Report finds almost half of man-overboard cases result in death

[Concerto]

"Analysis conducted by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has revealed the challenges faced by crew when tasked with recovering a crewmate who has fallen overboard.

The report finds that crew have, on average, under 11 minutes to recover a crewmate who has fallen overboard into cold water before the victim becomes unresponsive.

In the recreational sector, with the data indicating that almost half (47 per cent) of man-overboard occurrences that were reported to the MAIB from pleasure craft resulted in a fatality. " Report finds almost half of man-overboard cases result in death - Marine Industry News

So the solution must be to remain on your boat. As I sail singlehanded, I always wear a lifejacket with a PLB to give me at least a chance of recovery (or locating my remains).

Edit: See also Nearly half die when falling overboard >> Scuttlebutt Sailing News

 

[Minerva]

I am not surprised at the numbers. When I give a crew briefing to new crew, I always press home that in a MOB situation, we will most probably be looking to recover your body for your family to hold a funeral for, not so you have a jolly jape and high tail to tell in the pub.

 

[Daydream believer]

I think recovery of the body is essential for the relatives to expedite the closure of the deceased estate. So likewise, I always have my LJ & PLB. Whether I could activate the PLB, whilst being bashed against the hull on a tether, is another matter
Having been a dinghy sailor, I have been in the water hundreds of times, so I am possibly a little more prepared than most. That includes being trapped under an upturned dinghy 3-4 times & going overboard off a yacht 3 times.
Trouble is that I am a lot older now than I was when I had my last 15 dinghy capsizes in one race 8 years ago
The thing is not to panic. Do not expend energy unnecessarily. But trying not to, when watching a boat sail/drift away from one, is not exactly as easy as it sounds.

Stay in the cockpit. If one has to leave it to go foreward, Drop the mainsail, rig mooring lines, fenders etc. Then slow the boat to a snails pace. I tend to shuffle bum, or crawl, along the deck if it is choppy.

 

[boomerangben]

There is no doubt in my mind that falling overboard is to be avoided - all bets are off when it comes to survivability and IMO is an immediate Mayday situation.

I would be interested to know what effects the wearing of life jackets and other clothing has on the out comes, the use of location aids and so one. We know that falling overboard is potentially lethal and the risk can be mitigated but not eliminated so it would good to know what precautions work.

From a statistical perspective, I wonder how many MOB incidents are not reported (simply because in racing it happens, resolved successfully with just a dampened pride and therefore not seen as reportable……)

 

[Wansworth]

I am not surprised at the numbers. When I give a crew briefing to new crew, I always press home that in a MOB situation, we will most probably be looking to recover your body for your family to hold a funeral for, not so you have a jolly jape and high tail to tell in the pub.

The sea is a serious business

 

[KevinV]

From a statistical perspective, I wonder how many MOB incidents are not reported (simply because in racing it happens, resolved successfully with just a dampened pride and therefore not seen as reportable……)

That was my first thought - I guess mob's from professional vessels are reportable, but if you or I recovered the mob would we report the incident?

 

[capnsensible]

How many people repeatedly practice mob recovery?

 

[Wansworth]

How many people repeatedly practice mob recovery?

How many of us are fit enough to get someone back on board?

 

[Caer Urfa]

I always remember some RNLI training form over 40 years ago as I mainly sailed single handed and yes 100% I always wear a LJ plus I carried a PLB and waterproof hand radio attached to it.

If a yacht/boat is doing 2 knots and you fall overboard in 30 seconds you will be 100' from the boat !

A very sobering thought!

 

[Neeves]

My statement to new crew is simple - if you go overboard you will die. If that does not crystallise minds on the value of harnesses, tethers, lifejackets and jackstays - I don't want these people on my yacht. Forget to clip on - you will not be future crew.

Jonathan

 

[penfold]

It's certainly an occupational hazard of racing dinghies and small dayboats; I've come close a few times when gibing the spinnaker.

 

[kof]

Many moons ago I went overboard (pre “life jackets are required” times). Boots, big henry Lloyd , no harness or lifejacket. I surfaced for a second and then the boots filled with water and were so heavy I couldn’t kick to keep myself afloat so I quickly kicked them off. Jackets in those days were padded so that got heavy too but luckily I got recovered and didn’t have to try and get that off also. What struck me was that layers of gear really limit your movement and without a life jacket you struggle. Sailing now I clip on as keeping on the boat is the safest way. Once you go over the side odds are against you.

 

[Wansworth]

Does the report specify why crew fall overboard,I imagine the furling jib from the cockpit has saved many lives

 

[jlavery]

How many people repeatedly practice mob recovery?

We practice regularly. I try to do an exercise with all new crew. As I put it to them "I have an interest in you being able to get back to me and get me on boatd."

 

[capnsensible]

We practice regularly. I try to do an exercise with all new crew. As I put it to them "I have an interest in you being able to get back to me and get me on boatd."

Absolutely. Practice, practice, practice. Not just a quick stop and getting back to them but how are you gonna get them out. Or, as you say, how are they gonna get you out?

People seem so reluctant to spend 20 minutes or so investing in regular practice when it's so valuable for all sorts of reasons. In my opinion!

 

[capnsensible]

My statement to new crew is simple - if you go overboard you will die. If that does not crystallise minds on the value of harnesses, tethers, lifejackets and jackstays - I don't want these people on my yacht. Forget to clip on - you will not be future crew.

Jonathan

Seems from the report its like a 47% chance they will die......

 

[AntarcticPilot]

How many of us are fit enough to get someone back on board?

That's a point that is definitely worth considering. I sail single-handed at the moment - if I go overboard, there's no one to turn the boat and get me back on board, and I know (from experience) that even short immersion in UK waters soon robs you of strength; I couldn't climb onto a pontoon in a marina in wet clothes; I certainly couldn't climb onto my boat, even if I could get back to it.

MOB drill is really only useful for people who sail in a well-manned vessel with plenty of strong and skilled help. For those who sail 2-up, the Big Red Button is part of the immediate response to a MOB. For those who sail single-handed, it's don't go overboard; if you do the lifejacket will enable your next of kin to hold a funeral.

I'm not at all surprised at the statistics; indeed, I'm slightly surprised the survival rate is as high as 50%!

I've never used it, but I like the suggested crew briefing: "This is your lifeline. It will stop you from going overboard. This is your lifejacket; it will enable us to recover your body if you do go overboard">

 

[capnsensible]

That's a point that is definitely worth considering. I sail single-handed at the moment - if I go overboard, there's no one to turn the boat and get me back on board, and I know (from experience) that even short immersion in UK waters soon robs you of strength; I couldn't climb onto a pontoon in a marina in wet clothes; I certainly couldn't climb onto my boat, even if I could get back to it.

MOB drill is really only useful for people who sail in a well-manned vessel with plenty of strong and skilled help. For those who sail 2-up, the Big Red Button is part of the immediate response to a MOB. For those who sail single-handed, it's don't go overboard; if you do the lifejacket will enable your next of kin to hold a funeral.

I'm not at all surprised at the statistics; indeed, I'm slightly surprised the survival rate is as high as 50%!

I've never used it, but I like the suggested crew briefing: "This is your lifeline. It will stop you from going overboard. This is your lifejacket; it will enable us to recover your body if you do go overboard">

Agree obviously about single handing but there's no reason to suppose you need a larger crew. I've shown many, many couples how to deal with one of them falling in as well as 3, 4 or more in a crew.

Any vessel is suitable for practising.....you can't choose the one someone falls in off.

 

[Buck Turgidson]

Yes, as a single hander the recent Jester news has made me think again about when I should clip in. If I'm honest I've got a little lackadaisical about it recently. It's easy to get careless when the sun is shining and the sea is calm but that's probably when I'm most likely to buy it.

 

[Wansworth]

Agree obviously about single handing but there's no reason to suppose you need a larger crew. I've shown many, many couples how to deal with one of them falling in as well as 3, 4 or more in a crew.

Any vessel is suitable for practising.....you can't choose the one someone falls in off.

Can you give some pointers…