This Is Not A Drill

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Rick D

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Jun 14, 2008
7,187
Hunter Legend 40.5 Shoreline Marina Long Beach CA
Had a chance to observe a real MOB situation a couple of weeks ago in blue water between Costa Rica and Panama. I have a new respect for strobe lights and the larger MOB units. What was later said to be a wacked-out crew member of a well known cruise line jumped from the 11th deck on the stern. It was late in the day, calm seas. He tossed a ring with an attached stobe. He was doing maintenance, so he had a PFD on when he jumped. It had a small strobe attached. No surprise, even with a very modern liner, very maneverable, it took about 30 minutes to go 180 degrees at 19.5 knots and the recovery took about an hour plus the launch of a boat and crew. Amazingly, he lived although I was told he had sustained some injury. Despite a clear night and being about 100' up, the light on the vest was difficult to see. The larger strobe was visible about a half mile out. I believe I'll purchase a larger strobe for my MOB system. Nothing like real world obsevation to change your mind. Rick D.
 

Rick D

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Jun 14, 2008
7,187
Hunter Legend 40.5 Shoreline Marina Long Beach CA
Didn't realize this was the humor forum....

NM
 
R

Rick Webb

Amazing how Small

It is amazing how small a body looks when floating upright in a vest. If you want to be found have the reflective stuff on the shoulders, making sure that is visable from above as well as front and back. Keep a couple of flares in one of the pockets as well as a mirror and a whistle make sure the bead in the whistle works when it is wet many do not. A small Maglight in addition to the biggest stobe you can carry also not a bad idea. Of course you must be wearing this rig when you fall off for it to do any good. I do not always wear a vest when out on the boat but at night or when the swells are up I do.
 
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