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Man overboard !

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sweetcraft
Admiral

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USA
816 Posts

Response Posted - 02/24/2008 : 23:43:29

I promise I will practice. The plan I hope to use for a MOB is the Life Sling and to bring the person to the side and up as far as possible with the jib sheet winch. This is suggested for using the Life Sling after lowering the sails, using the engine while returning to the POB. I hope to be able then to use the main halyard to support the boom with the main sheet attached to it and the POB and finish lifting them into the boat. I see a difficulty in using the boom with the mainsheet still attached to the end unless you lift the boom up higher until the lift point is straight above the POB where they are secured to the boat at the jib winch. This seems to be a plan in smooth waters but in strong winds and large waves, tough going. I have had a 150 down and tied with a gasket tie because of a summer storm and when the wind hit the sail got loose and put it self back up all the way. You know I had my hands full and being by myself the only way I got back some control was to remove the 150 and stuff it in the cabin. If there was a MOB they would have had to wait.

Edited by - on

redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 02/25/2008 : 07:45:22

The U.S. Coast Guard requires that all boats, whether large or small, carry at least one Type IV PFD. The Type IV PFD is a throwable personal flotation device designed to be tossed from the boat to a person in the water to provide them an aid to staying afloat until they can be rescued. In my opinion, a horseshoe should not be attached to line as that could tangle and not get deployed as fast as you need.

On Lysistrata we have a man-overboard pole attached to a large strobe that automatically deplys when floating vertically and the pole and the strobe are attached to the hrshoe ring. The man-overboard pole is one device that all boats should carry. This is a long pole with a flag on the top end and a weighted float on the bottom, designed so that it will float upright and hold the brightly-colored flag high above the waves, where it can be easily seen. The man overboard pole is tossed into the water so that the swimmer can grab it along with the throwable PFD. With this device, it is easier for the crew of the boat to maintain visual contact with the swimmer while the boat is being turned around and maneuvered back into position for a rescue.

Then break out the lifesling and circle the MOB. The horseshoe is not a substitute for a lifesling. You need both to effect a rescue. remember that unlike powerboats, sailboats require some distance to get turned around no matter how fast the skipper is. Give the MOB something to hold onto while you get yourself sorted out. 150' of line won't cut it with the lifesling.

Sten

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5904 Posts

Response Posted - 02/25/2008 : 10:00:52

Once, at the C25 Nationals, I had a father-son pick-up crew helping me race the boat. The son (13) could swim, but the father couldn't. Both wore PFDs, but, the father told me he was concerned about going overboard, so, on the way out to the race course, I tossed a throwable PFD in the water and maneuvered back to it, so he could see that we could get back to him quickly if there was a problem. It relaxed him, so that he could think about sailing the boat, rather than falling overboard, and the duo did a good job. Remember that your crew might not know what you know, and, if they express fear, you can calm their fears with a demonstration.

Also, I have one extra-long (14'), three-part telescoping boat hook that I use for MOB and for picking up a mooring, or a hat in the water. Because of its extra length, you don't have to get nearly so close to the MOB, mooring or hat to reach and retrieve him/it. A telescoping 6' boat hook might look long until you realize that you'll use most of its length to reach from deck level down to water level, even if you're lying on the deck. Once you've used an extra-long boat hook, you'll never be without one.

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 02/25/2008 : 15:07:10

WM has the Lifesling2 on sale for $99.99.

[url="http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/producte/10001/-1/10001/31718/377%20710/0/lifesling/Primary%20Search/mode%20matchallpartial/0/Most%20Popular|1?N=377%20710&Ne=0&Ntt=lifesling&Ntk=Primary%20Search&Ntx=mode%20matchallpartial&Nao=0&Ns=Most%20Popular|1&keyword=lifesling&isLTokenURL=true&storeNum=8&subdeptNum=104&classNum=105"]Lifesling 2[/url]

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 02/25/2008 : 15:09:20

Defender has it for the same price and doesn't charge tax.

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 02/25/2008 : 15:22:24

I never pay tax on WM either.

Just got off a depressing web site that listed maybe a hundred cases of MOB, mostly resulting in death. People going overboard in the Puget Sound dead in under 10 minutes. Geesh! Then came this story:

Case 24. On November 2, 1984, the 42 foot cutter "Night Runner" was about to gybe at the leeward mark in the Seattle Yacht Club Grand Prix regatta. The wind was 25 to 30 knots, seas three to four feet. The boat had just recovered from a spreaders in the water broach when the spinnaker guy fouled during takedown. Crew member Thor Thorson fell over the side while gybing the main. Fortunately, he was wearing a PFD and had been a "victim" in the previous weeks Lifesling tests. The skipper and two of the crew had also been trained in Lifesling use. The "Night Runner" made a quick stop by going head to wind, the Lifesling was deployed, and Thorson got the sling on the first pass. The boat hove to with jib down, and main vanged out, and helm down, and Thorson was hauled aboard manually in the sling. The jib was hoisted and the boat was back in the race having lost less than five minutes. She finished in the upper third of her class. Because the crew knew what to do, everything went smoothly.

I'm gonna get a Lifesling and practice!

Here it is for $89.

[url="http://www.westpacmarine.com/safety_equipment/lifesling.asp"]Lifesling2[/url]

And here is a good article on recovery gear equipment from Sailing World magazine.

[url="http://www.sailingworld.com/article.jsp?ID=42623&typeID=397&catID=607"]Sailing World[/url]

Edited by - Nautiduck on 02/25/2008 15:38:42

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 02/25/2008 : 16:46:03

Here are two more good resources for the Lifesling use:

[url="http://www.oasissailing.scyaweb.org/MOBProced/SafetyandMOBprocedure.pdf"]Using Lifesling[/url]

[url="http://www.ussailing.org/safety/Studies/2001_bc1.htm"]US Sailing[/url]

Edited by - Nautiduck on 02/25/2008 16:49:21

Steve Blackburn
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1091 Posts

Response Posted - 02/25/2008 : 17:49:05

Very interesting thread indeed! I need to find a REALISTIC MOB routine so my Admiral or 13 year old can pull me out.

Please tell me if my approach is correct:

1. MOB.
2. Immediately put boat in irons. (I should be about 25-50 feet away now?)
3. Start engine (neutral). For whatever reasons if it doesn't start then I still have my sails up.
4. Drop all sails. Having lazy jacks is probably a good idea at this point?
5. Motor to POB and keep on leeward side, ideally nose pointing in wind.
6. Motor in Neutral.
7. Boat hook MOB to open transom.
8. Help on board, if unconscious winch with halyard or jib sheets.

Should take me 2 mins? I'm going to practice with everyone on the boat this summer. Even have the Admiral and 13 year old winch me in while I play dead.

I was trained using the triangle technique where you immediatly go on a beam and arrive at the POB close hauled. However what I don't like about this is:
A- Too complicated for the Admiral to perform at this point.
B- If I miss the first time, then all those minutes add up and I risk hypothermia.

I have taught my Admiral that if ever I fall overboard to immediatly put the boat in irons. We practiced this a few times and she can stop the boat fairly quickly. Enough for me to swim back at least. Better than her sailing away yelling "what do I do? What do I do?"

We are going to practice this all summer. Then we'll be ready to sail the Vancouver area for the 2009 summer.

Edited by - Steve Blackburn on 02/25/2008 18:01:38

piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 02/25/2008 : 18:06:22

This is a great thread. Bottom line, be prepared and have all the safety equip and use it! It wont do any good having a radio that's shut off or life-sling that isn't mounted, etc.
Yes, statistically, boating is safe but its unforgiving. You get no second chances.
John R, btw, nice choice re SOS PFD. I have been evaluating all of them. What made you decide to go with that one? Their price is one of the lowest. And are you considering jack-lines?
Steve A

Edited by - on

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 02/25/2008 : 19:59:17

Steve,
One other thing to do, someone onboard should watch the person in the water - never to take their eye off them.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 02/25/2008 : 20:15:55

...and instantly litter the water with throwable Type IV PFDs (cushions). That's why I've always had a half dozen instead of custom-fitted seat cushions.

Edited by - on

JohnP
Master Marine Consultant

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1520 Posts

Response Posted - 02/25/2008 : 21:34:45

Here are a few more tips about rescuing crew overboard:

[url="http://www.boatus.com/foundation/findings/COBfinalreport/COB%20FINAL%20REPORT.pdf"]2005 CREW OVERBOARD RESCUE SYMPOSIUM[/url]

I'm glad John Rousmaniere and his buddies tried all of this so I don't have to.

Safe sailing.

Edited by - JohnP on 02/26/2008 11:57:34

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 02/26/2008 : 09:45:27

Excellent article! Can this be filed on the association site?

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 02/26/2008 : 15:19:18

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by JohnP
 Here are a few more tips about rescuing crew overboard:

[url="http://www.boatus.com/foundation/findings/COBfinalreport/COB%20FINAL%20REPORT.pdf"]2005 CREW OVERBOARD RESCUE SYMPOSIUM[/url]

I'm glad John Rousmaniere and his buddies tried all of this so I don't have to.

Safe sailing.

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Good time to plug the Safety At Sea Seminar next month at Edgewater Yacht Club. It is open to the public but reservations are required. - Rousmaniere is one of the key speakers....It should be well worth it for anyone within a couple hour drive.

[url="https://eycweb.memberstatements.com/Clubs/CSG-Edgewater/Uploaded/CalendarPics/SAFETY%20AT%20SEA%20SEMINAR-Brochure.pdf"]CLICKY HERE[/url]

Edited by - on

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