We recently discussed MOB procedures, particularly how you would handle going overboard if you were sailing solo. But what would your spouse, significant other, or sailing partner do if you, the captain, went overboard? How would your crew handle your boat, and your rescue, if you went overboard? Have you trained your sailing partner to handle your boat alone? Could he or she get the sails down, engine started, and MOB procedures implemented? Could they deploy and operate your MOB equipment? Get you back aboard if you needed help doing so? How about navigating back to the marina and getting the boat into its slip or onto its trailer? Is this something you disucss and practice? Tell us about how your crew might react to your going overboard... and don't forget to take the Quick Quiz on the homepage. (Discussion topic and quiz by Warren Milberg)
- Status
Yikes...
... I hope this never happens. Mea culpa. I doubt my spouse could do all that would be needed to get done smoothly or efficiently, but I think she'd somehow manage. At least I hope so. This is really some timely food for thought.
... I hope this never happens. Mea culpa. I doubt my spouse could do all that would be needed to get done smoothly or efficiently, but I think she'd somehow manage. At least I hope so. This is really some timely food for thought.
MOB procedures
I have discussed procedures with my wife and miscellanoeous other crew, but neither they nor I am confident on their managing it or rescuing me if I fell overboard. The one message they all have loud and clear is to throw to the MOB anything that would float, and I keep throwing cusions, horseshoe and in anything other than very moderate weather, extra PFDs readily accessible in the cockpit.
I have discussed procedures with my wife and miscellanoeous other crew, but neither they nor I am confident on their managing it or rescuing me if I fell overboard. The one message they all have loud and clear is to throw to the MOB anything that would float, and I keep throwing cusions, horseshoe and in anything other than very moderate weather, extra PFDs readily accessible in the cockpit.
Compentent crew, or the tether
Our rule is straightforward: If there is not a skipper in the crew who has demonstrated and practised the MOB drill on Lady Lillie then the Captain will wear the harness, and tether to hard points or jacklines at all times, and conditions. This means if it is just me, and the Admiral, I will be attached to the boat, and her tactics will be to strike the sails, maneuver the boat safely on the engine, and get me back on board, all of which she is quite capable of doing. Oh yeah, _all_ crew were PFD's (we have good inflatable ones that are easy to wear) when on deck and under way in any conditions. We will be stepping up our training schedule this summer to be sure this works. This will include recovery exercises, as well as more MOB drills. David Lady Lillie
Our rule is straightforward: If there is not a skipper in the crew who has demonstrated and practised the MOB drill on Lady Lillie then the Captain will wear the harness, and tether to hard points or jacklines at all times, and conditions. This means if it is just me, and the Admiral, I will be attached to the boat, and her tactics will be to strike the sails, maneuver the boat safely on the engine, and get me back on board, all of which she is quite capable of doing. Oh yeah, _all_ crew were PFD's (we have good inflatable ones that are easy to wear) when on deck and under way in any conditions. We will be stepping up our training schedule this summer to be sure this works. This will include recovery exercises, as well as more MOB drills. David Lady Lillie
PFD for Captain
Hello, Most of my sailing is, for all practical purposes, solo. I sail solo about 10% of the time. The rest of the time my family (wife and young kids) are with me. My wife can man the helm, and grind winches, but I don't think she would be able to manuever the boat back to me. We have practiced COB drills assuming that she or one of the kids has gone over. We have reviewed what to do if I go over - head up into the wind, stop the boat, and get the sails down. I will pop my inflatable, and swim back to the boat. Hopefully the boat won't be too far away! I am in good shape and can swim pretty far. With flotation, I could probably swim to land if it came to that. Where we sail, you can never be more than a few miles from land. She does know how to start the engine, put it in gear, etc. I would not count on that in an emergency. I have told everyone how to turn the radio on and broadcast a mayday. In fact, the instructions are posted right next to the mayday. Generally, we sail in populated areas, when the weather is good, and the water temperature is not severe. Barry
Hello, Most of my sailing is, for all practical purposes, solo. I sail solo about 10% of the time. The rest of the time my family (wife and young kids) are with me. My wife can man the helm, and grind winches, but I don't think she would be able to manuever the boat back to me. We have practiced COB drills assuming that she or one of the kids has gone over. We have reviewed what to do if I go over - head up into the wind, stop the boat, and get the sails down. I will pop my inflatable, and swim back to the boat. Hopefully the boat won't be too far away! I am in good shape and can swim pretty far. With flotation, I could probably swim to land if it came to that. Where we sail, you can never be more than a few miles from land. She does know how to start the engine, put it in gear, etc. I would not count on that in an emergency. I have told everyone how to turn the radio on and broadcast a mayday. In fact, the instructions are posted right next to the mayday. Generally, we sail in populated areas, when the weather is good, and the water temperature is not severe. Barry
Captain Overboard
I have often pondered what the outcome would be. I always give all aboard instructions prior to leaving the dock as to what their indiviudal responsibilities are in the event anyone goes overboard. My wife has taken sailing lessons and she has her baisc keel boat certificate and safe boating certificate. We have at times talked about and even practiced MOB procedures sometimes with interesting results. That being said, on a good day our new boat will do 9 kts and by the time she, or I, responds to a situation the outcome might be interesting especially during the cooler months. Yes we should both wear PFDs when sailing but very rarely do. We will re-evaluate our skills and procedures as sping arrives. Those nice inflatable PFDs, the teathers and the jack lines are all right there in the cockpit locker, great place for them, hmmmmmmmm. And just a note, I see many families out sailing, and see very many parents, sometimes only one parent, making sure their children wear their PFDs, but never see the parents wearing them. What happens to the three or four or whatever year olds if dad or mom goes overboard? Just a thought. Bob Keller sv Kathryn 2 Stamford, Ct
I have often pondered what the outcome would be. I always give all aboard instructions prior to leaving the dock as to what their indiviudal responsibilities are in the event anyone goes overboard. My wife has taken sailing lessons and she has her baisc keel boat certificate and safe boating certificate. We have at times talked about and even practiced MOB procedures sometimes with interesting results. That being said, on a good day our new boat will do 9 kts and by the time she, or I, responds to a situation the outcome might be interesting especially during the cooler months. Yes we should both wear PFDs when sailing but very rarely do. We will re-evaluate our skills and procedures as sping arrives. Those nice inflatable PFDs, the teathers and the jack lines are all right there in the cockpit locker, great place for them, hmmmmmmmm. And just a note, I see many families out sailing, and see very many parents, sometimes only one parent, making sure their children wear their PFDs, but never see the parents wearing them. What happens to the three or four or whatever year olds if dad or mom goes overboard? Just a thought. Bob Keller sv Kathryn 2 Stamford, Ct
No Worries
One of the selection criteria for my last mate was sailing ability.
(Intelligence, wit, and good looks were 2,3 and 4) My wife had her sailing certification from CYA before I met her. She has demonstrated the ability to return to a MOB under sail. She is more comfortable with me in charge, but when its her watch, she's the skipper and I have no worries. While I've never gone over while she was on the boat, her presence of mind and ability to take charge when I was unable to handle the boat properly (my wrist was broken) leaves me with little doubt that she would be fine if I did go over the side. If I sail with crew who's abilities are unknown or un-proven (to me), the PFD is on and I clip in in milder conditions than with crew I know. I'm lucky, of most frequent crew one is a former professional sailor and another is a sailing instructor. The thought of starting the engine and dropping sails as part of a standard MOB drill just is not done on my boat. The only time using the engine would be a valid choice would be in light wind and/or heavy current conditions where sailing back to the crew in the water would be slow, difficult, or impossible. In my mind's eye this is what would happen if I was in the water. Wench would get the MOB pole and ring float into the water. Bear off for a few boat lengths, tack and bear off to a broad reach, toss the lifesling over board, head up and sail past me just to windward and slow/stop the boat when I had the lifesling or line in hand. She'd bring be alongside and if I was unable to use the boarding ladder, she would secure me, rig the lifting tackle and hoist me back aboard. All the time reminding me that the insurance is paid up and she and the boat will be fine if I don't make it. If she had crew with her, she would do a standard reach tack return triangle, stopping the boat just to leeward of me and direct the crew to get me back on board.
One of the selection criteria for my last mate was sailing ability.
(Intelligence, wit, and good looks were 2,3 and 4) My wife had her sailing certification from CYA before I met her. She has demonstrated the ability to return to a MOB under sail. She is more comfortable with me in charge, but when its her watch, she's the skipper and I have no worries. While I've never gone over while she was on the boat, her presence of mind and ability to take charge when I was unable to handle the boat properly (my wrist was broken) leaves me with little doubt that she would be fine if I did go over the side. If I sail with crew who's abilities are unknown or un-proven (to me), the PFD is on and I clip in in milder conditions than with crew I know. I'm lucky, of most frequent crew one is a former professional sailor and another is a sailing instructor. The thought of starting the engine and dropping sails as part of a standard MOB drill just is not done on my boat. The only time using the engine would be a valid choice would be in light wind and/or heavy current conditions where sailing back to the crew in the water would be slow, difficult, or impossible. In my mind's eye this is what would happen if I was in the water. Wench would get the MOB pole and ring float into the water. Bear off for a few boat lengths, tack and bear off to a broad reach, toss the lifesling over board, head up and sail past me just to windward and slow/stop the boat when I had the lifesling or line in hand. She'd bring be alongside and if I was unable to use the boarding ladder, she would secure me, rig the lifting tackle and hoist me back aboard. All the time reminding me that the insurance is paid up and she and the boat will be fine if I don't make it. If she had crew with her, she would do a standard reach tack return triangle, stopping the boat just to leeward of me and direct the crew to get me back on board.
A trained spousal unit is a good idea
Just the two of us are aboard 90 percent of the time, so this is very important to us. My first sailing instructor had a lot of knowledge, a cruising boat he was taking to Mexico, and a bad heart. The way he explained it to me is that no matter how good he was, he'd be an idiot to not have his wife as well-trained as possible. When he eventually did have health problems offshore Mexico, she managed the boat nicely back to a safe port. So that's always been our approach, and we both took all the same courses and share the time at the helm, MOB drills, docking etc. as much as possible. The next smart thing I should do is practice MOB at least once a year in easy conditions, and then once again in difficult conditions, taking turns. It's actually kinda fun rescuing that floating jug, and reminding myself I can do it. I also agree with the post that says throw over everything that floats. We have a MOB pole with light, a Lifesling and a horseshoe in the cockpit. San Francisco Bay is too darned cold to take chances. No way either of us could stay in the water 30 minutes and even 15 and be able to cliimb back aboard, so that is factored in. And we try to obey rule # 1. Stay on the boat. Sanders s/v Good News
Just the two of us are aboard 90 percent of the time, so this is very important to us. My first sailing instructor had a lot of knowledge, a cruising boat he was taking to Mexico, and a bad heart. The way he explained it to me is that no matter how good he was, he'd be an idiot to not have his wife as well-trained as possible. When he eventually did have health problems offshore Mexico, she managed the boat nicely back to a safe port. So that's always been our approach, and we both took all the same courses and share the time at the helm, MOB drills, docking etc. as much as possible. The next smart thing I should do is practice MOB at least once a year in easy conditions, and then once again in difficult conditions, taking turns. It's actually kinda fun rescuing that floating jug, and reminding myself I can do it. I also agree with the post that says throw over everything that floats. We have a MOB pole with light, a Lifesling and a horseshoe in the cockpit. San Francisco Bay is too darned cold to take chances. No way either of us could stay in the water 30 minutes and even 15 and be able to cliimb back aboard, so that is factored in. And we try to obey rule # 1. Stay on the boat. Sanders s/v Good News
Double Yikes
I think my wife might trim the sails and call the life insurance company. Yes, she can handle the boat - I taught her. That may not have been in my best interest!
I think my wife might trim the sails and call the life insurance company. Yes, she can handle the boat - I taught her. That may not have been in my best interest!
Just the 2 of us, 100% of the time.
When we have guests on board, we don't consider them crew. I started boating when I was a kid, and she started after we got married, so I have a lot more experience than she does. However, since then, we bought the boat together, picked out all the equipment together, and both of us have taken all of the courses together, except for weather. We both are able to do everything on the boat, but each of us is better at doing something then the other one. So we complement each other quite well. So in case of me going overboard, she should do just fine coming back to pick me up. What is more likely though, is me getting hurt, or a heart attack, and she has to do everything on top of emotional stress.
When we have guests on board, we don't consider them crew. I started boating when I was a kid, and she started after we got married, so I have a lot more experience than she does. However, since then, we bought the boat together, picked out all the equipment together, and both of us have taken all of the courses together, except for weather. We both are able to do everything on the boat, but each of us is better at doing something then the other one. So we complement each other quite well. So in case of me going overboard, she should do just fine coming back to pick me up. What is more likely though, is me getting hurt, or a heart attack, and she has to do everything on top of emotional stress.
Overboard
While wearing a PFD is a good idea, it isn't going to help much if you are unconscious when you hit the water -- nor is being a good swimmer. Normally, it would mean just being alive longer before you drowned. I doubt my wife would be of much help in such a case. But I'm going to develop some practice drills that we can do next season to lessen the risk and improve her skills as a result of this thread.
While wearing a PFD is a good idea, it isn't going to help much if you are unconscious when you hit the water -- nor is being a good swimmer. Normally, it would mean just being alive longer before you drowned. I doubt my wife would be of much help in such a case. But I'm going to develop some practice drills that we can do next season to lessen the risk and improve her skills as a result of this thread.
Man overboard while dog watches
I realize the danger involved if I should go overboard especially since my First Mate is a medium sized Greyhound Terrier, and she hasn't learned to sail the boat yet. If I get a furler next year, my chances of falling overboard will be less. Otherwise, I've always subscribed to the old saying, " one hand for the ship, and one hand for yourself". Possibly,one of the smartest things to do if you're about to put yourself in a position where you could fall overboard, is to throw out a long line that is hooked to the stern, so that you can grab it and get back on board via the stern ladder. I always have my stern ladder tied with the quick release "Scandinavian Hitch." All it takes is one pull and the ladder is released. I also use this knot for my bow line which is cleated off at the bow cleat, and hitched to my stern rail for coming to the dock. My boat is on autopilot most of the time and if I did go over the side, I'd be out of luck. Of course, it doesn't hurt to put on a PFD and have a loud whistle tied around your neck, just in case you miss the rope.
I realize the danger involved if I should go overboard especially since my First Mate is a medium sized Greyhound Terrier, and she hasn't learned to sail the boat yet. If I get a furler next year, my chances of falling overboard will be less. Otherwise, I've always subscribed to the old saying, " one hand for the ship, and one hand for yourself". Possibly,one of the smartest things to do if you're about to put yourself in a position where you could fall overboard, is to throw out a long line that is hooked to the stern, so that you can grab it and get back on board via the stern ladder. I always have my stern ladder tied with the quick release "Scandinavian Hitch." All it takes is one pull and the ladder is released. I also use this knot for my bow line which is cleated off at the bow cleat, and hitched to my stern rail for coming to the dock. My boat is on autopilot most of the time and if I did go over the side, I'd be out of luck. Of course, it doesn't hurt to put on a PFD and have a loud whistle tied around your neck, just in case you miss the rope.
Admiral as good a sailor as First Mate
Early on Suz and I decided that we both needed to have all the basic skills. We can (and do) handle the boat in all situations. The only exception is that during club racing, I trim the sails and she is at the helm when only the two of us are present. She releases the jib sheet on a tack, I adjust traveler and pull in the jib. When we have a extra crew member (especially if it is our son - age 23) I'm often at the helm, Suz trims the jib, Andy the main. All kids can sail, anchor, back into slip, dock for pump out, enter raft up and MOB - including Ellie - 13. We practice MOB whenever we see trash on the lake. Whoever is at the helm is in charge. Ellie can direct the crew or man the sails in a MOB. She can get me close enough to pick up a soda can with my hands from the stern. We emphasized this about 4 years ago after Ellie and I were sailing together. We had great winds and a great sail. I wore my inflatable vest w/harness and was tethered to the boat. When we returned, someone asked if I had a heart attack, could Ellie get me back to the slip. She knew how to use the VHF, and could sail, but we weren't sure if she could start the engine. We asked what she would do if I fell overboard. She said she would jump in to rescue me. Next week, we began a training program. As I said above, she quickly learned all the basics including docking at the pumpout...we figured if she got me that far at 9 years of age, someone would help her get back to the slip. This past summer, she learned to back into the 14 ft wide slip. As an instructor said, "The helm is the easiest place to be. It doesn't require a lot of strength to start the engine or turn the wheel. Put your wife there. In general men are stronger. Do the jobs that require more strength ... fending off while docking, raising the main sail, pulling up the anchor." Suz and I always chuckle at a couple on a 36 ft boat. He is 6' and 220 lbs. She is about 5 ft, 120. He is always at the helm when leaving and returning to the dock, raising the main. We sailed with them in strong winds and needed to reef. Guess who stayed at the helm and who help us reef. Mark
Early on Suz and I decided that we both needed to have all the basic skills. We can (and do) handle the boat in all situations. The only exception is that during club racing, I trim the sails and she is at the helm when only the two of us are present. She releases the jib sheet on a tack, I adjust traveler and pull in the jib. When we have a extra crew member (especially if it is our son - age 23) I'm often at the helm, Suz trims the jib, Andy the main. All kids can sail, anchor, back into slip, dock for pump out, enter raft up and MOB - including Ellie - 13. We practice MOB whenever we see trash on the lake. Whoever is at the helm is in charge. Ellie can direct the crew or man the sails in a MOB. She can get me close enough to pick up a soda can with my hands from the stern. We emphasized this about 4 years ago after Ellie and I were sailing together. We had great winds and a great sail. I wore my inflatable vest w/harness and was tethered to the boat. When we returned, someone asked if I had a heart attack, could Ellie get me back to the slip. She knew how to use the VHF, and could sail, but we weren't sure if she could start the engine. We asked what she would do if I fell overboard. She said she would jump in to rescue me. Next week, we began a training program. As I said above, she quickly learned all the basics including docking at the pumpout...we figured if she got me that far at 9 years of age, someone would help her get back to the slip. This past summer, she learned to back into the 14 ft wide slip. As an instructor said, "The helm is the easiest place to be. It doesn't require a lot of strength to start the engine or turn the wheel. Put your wife there. In general men are stronger. Do the jobs that require more strength ... fending off while docking, raising the main sail, pulling up the anchor." Suz and I always chuckle at a couple on a 36 ft boat. He is 6' and 220 lbs. She is about 5 ft, 120. He is always at the helm when leaving and returning to the dock, raising the main. We sailed with them in strong winds and needed to reef. Guess who stayed at the helm and who help us reef. Mark
a real situation
it was 4:15pm on july 23, 1999. we were floating freely a half mile off the breakwaters of sodus bay, lake ontario. we had each gone into the water separately (that was the rule) three or so times along with our black lab who went in each time. as i was still covered with her thick black hair, i told my wife i was going in for the last time to rinse off all the dog hair and for her to keep Genny on board. so i went in off our swim platform with the swim ladder still down on our beneteau oceanus 370. the wind had picked up to a gusty 18 knot wind and although i had only jumped in off the platform, i could not get back to the boat. i am not a good swimmer and quickly panicked a bit. i called out to myt wife to throw the yellow horseshoe whose tether i had rolled up and attached to the rail just a few weeks ago ... when we had first bought our boat. she went to undo the rolled up tether and it came out all tangled up and unthrowable. i watched this and really panicked as i was know a good boat length away from the boat (36 feet.) i yelled to my wife to jump in and come get me as i was going under. she also panicked and thought i was about to drown. she, who is a great swimmer, once a trained lifeguard and teacher of swimming classes, jumped in. she and the dog swam to me and we watched the boat getting further and further from us, now three lengths or so. it became very clear that her hauling me to the boat wasn't going to work. we, together, decided the only thing to do was to have her leave me and have her swim to the boat, fire up the motor and come back to get me. it was 2 1/2 hours later when my wife who had always been swimming toward the boat, and never quite getting to it, was picked up along with our dog by a passing motor boat. they called the coast guard who started out a search and rescue with three marine boats (an amphibious boat and two others) and a half dozen or so recreational boaters who all entered a search pattern all to no avail. 4 1/2 hrs after i was in the drink, a power boat came by me ... at least a whole mile from the search and rescue ... and asked if i was ok. there's much more to the story but this is enough. it *is* what happened and happened even though we had layed out the rules that demanded only one person in the water at a time ... regardless of *any* situation. you *never* really know how you will respond to an actual situation *until* it happens. so, our situation was: we had a new boat to us and had not done a thorough job of practicing man overboards as we had done on our earlier 26' pearson. our life jackets were down below. the boat was not anchored. we had no tethers, no anchor down, no backup, no practice with a sling tied to the boom ... after all, why *we* were somewhat experienced ocean going sailors having spent many years along the coast of maine and, why this, was nothing but a fresh water pond. wrong, wrong and more wrong. i do not know how i could have stayed in the water for 4 1/2 hours when i can only swim about one round trip length of an indoor pool. very early into this episode, i knew i was going to die, there was no other possibility. i was often a few feet below water and gasping. i said my goodbyes to my wife, prayed a deliberate prayer of confession and asked forgiveness ... and then prayed that god take me quickly. i got back from the hospital several hours later, spitting up blood over the next few days, recovering from being totally purplishy blue. it took a few weeks before i went back out on the boat and made the decision to try to go for my next swim. i sat on the swim platform, boat anchored, life jacket donned, tethered to the boat, horshoe already extened in the water, dinghy tied to the boat extended back a few feet, goggles, fins, snorkle. oh yes, and wife with trown cushions ready, lifesling ready to be deployed, ladder down. and yes, whistle attached to my lifejacket, strob lite pinned to the life jacket. i sat there for a good half hour and then slid into the water. this, now early august, 1999. it was not until this summer (2005) that i jumped into the water off the swim platform without a life jacket but with boat anchored and everybody ready. we just celebrated six years of additional life this past july. impossible we are here, yet we are ... except for our sweetheart dog Genny (named after the genoa) whom we had euthanized at 13 1/2 years old on september 30th. ron
it was 4:15pm on july 23, 1999. we were floating freely a half mile off the breakwaters of sodus bay, lake ontario. we had each gone into the water separately (that was the rule) three or so times along with our black lab who went in each time. as i was still covered with her thick black hair, i told my wife i was going in for the last time to rinse off all the dog hair and for her to keep Genny on board. so i went in off our swim platform with the swim ladder still down on our beneteau oceanus 370. the wind had picked up to a gusty 18 knot wind and although i had only jumped in off the platform, i could not get back to the boat. i am not a good swimmer and quickly panicked a bit. i called out to myt wife to throw the yellow horseshoe whose tether i had rolled up and attached to the rail just a few weeks ago ... when we had first bought our boat. she went to undo the rolled up tether and it came out all tangled up and unthrowable. i watched this and really panicked as i was know a good boat length away from the boat (36 feet.) i yelled to my wife to jump in and come get me as i was going under. she also panicked and thought i was about to drown. she, who is a great swimmer, once a trained lifeguard and teacher of swimming classes, jumped in. she and the dog swam to me and we watched the boat getting further and further from us, now three lengths or so. it became very clear that her hauling me to the boat wasn't going to work. we, together, decided the only thing to do was to have her leave me and have her swim to the boat, fire up the motor and come back to get me. it was 2 1/2 hours later when my wife who had always been swimming toward the boat, and never quite getting to it, was picked up along with our dog by a passing motor boat. they called the coast guard who started out a search and rescue with three marine boats (an amphibious boat and two others) and a half dozen or so recreational boaters who all entered a search pattern all to no avail. 4 1/2 hrs after i was in the drink, a power boat came by me ... at least a whole mile from the search and rescue ... and asked if i was ok. there's much more to the story but this is enough. it *is* what happened and happened even though we had layed out the rules that demanded only one person in the water at a time ... regardless of *any* situation. you *never* really know how you will respond to an actual situation *until* it happens. so, our situation was: we had a new boat to us and had not done a thorough job of practicing man overboards as we had done on our earlier 26' pearson. our life jackets were down below. the boat was not anchored. we had no tethers, no anchor down, no backup, no practice with a sling tied to the boom ... after all, why *we* were somewhat experienced ocean going sailors having spent many years along the coast of maine and, why this, was nothing but a fresh water pond. wrong, wrong and more wrong. i do not know how i could have stayed in the water for 4 1/2 hours when i can only swim about one round trip length of an indoor pool. very early into this episode, i knew i was going to die, there was no other possibility. i was often a few feet below water and gasping. i said my goodbyes to my wife, prayed a deliberate prayer of confession and asked forgiveness ... and then prayed that god take me quickly. i got back from the hospital several hours later, spitting up blood over the next few days, recovering from being totally purplishy blue. it took a few weeks before i went back out on the boat and made the decision to try to go for my next swim. i sat on the swim platform, boat anchored, life jacket donned, tethered to the boat, horshoe already extened in the water, dinghy tied to the boat extended back a few feet, goggles, fins, snorkle. oh yes, and wife with trown cushions ready, lifesling ready to be deployed, ladder down. and yes, whistle attached to my lifejacket, strob lite pinned to the life jacket. i sat there for a good half hour and then slid into the water. this, now early august, 1999. it was not until this summer (2005) that i jumped into the water off the swim platform without a life jacket but with boat anchored and everybody ready. we just celebrated six years of additional life this past july. impossible we are here, yet we are ... except for our sweetheart dog Genny (named after the genoa) whom we had euthanized at 13 1/2 years old on september 30th. ron
The question may not be"can" the spouse do it....
...but will your spouse turn the boat around and come get you! Just kidding, kind of. My wife and I have practiced an MOB drill reqularly, and also do so with guests. I usually give every guest a run through of life safety equipment and procedures as we are preparing to shove off. I will also discuss the procedure for luffing and/or dropping sail, starting the motor, marking position on GPS, getting a float in the water, maintaining a visual with the MOB, calling for help and so on. I try to give everyone one or two "jobs" to think about, and make sure they understand all the other roles. When the crew has had a chance to get the sails up, take a turn at the helm, and trim some sails, I'll call for a surprise drill and throw a float overboard and step away from the helm. I then let everybody else go about the drill and try to stay out of the way. I also won't answer any questions on what should be done next-since I might not be there to answer in a real emergency. It is always great fun to watch the way everyone goes about the drill. We usually have alot of fun laughing about what did or didn't happen afterwards. Even if we are not succesful - everyone now has some experience at a MOB situation and would be more likely to be successful for the real thing. I always rememer to keep the wife and crew content so that I won't have to wonder if they WILL come back for me! About that towing a rope thing. How do you decide how long the trailing rope should be? I would always worry that I made it a foot too short!!!! I do tow an inflatable on a passage of any length. I geuss I could always set that free to allow a MOB to swim to it.
...but will your spouse turn the boat around and come get you! Just kidding, kind of. My wife and I have practiced an MOB drill reqularly, and also do so with guests. I usually give every guest a run through of life safety equipment and procedures as we are preparing to shove off. I will also discuss the procedure for luffing and/or dropping sail, starting the motor, marking position on GPS, getting a float in the water, maintaining a visual with the MOB, calling for help and so on. I try to give everyone one or two "jobs" to think about, and make sure they understand all the other roles. When the crew has had a chance to get the sails up, take a turn at the helm, and trim some sails, I'll call for a surprise drill and throw a float overboard and step away from the helm. I then let everybody else go about the drill and try to stay out of the way. I also won't answer any questions on what should be done next-since I might not be there to answer in a real emergency. It is always great fun to watch the way everyone goes about the drill. We usually have alot of fun laughing about what did or didn't happen afterwards. Even if we are not succesful - everyone now has some experience at a MOB situation and would be more likely to be successful for the real thing. I always rememer to keep the wife and crew content so that I won't have to wonder if they WILL come back for me! About that towing a rope thing. How do you decide how long the trailing rope should be? I would always worry that I made it a foot too short!!!! I do tow an inflatable on a passage of any length. I geuss I could always set that free to allow a MOB to swim to it.
JC,
I didn't say anything so why bring it up? It is all in the archives anyway if you need a laugh. Same discussion question again???
I didn't say anything so why bring it up? It is all in the archives anyway if you need a laugh. Same discussion question again???
I'm not the only one...
It appears that I am not the only one who will pray that he can swim to shore, while my wife fumbles with the boat. If she put her mind to it she could tack & turn back to me, drop the sails and hopefully I could then climb up the ladder, but I suspect the would drop the sails & fumble with the motor instead of sailing back BTW, she does not read this forum...
It appears that I am not the only one who will pray that he can swim to shore, while my wife fumbles with the boat. If she put her mind to it she could tack & turn back to me, drop the sails and hopefully I could then climb up the ladder, but I suspect the would drop the sails & fumble with the motor instead of sailing back BTW, she does not read this forum...
Crossing the pond?
Time to change the subject. Has anyone had experience crossing the Atlantic from the US to Europe? If so, what size vessel, type of rig, number of crew, provisions, safety equipment, single handed or in convoy, navigation equipment and methods, course steered, charts used, training and supporting organizations, etc., etc. What would you all recommend if sail power is the only option?
Time to change the subject. Has anyone had experience crossing the Atlantic from the US to Europe? If so, what size vessel, type of rig, number of crew, provisions, safety equipment, single handed or in convoy, navigation equipment and methods, course steered, charts used, training and supporting organizations, etc., etc. What would you all recommend if sail power is the only option?
- Status