“MAN OVERBOARD”!

Words that bring a chill to the blood of any vessel skipper.

In a recent analysis of 20 accidents reported between 2017 and 2021 the Marine Accident Investigation Board (MAIB) in the UK revealed that, on average, crew have under 11 minutes to recover someone who has fallen overboard into cold water before they become unresponsive. That time decreases as the water becomes colder or the sea state rougher and in some cases, crew had just 4 or 5 minutes to coordinate a complex recovery under extreme pressure.

Commercial fisherman Paul Reed was crewman on FV Sidney Rose, based in Plymouth, UK. Shortly after 11am on Friday 3rd September 2021, he and the skipper were several miles offshore en route to that day’s fishing grounds. The skipper was resting in his bunk, the vessel was on autopilot and Paul was securing some gear on the aft deck when he tripped and fell overboard. In so many similar circumstances, this story has an all too predictable ending.

However, with 38 years experience under his belt, Paul was wearing a PFD (Personal Flotation Device) and was equipped with a PLB (Personal Locator Beacon). Realising that the skipper would be unaware of his predicament and with the vessel underway at cruising speed on autopilot, Paul activated his PLB. Within minutes of receiving the distress signal, HM Coastguard dispatched the Plymouth and Salcombe RNLI lifeboats, the Hope Cove Independent lifeboat and the search and rescue helicopter from Newquay to look for him. Paul was pulled from the sea by the Hope Cove lifeboat 67 minutes after falling in; he was very cold but otherwise unharmed and was winched up and taken by helicopter to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth.

Matt Rogers, Team Leader at Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) Falmouth, said: “He was unlucky to end up in the water at all, but he survived because he did everything right. It is a perfect example of how important a lifejacket and PLB can be – the sea is a lonely and dangerous place if you aren’t prepared”.

The Technology Behind PLBs

A PLB can use one or more of several distress signal mechanisms:

• Sending a 406MHz GPS coded signal via a COSPAS-SARSAT satellite to one of the ten UK MRCCs.

• Broadcasting a 121.5MHz medium range homing signal.

• Accessing the medium range (typically 5 miles depending on conditions) Automatic Identification System to show up as a MOB (Man Over Board) alert icon on any AIS enabled chart plotter within range.

• Accessing the medium range DSC function on a modern VHF radio to activate a MOB distress alarm.

• Accessing a smartphone app via short range Near Field Communication.

PLBs have developed hugely in the last 5 years and the latest devices can offer all of these signal mechanisms in one small device. However, depending on the type of sailing you do, you may not need or want to pay for a device with all available alert mechanisms. If you sail a well crewed yacht in local waters you are unlikely to need a helicopter rescue and a medium range device might suffice. Conversely, if you are sailing solo or short handed and operating in more remote areas or further offshore, the best rescue option may be via a satellite. Many of these now come with a Return Link Service which lets you know when your distress signal has been both received by the satellite and passed on.

A 406MHz emergency distress signal works best when registered to an individual or a vessel as that greatly speeds the rescue process. As such, all 406MHz beacons must by law be registered with the UK Beacon Registry

Surveyor’s Top Tip

All vessels will have a selection of safety equipment ranging from virtually zero on a typical narrowboat to pretty extensive on a Category A blue water cruising yacht. As a surveyor, I ask the question ‘what would be appropriate for this type of vessel and from what I understand the Owner’s intentions to be for using it’. There is little point in advising the procurement of expensive life saving equipment if it will have limited utility for a given vessel. If however I feel that a particular item of safety equipment would be beneficial to my Client, then I offer that as advice in the same way as I would advise a pair of decent bolt croppers on any yacht.

Product Review

OceanSignal are a UK based company and here are a selection of their PLBs suitable for use in the UK:

OceanSignal Personal RescueMe MOB1

A MOB alert is transmitted to all AIS (Automatic Identification System) receivers within a typical radius of 5 miles. The GPS location of the MOB will be viewable on AIS enabled chart plotters and will alarm suitable DSC VHF radios. PLB is also fitted with a high intensity strobe light. The cheapest of the three devices listed here and most useful if you are on a well crewed boat as your own vessel is typically the best chance of rescue in almost all conditions.

OceanSignal RescueMe PLB1

As opposed to the MOB1, the PLB1 is a 406MHz direct to satellite locator beacon. Also fitted with a 121.5MHz homing signal and a strobe light. Can fit inside some PFDs. Most useful for solo sailors with no prospect of immediate local rescue.

OceanSignal RescueMe PLB 3

The optimum solution which combines all distress signals into one small device that can fit inside many PFDs. Uses AIS and DSC to alert own vessel and other nearby vessels, has connectivity with a smartphone app as well as accessing the global SAR network via satellite. This premium device is suitable for all sailors in all situations.

More Great Kit Ideas

For more great kit ideas for your boat, bookshelf or surveyor’s toolbox have a look at our page on Kit.Co

Big shout out to Lee ‘Mac’ McCarthy, Major Accounts Director at Clade Engineering for supporting Boat Chat this month. Clade are the UK’s leading manufacturer of natural refrigerant heat pumps.

Links To Further Reading

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency made a YouTube video about the FV Sidney Rose incident on which this edition of Boat Chat is based, you can watch it here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rELg6-Hl5ok

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