MOB lost at sea - skipper's obligations?

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BlueSkyNick

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If somebody is lost at sea, eg Atlantic crossing, after remaining crew have made all best endeavours to find them, what is the skipper to do?

Return to port of departure?
Head for nearest port?
Continue to original destination?

I have been told of some form of 200-mile legal limit, but don't know what this means.

Would be pleased to know as a matter of interest, not because I am expecting the situation to arise!
 
I think I'd be keen to make the nearest landfall (with a reservation about not ending up in a war zone or lawless dictatorship)
 
MoodyNick said:
If somebody is lost at sea, eg Atlantic crossing, after remaining crew have made all best endeavours to find them, what is the skipper to do?

Return to port of departure?
Head for nearest port?
Continue to original destination?

I have been told of some form of 200-mile legal limit, but don't know what this means.

Would be pleased to know as a matter of interest, not because I am expecting the situation to arise!
Click to expand...


A question anyone contemplating an Ocean trip should consider.

The Skipper needs to record the details in the 'Ships log', which is a legal document, with statements from the crew also included and all to sign accordingly. This document should be reported to the authorities when making landfall. Also perhaps, making an all ships broadcast, just in case the MOB is spotted, with any replies from listening vessels recorded.
No requirement to return to port of departure.

Take photographs of any gear that might have been compromised.
If you have 'long distance' comms, report loss.

Don't forget, you would probably have to give this as evidence in a Coroner's Court.

Should someone die on voyage, take similar actions, then decide if burial at sea is next.
On most yachts, even with a bodybag, you might notice a smell if kept for too long.
 
MoodyNick said:
MOB lost at sea - skipper's obligations?
Click to expand...

Good question Nick, what brought the thought to mind?
I would think practicality has to rule, once you have done all you can you can do no more!
So mourn the passing and log the event and circumstances. Then it would depend on how far into the passage and the feelings of the rest of the crew.
If not far into passage and majority of crew would prefer to turn back, go for that, else continue.
 
I tell everyone i will keep looking until we're gonna run out of food or fuel. That might mean looking for days or even weeks.

I would go to agreed destination unless near departure point, but not until after a very very long search.
 
MoodyNick said:
If somebody is lost at sea, eg Atlantic crossing, after remaining crew have made all best endeavours to find them, what is the skipper to do?

Return to port of departure?
Head for nearest port?
Continue to original destination?
Click to expand...

Returning to your port of departure might be quite impracticable. What would be the point of trying to beat back for weeks against a trade wind to report the incident to an authority that no longer has any interest in you?

The nearest port distance-wise might also be upwind.

Surely best to continue to your destination and be prepared to explain why you are arriving with one less person than you set off with.

The shipping laws developed to facilitate trade by sea and iron out problems that arose in the course of it, not to make unreasonable demands on ships' masters.
 
MoodyNick said:
If somebody is lost at sea, eg Atlantic crossing, after remaining crew have made all best endeavours to find them, what is the skipper to do?

Return to port of departure?
Head for nearest port?
Continue to original destination?

I have been told of some form of 200-mile legal limit, but don't know what this means.

Would be pleased to know as a matter of interest, not because I am expecting the situation to arise!
Click to expand...


Ahaaa, see where your coming from, your worried that if you lose one at sea you will not be able to divert, notify e-borders electronically and therefore face a fine because head count doesent match the details you e-mailed UKBA before you left....................
 
MOB/Death at Sea

...should be reported to the authorities when making landfall...

I was once advised - and I think quite sensibly - that whilst this is a requirement of some set of International Regulations, the specific 'Authority' is not actually specified; therefore, if at all possible, you should head for a destination that has a Consulate or Embassy of your own country and select them as your relevant Authority to report to.

Having said that, based on the personal experience of having had to deal with a couple of British Embassies over the years, I'd be tempted to go somewhere more useful.
 
tcm said:
I tell everyone i will keep looking until we're gonna run out of food or fuel. That might mean looking for days or even weeks.

I would go to agreed destination unless near departure point, but not until after a very very long search.
Click to expand...
Seems like a sensible strategy to me, on the basis that you would want the crew to do the same if you had gone over the side !
 
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