emandvee44
Well-Known Member
Hi fellow forum members,
I have just read the mob thread and I am sure that like many others the thought of such a situation is terrifying, particularly if you are sailing short handed and even worse if the person left on board is not strong!
The subject of safety at sea is one of great importance to me, probably because I have spent most of my life working at sea all over the world and also sailing from a very young age. I have the greatest respect for the sea because I know only too well what it can do (and nearly did do).
We are currently re-fitting our recently purchased yacht and I have paid particular attention to the safety equipment. For me it is insurance and the “feelgood factor” – I hope I never need any of it, but if I do then I want it to work, and work well! Unfortunately, you do tend to get what you pay for, so we have had to spend quite a lot of money to either replace or service the equipment and to end up with a “comfort factor” feeling.
Here is a list of what we have done (so far)
Fire extinguishers replaced with new (6 x ABC 2Kg. 1 x 2Kg Gas auto to E/space)
Liferaft – (6 man) serviced
Lifejackets –(8 off) all serviced (plus bought 2 x 275N auto new ones for H & H)*
EPIRB serviced – new battery
Dan buoy replaced with new, (Jimmy Green Ocean)
Lifebuoys replaced with new, plus new lights (name & SSR no. fitted)
Jackstays replaced with new
Gas installation replaced pipework (CORGI installer)
Rope cutter fitted to saildrive
Flares are in date
* All inflatable lifejackets should have thigh or crotch straps. I have tested lifejackets on many occasions and if you don’t have a crotch strap you will have the lifejacket up around your ears – useless!
I have been reviewing my collection of PBOs and YMs (going back about 2 years), and I noticed that in the vast majority of pictures of yachts sailing, either on test or being sailed by owners, there are no lifebuoys visible and often no danbuoys (see PBO March 09 – Moody article).
Also, the personnel on board are usually not wearing lifejackets!
In a MOB situation the lifebuoy is the most important item of first intervention. Just imagine you have fallen overboard and a few seconds later you see the crew throwing a lifebuoy towards you – gives you hope. In the dark even more important if you can see a light (other than the sternlight disappearing fast).
It is not much use if you have a fancy plotter and all the other electronic gizmos, luminous ropes, a barbecue on the pushpit, and dry toilet rolls, but lack the basic safety items, which generally come at a fraction of the cost !
Human life is precious – put safety first !
I have just read the mob thread and I am sure that like many others the thought of such a situation is terrifying, particularly if you are sailing short handed and even worse if the person left on board is not strong!
The subject of safety at sea is one of great importance to me, probably because I have spent most of my life working at sea all over the world and also sailing from a very young age. I have the greatest respect for the sea because I know only too well what it can do (and nearly did do).
We are currently re-fitting our recently purchased yacht and I have paid particular attention to the safety equipment. For me it is insurance and the “feelgood factor” – I hope I never need any of it, but if I do then I want it to work, and work well! Unfortunately, you do tend to get what you pay for, so we have had to spend quite a lot of money to either replace or service the equipment and to end up with a “comfort factor” feeling.
Here is a list of what we have done (so far)
Fire extinguishers replaced with new (6 x ABC 2Kg. 1 x 2Kg Gas auto to E/space)
Liferaft – (6 man) serviced
Lifejackets –(8 off) all serviced (plus bought 2 x 275N auto new ones for H & H)*
EPIRB serviced – new battery
Dan buoy replaced with new, (Jimmy Green Ocean)
Lifebuoys replaced with new, plus new lights (name & SSR no. fitted)
Jackstays replaced with new
Gas installation replaced pipework (CORGI installer)
Rope cutter fitted to saildrive
Flares are in date
* All inflatable lifejackets should have thigh or crotch straps. I have tested lifejackets on many occasions and if you don’t have a crotch strap you will have the lifejacket up around your ears – useless!
I have been reviewing my collection of PBOs and YMs (going back about 2 years), and I noticed that in the vast majority of pictures of yachts sailing, either on test or being sailed by owners, there are no lifebuoys visible and often no danbuoys (see PBO March 09 – Moody article).
Also, the personnel on board are usually not wearing lifejackets!
In a MOB situation the lifebuoy is the most important item of first intervention. Just imagine you have fallen overboard and a few seconds later you see the crew throwing a lifebuoy towards you – gives you hope. In the dark even more important if you can see a light (other than the sternlight disappearing fast).
It is not much use if you have a fancy plotter and all the other electronic gizmos, luminous ropes, a barbecue on the pushpit, and dry toilet rolls, but lack the basic safety items, which generally come at a fraction of the cost !
Human life is precious – put safety first !
