MOB video from Storm Tri Sail Association

[thataway]

/Scuttlebutt released this MOB video today. It is usually shown at safety at sea seminars.

Even though this is geared for larger sailboats, there are a lot of good lessons for us as C Dory owners, if we every have a MOB. As for getting a person back aboard--We usually have our Garheaur Davit rigged, and the 6:1 ratio would allow a woman to get a man aboard. Having a ladder available is a real plus. The use of a Life sling is also discussed.

Fun video to watch for us ex sailors!

[Marco Flamingo]

Not discussed are the MOB's actions (if conscious). My experience using throw lines is all from whitewater kayaking, but most of it seems applicable here. The person in the water must resist the temptation to hand-over-hand to assist their recovery. It is not always easy to see when they have lost the line and pulling it 15 feet away is a long distance (and time and energy) to swim in a PFD even assuming no drift. Pulling the line in and throwing again is also not good. Better to let the person aboard or on shore do all the pulling and the person in the water save all their strength. They will need it.
The person in the water may find that the temperature makes gripping difficult enough until the line slips through to the actual throw bag.

Whether to attach the line via a carabiner on the throw bag to one's PFD was a choice in whitewater rescue. If there were large obstructions between the person in the water and the shore (rocks, logs, etc.), it might only be possible to pull the person closer, have them abandon that line, and then throw a second line. For a MOB, the water is always open and attaching the clip on the throw bag to the the PFD (preferably to its lift hook) seems like it would always be a good idea. If you're disappointed by losing a fish alongside the boat when it throws the hook, just think of losing a person because they weren't hooked on.

I was thinking of bringing a couple of throw bags to FH. Could be more fun (and more important) than a bean bag toss. Maybe next year.

[hardee]

Two things really scare me about MOB on my boat.

1. Most of the time I am on board by myself.

2. If I have someone else on board with me, who is going to do the "keeping eyes on and pointing" while the other person does the driving.

I know it is not the perfect solution, but, next to not going onto the boat, I think the FELLMarine solution is the best available so far. If I go overboard, the boat shuts down. If my guest goes over, I get both a visual and audible alarm within 5 seconds.


I do practice multiple safety procedures, (PFD, Checking in, Float Plan, etc) but accidents are not planned events.

Harvey
SleepyC