Spirit (of Glenans)
Well-Known Member
Throwing heavy missiles at the casualty is not approved?
Searchlight - use for MOB recovery?
- Thread starter RJJ
- Start date
William_H
Well-Known Member
Essentially OP has to comply with rules regardless they may be out of date. Just do it. As for what you actually use in a MOB emergency is up to you. The typical hand held 12v search light with 50w halogen bulb can be pretty bright. However I would get a variety of LED torches from ebay.
These type are great tiny and very bright. Portable flashlight LED camping Light aluminum Zoomable camping lamp LED Bicycle | eBay However be careful to get decent lithium 14500 batteries. (and a charger fro 14500) or something like this 50000Lumen LED Tactical 18650/AAA Flashlight Zoomable Focus Camping Lamp Torch | eBay
But my favorite is this 6 Modes USB Rechargeable COB LED Headlamp Headlight & Light Torch Flashlight Sd | eBay recharge from micro USB has a decent fine beam searchlight but mostly I use the floodlight part. As with others buy a decent lithium18650 battery and it will run for a long time.
Funny thing about lithium batteries. I bought a lot of cheap Ultrafire 18650 from ebay. Thought they were Ok then bought a little MaH battery discharge tester. Found they were typically about 5 to 10% of claimed AH rating. Found at my hardware chain (Bunnings) 18650 and 14500 Lithium replacement cells for garden solar lights. Claimed 2200mah (18650) and that is what they produced. Plus at a similar price to ebay China. ol'will
These type are great tiny and very bright. Portable flashlight LED camping Light aluminum Zoomable camping lamp LED Bicycle | eBay However be careful to get decent lithium 14500 batteries. (and a charger fro 14500) or something like this 50000Lumen LED Tactical 18650/AAA Flashlight Zoomable Focus Camping Lamp Torch | eBay
But my favorite is this 6 Modes USB Rechargeable COB LED Headlamp Headlight & Light Torch Flashlight Sd | eBay recharge from micro USB has a decent fine beam searchlight but mostly I use the floodlight part. As with others buy a decent lithium18650 battery and it will run for a long time.
Funny thing about lithium batteries. I bought a lot of cheap Ultrafire 18650 from ebay. Thought they were Ok then bought a little MaH battery discharge tester. Found they were typically about 5 to 10% of claimed AH rating. Found at my hardware chain (Bunnings) 18650 and 14500 Lithium replacement cells for garden solar lights. Claimed 2200mah (18650) and that is what they produced. Plus at a similar price to ebay China. ol'will
Neeves
Well-Known Member
Finding a MOB in daylight is not easy, been there, done that. Even though you have had someone designated to watch the MOB - don't rely on them being competent (they can become distracted by another part of the emergency (dousing the spinnaker). At night it would be a nightmare. You assume the PLB and the personal strobe work, don't rely on it.
If it happens you will need all the resources and more, whether you use them depends on the conditions and your decision as skipper. But if you find the MOB then holding the MOB in the spot light until they are back on board might be very useful - and finding them is one issue, getting them back on board another (don't assume they are conscious).
Clipper have two helmets on board, one for each watch. They are for mast work and MOB. If you are put over the side to help secure an MOB - you will be grateful of the helmet.
Some rules, some items don't make sense - go with it. Its hardly onerous.
And enjoy!
Jonathan
If it happens you will need all the resources and more, whether you use them depends on the conditions and your decision as skipper. But if you find the MOB then holding the MOB in the spot light until they are back on board might be very useful - and finding them is one issue, getting them back on board another (don't assume they are conscious).
Clipper have two helmets on board, one for each watch. They are for mast work and MOB. If you are put over the side to help secure an MOB - you will be grateful of the helmet.
Some rules, some items don't make sense - go with it. Its hardly onerous.
And enjoy!
Jonathan
RJJ
Well-Known Member
Sure, and equally there are risks at the point of the 12v connection, the wiring behind the connection, the bulb - hey, even the spare bulb might not work. And what if the batteries fail, you can't start the engine and you're searching for a MOB (in some imaginary circumstances that nobody on this thread has come up with where night vision has been chucked)?
Danbuoys should probably have their own internal power supply. Wouldnt' want them running out of battery.
In the real world, it's pretty straightforward to keep the searchlight, satphone, handheld VHF fully charged, given they are used for a couple of minutes daily, if at all. Once a week, or ahead of any extended passage, does the trick. And periodically change the battery in the danbuoy, even though it's never been used at all.
Refueler
Well-Known Member
Sorry don't understand your post ... minutes worth of what ?
If you mean the cabin lights ... the old were the typical flourescent tube jobs of the 70's 80's ... and over here getting harder to find the tubes when need replace. So looked for similar in LED ... and I have now brighter better lighting in cabin for about 1/4 the ampage .... so its not minutes ... its hours !
Refueler
Well-Known Member
Also because of the battery format often used in todays gear - sitting in a cradle being trickle charged continuously shorten battery life seriously quite quickly. Cycling of the gear is advised ..... just use them a bit every now and then ... which also shows you when batterys are dieing ...
TernVI
Well-Known Member
If you feel you don't want to accept other people's rules, chuck the ARC and just do it your way.
RJJ
Well-Known Member
No, back to the external lighting. Your searchlight for finding your way home...needs only be on for a few minutes,so a battery/rechargeable would do, right?
Refueler
Well-Known Member
Yes - sure ...
The entrance to my channel has overgrown and we jokingly refer to the "African Queen" movie when entering (some may recall the Bogart movie classic).
Daytime is OK ... but at night its difficult ..... one time - there was myself and pal with mobile phones trying to light up the entrance. After that - I looked for a solution and this LED light is better than expected.
Here is a video I shot of the location and at start you can see the problem ...
RJJ
Well-Known Member
Well, I like my rules to make sense, as I said upthread.
And many / most of the rules do make sense. Meantime, it's a learning experience, and I was hoping somebody might be able to explain why this rule makes sense. Still waiting ;-)
Refueler
Well-Known Member
I have the 'Offshore Special Regulations Handbook' .... was presented it by the author Alan Green when I was involved in a Regatta with him ...
If you think the Searchlight rule is questionable ... you should read thaty book for some of the daft outdated regs ... I wont quote .. to avoid arguments ... but honestly ... you wonder when and why some rules are made !!
penfold
Well-Known Member
You should put up a leading light. Your neighbour has a very elaborate creek.
Refueler
Well-Known Member
He has same problem at entrance ... we all have on the river. Blochin next door - he has the T shaped affair. But overall his official depth is less and his gardener can go into the water to clear some of it ... my gardener is not tall enough !!
At top of my channel - I do have solar powered leading lights now lined up with the main and entrance. When the pontoon is deployed - it will have Solar lights on as well. We did think about putting a solar light on a pole out there.
penberth3
Well-Known Member
I gave my theory of how these things arise. Other people have said similar things. So you either accept that's how it is, or waste your time with some tedious correspondence which is unlikely to change anything. Up to you.
RJJ
Well-Known Member
Well, that's neither illuminating nor friendly.
I tend not to return to threads I find tedious.
Refueler
Well-Known Member
This forum like many others has its moments. Many of which as you know are unintended - its usually down to the being remote via typed posts .. sit in a face to face and same words have different result ...
TernVI
Well-Known Member
Does the ARC organisation actually say the spotlight is for MOB purposes?
Might they have some other reason for wanting to be sure that every boat in their fleet has a sod-off torch?
Might they have some other reason for wanting to be sure that every boat in their fleet has a sod-off torch?
Rappey
Well-Known Member
I go offroading at night so good light is essential.. Have used cheap chinese hids in the past and they have worked well...
Decided to gamble £12 and see what led lights would look like.. they come in pairs so thats great as i would have a replacement for when the cheap chinese lamp fails, but 3 years later its still going strong.. The beam pattern passes the mot..
New 4-Side H4 LED Headlight Auto Car Bulbs 300W 36000LM High And Low Beam Bright | eBay
Refueler
Well-Known Member
Dunno if its EU matter or not .... but here in Latvia - only factory OEM / equivalents LED headlight / driving lamp lights are allowed ... people who fit after market items - disconnect them before annual inspection or put the original lights back in ..
Shame as the two driving lamps in my lower bumper on my XC70 are shot ... couple of LED jobs would suit it fine.
Rappey
Well-Known Member
Can be a menace.. im aware aftermarket conversion to led or hid from halogen is not allowed as the light source does not match the original, producing a different beam pattern..