Windjammer J97 MOB 27.01.2019

This video captures the events associated with a successful Man Overboard (MOB/COB) recovery from a yacht in Dublin Bay in January 2019. Here is a narrative which will provide context to the event.
The COB was a young lady who, in her pre-teen and early teenage years, had considerable dinghy experience and, hence, was well used to being at close quarters with, and in, cold water which greatly assisted in her ability to successfully withstand the experience. From her dinghy experiences, she moved to 1720s and similar yachts and had recently joined us on the J97.
On the day, the water temperature was about 80C (470F); wind 35-40kts; big chop due to wind over tide as the tide had just turned.
A quick stop and recovery under sail was considered but ruled impractical in the conditions. The jib blew out of worn Tuff Luff as it is dropped. (This was a known issue and the Tuff Luff has since been replaced.)
As we were on a practice exercise, we had decided to keep the engine running in neutral “just in case,” so it was already on when the event started. Helm decided to reduce speed as much as possible (~2.5-3kts) and stay upwind of the COB as the engine was quite weak against that sea (it needs work); we had to motor tack against the sea all the way home.
Recovery windward was considered too risky due to heel and pitching in the sea; same for a transom recovery. So the plan was to keep visual contact with the COB; head up; drop the sails; turn back; come to a dead stop 3-4 lengths to windward; drift down and recover to leeward for lower freeboard. Big concern was that we might run the COB over sideways in that breeze, even with no sails up.
Once on board, the COB was straight into a survival bag to warm up. When ashore, the COB was immediately brought to the ED of a local hospital about 1km away as precaution against secondary drowning. Thankfully, the COB suffered no subsequent ill effects and was back on board a week later for inshore racing.

As will be seen from the video, an MOB/COB event happens very quickly. No matter how many practice exercises you have experienced (the more the better), when it actually happens, it’s quite a different matter. In addition, if you have practised, you will, in all probability, have done it in relatively calm waters in the summertime!! In an actual event, the MOB/COB person will be in the (cold) water with disturbed seas making it a considerably more urgent exercise when compared with a practice.
In all circumstances, all on board should be wearing an auto inflatable PFD preferably with a sprayhood. In addition, all should have incorporated into their PFD for auto deployment an AIS device such as an Ocean Signal MOB1. It is imperative that each MOB1 is correctly configured to your vessel’s AIS. See: http://oceansignal.com/products/mob1/ . Clearly, in darkness, an MOB/COB event assumes an even greater urgency (it that’s possible). Thus, each PFD should, preferably, have a pair of Spinlock Lume-on LEDS which will greatly assist in visually identifying the MOB’s/COB’s location. See here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xg_WbFdRfZo .

Видео Windjammer J97 MOB 27.01.2019 канала L J Casey