MOB System Heads Up

[dlochner]

Well I tried M.O.M. with 'brand 'boat 'lifesaver 'safety & 'service never did "sailboat" but got creeped out at service and decided to come back and complain. What do they use on power boats?

There is nothing that says you can't use a M.O.M. on a power boat. All you need a place to mount it so it will fall in the water when the pin is pulled. A Lifesling can also be used on a power boat although finding a lifting point would be a challenge.

 

[thinwater]

There is nothing that says you can't use a M.O.M. on a power boat. All you need a place to mount it so it will fall in the water when the pin is pulled. A Lifesling can also be used on a power boat although finding a lifting point would be a challenge.

I've always felt the main value of a Lifesling is making and maintaining contact with the MOB. It gives you a way to float the MOB to the best lifting location, which may be a ladder. Yup, lifting is still a challenge. But that is often true on sail boats too. And how many sailors have the strength to pull themselves up and over? Not that many. I used to go swimming with my daughter's friends (highschool and college) , and challenge the boys to climb up the side and front beam (cruising cat) from the water, unassisted. None ever succeeded in following me. It's a skill worth practicing, that is usually some combination of getting a heel behind something (stanchion) and rolling up.

 

[dlochner]

I've always felt the main value of a Lifesling is making and maintaining contact with the MOB. It gives you a way to float the MOB to the best lifting location, which may be a ladder. Yup, lifting is still a challenge. But that is often true on sail boats too. And how many sailors have the strength to pull themselves up and over? Not that many. I used to go swimming with my daughter's friends (highschool and college) , and challenge the boys to climb up the side and front beam (cruising cat) from the water, unassisted. None ever succeeded in following me. It's a skill worth practicing, that is usually some combination of getting a heel behind something (stanchion) and rolling up.

The MOM and Lifesling serve 2 different purposes. For those who aren't familiar with a M.O.M. it consists of an inflatable pylon attached to an inflatable collar (similar to the lifelong Lifesling), and a small drogue. It is best for locating the POB and the collar can be used for lifting. As @thinwater notes, the lifelong Lifesling excels at bringing the POB back to the boat. It is safer and easier to bring the POB to the boat than it is trying to maneuver the boat to the POB.

Both are good to have.

Edit: Damn autocorrect!!

 

[LloydB]

it's clear now it's me not you

 

[Parsons]

What do they use on power boats?

Perhaps my experience with power boaters is limited, but with a few rare exceptions (ex-military, long-distance cruisers, etc.), their concepts of emergency planning: (1) spare fuel, (2) spare beer, (3) fully-charged cell phone, and (4) fire extinguishers. I've gotten the same feedback from friends who are volunteer boat safety inspectors - "oh, you're a sailboat, so everything is probably in working order". Makes you wonder.

 

[dlochner]

Perhaps my experience with power boaters is limited, but with a few rare exceptions (ex-military, long-distance cruisers, etc.), their concepts of emergency planning: (1) spare fuel, (2) spare beer, (3) fully-charged cell phone, and (4) fire extinguishers. I've gotten the same feedback from friends who are volunteer boat safety inspectors - "oh, you're a sailboat, so everything is probably in working order". Makes you wonder.

Yep. That probably explains why, at least in my neck of the woods, sailors are rarely stopped by the USCG for inspections.

 

[RoyS]

Maybe I am alone in this but I prefer a throwable life ring without a line attached. You can throw it farther, more accurately, and deploy it faster. It will provide floatation for the "swimmer" while he paddles back towards the boat. Meanwhile you might maneuver in the swimmers direction (or just stop). I can visualize tossing a tethered life ring, having it fall short, and then follow the still drifting boat away from the "swimmer".

 

[Parsons]

MOB devices are great, but only if the victim can hold onto the thing. I see some of your profiles show cold weather sailing areas (MA, NY, etc.), and I'd like you to watch this little story. I know the speaker and other participants in the room, and they have many more miles under their keels than I ever will, so when they say they got scared, it's real.

 

[JamesG161]

One other Safety tip for a MOB.

One person should immediately stop and point to the MOB, and stay as the MOB look out person.
Continue pointing and never stop!

All crew members need to understand that important role, before setting sail...

Sail safe!
Jim...

 

[kappykaplan]

Continue pointing and never stop!

Always a part of my MOB drills with the Scouts!

 

[dlochner]

This is an interesting idea from a Canadian inventor, an automatic life ring deployment system.

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[Ken13559]

Hi all:
Well, I had a very unpleasant surprise today that I thought you might benefit from, particularly if you have one of the packaged, throw-able life rings on your stern rail. I will not mention the brand name as I believe there are multiple companies supplying these devices. Also, my issue was in no way the fault of the supplier.
I have owned two of these systems on different boats over about 20 years. Fortunately, I was never in an emergency requiring deployment of the system. The container on my present system had deteriorated over 12 years so that it was an eyesore. I discovered that I could purchase a new container without the entire system, and did so. Today I planned to swap the flotation device from the old to the new container. What a surprise! The flotation device was firmly stuck in the container and I was unable to pull it out. I finally simply cut the old container apart and rescued the flotation. Had this been an emergency on the water I could never have deployed the device! It had never occurred to me over all these years that the system needed maintenance in order to remain serviceable in an emergency. I'll bet the instructions said so, but I never looked.
So from now on I will maintain the system in the spring, and in mid season. The maintenance will simply consist of pulling the flotation up and out of the container to ensure that it is not frozen in. I will also lubricate the flotation with a bit of dry lubricant.
A word to the wise......
Rick

I'm a believer of Preventive Maintenance. I would schedule 3Monthly, 6M, 1Yearly, 2Y PM Schedule for all equipment e.g. engine oil/filter/coolant, manual bilge pump, anchor rode, halyards, sheets, Bimini, Windlass, Sheet winches, fuel polishing, PFD lifevest etc...
It's lots of work but definitely worth the effort.

Ken Y