MOB Drill time

[henry hey]

My descriptions of the ASA MOB routine are pretty much verbatim.

Of course the spotter is supposed to watch the victim. That is why that person's only job is to watch the victim (aside from keeping themselves safe). We have a much bigger problem if that person endangers themselves by only paying attention to a body in the water. I assure you that a neophyte can easily be distracted in that task and put themselves in harms way. These MOB directions are simplified but do serve specific purpose and were not decided upon with haste.


When I mention throwing anything that floats I am not talking about a drill but about reality. When it is your loved one in the water and you are facing 10' seas in 40 kts you will do whatever necessary. The coast guard structures their procedures for extreme conditions and for best chance of preservation of life.

Of course sailing off on a beam reach would terrify a victim, but what would Larry and Lin Pardey do if one of them fell overboard since their vessel has no motor? Since this is a sailing forum, we are talking about sailing recovery. We all know how much more stable our boats are with canvas up than with bare poles under all but the most extreme conditions.

We want stabilized maneuvering under sail. Again, these are not my inventions but those of ASA -- and to me they make a good deal of sense.

I mentioned the williamson turn as another method. I am not extolling one over the other, but this is the primary coast guard method.

The coast guard pays little attention to the small sail boat but rather has tried and true methods of MOB recovery under power. For that reason, their logic bears consideration. Also, since most of our boats are powered by aux propultion, we might do well to at least bear their methods in mind.

I would believe that knowledge of several methods would be best. The methodology of MOB recovery varies greatly due to conditions, vessel size and crew compliment.

- henry

[Neil Gordon]

Henry,

All good stuff and I know that all of this has been studies by those way smarter and more experienced than I am about this.

That said though, I think all this is worthy of a test in our own boats under our typical sailing conditions and maybe a bit worse. Something like toss a cushion over, round up and see how far away from the cushion until the boat stops. That's a start.

Next, try sailing off on a beam reach, etc., etc., and sail back to the cushion.

Next, tack, backwind the jib and see how tight a circle you can make around the cushion.

Try the Williamson turn.

Etc.

Like when to reef, sailing with mail alone or jib alone, etc., etc., generalities are nice but each of our boats has its own way. Let's see what our boats like the best.

[j2sailor]

Everyone has great input here. One thing I truly believe is that seamanship is and always will be a gray area. Black and white doesn't exist because of the dynamic environment we operate in. At the Chapman School of Seamanship, we captained dozens of craft, from a Cape Dory 27 to a 47 foot Bertram. Each boat had it's own personality and unique handling characteristics.

Take heaving to for example. Some craft heave to under main and jib, others under headsail alone and some simply cannot be encouraged to do so under any combination. And docking or maneuvering in tight quarters presents challenges to most of us sailboaters. I've only docked one sailboat that I can truly say handled like a car in reverse - the Hunter 28. Ugly as she is, she's a sweety in tight quarters, sails like a bat out of hell, heaves-to like a dream and you can easily steer her under sails alone.

As Neil says, you simply have to go out, try different things and find what works for your boat. Only then will you truly be her master. I like what Steve Colgate said about sailing "To sail well is to have complete control over the sailboat at all times".

Best - J.

[barfwinkle]

Interesting that this topic should pop up at this time. Over the 4th of July weekend serval of our marina friends and I were anchored out for an afternoon swim. As afternoon turned to evening, a thunderstorm that we had been watching to our east continued to build until at last there was an instant 90° wind shift as the outflow boundary winds hit us. Nothing tragic, but since is was getting near dusk, several of the power boats that I was rafted to decided to head back to the marina.

Well I broke away from the raft and anchored as I was going to spend the night. Two of the big boats were going to hang around a bit, so one of the skippers came to Rhapsody on his jet ski and took me back to the party. Very shortly afterwards, one of the remaining two boats had to leave and because of the hull "flare" on the remaining boat I would not raft up, so that skipper was going to take me back to rhapsody as soon as he got his anchor re-set but the wind caused him to drift away and he had to power up more than he had intended.

Well, as I mentioned the wind was blowing AND he thought he could safely tow his jet ski while its bridle was attached to its stern. WRONG The jet ski sank Sooo the skipper reports "that It looks like you are going to have to stay on my boat tonight Bill"! I said, captain, my boat is right there and there are no lights switched on and I AM NOT leaving her there all night unattended with this wind and no lights. Sooo, the other captain maneuvered his boat almost swim platform to swim platform and with the engines off, I jumped into the water (with lifejacket on! Its dark now) and Captain #2 was going to take me to the boat. That is when it hit me!

"Damn Tom, Rhapsody's swim ladder isn't out"! (I said) I dont know if I can get on board her or not. So with much effort, several attempts, and on last Herculean effort, I did manage to get back on board, but then I said "

NOTE TO SELF! NEVER LEAVE THE BOAT AGAIN WITHOUT THE SWIM LADDER DEPLOYED

So just food for thought. My ladder is mounted on the side decks and must be removed sailing and attached when at anchor. In a former life, I could have made it back aboard easily, but not now!!!

Oh and the Captain that dropped me off stayed on station until I was aboard!

[henry hey]

This is a very good point about the swim ladder.

Freeboard is a big deal.

One of the previous owners of my boat was smart enough to mount a single step to the transom of my CD25.

http://flickr.com/photos/heyness/1262097222/sizes/l/

I used to think it was a little strange until I took a swim off the back of the boat. It's quite handy.

-henry

[barfwinkle]

freeboard + swimmer girth + life jacket + Swimmer age could = diaster!

[j2sailor]

My ASA instructor evaluator, Jack Dyess, lost his best friend in a similar incident. His friend John was working on his boat during the winter. No one else was around that day...

John slipped, fell into the water and drowned. Bloody streak marks were found all along the hull where he had desperately attempted to get aboard.

Jack always tells this story to instructor candidates to emphasize the need to always try and have a backup plan, even at the dock. It's amazing how many times I've slipped or tripped and gotten away with it. But it only takes one incident...

Jack rigged his transom mounted swim ladder so that he could deploy it from the water. After folding the ladder, he ties it up with a quick release line. He takes a long piece of small stuff, makes a slippery clove and hangs the bitter end down into the water. Tug the line and the ladder unfolds.

Best - J

[barfwinkle]

That I was never in danger as there were two boats watching (in the dark) my progress. However, it just points out the need for a way to get on board your vessel.

Fair/safe winds

[Steve Laume]

I know we have sailboats and it is wonderful to be able to handle them under sail alone. That said I always start the engine as part of our MOB drills. It gives you more control over the boat and less to do as far as sail handling is concerned.

We have Mr Bill the MOB dummy to practice with. He is an 8X20 fender with a diving weight to hold his butt down and a big round float head with a silly face. He makes practice a hoot. If he would do anything to help himself it would be a whole lot easier to save him. He simply refuses to swim to help save himself.

I still think staying board is foremost and if you can't do that at least be tethered to the boat, Steve.[/img]