MOB procedure (Sept YM)

[Guest]

The article by Simon Jinks involves starting and use of engine. When I did my yachtmaster training some years ago I was taught to use sail alone on the basis that someone in the water could be injured by a rotating prop. To my mind this hazard is increased by the procedure described which recommends manoevering to windward of the MOB "so that the boat gets blown towards them instead of away" - I could easily imagine the MOB's legs getting under the hull. Is this really the RYA-preferred procedure ?

gofa

 

[Lynette]

Yes. Or if it isn\'t ...

... it certainly should be. Whatever the nicities of MOB practice, when the real thing happens and you are acting half-paralysed with panic, it just has to be easier, and therefore safer, to use the engine (along with the sails, if they are up). What is paramount is to get back to the MOB.

Otherwise, just imagine the scene in the coroner' inquest afterwards: "You mean, Mr Gofa, that you HAD a working engine but you DELIBERATELY chose not to use it to rescue the casualty??"

You can argue the toss about cutting the engine once you have the MOB secured alongside. That is probably sensible.

 

[Skyva_2]

Re: Yes. Or if it isn\'t ...

If I remember correctly -

On the call of MOB, crash tack. If that does not get you close to the casualty, centre the main, roll the genoa, start the engine, go downwind of the MOB and motor up to him. Engine in neutral when you get close.

That is faster than the reach to reach method and more reliable. If no engine, back to the sailing method - so you have to know both methods.

Getting the MOB back on board is another problem....

Keith

 

[chippie]

Re: Yes. Or if it isn\'t ...

I was taught the same technique as the previous poster with the addition of throwing them a flotation device and (if the boat has crew) appointing someone to watch them throughout the turn so they arent lost to view.
In my one practical experience which was in a yacht race in easy seas with the skipper seeing it happen, the crash gybe and recovery was done so effectively there was no time to throw anything overboard.

 

[Mirelle]

Reach to reach

Well, the booklet that the nice man from the RNLI handed me at the end of our Seacheck recommends the reach to reach method if you don't have an engine, and a variant of the above if you do, viz:

1. Crash tack, leaving headsail aback and throw a heaving line if in range (my comment - you would have to be very quick about it!)

2. If you are not in range, start engine, lower or furl headsail, sheet mainsail amidships and motor to leeward, approaching the person head to wind.

I think that a lot depends on your own boat and the answer is to practice.

But, as a comment, the time taken to furl a modern reefing headsail (a minute, at least) is so long that I do not think this is a safe expedient. There is a risk of losing sight of the MOB.

In my case, with an "antique" cutter, it is different. We cannot crash tack - tacking is a leisurely process at the best of times, taking at least ten seconds before the bows are through the wind, but on the other hand, one pull on the Wykeham Martin line and the jib is gone in about four seconds, literally, and we drop the staysail to use the halyard (four part purchase cleated on pinrail, with hook block, reaching to w/l) to recover the casualty. (You will note the bold assumption that anyone going over is wearing a lifejacket with integral harness to clip the block to!)

Its horses for courses, I think. I favour reach to reach because we have a small engine, which simply won't drive us upwind in a sea.

 

[Guest]

The only reason you wouldn't use ( or at least start) your engine in the rescue of a MOB is if it won't start. When I did my YM exam it would have gone against you if you didn't try and start the engine even though it never "works" in those exams.

MOB rescues procedures under sail that I am familiar with involve the MOB being to windward (if you get it right!).

The Lash

 

[ccscott49]

I agree with all the posts, get the engine(s) going straight away, then get the sails off or furl them, as you bring her into the wind. Getting them onboard is not easy, I use the main topping lift or any other spare halyard, which are all long enough (by design) to reach the water easily and will all go round my main mast two speed winches. I also have a helicopter type lift sling, if the casualty does not have a harness on. But as I've always said, it's better to keep the crew onboard! With good harnesses and jackstays, rigged down the CENTRE line of the boat.

 

[Jeremy_W]

Re: Reach to reach

The point of the crash tacking method is, I was taught, that it accords with how people react in the situation. Sailing away from the MOB is just so counter-intuitive that it often breaks down in practice. I know you've had a recent real MOB, Mirelle. How did it go?

 

[Mirelle]

At anchor

He fell off the foredeck and was retrieved as the tide swept him past the cockpit!

There is a point here though - if one does not have a dinghy astern, how quickly can one get to someone who falls in at anchor or on a mooring?

 

[Mirelle]

We are all missing the point, here, I fancy.

The person most likely to fall in is the skipper. That is, almost certainly, each of us reading this and offering thoughts on it.

We should all forget about it, and be sure that our families and sailing friends can do it.

I suggest we each find time soon to throw a fender over, yell "Man Overboard Practice!" and retire below with the ship's stopwatch.

Might be a very sobering experience!

 

[ccscott49]

Re: At anchor

Bloody good point! Especially if the dinghy is ashore or doing something else away!! See how far you can throw a heaving line and how accurately! I haven't really thought about this point, I will now!

 

[Mirelle]

Re: At anchor

I only thought about it after the event! But it is the most likely time for someone to fall in, really. When under way we all concentrate to some degree on staying attached to the boat, at anchor we all relax - a bit of unexpected wash (in the case above) can overbalance even someone young and fit.

 

[ccscott49]

Re: At anchor

Admiitedly on my boat you'd damn near have to be standing on the handrails to "fall" over the side, but it doesn't change the fact, that what do you do if it does happen, I'm going to give this some thought, for sure.

 

[alant]

Re: Reach to reach

Many of the 'taught' methods work well when practising but depend upon several 'crew' to assist (pointing, sail handling, helming,etc). What happens when short crewed - a couple, with one now MOB - this person needs a method which is quick, keeps them in control & reduces possible panic.
The fundamental problem with the sail away method is (1) casualty can easily be lost in a 'big' sea & at night can be impossible to find - even with MOB gear thrown over.(2) casualty has very little visual horizon, so may panic if you sail away from him (3) if sailing away at even 2.5 knts, you are 0.25 Nm away in 6 minutes - can you still see the casualty??.(4) needs a level of sailing skill which may not be available to the person left on board.
One method which can work, particularly with limited crew & possibly a crew with limited sailing skills, is the crash stop & gybe. This simply means holding the helm in one position, no need to handle headsail sheets, these initially being aback as in a 'hove to' position, ensuring the main is centred & boat circling the casualty - can be done with only the helmsman. A throwing line or towed floating line (there are systems available - or make one up using a small fender + line) can allow the casualty to be pulled alongside the boat. Even with only one person on board, the helm can be left to assist the casualty.
This method was effectively demonstrated to me originally on one of the 67' BT Challenge Yachts - big beasts to use the sail away method.
Regarding 'sail or motor' my Yachtmaster Examiner when asked during my exam, replied "MOB is not an academic exercise". Get the casualty back on board ASAP & if in any doubt call a Mayday & medical assistance - even if the casualty appears ok - beware secondary drowning & exposure.

 

[Mirelle]

crash gybe

That is, interestingly, the method that I was taught as a small boy, long before the RYA courses. "Man overboard - GYBE! - on any point of sailing" It is what is recommended in most old textbooks.

The point is that even if the mast comes crashing down, which it probably won't, that is of secondary importance to the man in the water!

It brings you to a halt quite nearby with a headsail aback.

When I did have a real MOB some years ago (two handed) that is what I did automatically - early training.