Singlehanded MOB Procedure

[AlastairLC]

Like many of us, I was taught the ASA's standard MOB procedure: broad reach for 6-8 boat lengths, tack, and return to effect rescue into the wind. I've always practiced it with at least one experienced sailor still onboard. No problem.
I now sail mostly with just one crewman. If he were to go overboard, I'd be trying to perform that procedure singlehanded. With a 150 Genoa and no autopilot, tacking could be problematic. I'm thinking that a quick-stop gybe and circle would be quicker and easier. I could center the main, if I have to, a lot quicker and easier than trying to control the genny.
I'd be interested in anyone's thoughts or experiences.
Thanks.

 

[CaptKimble]

Wouldn't it depend on factors such as point of sail, boat and wind speed etc.?

 

[capta]

Even with a full crew aboard, I tell anyone sailing with me that if they fall overboard, they had best start swimming for the nearest land. Folks rarely go overboard in ideal conditions and in heavy weather, it's damn near impossible to find someone in the water, let alone rescue them.
It is by far a better plan to stay aboard the vessel, period. Just consider that rail to be a one thousand foot cliff and that should do the trick.
And for those of you convinced that sh*t happens, let me just say; it does not have to. Not going overboard is only a matter of care and situational awareness, just like not getting hit by a boom.

 

[Justin_NSA]

With one person on board, wouldn't it be easier to release the sheets and start the engine? Just be sure to cut it before you reach them.

 

[Ross S]

I was also taught the ASA figure 8 method. When we practiced it we just ignored the headsail after the tack. So I release it when I tack and then never sheet it in again. It flaps and it can be noisy; but after the tack it's kind of useless in my opinion and just one less thing to worry about.

As for the figure 8 being the best MOB plan? That's a different story. I do think the quick stop has some benefits.

 

[Roland5048]

I taught,years ago, at an ASA facility. We taught the figure eight maneuver as well as the quick stop. IMO the figure eight works better with a smaller tiler boat due to its' maneuverability. On a larger boat with a wheel the quick stop works much better. When I instruct now, (non ASA), I teach the quick stop or as I call it, the 180. Usually someone will be most likely to fall overboard while on a close reach and heeled over. Quickly turn into the wind and head down wind. Don't touch the sails as they are already sheeted in. This will allow the boat to slow down. As you come up on the MOB you can do what you need to according to the circumstances. Every one is different. The thing you want to do is get back to the person ASAP. Plus, don't forget to hit your MOB button and toss something overboard immediately.

 

[Head Sail]

The way I look at it, the ASA technique is for boats under sail. After all, it's sailboat and that's what they're teaching, however, in a real life situation, I would start the engine and manage the headsail for benefit or let flog to get into position for an upwind recovery. Capta is right, it would be very difficult in rough seas to find a person especially if your trying to manage the boat. It may be a good idea with only one crew member to carry a whistle or strobe on their PFD.

 

[AlastairLC]

With one person on board, wouldn't it be easier to release the sheets and start the engine? Just be sure to cut it before you reach them.

Maybe, but I have a stern swimming platform and ladder, which is where I'd plan to get the MOB back onboard, so I'm a little concerned about the proximity to the propeller. (Putting the engine in neutral would have to happen at the last minute to avoid drifting while I get the MOB to the stern.)

 

[Rick486]

Even with a full crew aboard, I tell anyone sailing with me that if they fall overboard, they had best start swimming for the nearest land. Folks rarely go overboard in ideal conditions and in heavy weather, it's damn near impossible to find someone in the water, let alone rescue them.
It is by far a better plan to stay aboard the vessel, period. Just consider that rail to be a one thousand foot cliff and that should do the trick.
And for those of you convinced that sh*t happens, let me just say; it does not have to. Not going overboard is only a matter of care and situational awareness, just like not getting hit by a boom.

Absolutely. Thank God we've never lost anyone overboard but I can tell you that once I tried to recover a swimmer who had been pulled out into open water by current. It took us nearly an hour to recover him, and he was a very good swimmer, although tired and cold. Positioning to allow him to grab onto our boarding ladder in a breeze was all the challenge I want ever again. My wife and I wear our inflatables underway and we are both on tethers in rough weather. Dogs are in their harnesses with tethers. Ain't nobody goin' overboard on Maxine.

 

[capta]

Maybe, but I have a stern swimming platform and ladder, which is where I'd plan to get the MOB back onboard, so I'm a little concerned about the proximity to the propeller. (Putting the engine in neutral would have to happen at the last minute to avoid drifting while I get the MOB to the stern.)

Are you assuming that the MOB can climb the ladder unassisted? There is no way you are going to drag an unconscious person over about 60# up your stern ladder, unless you are Arnold.
Anyone who has dragged behind a moving boat on a line for fun, knows how difficult it is to pull themselves out of the water after hauling themselves back to the boat up the line. Test it yourself one day, when you have plenty of help to get back aboard.

 

[AlastairLC]

Are you assuming that the MOB can climb the ladder unassisted? There is no way you are going to drag an unconscious person over about 60# up your stern ladder, unless you are Arnold.
Anyone who has dragged behind a moving boat on a line for fun, knows how difficult it is to pull themselves out of the water after hauling themselves back to the boat up the line. Test it yourself one day, when you have plenty of help to get back aboard.

I'd assist him if necessary once I'd stabilized the boat. If he was that much dead weight, I guess I'd rig a sling using the boom as a derrick and haul him up over the side with winched mainsheet.

 

[capta]

I'd assist him if necessary once I'd stabilized the boat. If he was that much dead weight, I guess I'd rig a sling using the boom as a derrick and haul him up over the side with winched mainsheet.

Only to play devil's advocate, if you are in the kind of conditions that are most likely when someone goes over the side, you certainly aren't ever going to have a "stabilized boat" and having an injured or unconscious person anywhere near a wildly moving unpowered boat (forget the prop) for even a few seconds, let alone the time it would take you to rig your "derrick" arrangement, is going to be very dangerous for that person.
I wasn't trying to be a smart ass when I said that not going overboard was the only safe way of dealing with the problem.

 

[Roland5048]

I'd assist him if necessary once I'd stabilized the boat. If he was that much dead weight, I guess I'd rig a sling using the boom as a derrick and haul him up over the side with winched mainsheet.

The OP posed the question of retrieving a MOB single handed. How are you going to get an unconscious person into a sling? If you go in then both of you are lost. It's difficult enough in calm conditions let alone what the conditions would be to sweep someone off the deck. AT my age, 66, it's sometimes all I can do to pull myself up my boarding ladder after a good swim. And I think I am in reasonably good shape and not over-weight. Imagine now, under stress and the energy it takes to just stay alive. As Capta pointed out. DON'T GO OVERBOARD. What ever it takes to stay in the boat, do it.

 

[Head Sail]

Anyone who has dragged behind a moving boat on a line for fun, knows how difficult it is to pull themselves out of the water after hauling themselves back to the boat up the line. Test it yourself one day, when you have plenty of help to get back aboard.

Make sure your main halyard is long enough to reach all the way to the swim ladder.

 

[CaptKimble]

We have a lifting davit fixed to the aft starboard quarter normally used for the outboard. I don't know about doing it singlehanded. I suppose if the swimmer could get into the sling then getting the hoist attached to the sling shouldn't be much harder but in rough weather....the problems would be difficult at best

 

[weinie]

let the headsail flog. you can always buy another.
now a spinnaker is another issue as it could make sailing upwind problematic.

 

[Ned Ludd]

The 1000 foot cliff rule is a good one, if you fall off of a boat you are DEAD. If you are lucky enough to get rescued you used up some serious karma.

On a technical note there are an infinite number of variables as to boat design, weather conditions, crew experience, health, etc, etc, etc...

I mainly single hand so if I go over the side the boat sails off without me and I am DEAD. I use a 3 point of contact rule; 2 feet and 1 hand, 2 hands and 1 foot, 2 feet and my butt if I need 2 hands for something, wrap an arm around the mast or a shroud if I need to stand. I consider it an anti man overboard procedure.

 

[AlastairLC]

Capta & Roland,
It's all very well to say, "Don't fall overboard", but people do, and not always in gale-force conditions. If it ever happens to me, heaven forbid, I'm not just going to sail away and leave the poor bloke to drown. That's why I'm interested in learning the best way to handle it.

 

[Kermit]

Capta & Roland,
It's all very well to say, "Don't fall overboard", but people do, and not always in gale-force conditions. If it ever happens to me, heaven forbid, I'm not just going to sail away and leave the poor bloke to drown. That's why I'm interested in learning the best way to handle it.

Damn-fine response, young man. Damn-fine response.

 

[Hayden Watson]

If I was on a close hauled course, the first thing I would do is hove-to. Immediately turn through the eye of the wind and then try to tack back without touching any sheets. The boat stops directly to windward of the MOB and drifts backwards toward them. That way you stay close, do not need to mess with the sails and can start the engine to maneuver fore and aft as needed while keeping the jib back winded.