Lifesling Case Histories - MOB Recovery

[JohnRPollard]

We seem to have a fair number of questions and discussions concerning MOB recovery techniques, as well as cold weather sailing precautions and the dangers of hypothermia.

On various occasions during these discussions, I and others have called attention to what are usually referred to as the "Lifesling Case Histories". The "Lifesling" is a MOB recovery device that has been shown to be highly effective for recovering crew that have fallen overboard. The "case histories" amount to a compilation of MOB incidents up to the early 1990's or so, most but not all of them involving sailboats.

The case histories were compiled to serve both as a cautionary tale to boaters about the seriousness of MOB incidents and hypothermia, as well as to make a compelling case to adopt the Lifesling or similar device for MOB recovery.

These case histories are well worth reading. It is a long, sobering document, detailing something on the order of 100 MOB incidents. You won't get through them quickly. But if you have time to spare (particularly our winter-bound northern hemisphere members looking for a sailing fix) it could not be better spent:

LIFESLING CASE HISTORIES

After reading the case histories, I invite folks to post comments or questions here for discussion.

[smackdaddy]

I'm glad you put this up JRP. I've read the whole thing - and it really makes you think.

[JimHawkins]

Some of them might better be included in the "stupidity case histories". Seems like the best indicator of survivability is warm water temperature.

[IslanderGuy]

Thanks for the link, very sobering read and good reality check. We have a life sling that can be used for hauling people back aboard, but have never practiced with it to insure everyone knows how to rig it and use it in a hurry. This has been on the "to do" list, but just got moved to the TOP. (Actually it moved to the top after that last summer sail, details below)

This summer, while stuck on a sand bar (it came out of no where, I swear!) I went over the side to push the boat around. That's the nice thing about a 4.5 foot draft. (The engine was not working, or we could have backed off I think) I was wearing a life jacket, could stand up, very calm, no waves, and there was a wind surfer zipping around us watching so I was not concerned for my safety in that instance. Should the boat get free and leave me, the crew on board could handle it just fine and pick me up if I did not just walk to shore and meet them at the marina close by. We discussed all these options before I went in.

I was able, with LOTS of grunting and groaning, to get the boat free. However, when getting back aboard when the boat started slowly, barely moving, I was shocked at how hard it was. Our boat has very low freeboard, and I was standing on the ground, not floating low in the water but I still needed help. I am a youngish, health and strong guy, I would have though I could have "hopped" back aboard, but that was not the case. We have a boarding ladder, but not a permanently mounted one. It would have had to be retrieved from the lazerette before I could have used it.

I am glad I had that experience in calm, warm, shallow water near shore. I had thought through all the possibilities, and how they related to my safety and those on board before going in the water, but you do not always get that chance.

That was the last sail of the summer, we have not been out since. I can say for sure that before we take the boat out again we will insure we are ALL skilled at deploying the life sling and using it, and getting a better boarding ladder setup.

As soon as the weather and water warm up enough, we will find a SAFE spot and actually practice using it too, actually lifting people from the water. Doing it in an emergency for the for the first time is not something I want to do.

Thanks again for reinforcing this with these stories.

[IslanderGuy]

Another interesting note to me is how many of the sail boat accidents where with the jib getting loose and going back up the forestay. I do not want to start another hank vs. roller furling, there are enough of those discussions and I see the benefits and draw backs of both for different circumstances. We have hanks, mostly because that is the way the boat came, and I do like them for various reasons.

Given the number of accidents which are specifically a matter of the jib going back up the forestay, I am wondering how valuable a down haul line could be, or other means of containing the jib before you are where it could knock you over the side. Something worth some research.

[4arch]

One thing I learned this fall is to check your lifesling bag often and to replace it regularly. I bought my boat in October and it came with a lifesling whose bag was starting to disintegrate. When I took it off to store it for the winter I tried pulling the sling out of the bag and was really surprised how much effort it took to get it out of the old stiff, brittle bag. I bought a new bag (the sling and line were in great shape) this winter and the sling slides in and out much more easily now. I suspect that in addition to the bag getting stiff and brittle in the elements, some shrinkage occurs too. In the future I'll replace the bag once it starts getting too stiff rather than waiting until it starts falling apart.

[smackdaddy]

I learned to always MAKE SURE there are NO lines in the water prior to starting your engine. And then - when there is a line in the water (like the lifesling, etc.) - keep a very close eye on it. Or, better yet, always use your sails instead of your engine to maneuver. The number of fouled props is astounding.

[sailingdog]

I'd point out that a large number of the MOB accidents I've seen happen or read about, happened once the boat was "safe" in their home harbor.

Most people will take every precaution when they're out on the open ocean, and the boat is rolling from side to side and the waves are heavy.... but, once they're back in the harbor... in the calmer conditions...a lot of times, people get too complacent once they're back in familiar waters...and they let their guard down.

[tweitz]

Smackdaddy, you are right about lines in the water, but the lifesling line is polypropylene, thus floating, so a lot less likely to foul a prop.

[smackdaddy]

cool - thanks tweitz. That makes sense.