9 comments

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  OldSailor

  1 year ago

  Nice and easy to understand compilation.
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  Ben

  1 year ago

  Am I missing something or did you forget the lifering?
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  Rory

  1 year ago

  Ben, you are missing something! The instructions are for if YOU are the Man Overboard - not if you see somebody go overboard.
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  jon spencer

  1 year ago

  One of these sure would help.
  ACR AquaFix 406 MHz GPS I Personal EPIRB.
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  Ben

  1 year ago

  Rory,
  
  So *I* am going to fire a vertical flare? Or maybe he means I will look for the flare but then shouldn't I look for the lifering?
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  Rory

  1 year ago

  Ah Ben I understand what you mean now. You raise a good point!
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  john.denham

  1 year ago

  The coments are what I experienced when I first read the article. What transpired was "discussion", something no one had done before. After pulling a number of people out of the water I learned no one could see the ship or life ring because the height of eye of the MOB is maybe one foot. The flare increases the probable visual sight distance. Noise travels well over water. Any sign is better than none as hope is all one originally has. At night or in fog. every item in the water must be visited, that takes time and may require additional maneuvering; it is a gamble, but one target limits the odds. A self made flotation pillow (pants are great) can support a person for hours, in some cases longer. There are two situations to consider: MOB in sight; don't screw around, go get him as fast as feasible. Not insight: select most probable mean of search. Several points are critical (1) know someone is looking for you if not stay afloat and near wake. (2) know what to expect if a search is started (3) How can I help me?
  The recovery people must understand the dynamics of recovery: ship recovery has problesm with propellors, suctions and freeboard. Boat recovery one must determine is MOB alert or unconcious. Strong swimmer; how strong and can he/she do it alone? Best training is a pre-event discussions.
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  Ben

  1 year ago

  That clears it up but how do you calculate for current without floatsam to follow?
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  john.denham

  1 year ago

  Good question. The surfac smoke float ( best estimate to start search) and a float supported body will drift with the wind surface current at a similar rate. Regardless of where the MOB actially fell overboard the search is started where the searchers believe is the best place ( if not insight) and that (the smoke float) moves with the wind surface current . A problem may exist with GPS as it provides a specific position with out regard to current. I have no expereience with Satellite or GPS assisted searches, but tracked smoke floats during searches. Lat & Long changed but we were always with the smoke float. Would like some feedback on electronic assisted searches. Have you though about actual recovery? JGD
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