Man Overboard Workshop – Saturday 27th May 2023
The workshop started off with watching:
Cold Water Shock – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6_FF_BVOxM
Correct fitting of a Lifejacket – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNfXMLG5pI4
A Lifejacket or a Buoyancy Aid? – https://fb.watch/kBnGB7rfOQ/
Mike Samuelson then gave a brief resume of the sad incident at Cowes last autumn when a 19 stone 42 year old female crew member died after falling overboard from a Sonar during a CCYC Regatta race. Robin Ebsworth then explained the main points that came out of a MOB practical day run by Matt Grier (Director, Andy Cassell Foundation) that he had attended in late January.
The following points where then discussed:
- The importance of briefing crew members what to do in the case of a MOB, especially if the MOB was the skipper. If inexperienced then let the main sail out a little, push the tiller hard away but leave the jib backed (basic heave too); the boat should slow down, tack and almost stop. Keep the jib backed. The Coastguard advice is to then issue a Mayday call on Ch 16 or dial 999 on a mobile and ask for the Coastguard. However, initially calling for help on Ch 77 to the Committee Boat is certainly better than doing nothing. Then wait for help to arrive.
- If experienced then the same applies as far as calling for help goes. Then if capable of returning to the MOB, come alongside and give the MOB a rope to tie himself/herself onto the boat. If the casualty is unable to do this themselves then you will have to do it yourself. If conscious and able to help themselves then rig up your MOB sling (see below) to the bottom of the stays and help the casualty to get back onboard. If they are unconscious or unable to help themselves, then make sure that they are tied onto the boat and wait for additional help.
- A simple pre-made up MOB sling should be carried on each boat. Some may wish to follow Robin’s example and carry the light sling in their trouser pocket.
- MOB Aids – during the trials day at Cowes, a number of MOB aids (recovery net, RIB hoist, ladder hoist and ambulance net) where trialled. None were very easy to use especially if the casualty was heavy. However once its been decided which one(s) are recommended, it would make sense to obtain one and trial on a Redwing and a One-Design.
- Recovery of an injured or unconscious casualty onto a Club Launch also needs to be considered.
