MOB while at anchor with current

[Roberto]

Hello,
suppose to be at anchor in a place with some current, someone falls overboard.
What to do?
Start engine - up the anchor and go to the rescue? If the current is strong one may need help from the engine to recover the chain, which might delay everything.
Let all anchor and cable in the water with a floater? It seems indeed one of those cases where one has to move as quick as possible.
We (tend to) wear lifejacket when out of the cockpit, though never clipped on with a tether.

When people are taking a swim -if possible with the speed of current- I often trail a long line with a fender, hoping that no one lets go; not one thing I do regularly though.
I'd be interested in knowing what would you do, either before or after.

 

[Just_sayin']

Drop a lifebuoy immediately. with a danbouy if available. Casualty can try to swim to that. The rest has a degree of variability.

 

[Neeves]

Not knowing the strength nor medical history of the swimmers

I'd have a word with crew, express my misgivings and move to somewhere without as much tidal flow.

Having a bunch of people with mixed abilities - its a recipe for disaster. I'd wimp out and as skipper - No way!

We have some pretty hefty tidal flows up north where the Coral Sea meets the Tasman and down south where the Southern Ocean sluices through Bass Strait. I don't know anything about the northerly flow but down south the current is full of sand and swimming would be unpleasant, and the water is cold.

If its an unplanned MOB - depends on the capability of the MOB and where they are going. If they are moving into uncharted areas a rescue by yacht looks questionable.

Dinghy seems the sensible option.

Jonathan

 

[Sandy]

Do you have a dinghy?

 

[PilotWolf]

I know the anchor issue is important here but would anyone really be worrying about just letting it all go to recover the casualty?

Yes, drop something floating as a reference but I think that's pretty standard.

Difference between swimming off the boat and falling overboard though...

W.

 

[capnsensible]

I would get a mayday call out as quickly as possible. Takes moments and you can still direct any crew on board to prepare to move. This is also where your red distress pyrotechnics earn their expense.

In my opinion.

 

[Lightwave395]

On the relatively rare occassion I've anchored in a strongish tide/current I've streamed a fender out on 15/20 metres of line

 

[PilotWolf]

I would get a mayday call out as quickly as possible. Takes moments and you can still direct any crew on board to prepare to move. This is also where your red distress pyrotechnics earn their expense.

In my opinion.

And I think the idea before calling 999/911 before starting CPR now?

My only difference is maybe pop a smoke as will last longer and needs no ongoing attention?

W,

 

[Roberto]

A bit of paradise a few miles from Port Haliguen
Once topped 14 knots SOG at the entrance with engine in tickover

anchored in a strongish tide/current

 

[Roberto]

Thanks all.
It appears indeed as a potential Mayday situation which can suddenly occur at an otherwise very quiet and lazy moment: while simply walking on deck, flaking the mainsail, inflating the dinghy and putting it in the water, having a drink ; oh, or while attaching the snubber of course
I have an orange smoke canister in a cockpit locker, I reckon it'd be better kept out

 

[PilotWolf]

Thanks all.
It appears indeed as a potential Mayday situation which can suddenly occur at an otherwise very quiet and lazy moment: while simply walking on deck, flaking the mainsail, inflating the dinghy and putting it in the water, having a drink ; oh, or while attaching the snubber of course
I have an orange smoke canister in a cockpit locker, I reckon it'd be better kept out

Or consider attaching to the life ring - 2 for 1.

W,

 

[DJE]

Drop a lifebuoy immediately. with a danbouy if available. Casualty can try to swim to that. The rest has a degree of variability.

Might be a good time to have one of these on the pushpit.

 

[PilotWolf]

Again there is a big difference between swimming at anchor and falling overboard.

Most of these suggestions won't work for me - I learnt to swim at school but now not a chance - the worst 2 mins of my life every 5 years are trying to tread water for my STCW recertification. I could never do the helicopter dunker training again.

I've said before but I was a b@$t@rd for drills because if I 'm the one in the water you better get me back for tea and biscuits PDQ, I pretty much lost my job at last company for fighting over the lack of crew training with managers. I was told to stop making waves(!)

And I know for 99% of members here this is leisure but everything fun also does have a way of going bad sometimes - various antibiotics are available But a lot of things learned on board relate to home as well - 1st aid/fire fighting/basic safety.

W.

 

[dunedin]

Do you have a dinghy?

Absolutely. Ideally like ours sitting on davits with outboard attached, ready to go.

Never had to rescue a MOB, but done three rescues for others using dinghy so far

 

[TSB240]

One of our nearest and very popular anchorages is tidal rode with tides stronger than most are able to swim against. We either stream a buoyed floating line and or have a manned dinghy ready if there is any planned swimming or water toy activity.

Any unplanned MOB would be an immediate Red button call as the tide will take someone out of visibility within a few seconds. Luckily the SAR helicopter base is only a mile away. Following any casualty out over the bar much after half tide would in most cases put the chaser in even more danger.

It is also a top spot for dinghy rescues as many who pop ashore to take a short walk or water the dog don't appreciate that at half tide it comes up at an inch a minute on big tides. The short distance that they carried their dinghy up is soon gone.

 

[[3889]]

A bit of paradise a few miles from Port Haliguen
Once topped 14 knots SOG at the entrance with engine in tickover
View attachment 130141

Fortunately, or perhaps not if you are underway, there is a mobo fishing about every 20m to pluck you from the Golfe.

 

[oldmanofthehills]

A bit of paradise a few miles from Port Haliguen
Once topped 14 knots SOG at the entrance with engine in tickover
View attachment 130141

Even ourselves as (ex)Bristol Channel Sailors, were impressed by tides in the entrance of the Morbihan.. No non-suicidal person would choose to swin there when the tide runs, and hopefully no sane or sober person would risk and accidental MOB there

 

[Roberto]

Usually yes, then it depends on season, or time during the day.
Imagine someone falling in the water at night while taking a leak, even being onboard and aware of the accident leaves no other options than ask for external help, I did a number of silly things but sailing at night in there is not one of them. Not even sure I'd take the dinghy in a hurry, maybe.

Fortunately, or perhaps not if you are underway, there is a mobo fishing about every 20m to pluck you from the Golfe.

 

[Capt Popeye]

well might suggest the following -

Opertate the Distress Radio
Ask a crew to keep eyes on the Mob
Lower the Stern Boarding Ladder
If dinghy afloat , use it
Throw a Lifering / Marker Bouy over the side in MoB direction

Then what action as required by assesing the MoB ability in the water

 

[Plum]

I would get a mayday call out as quickly as possible. Takes moments and you can still direct any crew on board to prepare to move. ............

a VERY BIG +1 by all available means