Solve and argument please.

[Shiver Metimbers]

What is the purpose of the Danbuoy?

It is for MOB and is for the benefit of the guy in the water so he can see the position of the lifebelt and where to swim to.

Or

Its for MOB and marks their position.

I know I am right, she just won't believe me.

 

[trying]

I always thought the latter, to indicate the MOB position.

 

[Shiver Metimbers]

That's true if the mob is in the life belt

 

[samwestwood]

Erm i may be being stupid but i think the answer is BOTH

 

[Rabbie]

Agree! And why not.

 

[Shiver Metimbers]

The book says it marks the position of the life belt. So why do we want to mark the position of the life belt when everyone on board have been briefed (or should have) to continually point at the mob, the MOB could be some distance from the life belt initially?

 

[gavin_lacey]

Try doing a MOB drill on a dark night! or in bad weather or both. Losing sight of a casualty is more than likely. A lit danbouy provides a meeting place for MOB and boat. It also provides a reference point that moves at roughly the same speed as the casualty due to wind, wave, current. GPS MOB position does not.

 

[Searush]

Definitely BOTH!

 

[Anonymous]

[ QUOTE ]
The book says it marks the position of the life belt. So why do we want to mark the position of the life belt when everyone on board have been briefed (or should have) to continually point at the mob, the MOB could be some distance from the life belt initially?

[/ QUOTE ]Well, whatever the 'book' might say, real life ain't quite like that! Firstly, loads of people sail as a couple so one falls in and the other has to do things pdq. Suppose Mrs L falls in and I stand there pointing at her until she is no longer visible, she's going to drown, isn't she? "Well, Your Honour, that's what the BOOK said to do.....". "Stop the boat? Go about? I couldn't do that AND keep pointing at her continuously, could I?" Even with more hands on board, most of them are a waste of space and a complete liability -- I usually send them below if the sea is choppy and they are invariably happy to comply.

The dan buoy is a marker. Both for the victim and the rescuers. The problem with dan buoys is when you let the lines get tangled up in the guard rails and instead of the lifebuoy ending up near the victim, you end up with everything trailing a few feet astern.....except the victim, who gently disappears into the distance. Dan buoys can, IMO, be a real hazard.

 

[DownWest]

Throw the other party in on an average summer day, count to ten then throw an unmarked life ring in, see how long they take to find it. At the same time see how long you can keep the party in sight. Should answer your question. To make it more interesting, try it at night.

A

I know, it wasn't quite the question....