MOB, first time for everything

[freeheelbillie]

So I was the MOB last week, first time for everything I guess. Aside from the bruised ego everything was fine and I was back in the cockpit in less than a minute. I'll preface the story with yes I should have had on my pfd. Could have broke bad for sure.

The Low down;
10-15kts
70 degrees
only 2 souls on board
warm calm waters
very dark no moon or stars
About 1 mile off shore
Just dropped sails and fired up the motor, puttering along at 2kts
Auto Pilot and deck light on
Sailing buddy was in cockpit relaxing, I went forward to tidy up the main and in a flash (or maybe I should say splash) I was in the drink off the starboard side. By the time I got my head above water my sailing partner already had a hand out and I was able to haul myself up over the life line.

I still have no idea how I ended up off the deck and in the drink, guess it doesn't matter now. The entire situation could have got really bad in a hurry. But didn't so I guess I'll count my blessings and lean the lesson. Night sailing pfd on if you're leaving the cockpit! Oh and be sure your sailing partner is familiar with your Auto Pilot system. =/
I am ready to take my stern talking to from you, my fellow sailors.

 

[Roland5048]

No stern talking warranted. Lesson learned. Glad all came out OK.

 

[RussC]

The only reason for giving a scolding is to teach someone a lesson. sounds like you've already learned yours. glad it worked out ok.

 

[DayDreamer41]

Its a rule on our boat, out of the cockpit,vest is on with a lanyard once you reach your destination clip on. Its not that we don't know how to swim, who knows what can happen when one loses their balance, wack your head and it could easily be a real life/death situation, guess up have learned a valuable lesson.

 

[freeheelbillie]

I

Its a rule on our boat, out of the cockpit,vest is on with a lanyard once you reach your destination clip on. Its not that we don't know how to swim, who knows what can happen when one loses their balance, wack your head and it could easily be a real life/death situation, guess up have learned a valuable lesson.

I feel very foolish for having a nice inflatable pfd, quick clip lanyard with a nice bright jack line that even has reflective tracers that were sitting idle and unused while I went for my unplanned swim. Mind you with no strobe had my partner needed to and not been able to turn the boat around quickly. I have always been very sure footed, even spent a few years as a mountaineering guide in Alaska. Never in a million years would I have thought I would end up in the drink in conditions like that. Guess that's another lesson...you don't have to be out in the $hit for things to go to $hit quickly!

 

[MitchM]

great story ! thanks...

 

[rgranger]

Thanks for sharing

 

[DArcy]

Anyone can end up over the side. A couple of years ago, after an evening race we were putting away sails in less than 10 knots of wind and a bit of left over waves from some wind earlier, one of the younger crew fell over the side. He was in his late 20s, has sailed across the Atlantic and can climb the mast without assistance. The boat just rolled in a way he wasn't expecting and over he went. No harm, he just swam around to the stern and climbed out. When I sail at night, I always wear a life jacket now and if there are any waves I clip in my harness. I like to learn lessons from other people's mistakes, much easier than making them myself

 

[Skipper]

I went OB once. At the dock in Annapolis.
Was on the dock finger stepping onto the boat. Had an arms load of new cushions for the cockpit. Couldn't see my feet. Unable to use hands. Stepped onto the 3" toe rail, but miscalculated foot placement. Slipped back. Splash.
Cushions floating everywhere. Raybans on the bottom. Wife yelping. Neighbors yelling do we need help.
No harm. Collected the cushions. Climbed a nearby safety ladder. Dried off. Calmed the neighbors and wife. Concealed red face.
Diver found my glasses a month later. Lenses discolored and ruined.

 

[All U Get]

You need a bigger boat.

All U Get

 

[SFS]

Bigger boat = more cushions to carry.

 

[Benny17441]

Like they say, one hand for the boat and one hand for yourself; whenever out of the cockpit keep one firmly holding a stationary fixture on the boat.

 

[Gene Neill]

Thanks for sharing, Freeheelbilly. After our first and only knockdown, we got pretty good about wearing PFD's in all but the most benign of conditions ... but we have never even practiced using tethers. Not even once. And we do own them.

Shame ...

 

[JSumme]

I'm at fault for not paying closer attention to this on nice sailing days. What I tell all new folks on my boat is to stay in the cockpit or cabin. If someone wants to move forward to the bow, always maintain three points of contact. Hand rails and lifelines are life savers. At night and rough weather, we always wear PFDs and rig the jack lines. I've never had a MOB in almost 17 years of boat ownership.

 

[Ken13559]

I was an MOB once. Swore it was my crew mutiny. We were racing on a light wind and I got up on coachroof to hold back the boom from gybing. Just as I told the helms " careful and watch for gybbbinnnnggggg....." I got shot 20ft out and into the drink. My crew took their own sweet time to decide if they want come back for me!

 

[Parsons]

Thanks for sharing your stories. It's always "when you least expect it". The only thing I'll add is to look up the statistics on finding MOB's at night - it's way less than 50%. Even less if no PFD or strobe. We came amazingly close to not having one of our great Michigan sailors. Glad you're back on board!

 

[freeheelbillie]

Thanks for sharing your stories. It's always "when you least expect it". The only thing I'll add is to look up the statistics on finding MOB's at night - it's way less than 50%. Even less if no PFD or strobe. We came amazingly close to not having one of our great Michigan sailors. Glad you're back on board!

Glad to be here! The stats are enough to make anyone think twice about safety on the water, especially at night. http://marine.the-justgroup.com/man-overboard-statistics/

 

[Raven34]

Here is an interesting story sent to me recently about being the MOB.
https://www.spinsheet.com/racing/chicago-mackinac-race-man-overboard-night