do or would feel in anyway competent to do.

I also feel that the chances of me falling overboard and the engine not working at that moment are pretty slim.

I am sure there will be those who say we are wrong but .... KISS.. go with what works for you,

 

[SamanthaTabs]

Always practise a few times at the beginning of the cruising season, primarily for me it's making sure I can heave to in any weather condition. Starting an engine before having stopped the boat would be pointless. Sometimes lob a fender over (who is then called Freddie) so I can rescue him.

No matter who is sailing with us we run through basic safety skills, along with above make sure everyone knows how to throw a line or life buoy, use the radio if necessary etc.

This isn't learning how sail just a necessary skill set and being equipped with these skills it can make sailing less stressful seeing as you've cut out the what if.

 

[lustyd]

I never practice MOB on my boat because if there is a MOB I doubt the crew (an autotiller) would notice or have the skill to come and get me

 

[Barnacle Bill]

I practise the manoeuvre every time my hat blows off.

 

[sarabande]

Nostro

does SWMBO know how to operate VHF and MOB button ?

I admit to being slightly surprised that you have not mitigated a possible MOB accident by having at least some basic well-practised skills in any crew remaining on board. It seems slightly un-skipperish .

Perhaps a MOB card, with a list of actions, left bluetacked to the head's door might be a form of passive teaching ?

My guess is that even if SWMBO is reluctant to practice by herself, a fender drop and recovery when you have other crew on board will be remembered. Unless of course you are very well insured.....

 

[Nostrodamus]

Got the card, the button (3 actually) and VHF procedure and under engine it is OK. I know she would really struggle just under sail alone, mainly because she would be below ringing the life insurance company.

 

[Koeketiene]

I practise the manoeuvre every time my hat blows off.

Ditto

 

[Searush]

I did "Dog OB" rescue yesterday.

Silly mutt tried to jump for the quay when it was too far away & bounced off the slate wall & into the harbour. She doesn't like water & was not in her life jacket (we were tied to the quay all day) but she swam around the boat looking for a way out (not a chance!) So I called her over & lying on the side deck grabbed the car harness she was wearing & hoicked her on deck where she proceeded to try & get me as wet as her. If she hadn't had the harness on it would have been a "scruff of the neck" job.

 

[KellysEye]

We practised MOB and kept a six to one block and tackle permanently rigged on a halyard. One thing to test is if you can lift your partner out of the water in wet weather gear. The problem with MOB is is turning the boat round if you have twin headsails or a spinnaker up two handed. Another problem is we had a danboy washed over the side in bad weather, you won't believe how quickly it vanished, as an MOB would. The MOB would also vanish if you are two handed and one you has to run down to press the GPS MOB buttonn. The obvious solution to all this is don't go overboard, we always wore a harness and tether at night and in bad weather.