Let's Talk "Man Overboard"

[ClayJar]

We've never had a man overboard, but man have we ever had... um... nuts, that sentence didn't quite finish properly.

Well, anyway, like I was saying, I believe I can count three times when a boat we've been on in the Gulf of Mexico near Panama City, FL, has done a something-overboard recovery. (It's almost always a small dry box with someone's wallet and keys... mine is always attached to something with a lanyard. :biggrin Anyway, the cry goes up that something's overboard, and the deckhand hops up to get a good sight line. He uses an extended arm to direct the captain, just as they do when they've got a diver down to tie into a bridge span.

Of course, these aren't very large boats (although we routinely break 30 divers on the larger one), and the Gulf of Mexico doesn't have large rolling waves or anything (especially not when you're taking OW students on checkouts), but that's how we handle it.

Just wondering... What's a Williamson Turn?

Wikipedia has good drawings. (I didn't know either.)

 

[Nick_W]

wow

anything special for night time?

Man overboard at night just means you have to do everything faster and better. It helps if everyone on board has a strobe or chemlight, anything they can use to signal if they go overboard.

I've seen one man overboard and a couple birds full of men overboard at night. The guys, myself included, who are found are the ones who were able to signal the rescuers. Even if the ship marks the position where you hit the water, you're usually not in that position by the time they launch the boats. Which is where the faster and better comes in for those on the boat the longer you take to get back, the farther the person usually is from where they went in.

Sorry, I think I might be rambling a bit there.

 

[rockjock3]

Catherine,

Did you lose somebody again. :11: Hopefully they found their way to shore this time.

At night I would follow the same rules as daytime, except I would also throw a couple of glow-sticks over fast. Give you a visual clue to go along with the GPS coordinates. Also shine a light on them as soon as possible. By doing that it would be easier to keep an eye on them since the distance you can see them in the dark is reduced.

 

[DandyDon]

On my last liveaboard, the skipper said to throw everything that floats so he can follow the debris line.

Just wondering... What's a Williamson Turn?

I didn't read far enough... :blush:
Man overboard rescue turn - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


Incorrect illustration removed...!

 

[ClayJar]

On my last liveaboard, the skipper said to throw everything that floats so he can follow the debris line.


Looks like it's a Figure 8 turn: Man overboard rescue turn - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Actually, that's the "Quick Turn" for a sailing vessel. The Williamson Turn is lower on the page:
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[LeadTurn_SD]

Looks like it's a Figure 8 turn: Man overboard rescue turn - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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ClayJar (and Wikipedia!) has it right. Again, it is most useful on LARGE vessels.

Using the drawing above, the scenario would be: "Man Overboard, Starboard Side!!", the lookout would run to the starboard bridgewing and release the lifering with strobe, and the helmsman would immediately spin the wheel Hard Right and hold the turn until reaching about 60 degrees off the original course, then apply Hard Left Rudder, then finally complete the turn on the reciprocal of the original heading, while maintaining same throttle setting until the entire turn was completed... it takes some practice and a good helmsman, but if done properly you will complete the turn sailing up your own wake.

Once again, on dive boat, my opinion is its faster and better to just stop and spin a 180.

 

[String]

All I know, is to point , keep your eye focused on the person if not driving. If driving, hit the GPS immediately for coordinates.

What else? Throw a fender over?

Depends on boat. Person that calls MOB extends arm in a straight line keeping it pointed as casualty at all times. Ideally hit MOB button on GPS if you have one.
Chances are you wont have a shot ready to go in immediately so not a huge lot of good.

Then for high speed craft Williamson turn (make sure everyone is holding on and TOLD to hold on) to trace back wake and pick up from downwind. Dont overdo the speed to avoid cavitation and running over the casualty. On a RIB turn 60 degrees to port then execute the reversal to starboard as you can turn faster to starboard due to prop and engine rotation helping you.

Slower boat if its non planing then just do your own version of that.

Recovery if possible treat them as injured until you know they arent - hitting water at 30kts hurts. A lot.

 

[DandyDon]

I didn't read far enough, edited my mistake. :blush:

 

[Cacia]

Catherine,

Did you lose somebody again. Hopefully they found their way to shore this time.

Nope, not I. I was in Socal on my bike right around San Onofre around that day.
But...it made me think, what would we do besides point, hit the man overboard button?

Our EPIRB is in the ditch bag and I would be really reluctant to throw it over...okay depends on who it was. (I'd throw it to Becky, for sure)
maybe I should put it on a monofilament reel.

At what point to you call the USCG and is this a regulation?
I just watched The Guardian, so I like them more now.

hey, I just saw these LED lights for ten dollars, waterproof blinking, with silicone loop. This guy on our group ride (oahu) just showed us. They would be handy on your jacket zipper. fall over--turn it on, etc.

 

[The Horn]

Try to indicate which side of the vessel and when performing a Williamson turn you should turn in the direction the person went over to try and haul the screws away from thm. If you turn the opposite way you risk chewing them up.

Any vessel should always have something to throw like a lighted ring. Your EPIRB is for the vessel like if you sink or are abandoning.

use the ring to help with drift of the victim but be alert that wind and waves will affect that. The person pointing should seek as high a level as possible, do not take eyes off person and yell where they are like "port side, 300 feet" etc. at night approach with caution, do you have a search light? ships whistle, post look-outs, listen, night vision etc.

On a large ship if no one see's you go over you are pretty toast