Practice
I volunteered, during a week long bareboat class in the BVI to be the "M" in MOB. I had already passed the class, and was there for navigation experience. The intention was for the MOB drill to be a surprise. Five adults students, all very bright, had passed MOB as part of exams in two prior classes taken recently. After I jumped ... Step 1: Throw flotation --- they didn't. Step 2: One crew dedicated to point to MOB -- they didn't do this either. Although the waves were barely 6 inches, I was difficult to spot when they briefly lost me. Step 3: When they found me they choose a figure 8 return, but somehow became oriented dead downwind, and blew by me at 6 knots ... and still did not throw me some floation. (I was dumb and didn't bring any with me either) Next: Jibe Ho ... not good, the skipper decided to do a quick return, but caught the crew unaware (they expected another figure 8). The jib somehow became ensnared in the shouds, and when released wrapped around the headstay. No one could really explain what happened next. From my vantage point, the boat was adrift 10 minutes, with crew hudled on the bow attempting to undo two wraps of the jib around the headstay. Really wish I had brought flotation, if for no other reason I would be easier to see by the other boats in the area. Thoughts of being run over were crossing my mind, as other boats became closer than mine. Next: The boat and crew return, and passes again, much slower this time. Now they throw me a cushion, but they miss by almost two boat lengths. Next: Apparently exhausted, they release the sheets and consider themselves "close enough" for me to swim. They are really agitated at this point, and unsure they could do any better if they swung around and tried again. I protested that two boat lengths didn't qualify as rescuing me. However, the instructor said it was over, and to swim, so I did. I would then learn that two crew members were bleeding, another had rope burn, some minor equipment damage was done, as well as ego damage, and amazingly fully 25 minutes had elapsed with just (1) figure 8 and (1) quick recovery. No one was happy with their MOB practice, and somehow I didn't get any thank you's or sympathy for volunteering. Lesson #1: This is difficult, even in good conditions, with crew recently having studied the text book, and having recently passed MOB procedures on a cushion. Lesson #2: Practice with all the safety gear. We had a lifesling on board, crew didn't think it was needed ... great boat, great weather, MOB is in good health and no danger ... the thinking was they never practiced with it, so leave it stowed. In my case, it was a necessary part of getting me aboard had climbing the swim ladder not been an option. Lesson #3: Don't volunteer to be MOB, it's a thankless job.
I volunteered, during a week long bareboat class in the BVI to be the "M" in MOB. I had already passed the class, and was there for navigation experience. The intention was for the MOB drill to be a surprise. Five adults students, all very bright, had passed MOB as part of exams in two prior classes taken recently. After I jumped ... Step 1: Throw flotation --- they didn't. Step 2: One crew dedicated to point to MOB -- they didn't do this either. Although the waves were barely 6 inches, I was difficult to spot when they briefly lost me. Step 3: When they found me they choose a figure 8 return, but somehow became oriented dead downwind, and blew by me at 6 knots ... and still did not throw me some floation. (I was dumb and didn't bring any with me either) Next: Jibe Ho ... not good, the skipper decided to do a quick return, but caught the crew unaware (they expected another figure 8). The jib somehow became ensnared in the shouds, and when released wrapped around the headstay. No one could really explain what happened next. From my vantage point, the boat was adrift 10 minutes, with crew hudled on the bow attempting to undo two wraps of the jib around the headstay. Really wish I had brought flotation, if for no other reason I would be easier to see by the other boats in the area. Thoughts of being run over were crossing my mind, as other boats became closer than mine. Next: The boat and crew return, and passes again, much slower this time. Now they throw me a cushion, but they miss by almost two boat lengths. Next: Apparently exhausted, they release the sheets and consider themselves "close enough" for me to swim. They are really agitated at this point, and unsure they could do any better if they swung around and tried again. I protested that two boat lengths didn't qualify as rescuing me. However, the instructor said it was over, and to swim, so I did. I would then learn that two crew members were bleeding, another had rope burn, some minor equipment damage was done, as well as ego damage, and amazingly fully 25 minutes had elapsed with just (1) figure 8 and (1) quick recovery. No one was happy with their MOB practice, and somehow I didn't get any thank you's or sympathy for volunteering. Lesson #1: This is difficult, even in good conditions, with crew recently having studied the text book, and having recently passed MOB procedures on a cushion. Lesson #2: Practice with all the safety gear. We had a lifesling on board, crew didn't think it was needed ... great boat, great weather, MOB is in good health and no danger ... the thinking was they never practiced with it, so leave it stowed. In my case, it was a necessary part of getting me aboard had climbing the swim ladder not been an option. Lesson #3: Don't volunteer to be MOB, it's a thankless job.
You know me...I'm always trying to find something DIFFERENT