Simplest Man Overboard Procedure (Sailing Virgins) Ep. 26

[@danjenkinsdesign]

Love this, going to try it next week. Just took some ASA classes this week and had to practice the Figure 8 method. Takes forever and our instructor said that no one would ever use it. I sail with my kids and if my little one went over there is no way I'm waiting for a figure 8 to pick him up. Thanks for the method!

[@humanafterall2076]

Nice instruction but maybe the most difficult aspect of M.O.B. Is the recovery. Give it a go with a person acting immobilised to highlight the difficulty with dead weight and a vessel both rising and falling. Surely you will have a volunteer aboard. I’ve had a hell time recovering a 58kg young fella and I’m 6’5 and quite solid and very fit. It’s not easy and can exhaust both parties very quickly. We practice as to remind ourselves how intense the situation can be and ultimately the outcome is down to routine and staying calm under pressure.

[@SailingVirgins]

Not sure it is necessarily the most difficult part of the recovery, but yes it can be challenging, moreso if the MOB is unconscious. Perhaps we can do another episode just on this, if that would help?

[@chrysM34]

Sailing Virgins I had to get out of water an unconscious adult body wearing clothes , the total weight was far over 100kg. I first tried on my starboard but too high and nothing to help , the boom was not a good idea (too long and I was single handed at that time). Waves were about 2.5/3m , wind pushing the stopped boat at about 1.5/2knots , rocks and cliffs at about 500m . I choose to grab the mob at the back of the boat and use the hoist (for the tender engine) . I almost fall over board too Because keeping the mob grabbed , trying clip it’s harness (hopefully had one to the hoist, and the damn waves , rain and water on the deck). I realized after all that I forgot to link myself to the boat. It helped me because it would have been impossible to move the grabbed mob (needed 2 hands) and linking unlinking, but would have been a good idea linking when hoisting . The last part was not easy at all: how to get him back in the cockpit from the lower back part of the boat. Still 80kg of unconscious body+water... I already was exhausted... I first motored away from the near cliffs and then took a looooomg time to bring it in the cockpit (waves rain and exhausted). And I must add that I had to keep the body turned back from the sea flow right after grabbing it as the boat speed (more than 1 knot) was making the water forcing into its mouth and drowning it. What I missed / forgot : - didn’t throw anything : would have been required with lower visibility - didn’t hit mob button on the MFD . Same as the previous - forgot to wear my links clipped on my life jacked harness (before the Mob either it’s too late) - needed 2 attempts to be back on the mob without hitting it with the hull - not enough training singled handed - stress - exhaustion. At the end I was near the point I could not handle it What helped : - training with crew - AIS PLB worked like a charm making me confident to find it back while un hauling the sails and starting the engine - wearing our life jackets - hook in the cockpit (not inside or in a locker) - was a training ...

[@humanafterall2076]

Sailing Virgins that would be awesome guys, try it as a two man crew set up as he majority of vessels on the seas are generally a couple sailing or a lone sailor which is not a viable one to demonstrate. Enjoy watching the vids, keep them coming.

[@sailingnuestravida]

Wish I could give more than 1 thumbs up. I have only been trained in the most complex recovery procedures, too complex to be practical under stress. This one is one we will adopt and practice!!! Thanks!!

[@thomaswilson4830]

Having just completed my RYA instructor course where the famous figure of 8 is staple , I like the simplicity of your version. Would add that if you crash tack immediately and back your jib, keep it hove to, you can end still in the water within a boat length of your mob. Might want to try it. Certainly works for me :-). Happy sailing

[@SailingVirgins]

Hey Thomas, yes I know how you feel! I was asked to demonstrate an MOB recovery during my YMI exam, and used this method - a bit of a risk as it's not in any of the RYA literature. The moderator (a lovely gent who has had more tough sailing days than I have had hot dinners) looked at me and said "...I don't see that method very much. I always liked it." The thing about heaving-to (a method I am a fan of btw) is that it requires one additional skill in what is likely a hectic situation. That is, if you're not calm when heaving-to, it is so easy to tack back over the backed jib, and power up again. Which complicates things. I guess the point of this method is it is the one to do when you can't think. When you can think, as you suggested, there are any number of methods: Figure 8, heave-to, broad-reach-close-reach, etc etc. But when the brain is paralysed with indecision, this method is pretty hard to beat.

[@angiebrown6523]

Finally able to watch this without the copyright issue. Nice one!

[@dato6490]

Thanks for sharing. Many sailors prefer to immediately heave to, to stop the boat. It is important to master this technique, it is extremely easy but needs to be practiced. Heaving to allows not to go away from the mob, while switching the engine on. You then chose your strategy to go to the mob depending on skills and sea conditions, keeping the sails on or not. Personally, I prefer to reach the mob against the wind and decide which side (or even the back) depending on sea conditions.

[@changodelaporcelainacanada4819]

Thanks for making good videos.Your MOB procedure looks great. I don’t usually have a helm tie off line ready but I will have two ready now

[@vedro4]

I love how you take the least risk! People don't get the sea seriously enough!!! You're literally on your own 90% time!

[@g75218]

Seems simple enough...will have to give it a go. Awesome drone footage!!

[@sherrycoady2491]

Great job guys. I shared with my friends.

[@timwright4676]

Another great video. Informative and fun. Thank you all.

[@sailingavocet]

Way to go, I am glad you are doing a video on this

[@eljefe1153]

Thanks 👍 nice one. Do you have one for downwind MOB??

[@brianpaterson3996]

Looks like a good system to me well done lads

[@darrenparsons8131]

I still have "Garry" the fender we found on I think on Salt Island - and used for MOB drills during our trip in 2015.

[@SailingVirgins]

Ahh Garry!!

[@evanbetter]

great, thanks! do you think, this would also work on a cat?

[@danstein8074]

Not so sure I like it, The quick stop kidney bean or figure eight may seem slow however it allows you to take your three breaths and collect yourself while you are actually in route to the mark, and not endlessly spinning your boat in circles which could be dangerous in some conditions as well as disorienting. Thanks, Dan BKI

[@dalethebelldiver7740]

When do most people fall overboard?

[@aukert]

Question: you can't get a person back on board over the high freeboard on the side of the boat. You'd need to get them to the swim platform on the back. But you're using the engine in reverse to keep the boat from moving since you have the sails up. Wouldn't his or her feet potentially get sucked into the propellor?

[@SailingVirgins]

There are a few things you can do if you can't get them over the freeboard on a particular yacht. First, if you pick them up on the lee side and it's windy, then the boat will heel favourably. If you can't get them, use something like a horseshoe on a line to keep them attached to the boat, and bring them around the back, where you can be in neutral. Remember, a good MOB will have you stall at the right time, so you can easily be in neutral. Also, apart from some cats (like Lagoons), most propellers for monohulls are a long way under the boat. Nevertheless, you want a technique that does not require you to be in gear when pulling them back on board. Hope that helps.

[@lindawoodall822]

Could you use this technique on a catamaran?

[@SailingVirgins]

It may make more sense to heave-to on a catamaran Linda, as it will stall much more easily [than a monohull] and therefore not have any issues of re-powering (which can happen with monohulls when they have momentum, they flop back over and power up). The thing about MOB recovery on cats is that their windage is substantial and on many of them (ie. Lagoons) the propeller is worryingly close to the waterline. So we'll do an episode on MOB recovery on cats for you. The whole MOB recovery debate is just that; we even debate amongst the SV Instructors as to whether upwind or downwind is a favoured final approach. There are no hard-and-fast answers here, as there are myriad factors (crew skill, swell, wind, boat etc) that are at play. Hope that helps!

[@lindawoodall822]

@@SailingVirgins Thanks for your reply. We (my husband and I) love your channel and look forward to your episode with MOB on cats. We actually have a Lagoon 42 and the position of the prop is a concern. Cheers!

[@makanimike]

I like this maneuver as well. In the German speaking world they call it the Munich Maneuver. Interestingly though, it won't be accepted during the practical examination in the German system though. Only 2 much less efficient maneuvers are officially accepted.

[@SailingVirgins]

Haha yes some organisations are way too prescriptive with sailing. There are a few ways to skin the MOB cat. The right way is the one that gets the MOB back on board safely and quickly.

[@chrysM34]

What about the procedure when sailing two handed . The remaining one cannot at the same time point, throw device , go inside for mayday call, ...

[@makanimike]

Then you should consider stricter protocols and technology. Wearing life vests with personal EPIRBs, or quick-release flotation devices that act as markers (for example Switlik MOM 8-A) to replace the pointer. You should be able to hit that MOB Button on the nav system quickly. Hitting the DSC MOB alert should be pretty quick as well, and you will want to hook that up with a GPS. The maneuver itself is pretty easy, even single handed once you got all that sorted.

[@Kleman500]

Well, on the upside, you don't have to yell "man overboard". Seriously though, I would prioritize the pointing (or keep the eyes locked on the mob, since you´ll need your hands) and throwing the flotation device. Right after, mark position on the GPS. Shorthanded (actually, always), I also keep near me the hand-held VHF, but its use would not be my priority at this point. Others opinions are welcomed.

[@SailingVirgins]

Yes that’s logical. To add to Kleman500’s reply, this technique relies on just one person to handle the boat, so it perfect for 2 handers (well if one MOBs that would be a single hander). The main thing is you don’t want the boat to a) run over the MOB or b) get too far away from them. This technique handles this well.

[@chrysM34]

Ok not to yell but what about starting the motor or folding main sail for example ? Ok for the vhf we also keep it in the cockpit. Despite the fact that getting the mob back onboard is a priority and that it’s faster doing it by your own means : don’t you think it’s an emergency to warn MRCC/coast guards because of injury risk and hypothermia. Can we consider It’s impossible to keep an eye on the MOB pointing him/her and having sail off or the mob? I think most of the cursing sail boats are two handed ... what about having the mob back onboard with or without a bit of wind and waves ? i think it’s not an easy job and can be dangerous for both ...

[@damianpaull8470]

One tip i was told was to have a spare floating torch ie a dolphin always handy so that in addition to the floating device you can throw that overboard to help mark a location -particularly when light is fading and you are single handed

[@7494jon]

Hey cameraman, back on to the instructor please 2:31 😊

[@viktor1617]

What kind of boat do you have?

[@SailingVirgins]

This one is a Beneteau First 40. She's beauuutiful.

[@viktor1617]

@@SailingVirgins Thanks!

[@TeemuSa]

The irony of a MOB video where no one is wearing a PFD.

[@aldenjohng]

1) yell MOB 2) Toss flotation device 3) Start engine/s 4) Drop sails 5) Return to flotation device 6) Retrieve victim

[@hansschweikert9153]

On my first charter, I hired a check out captain for our first leg. He's been sailing 40 years. I asked him which MOB method he recommends. He told me what you have listed here.

[@SailingVirgins]

That method is fine if all is going well. But a decent MOB recovery method should be able to deal with things going wrong. What if the engine doesn't start? How long does it take to drop the sails? Is it a great idea to drive upwind, away from the patient, when dropping the main? What if the main gets stuck? I have sailed with 24 year olds who are much, much better sailors than other people who have been sailing for 40+ years. Sailing technique trumps years on the boat. Sometimes they correlate, sometimes they don't.

[@vanislerider7311]

But how do you get the patient out of the water.....not a hook!!!!!

[@1962gms]

Interesting approach. I’d echo other comments, getting people onboard is tough, especially if they aren’t wearing a life jacket. I get it is a nice day, but why no life jackets?

[@SailingVirgins]

You said it Gary; it is a nice day. The water is warm. Everyone on board is a swimmer. They are adults and know the risks. Many people sail because they want the freedom to decide for themselves, rather than having society dictate what they should and shouldn't do. We support this. info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/how-safe-is-sailing

[@1962gms]

Which is totally fine, however attaching any form of line from a boat to a person in the water is fraught with difficulty. Picking a fender out with a boathook is easy. Maybe try doing it again with a person in the water? I’d always recommend wearing a life jacket as even in calm waters you might not be spotted immediately...

[@harbourdogNL]

@@SailingVirgins "The water is warm. Everyone on board is a swimmer." That may be, but knowing how to swim in warm water isn't much help when you're unconscious and facedown in the water while your rescuers are taking deep breaths and adjusting their sails...

[@hellkell8693]

@@SailingVirgins people always have to get their 2 cents in showing how smart and virtuous they are. Good lord, do they always wear life jackets on a nice day? Highly doubtful. They end up missing the entire point.