Rescuing a Man Overboard

[kmclemore]

Saw this today and thought I'd pass it on. I've known of many rescue methods (including using the boom as a crane), but this is so simple for an able & competent MOB. Good idea.

[Be Free]

I don't remember ever seeing that one either. I'll be adding it to my "tool box". Thanks!

[Stickinthemud57]

The guy in the picture must be doing something right. Looses a man overboard and retrieves a woman!

[kmclemore]

The guy in the picture must be doing something right. Looses a man overboard and retrieves a woman!

Ahh... you're making assumptions! Gotta be careful these days!

[Stickinthemud57]

The guy in the picture must be doing something right. Looses a man overboard and retrieves a woman!

Ahh... you're making assumptions! Gotta be careful these days!

[dlandersson]

Thx, adding it to my toolbox

Saw this today and thought I'd pass it on. I've known of many rescue methods (including using the boom as a crane), but this is so simple for an able & competent MOB. Good idea.

[Jimmyt]

Having fairly recently been a man overboard (competent is another issue), the first order of business is keeping the MOB with the boat - or at least within sight of the boat. When it happens, it happens quick. The boat is usually going 5 knots or better (although I guess there have been MOB cases at anchor). At any rate, I went over at speed, in fairly sporty conditions, due to an accidental gybe. I was able to take a line over when I went (fortunately, it was only a Mac 26 boom and sail - mostly shoved me off deck, instead of smacking me off like a 9 iron). So I was dragged along for the minute it took to get the boat stopped. I did work my way to the stern and attempted to re-board at my stern ladder, but could not do it until the boat was nearly stopped. We were under full sail, motor tilted, steering disconnected from motor, with two experienced sailors still aboard (although new to Mac sailing). All of that to say, had I not stayed with the boat, they would have been pretty far away and had to tack back to me, or spend time dropping and starting the motor. The water was chilly, but not near what many of our members would be exposed to. For most of you snow birds, several minutes in the water can get dicey - depending on time of year.

So, have a throwable on a line that is ready to deploy. Or, tow a floating line (handle at the end would be nice). This will give the competent MOB the ability to stay with the boat.

That’s a very handy re-boarding idea, for when you’ve gotten back to the MOB.

[hart]

That could have had a scary ending.

On tap this summer is running through MOB drills with my crew. I wanna know they can come get me if I go over!

[Jimmyt]

That could have had a scary ending.

On tap this summer is running through MOB drills with my crew. I wanna know they can come get me if I go over!

It's a great idea to train your crew on MOB drills.

I had no doubt my buddies would come back and get me - probably as quick, or quicker than I could have done it. I was wearing my vest (which inflated rather startlingly). I was in mobile bay with a water temp of about 64 deg F. We were probably in 8-10 ft of water, so I couldn't stand up. Didn't get hurt going over (if you don't count the humiliation of getting gybed off your own boat). But, as I was being dragged, it dawned on me just how far away the boat would get in a very short time - and we were running downwind at the time (thus the accidental gybe).

I just wanted to throw up a flag about keeping the MOB close to the boat, or quickly getting the boat close to the MOB; so you can implement one of the many approaches to getting them back onboard quickly and safely. Depending on your point of sail, and crew capability, a MOB who isn't able to stay with the boat might be in the water for several minutes. Lobbing a tethered throwable to a MOB would make the rescue much quicker and easier. But it has to be rigged and convenient.

[NiceAft]

I was wearing my vest (which inflated rather startlingly)

Probably the most important thing you said Jimmy.

I always wonder what scenarios those who elect to believe they can grab a vest quickly in an emergency perceive. Certainly not this one.

[kmclemore]

Apart from wearing your vests, there are two things you must do in a MOB situation.

First, smack the “mob” button on the GPS (if you have one)… this is particularly critical at night, as it’s the only sure way to return to the same spot.

Simultaneously, assign a crew member to NEVER take their eyes off the MOB - if possible, make it their sole job (depends on the number of crew aboard, of course).

After those two are accomplished, then begin returning & rescue operations.

[Herschel]

Good discussion and review. Here is a 2016 post of a rescue of a MOB from another boat.
viewtopic.php?t=25856&hilit=rescue

[NiceAft]

Good discussion and review. Here is a 2016 post of a rescue of a MOB from another boat.
viewtopic.php?t=25856&hilit=rescue

An appreciated post in 2016; an appreciated post now. Thanks for the reminder Herschel.

[PhysicsTeacher]

In the MacGregor Yacht Club of BC we always encourage new members to run a line along the outside of the boat from the front bow pulpit stanchion to the rear stanchion. We nickname them "Ray lines" because it was Blue Water Yachts employee Ray who showed us this trick. The line hangs somewhat loose.
I leave the lines in place all season, even while trailering. Mine happen to be black colored, and they are the only black lines on my boat.
They have 3 functions
1. When docking the boat, if someone on the dock grabs the line near the middle of the boat with a fairly wide grip they can easily control the entire vessel. Often when docking there are helpful volunteers on the dock. I just tell them to grab the black line with both hands in a wide grip, and they are always surprised at how easily they can control the boat.
2. I then untie the line from my rear stanchion. Instant bow line for mooring.
3. The most important use: if you go overboard it is possible to get one foot on the line and haul yourself up. One member of our club tried it with a friend on a warm day. It takes a bit of effort, but it works.

It's a low-tech solution with a high value. The only caveat: make certain the line is too short to accidentally foul your prop if it somehow comes loose.

The next question: what if the person overboard is unable to use the ladder due to hypothermia or an injury?
1. Shut off the motor.
2. Bring the person to the back of the boat.
3. Open the helm seat.
4. Have the person straddle the leg of the motor.
5. Use the electric tilt to raise the person as far as possible out of the water, and then pull them over the cowling into the cockpit. The person will lose some skin, but they'll be in the boat.

Finally, one the events our club runs every May long weekend is our annual "Safety Sail". New members can go out with experienced sailors, or they can ask an experienced sailor to go out with them. We practice:
1. Anchoring under sail (as though your motor had died and you were drifting to a lee shore)
2. Crew overboard drills
3. Reefing our sails
4. Heaving to.
5. Sailing a figure eight.

In between each drill each boat is given a sheet with different call numbers that they have to relay to the committee boat using the NATO alphabet and proper VHF protocols. It's a really nice way to keep some very important skills up to par. I'd encourage everyone to make that part of their boating season.

Cheers,

Kelvin

[NiceAft]

In the MacGregor Yacht Club of BC we always encourage new members to run a line along the outside of the boat from the front bow pulpit stanchion to the rear stanchion. We nickname them "Ray lines" because it was Blue Water Yachts employee Ray who showed us this trick. The line hangs somewhat loose.

I have been doing this for years. It helps immensely when docking. I just step off and grab the line, simple. In windy docking conditions, it has saved me many times.

I never gave it a name, I will use what you use.