Setting up a Lifebuoy and Light.

[Take5]

Probably seems a daft question to you guys, but I don't know the answer myself (don't forget I am a Noobie)

I received my lifebuoy and standard light today (Ocean Safety one)

There is a bracket that screws onto the rail and that holds the lifebuoy via an elasticated strap which has a clip underneath the bracket to hold the light. The light illuminates itself when it is turned the correct way up.

1) Should the light be connected in someway to the lifebuoy ? If so how?

2) There is a short length of rope that goes through a few eyelets around the edge of the lifebuoy. On one end is a plastic ring and on the other end a plastic clip. What are these for?

3) Should there be a length of warp cannected to the lifebuoy? If so what length and how do I connect it.

There were no instructions whatsoever with the buoy and I cannot find out how to set it up from my searches in google.

ANY help greatly appreciated as always.

 

[Jonmendez]

You need to connect the light to the top loop on the life buoy, with some thin (4mm) cord about 3ft is plenty. The long white cord is designed to go around the person in the water you can clip the clip to the circle so it is ready to use and just tuck the spare in the loops as in the picture. When you rig it make sure the light line is not caught on the holder. Note that without a drogue the lifebuoy tends to blow away on a windy day!

 

[Take5]

Many thanks for that info John.

So it wouldn't have a long length of line connected to it also?

 

[alan006]

On my boat I have 4 life rings of which 2 have lights and 2 do not. On the two with lights I have a floating line attached. This arrangement gives the person on board the choice of throwing a life buoy with or without a line attached which I think gives the most flexible response.
I suppose other people might have a different approach.

 

[Take5]

Hi Alan,

Thanks for your advice.

 

[BrendanS]

One thing to check out. Do the arms of the buoy flex enough to allow them to go around the upper chest of a normal male chest? There were some long threads on the forums a few years back about this subject. People can always just hang on to them, but if lacking strength, better to have it around the body

 

[Stoaty]

[ QUOTE ]
This arrangement gives the person on board the choice of throwing a life buoy with or without a line attached which I think gives the most flexible response.
I suppose other people might have a different approach.

[/ QUOTE ]

My approach if the need to throw a life buoy over is to throw the lot over. All of them. You wouldn't want the person in the water to just miss catching the one you threw over. Give them the best chance you can.

 

[alan006]

Yes, thats understandable.
I think there can be situations where you don't want lines in the water getting in the way, so its handy to have the option. Imagine, for example someone falling in a lock then you don't want to risk the suction of the draining water pulling the rope underwater and tangling up. The other concern I have is that the light units are fairly substantial and in daylight I wouldn't like to hit the casualty with it when throwing it to them.

 

[Solitaire]

[ QUOTE ]
Many thanks for that info John.

So it wouldn't have a long length of line connected to it also?

[/ QUOTE ]

We keep a seperate throwing line onboard.

Something like this.

 

[Take5]

Thanks to all the above for your replies.

This again may sound silly. A man goes overboard. We are doing 25kts. I know the MOB procedure as per how myself and SWMBO did it in PB2.

At what point does the lifebuoy go out?

Does it go out as soon as you know there is a MOB situation or do you wait until you have turned around and got closer the the MOB? < This would seem to be the obvious choice to me.

I mean. How close do you want to be before throwing the Lifebuoy to the MOB. What is too close what is too far?

Edit: I would also expect that everyone on board should be wearing a lifejacket. If they have a lifejacket on and it as inflated etc. Is the lifebuoy still required?

Thanks

 

[alan006]

IMHO there's no point in deploying the life ring untill you can see the casualty and can throw it near to them. If you can't see the casualty the chances are that when you throw the ring the casualty won't see it so it will be waisted. If you have a dan buoy then I would deploy that because they have a better chance of seeing it and you can reverse course onto it and start your search pattern from there.
Don't forget that to someone in the water in even the very slightest swell the distance they will be able to see a life ring is very small.
If the casualty has a working lifejacket I would not deploy a life ring as it simply complicates the situation. You need to be concentrating on getting your boat in the right position for the recovery and have the caualties complete attention as you come into position. You don't want them concentrating on getting to or into the life ring.

 

[awol]

Add some reflective tape and your boat's name + a drogue (as already advised). As for "when?" - as soon as possible and more than one 'cos that gives you a rough bearing back to the body in the water. It is easier to see the lifebelt(s) than a head, especially at night.

Boat's name can prevent a futile search if belt lost and later found by 3rd party.

 

[Take5]

Thanks for all the advice and information. All taken onboard.

 

[lydiamight]

It might be worth thinking about a danbuoy as well. They certainly make finding where you've thrown the lifebuoy (hopefully close to the casulty) a lot easier.