MOB .. how hard could it be

[Mo]

http://vimeo.com/87355387

I'm not sure we can see this video but harness's would have made all the difference in this one. Skipper never saw it coming either. I was thinking he should have done a different approach with that sea running but then again I don't know the depth there...maybe he didn't have a choice. Allot easier to keep crew on a boat than getting them out of the water.

[sastanley]

Mo..that last statement could not be more true. The ONLY time that might not be the case is getting drug by the boat & drowning..I seem to recall one single event like that..far more MOB's have disastrous results by leaving the boat. One solution is short enough tethers that don't allow you to fall over the lifelines...but like everything else there is give & take..We have shockcord tethers with two clips at different lengths. One is short enough I can't even stand up if I attach it to the mast ring 6" off the deck.

I've never been in conditions that we've needed to use jacklines, but I also think here the best is two lines (strong webbing probably) down the boat just off centerline are best..too far out to the edge and you can still fall over. I haven't thought of a good solution for tethering myself in my cockpit yet..probably to the traveler if I REALLY had to, but I also have SS handrails at the companionway that are thru-bolted, they might work too.

Stay on the boat stay on the boat stay on the boat...and step UP into the liferaft.

[Marian Claire]

Mo 3000. Limited access so no viewing. As I have said before "stay on the boat". I am cliped in as soon as I clear the slip. Short, not overboard teather. A PITA some times but all things concederd AOK with me. Dan S/V Marian Claire

[roadnsky]

But, I have to ask...

WHAT was the skipper thinking in the first place?

[Mo]

Mo..that last statement could not be more true. The ONLY time that might not be the case is getting drug by the boat & drowning..I seem to recall one single event like that..far more MOB's have disastrous results by leaving the boat. One solution is short enough tethers that don't allow you to fall over the lifelines...but like everything else there is give & take..We have shockcord tethers with two clips at different lengths. One is short enough I can't even stand up if I attach it to the mast ring 6" off the deck.

I've never been in conditions that we've needed to use jacklines, but I also think here the best is two lines (strong webbing probably) down the boat just off centerline are best..too far out to the edge and you can still fall over. I haven't thought of a good solution for tethering myself in my cockpit yet..probably to the traveler if I REALLY had to, but I also have SS handrails at the companionway that are thru-bolted, they might work too.

Stay on the boat stay on the boat stay on the boat...and step UP into the liferaft.

I have Jacklines and have used them a few times. When in the cockpit and clipped in I hook onto the split backstay chain plate....one on each side so which ever side I'm on. I usually sit on the wooden seat I made top of the transom. You will see I put some rope I have across the stern of the boat just in front of the boarding ladder. That was done when I first got the boat and I figured if a wave came over the front and tried to push me on back through it would hold me aboard...strange, but it does offer something to lean on as well. You can also see where the split backstay comes down and I can hook on. My lifejacket has the harness built in and I do have a 3 foot tether.

Just above my BBQ. there on the stern rail, you can see a MOB beacon. It is designed with a bit of weight so that it doesn't drift quickly. As soon as it is pulled from it's holster the light activate and strobes. There is no homing beacon or gps with this...just a float with flashing light to mark the area of the MOB. More helpful at night.

[hanleyclifford]

I wonder why all those people were sitting outside the cockpit in those conditions. It looks like a complicated tide pattern with rocks and little room to manoever. I've never seen Hell Gate in NYC look that scary.

[67c&ccorv]

Sure goes to show the importance of proper lifevests...there would be no survival in those conditions without one.

[ndutton]

Related to the video
If I were the skipper of the power boat I'd have considered tossing a line to the victims and towing them into more sheltered water to do the rescue even if it were one or two at a time. One more good comber and the rescue boat will need rescuing. Dallying around in the surf zone seems risky to me both for the vessel and victims.

Unrelated to the video
When was the last time any of us actually practiced MOB, particularly under sail (jibe, reach, heave-to)? I confess it's been a helluva long time for me.

[romantic comedy]

I say the same thing about towing them.

MOB drill? Why. If I go over she will have to come and get me. I just have a very strong statement in the will about if I am drowned or lost at sea. My nephew gets it all.

[ndutton]

I was thinking more about your ability to efficiently rescue one of your guests. No harm in being sharp on skills.

Come to think of it, the sailboat skipper could have tossed a tow line to the victims and possibly completed the rescue himself.

[hanleyclifford]

When I drove for Edgartown Marine the USCG checked out the drivers every year with a MOB drill. The correct procedure is to immediately deploy the deck mounted type IV with poly (floating) line attached, then steam around back into the tide or wind (whichever is stronger) while making sure your (rescue) assistant has his/her life jacket on. Approach MOB at a crawl and retrieve.

[ndutton]

What I was talking about was returning to the victim and putting on the brakes post haste, using the boat to shield the victim from the prevailing conditions - - - all under sail so no time is spent dropping sail and firing up the engine.

[romantic comedy]

Neil, I was wondering about the sailboat too. But we dont know the depth there. The boat did seem like it handled well under power. I imagine the capt was a bit shaken after getting knocked down, and was leery about it happening again.

About MOB, it has only been wife and I for 15 years. Or just me. When by myself I use a harness 90 percent of the time. Trail a line, and have a rope ladder easily accessible.

[hanleyclifford]

What I was talking about was returning to the victim and putting on the brakes post haste, using the boat to shield the victim from the prevailing conditions - - - all under sail so no time is spent dropping sail and firing up the engine.

Of course every situation is different and the captain must make a (quick) decision whether to lower sail or attempt a rescue under sail, but it is vitally important to get that type IV in the water instantly so the MOB can get to it while you come around. The floating line gives the retrieving boat a target other than the MOB so the retrieval can be made with a boat hook to the line followed by hauling the MOB to the boat. In heavy conditions the boat can be the MOB's most dangerous problem.

[ndutton]

I agree, the skipper was probably rattled to the point he couldn't think of everything. Looks like he remained briefly, thought about rescue but determined another knockdown wouldn't help anybody. He probably raised assistance on the radio and called it good.

At a minimum I'd have remained on station in the protected lee of the breakwater until I was certain my guests/crew were safely out of the water. That he left the area is, in my opinion, unconscionable. Easy for me to say sitting on my keester with a keyboard on my lap.

edit:
Agree Hanley, Type IV w/ tether goes over immediately. Doesn't do any good looking pretty hanging on the stern rail.