MOB smoke ?

pugwash

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My life-ring on the stern has an inverted flashing light attached but I hardly ever sail at night. It would make more sense to adapt the clip and fit an orange smoke cannister. I don't know how long they smoke for. One minute or so? This would give time to turn around and mark the MOB's position with the boat heading straight for him, especially important if you were left on board alone. Also, I wonder why special low-emission, longer-burning smokes aren't made for this very purpose. Five minutes would make a huge difference, even three. Also, I don't remember reading any references to the use of orange smoke in a MOB situation, though I'm uncertain about this. You'd throw over the smoke cannister first, then the life-ring and Dan buoy, then turn around and be settled on track with the casualty dead ahead and in sight, and you'd be pretty close when the smoke finally burned out. Why don't we hear more about this as an action plan, or am I missing something obvious? Please discuss.

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Warships use a smake and flame marker with their lifebuoys. I would be concerned if the marker you fitted had no night capability as inevitably you might find yourself needing it at dusk!!

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Is there not a chance that the casualty will be down wind of the smoke and choke to death before he has a chance to drown?

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Of course you'd have to switch the smoke for the flashing light as twilight came on. But there are other things to do at that time, too, so it wouldn't be hard to remember. I like the idea of the combined smoke and light and you can do a lot in 15 minutes.

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The big smoke canisters run for about 15 - 20 minutes - I prefer a dan with a 2m staff and a fluorescent flag on it for daylight use, it's much quicker to deploy and shows up better in any real breeze.

Come to think of it, as about 85% of my sailing is single-handed it's pretty redundant.

Smokes really come into their own when you're welcoming the rescue chopper.

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Useless piece of info

Employees at Pains Wessex working with the Orange smoke flares get "sheet money" because before leaving work they shower, when they get home they shower and then go to bed and in the morning the bed "sheets" are all orange, hence "sheet money".
So just think of what it will do to your decks and clothes if you stand down wind of one your letting off and by the way the stuff stinks and you can taste it for a week after?

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Makes Sense..plus..

The orange smoke on the ring makes sense...

Plus a light or flare for night use..

Plus a mobile phone...

Plus 20 Bensons and a lighter....

Plus a pack of 3 - who knows who might rescue you.

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