Safe Skipper published information on Man Overboard Drilling; A MOB aboard a boat hides many challenges, as the Man Overboard (MOB) can be exhausted, cold or injured and will have a little power to help themselves aboard.
Specifically, Stuart Batley in Boat Handling, Emergencies, Preparation, presents what procedures could be followed to safely help the MOB during drilling operations:
- Once alongside, tether MOB to the boat using a line looped around their arms with a bowline;
- Ensure boat is stopped and engine in neutral;
- An uninjured, conscious MOB may be able to be helped aboard by another crew member in calm conditions via a stern ladder or bathing platform;
- Consider launching the boat’s tender as a first step to full recovery;
- Deploy a sling and lifting tackle prepared for the purpose. Attach the tackle to the boom or main halyard and lift casualty aboard by pulling on the pulley or via a winch block hoisting the halyard;
- Prepare thermal protective aids and first aid.
In the meantime, MOB drill tips are:
- It may help to remove the guardrail to bring the MOB aboard;
- There are many types of kit available designed for retrieval and recovery of an MOB including throwing strops, inflatable horseshoes, rescue slings and parbuckles;
- A 5:1 pulley and rope slung over the boom will improve the ability to recover a MOB if specialist kit is not aboard;
- Practise recovery and using the tackle before it is needed for real.
