MOB Procedures

[markpj23]

Trailing lines are never a good idea unless you deploy a warp in order to slow down in big following seas. The line will eventually chafe/part, maybe take a fitting with it, foul your prop, snag something when you are least able to deal with it, etc, etc.... Even towing an inflatable dink is a bad idea for long distances for the same reasons

When you inevitably find yourself in a situation where you MUST be able to manuever, a trailing line would be the last thing you would want to deal with. I'll bet that in 99% of circumstances you'd forget about the line anyway whilst dealing with the manuevering problem.

Or at least forget about it until you heard the engine stop with a clunk / screech / tearing fiberglass sound as the strut goes away....

[Benny]

I think the poll results say it all - and most of us are fairly experienced and conscientious sailors.

When I splash, the first thing I will be doing with my family is practicing MOB in all situations until we get it down pat and then probably weekly after that with surprise simulations during all conditions. I will probably allow all crew to simulate a surprise MOB at anytime to keep us alert and give the skipper practice as well.

[Brent Swain]

I've trailed a line for 9 Pacific crossings over 3 decades with no problems. I don't know who's gonna have to maeuver with me ,the only crew, overboard. Only once did a get it in the prop. The line cutter took care of it instantly.Every cruiser should have a line cutter on his prop.
With all the concern about MOB I can't imagine why no one ever questions the low trendy , flimsey wire lifelines that over 95% of cruisers rely on, as opposed to solid pipe lifelines 34 inches off the deck. It would appear that the first step in staying onboard is to get rid of the style over substance "Yachty " lifelines and repalce them with a solid rail all around.
I build all my boats with solid lifelines 34 inches off the decks. An added advantage of such lifelines is that the stanchion is supported top and bottom , drastically reducing both the movement and load on the bases and in non metal boats ,drastically reducing the potential for leaks there.
If you really believe that your safety harnnes can keep you from touching the water, attach it to your jackline amidships and jump overboard. Then visualize yourself doing this with the rail down ,going to windward.It would have to keep you above deck level. It would take such a short tether that you could only move foreward with your nose dragging along the deck.
Brent

[CaptainK]

I'm with you on that one Louis!!

On the boat I plan on building. I will build solid life rails, all around the deck edges. No trendy crap on my boat. I want to make sure that people and myself will be safe when leaning up against the railings.

[GordMay]

See also the previous discussions:
LIFELINES: http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ines-6445.html
HANDRAILS: http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ight-3000.html

[Sunspot Baby]

The Admiral and I were discussing this the other day and it seems a great piece of gear to have would be a small personal radio beacon and a matching directional receiver on board that could point you to the crew in the water.

Is there such equipment available? We would like on that was water activated for the dog.

George

[GordMay]

George:
Not exactly what you were describing; but take a look at the Life Tag:
http://www.raymarine.com/raymarine/S...eTag_Final.pdf

[hellosailor]

Sunspot-
Also not what you are looking for, but the in airline shopping magazine "Skymall" (and there's a dot.com of that) I did see PFDs that had a built-in FRS radio, waterproof to three feet or something like that. Looked like a neoprene water skiiing type vest, with the FRS built into the shoulder/chest region and two buttons showing to use it.
If you left an FRS radio on the boat, squelched with the volume turned up...at least the person in the water would be able to turn theirs on and call you back to them.<G>
No reason you couldn't just stick an FRS or a mini-VHF in a waterproof pouch to do the same thing, at least if the MOB is concious.

Reminds me of the story of one boater, back when cell phones were a new and expensive $1000 item. He calls his wife to say "Honey, I'm going to be back late today, start dinner without me" and then calls the USCG to report his boat just exploded and he's in the water.

Nice to know some folks have their priorities straight.<G>

[GordMay]

ACR Electronics "VECTA2" Direction Finder (under Crew Overboard then System)
ACR Electronics, Inc.

Maritime Survivor Locating Device
Man Over Board Alert System, Man Overboard Rescue Device, USA Personal Locator Beacon, Maritime Directional Finder

iLocator:
Lucent - Bell Labs - Feature - New "Buddy" Software for Cell Phones Developed by Bell Labs Researchers

[Auspicious]

I'm organizing a day of drills and practice near Annapolis on June 17. We'll probably raft-up in or near Whitehall Bay and rotate boats out to play. All are welcome. Post here, send a PM, or just call Auspicious on 16 that day.

[Benny]

Gord - Thanks for the Raymarine Lifetag info - I have all Ray electronics and didn't get the newslettter on this product so it would be a good MOB device to have.

Now should I put the second one on The Admiral or the dog? Hmmm..

[ess105]

Originally Posted by Benny

Now should I put the second one on The Admiral or the dog? Hmmm..

Are you sure the dog can't read this?

[Benny]

No Problem - I don't let him use the internet anymore

[GordMay]

Suddenly Alone ~ North U Seminar
The “Suddenly Alone” curriculum, created under the auspices of the Bonnell Cove Foundation of the Cruising Club of America, is not a standard safety seminar, but focuses on the issues around shorthanded cruising, and what happens if one of the crew is incapacitated, and a person without command experience is left Suddenly Alone..."
NorthU NORTH U SEMINARS: Suddenly Alone

John Rousmaniere (Author of the Annapolis Book of Seamanship) will be teaching a Suddenly Alone seminar, on April 21, 2007, at the Indian Harbor Yacht Club, in Greenwich, CT
Contact IHYC: 203-869-2484

See also:

Suddenly Alone, Totally in Control ~ by Elaine Lembo
Cruising World - Suddenly Alone, Totally in Control

Crew-Overboard Recovery ~ Cruising World Staff
Cruising World - Crew-Overboard Recovery

Stabilizing the Situation ~ Cruising World Staff
Cruising World - Stabilizing the Situation

[GordMay]

Assuring the nation that "there is no need for alarm," the Office of Homeland Security issued all U.S. citizens life jackets for some unexplained reason Monday.
More:
Life Jackets Issued To All Americans For Some Reason | The Onion - America's Finest News Source