Recovery MOB Lifesling

[barnakiel]

OK. I see. Our boats are completely differently set up.

I jumped to conclusion thinking a boat is a boat is a boat.

For the spinnaker halyard, sometimes one can improve things by having a block attached to the mast below the sheave and the halyard then exiting via the block. This solution works if there is enough space below the sheave and above the forestay attachment.

In our boat it is the spinnaker halyard, spare jib halyard and (pretty obliterate) topping lift, so at any time we have at least two spares up there - easy to hoist things or get an ad hoc fix should any of the working halyards fail.

If the boom method works for you then probably it is best to stick with it rather than invent new but uncomfortable ways.

Interestingly, our main sheet is attached to the traveler car with a snap shackle, so we could, in theory, just set it free and use it to hoist things. But the sheeting point is at boom's end and the sheet is trimmed from the bottom end - so again, to us, the boom solution would not work. Also, our boat will immediately bear off and gain speed if we ease the main while hove to!

Hugs,
barnie

[Ex-Calif]

Has anyone actually done a MOB recovery?

Its all very nautical to "hove to" with the sails up and the MOB on the lee side, blah, blah, blah...

The reality in the two "real" MOBs I have done is - lookout assigned, engine on, start the turn, drop the sails, approach the MOB, get a line/ring in the water, figure out how to get them on board.

Note I don't subscribe to the boat always being windward of the swimmer. If there are waves and wind there is a concern of blowing down on the swimmer. Some boats sit nice head to wind, some sit nice "weathervaned" tail to wind. Some times being on the lee and hauling or letting the swimmer come to the boat is safer. All things considered, swimmer on the lee is better but dont get stuck on one idea.

If unconscious there may be a swimmer going in the water - that's a tough call. The point being, aside from some classic theory, when it happens you adjust tthe plan and the first part of the plan is to simplify what is going on on deck - sails dropped.

For an incapacitated sailor or one who can't get up the ladder/steps hoisting them is the only option. The best option, IMO, is the boom/mainsheet with its mechanical advantage and the ability to get the hoist point over the water. Freeing up the boom is another reason to drop sails. A sufficiently capable topping lift for the boom is also important. Probably another reason a ridgid vang would be useful. Topping lift failure during hoist would be problematic. Or maybe as a surety switch the main halyard to the end of the boom, time permitting.

If your boom center sheets you may consider adding a tackle attach point at the end and have the tackle stowed with the other life gear.

Another huge factor is how many crew are remaining on board. With a couple or otherwise short handed dropping the sails is an absolute requirement IMO. Practicing any other method under sail is nice to pass check rides and tests but probably useful only in benign conditions.

Furling or dropping a hanked genny and the main should take no longer than 30 seconds and can be completed as the boat goes head to wind in the turn.

BTW - both MOBs were racing. A bowman got tossed over on a spin set. A mastman got knocked over by the boom, after the race (guard down), while gybing. The second one is a reminder that it ain't over till the docklines are secured...