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Ryan L
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USA
230 Posts

Response Posted - 09/22/2011 : 12:53:02

...also, figure 8 only requires one tack (then finishing head to weather).

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by JeanAndre
 This is a great thread, It shows how much people are caring about their MOBs. There is a hole lot of ways to retrieve a MOB, specially on the adds on the Sailing Mags.
So re-reading the thread here is what I came with:

1- Triangle course
2- Head to wind
3- Heaving to (Quick Stop)
4- Life ring / Life Sling
5- Jib alone
6- Ski Line / Trailing line
7- Easy access to swim ladder
8- Figure 8 (2 tacks)

The water here in St. Louis is getting colder and I am not in Brazil any more. But I got pretty excited to do a whole day of MOB practice, So as soon as the sun shines, the summer gets back and the water gets nice again I will try them all and see what I can get out of them.

But so far the best advice ever: Practice, practice, practice!
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Edited by - on

JeanAndre
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Response Posted - 09/23/2011 : 14:37:32

Hi Ryan,

would you please describe the quick stop steps?

Have a great weekend

Cheers

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
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Djibouti
9076 Posts

Response Posted - 09/23/2011 : 15:18:39

When I said "litter the water...", that has two benefits:

1. It likely provides some flotation to the MOB, who might not have a life jacket on (do you know?), and...

2. It adds some visible "stuff" in the water, making the general location of the MOB easier to keep track of. (It can be harder than you might think.)

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 09/23/2011 15:51:41

Ryan L
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USA
230 Posts

Response Posted - 09/23/2011 : 16:49:33

Similar to the diagram Stinkpotter posted but there's really no need to drop the headsail (especially on our boats). If you keep the headsail and main pulled all the way in then you will go slow when running dead down wind and you have less danger from accidental jibe. This is especially true on little boats like ours.

Here's a video that shows it well: http://www.videos.sailingcourse.com/quick_stop.htm

The steps (condensed version):
-Call "MOB", throw floating stuff in the water, designate someone to continuously point at the MOB (if someone is available).

-Come to close hauled (including trimming sails) then immediately tack leaving the jib secured so it backwinds.

-Continue the turn until you're close to dead down wind and pass near the MOB. Tell them "we're coming for you", etc. Throw more floating stuff if you have it.

-After passing MOB jibe and continue the turn until you're approaching MOB close hauled or close reach.

-Let your sails luff to control speed as needed. Approach and recover MOB.

Basically all you do is trim in all the sails then tack, run, jibe, approach. All the turns are the same direction (so you don't have to stress about what is a tack, what is jibe, etc). Super simple, quickly stops the boat, easy to remember, and allows for a controlled approach without putting much distance between the vessel and the MOB.

I hope that helps. Try it and let us know how it goes!

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by JeanAndre
 Hi Ryan,

would you please describe the quick stop steps?

Have a great weekend

Cheers

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

Edited by - on

Ryan L
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USA
230 Posts

Response Posted - 09/23/2011 : 17:00:08

By the way, the boat in the video is a J80. It's just over 26' long with just over 8' beam. Similar dimensions to our C25s but J80s are much lighter and have larger sail area. I sometimes teach on J80s and they are much more maneuverable and high performance than our Catalinas. Point being, you can see how much control etc was achieved in the video on a high performance boat. Our Cats are even easier to slow down when needed.

Edited by - on

redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 09/24/2011 : 16:13:25

I like the Williamson turn. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man_overboard_rescue_turn#Williamson_turn

Always put the MOB on the leeward side and toss em the life sling as you approach. Trying to suddenly heave to can waste a lot of time. Turn around and go the other way. Get there fast. If the outboard doesn't start of it takes too long to heave to, you could be screwed.

sten

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
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Djibouti
9076 Posts

Response Posted - 09/25/2011 : 09:24:52

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by redviking
 I like the Williamson turn. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man_overboard_rescue_turn#Williamson_turn

...Turn around and go the other way. Get there fast. If the outboard doesn't start of it takes too long to heave to, you could be screwed.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">OK, now I'm confused. The Williamson turn is for operating under power, but you warn against the outboard... (which indeed probably requires untilting and lowering as well as starting). Part of the Williamson maneuver--turning toward the MOB--is designed to swing the stern away from him and prevent the boat's prop from getting him just after he hits the water. But the maneuver ends up down-wind (if you started out up-wind).

The "quick stop" isn't heaving to--it's a circle starting with a tack that temporarily backwinds the jib (helping to slow the boat), then a jibe (sheeted in hard) that ends up head-to-wind. The Williamson turn isn't going to work with sails up--not even starting from a downwind course. (That's a whole separate sub-topic.)

So what are you proposing, Sten?

BTW, we used to practice the Figure-8 (AKA Quick Turn), but under sail, I'm thinking I like the Quick Stop maneuver better.

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 09/25/2011 09:37:46

cshaw
Captain

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USA
460 Posts

Response Posted - 09/25/2011 : 10:57:05

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Stinkpotter
BTW, we used to practice the Figure-8 (AKA Quick Turn), but under sail, I'm thinking I like the Quick Stop maneuver better.

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I agree the Quickstop is a good "baseline" approach that would work in most all wind conditions and points of sail for starting out.

Since I sail quite often with novices on board for crew, if I fall off the boat (and assuming my crew wants to comeback to get me!!), I tell them to simply put the helm down and hold it hard over, and to expect things to make a heck of a racket and since the boom can flail around, to keep your heads down. The beauty is nothing gets uncleated and no one has to understand how to tack the boat, and the boat stops and does not sail away very far. I have done this little drill many many times thru the years and novices always have seemed to be able to do it just fine.

The downside it it does not try to bring the boat back alongside the MOB, but my thinking is if a novice tries to do that, the odds are they will not stay close to me in the water.

But if I am on board, I am thinking I would probably use the Quick Stop approach with the tack as the first turn.

Chuck

Edited by - on

NCBrew
Captain

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USA
338 Posts

Response Posted - 09/25/2011 : 11:16:45

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Stinkpotter
 

When I said "litter the water...", that has two benefits:

1. It likely provides some flotation to the MOB, who might not have a life jacket on (do you know?), and...

2. It adds some visible "stuff" in the water, making the general location of the MOB easier to keep track of. (It can be harder than you might think.)
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Thanks for the diagram. I copied it and will take it along and practice.

Edited by - on

Ryan L
Navigator

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230 Posts

Response Posted - 09/25/2011 : 12:12:57

I agree. Sten seems to be maybe confusing his terms but I'm open minded to maybe learning something new if he's willing to explain what he means? (Sten- did you learn about the W turn in a captain's license class? They favor it heavily in those courses but they're doing so from the context of a larger power boat).

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Stinkpotter
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by redviking
 I like the Williamson turn. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man_overboard_rescue_turn#Williamson_turn

...Turn around and go the other way. Get there fast. If the outboard doesn't start of it takes too long to heave to, you could be screwed.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">OK, now I'm confused. The Williamson turn is for operating under power, but you warn against the outboard... (which indeed probably requires untilting and lowering as well as starting). Part of the Williamson maneuver--turning toward the MOB--is designed to swing the stern away from him and prevent the boat's prop from getting him just after he hits the water. But the maneuver ends up down-wind (if you started out up-wind).

The "quick stop" isn't heaving to--it's a circle starting with a tack that temporarily backwinds the jib (helping to slow the boat), then a jibe (sheeted in hard) that ends up head-to-wind. The Williamson turn isn't going to work with sails up--not even starting from a downwind course. (That's a whole separate sub-topic.)

So what are you proposing, Sten?

BTW, we used to practice the Figure-8 (AKA Quick Turn), but under sail, I'm thinking I like the Quick Stop maneuver better.

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

Edited by - on

britinusa
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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 09/25/2011 : 13:44:43

I love it when someone experienced provides an easy to remember process.
<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">
Basically all you do is trim in all the sails then tack, run, jibe, approach.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Could that be modified to
"Toss Floats, Tighten up the Jib and Main, Tack, Run, Jibe, Approach"

FYI, we both wear our auto inflatable suspenders if the boat is mobile (off the hook or off the dock) and they are very visible (assuming they inflate!)

Paul

Edited by - on

glivs
Admiral

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USA
836 Posts

Response Posted - 09/25/2011 : 16:41:11

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"> ...our auto inflatable suspenders ... are very visible (assuming they inflate!) <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Paul, I know your first priority is on not testing this assumption....it is only valid as a last resort. I share an experience I recall every time this topic comes up. Many years ago I was involved in a research project collecting [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuston"]neuston[/url] across the Gulf of Mexico. Our net was bright white fine mesh approximately 6ft by 20ft in dimension (conical shape). Moreover it was held afloat with 1/2 of its volume above the surface by two sealed pvc pipes 6" diameter x 6ft long - also bright white. It was a moonless night but the seas were unusually glassy with wave heights of only 1-2 ft. The net was towed at maybe 4kts <100m astern our research vessel ([url="http://www.tdi-bi.com/vessels/gyre.htm"]R/V Gyre[/url]) and was clearly visible with the lights on the fantail. Then the cable snapped. Almost immediately, a spotlight was turned on to search the waters, the commander on duty cut the engines and once the cable was secured initiated a 180 turn, and everyone on duty (maybe 5-6 personnel) were on deck scanning the waters. "It" was soon spotted and we maneuvered to a position that would allow it to drift into us for recovery. Took all of maybe 10-15 minutes. What we recovered was a Styrofoam coffee cup. We searched probably another two hours before finally giving up. Lesson learned ... as all naval personnel know, perceptions even under seemingly <s>amenable</s> favorable conditions can be misleading and searches in open waters incredibly challenging.

Edited by - glivs on 09/26/2011 05:34:10

Ryan L
Navigator

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USA
230 Posts

Response Posted - 09/25/2011 : 19:22:47

Thanks for that post. It brings up a lot of good points. If anyone is interested the way we try to mitigate some of these issues is by having stobe lights, whistles, and SOLAS reflective tape attached to our PFDs. The PFDs we use are auto-inflating with built in harness (for jacklines/tether). The strobes, whistles, etc all stow cleanly "inside" the outer covering of the non-inflated "suspenders".

For what it's worth, a person almost drowned here in San Diego a few years ago when they where in their cabin when their boat capsized. The guy was wearing an auto-inflating PFD which ended up pinning him to the cabin floor (now the roof) when the cabin flooded. He survived b/c he had a knife, was able to puncture the PFD, and swim out of the boat. Luckily there were lifeguards near by that witnessed the episode (it was in a boat channel) and the crew was saved. Yet another reason to always wear your knife...

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

Paul, I know your first priority is on not testing this assumption....it is only valid as a last resort. I share an experience I recall every time this topic comes up. Many years ago I was involved in a research project collecting [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuston"]neuston[/url] across the Gulf of Mexico. Our net was bright white fine mesh approximately 6ft by 20ft in dimension (conical shape). Moreover it was held afloat with 1/2 of its volume above the surface by two sealed pvc pipes 6" diameter x 6ft long - also bright white. It was a moonless night but the seas were unusually glassy with wave heights of only 1-2 ft. The net was towed at maybe 4kts <100m astern our research vessel ([url="http://www.tdi-bi.com/vessels/gyre.htm"]R/V Gyre[/url]) and was clearly visible with the lights on the fantail. Then the cable snapped. Almost immediately, a spotlight was turned on to search the waters, the commander on duty cut the engines and once the cable was secured initiated a 180 turn, and everyone on duty (maybe 5-6 personnel) were on deck scanning the waters. "It" was soon spotted and we maneuvered to a position that would allow it to drift into us for recovery. Took all of maybe 10-15 minutes. What we recovered was a Styrofoam coffee cup. We searched probably another two hours before finally giving up. Lesson learned ... as all naval personnel know, perceptions even under seemingly amenable conditions can be misleading and searches in open waters incredibly challenging.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Edited by - on

JohnP
Master Marine Consultant

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1520 Posts

Response Posted - 09/26/2011 : 06:20:16

I really appreciate getting this kind of useful info from the forum.

Getting a MOB victim back on the boat is the last step to a successful rescue, and this document below gives 105 examples of MOB rescue attempts. It highlights the need for something like a lifesling hoisting device if the MOB victim is not conscious or not strong enough to climb the boarding ladder. The lifesling can be used with its dedicated block and tackle to lift the MOB up to the deck and under the lifelines using the main halyard on our boats.

[url="http://www.usps.org/seattle/images/links/105-mob-cases.pdf"]http://www.usps.org/seattle/images/links/105-mob-cases.pdf[/url]

Edited by - on

JeanAndre
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USA
224 Posts

Response Posted - 09/26/2011 : 06:57:32

Just adding a little fire to this discussion.... Why Quickstop instead of figure 8?

Wouldn´t it be best not to Jibe?

Great week all!

Cheers

Edited by - on

redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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Response Posted - 09/26/2011 : 09:17:06

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Stinkpotter
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by redviking
 I like the Williamson turn. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man_overboard_rescue_turn#Williamson_turn

...Turn around and go the other way. Get there fast. If the outboard doesn't start of it takes too long to heave to, you could be screwed.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">OK, now I'm confused. The Williamson turn is for operating under power, but you warn against the outboard... (which indeed probably requires untilting and lowering as well as starting). Part of the Williamson maneuver--turning toward the MOB--is designed to swing the stern away from him and prevent the boat's prop from getting him just after he hits the water. But the maneuver ends up down-wind (if you started out up-wind).

The "quick stop" isn't heaving to--it's a circle starting with a tack that temporarily backwinds the jib (helping to slow the boat), then a jibe (sheeted in hard) that ends up head-to-wind. The Williamson turn isn't going to work with sails up--not even starting from a downwind course. (That's a whole separate sub-topic.)

So what are you proposing, Sten?

BTW, we used to practice the Figure-8 (AKA Quick Turn), but under sail, I'm thinking I like the Quick Stop maneuver better.

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

Nearing port on a Oyster 62 I am delivering. Nice ride. Will respond as soon as we put her to bed and I get my computer out.

Sten

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
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Djibouti
9076 Posts

Response Posted - 09/26/2011 : 09:36:56

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by JeanAndre
 Just adding a little fire to this discussion.... Why Quickstop instead of figure 8? Wouldn´t it be best not to Jibe?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">The purported advantage to the "Quick Stop" is that you don't tack the jib--no sheet/sail handling except to haul both sheets in hard at the beginning and release them at the end. The jibe is safer with a hardened mainsheet (which is always the right way to jibe), and the whole maneuver takes less attention to the boat, allowing more attention to the MOB. The backwinded jib helps push the bow around on the tack, and slows the boat somewhat as you pass the MOB downwind (as does the hardened main). I'd say that dropping or furling the jib is optional--you just want to release both sheets (jib first, maybe during the final turn) as you arrive at the MOB.

BTW, I think it should be called something like the "Loop".

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 09/26/2011 09:45:25

Ryan L
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Response Posted - 09/26/2011 : 09:52:15

What he said... Basically it's just easier for most people and works well on our small boats in most conditions. The thread (IIRC) is about best MOB recovery method for inexperienced crew. Figure 8 works well too, just more complicated for inexperienced people to execute.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Stinkpotter
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by JeanAndre
 Just adding a little fire to this discussion.... Why Quickstop instead of figure 8? Wouldn´t it be best not to Jibe?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">The purported advantage to the "Quick Stop" is that you don't tack the jib--no sheet/sail handling except to haul both sheets in hard at the beginning and release them at the end. The jibe is safer with a hardened mainsheet (which is always the right way to jibe), and the whole maneuver takes less attention to the boat, allowing more attention to the MOB. The backwinded jib helps push the bow around on the tack, and slows the boat somewhat as you pass the MOB downwind (as does the hardened main). I'd say that dropping or furling the jib is optional--you just want to release both sheets (jib first, maybe during the final turn) as you arrive at the MOB.

BTW, I think it should be called something like the "Loop".
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Edited by - on

Ryan L
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USA
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Response Posted - 09/26/2011 : 09:53:33

Thanks Sten. I'm curious your take on this. Safe travels.

[/quote]

Nearing port on a Oyster 62 I am delivering. Nice ride. Will respond as soon as we put her to bed and I get my computer out.

Sten
[/quote]

Edited by - on

redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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Response Posted - 09/27/2011 : 05:07:18

There's nothing that says that the Williamson turn can't be applied to a sailing vessel. Yes, I now am on a larger vessel so your individual results may vary.

We were discussing MOB techniques in Captain's Class and this of course came up. I too was a big fan of the quick stop and the figure 8 methods, and still am, but I learned something new and tried it and it works. First of all, the objective of the OUPV is to license a Captain for the purpose of taking up to 6 people for hire out on the water. So you have to take that into consideration. For example, Sten is sitting dockside with a charter signed up. The nice folks from North Dakota show up and Sten goes thru the safety speach. Here's the radio, here's how to use it. Here are all 4 of the fire extinguishers. THEN - wait for it - Sten discusses Captain overboard recovery. Here is how to release the sheets and this is the Williamson. You can draw the diagram in the palm of your hand if you need to. The idea here is that IF the Captain goes overboard and you have a crew of people who have absolutely no idea and will forget half of what you told them during the safety speach, they can quickly recover you.

Nobody in that scenario will remember the quick stop nor the 8 method. Teach them to circle around and head straight for you and then turn at the last minute leaving you to leeward and toss the lifesling. Speed is your friend. The Williamson in this context is only practical if you have a lifesling, but I did try it with a horseshoe buoy and was able to retrieve it with a boat hook twice in a little over 2 minutes.

The diagram does not show the final part of the maneuver which is to turn when the MOB is withing reach. But let's run thru what would actually happen in the aforementioned scenario. You are close hauled or on a beam reach when the MOB incident happens. The wind is on your port side and you fall off and begin to execute the Williamson. You swing back around and the jib backwinds while you bear down on the MOB using the reciprical course heading. Boat speed is good and the MOB is getting closer. Lifesling is made ready and at the appropriate time the vessel turns to starboard as the lifesling is tossed to the MOB. Vessel is now in the irons and MOB is on the port side or slightly aft. It's a good idea to release the sheets if practical just before making the turn to starboard, but don't worry about it. As long as the MOB can grab the lifesling and you get the vessel as close as possible to the MOB without hitting the MOB, life is good.

The problem with the other methods as was explained to me - in the OUPV scenario - is that once the vessel is stalled, i.e. no boat speed, recovery time is horrible. If the panicked crew miscalculates or forgets how to do the 8 or the QS, it could be a long swim.

As it was explained to me, and I see the logic, if you left an item on the roof of your car in the Wallyworld parking lot and it fell off you would simply turn around and go get it. Everyone gets that concept, and therefore and easy concept for just about anyone to understand.

We tried it twice. Once while beating and once downwind. Yes the sails do flog, and the backwinded jib does create some heel, but hot damn, it does work. I think the 700 and change I spent was well worth it. It is rumored that the Steve and Doris Colgate Offshore Sailing School teaches the Williamson as well.

But as per usual, whatever works on my boat, probably won't work on yours.

sten

BTW - this method is not a good idea if you have 10 people on your Macgreggor 26 like that Heart of Sailing idiot did. The boat will just flip when backwinded.

Edited by - redviking on 09/27/2011 05:16:36

Steve Milby
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Response Posted - 09/27/2011 : 05:42:32

I'm a firm believer in becoming familiar with as many different MOB techniques as possible, because you never know what all the circumstances will be when the person goes overboard. In these discussions people are invariably looking for the best technique, but sometimes the best technique is the one in which you use the engine, because the seas are so violent that you might not be able to get back to him under sail. The quick stop is good, if you react quickly enough, but, if you are slow in reacting, you have to do something else. Don't look for just one technique. Become familiar with as many different techniques as possible, and use the one that works in the situation that presents itself.

Edited by - on

redviking
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Response Posted - 09/27/2011 : 06:11:46

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Steve Milby
 I'm a firm believer in becoming familiar with as many different MOB techniques as possible, because you never know what all the circumstances will be when the person goes overboard. In these discussions people are invariably looking for the best technique, but sometimes the best technique is the one in which you use the engine, because the seas are so violent that you might not be able to get back to him under sail. The quick stop is good, if you react quickly enough, but, if you are slow in reacting, you have to do something else. Don't look for just one technique. Become familiar with as many different techniques as possible, and use the one that works in the situation that presents itself.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Agreed. Chapman's describes the Rod-stop method as well...

A C25's outboard will cavitate in rough conditions - ostensibly why there is a MOB to begin with - so recovery under sail is worth practising.

sten

Edited by - redviking on 09/27/2011 06:17:32

Stinkpotter
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Djibouti
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Response Posted - 09/27/2011 : 06:15:07

OK Sten, your Williamson is not what the Wiki-diagram shows...

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 09/27/2011 06:24:13

redviking
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Response Posted - 09/27/2011 : 06:26:57

This simply shows the boat returning on a reciprocal course--then Step 5 is "Stop the vessel"--a somewhat ambiguous statement on what would appear might be a broad reach.

We discussed the Williamson and Scharnow turns in my OUPV course--both in the context of a ship discovering a person is missing. Their design, as I understood them, was to maneuver onto a reciprocal course that would maximize your chances of finding the missing person at sea. I'm pretty sure the retired Navy instructor, who now is captain of a tug and pilots subs into and out of Groton, pretty much dismissed their significance for a rapid MOB on a sailboat--we only discussed the Figure 8 for that...

Now I think I might like the "Quick Stop" (loop) better than the "Quick Turn" (Figure 8), but I won't judge till I try it on the water. Both might share a risk of going into irons short of the MOB, but the Williamson on a sailboat with an inexperienced helmsman would appear to risk going by the MOB at 5 knots. I'm suspicious a Life Sling isn't going to solve that problem.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Yeah my instructor was a 30 year retired Coastie, so who knows. It was originally designed for military use, agreed. And the diagram does not show what you would do upon finding the MOB which would be to turn and put the MOB on the beam. In the diagram, if the wind was on your port side and you executed the Williamson, the wind would now be on your starboard, and upon reaching the MOB, if the helmsman turned to starboard, the vessel would be in the irons. Agreed on the life sling at five knots - but that's why you teach em to release the sheets before reaching the MOB.

Personally, I'll take my chances grabbing the lifesling with the vessel in proximity than watching it try to circle around me.

sten

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
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Djibouti
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Response Posted - 09/27/2011 : 07:41:37

Sten, I really think that in the scenario you describe (me and six non-sailing passengers under sail), my instructions would be:

1. Throw all of these things (cushions, horseshoe, Life Sling, or whatever) in my direction, and then quickly...
2. Turn into the wind or just let go of everything so the boat stops.
3. Push this button (VHF mike, already on 16) and call for help--then release it and listen. Push again to answer. (Don't worry about protocol.)

If I'm conscious, I'll work my way back to the boat. If I'm not, there's nothing they're going to be able to do except maybe run me over--somebody with a low-freeboard powerboat needs to get there as soon as possible.

I really don't see non-sailors in an emergency situation performing any MOB maneuver without a significant risk of ending up further away and out of control.

Call it the "Bristle Turn."

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 09/27/2011 08:21:07

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