Page 22: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (August 2017)

Man Overboard

Prevention and Recovery

INSIGHTS: SAFETY

More than 80 maritime professionals ladder while boarding. Although such which comply with the MCA’s rules for

About the Author attended two one-day events focused on incidents are rare, when it does happen commercially operated yachts. Sir Robin

John Haynes, AFNI, is Operations Direc- the sub IMO / sub 80-ft. sector in South- there are lessons to be learned by every- discussed actual incidents on the open tor of FRC International and a presenter ampton UK this Spring. The Man Over- one involved – including the casualty. ocean, the lessons learned and applied of WBV courses. He is a Yachtmaster board Prevention & Recovery Workshop In February 2011 Captain Jon Staf- to prevent people falling over the side,

Ocean and Advanced Powerboat In- brought together an international group ford, an experienced Pilot with the Port ? nding them quickly in poor conditions structor. Subject matter expertise in- of experts armed with the latest knowl- of London Authority, fell from a pilot and their recovery on board. cludes high speed craft consultancy, edge to identify problems that affect the ladder 6 miles off Margate while board- Maritime medical solutions consul- product development and specialist maritime sector worldwide. ing a cargo ship at night. He recounted tant, Paul Savage of Saviour Global So- training.

Workshop lead John Haynes opened this MOB incident to help others; “I re- lutions, is Chairman of the U.K. Search the day saying said, “Expectations, re- member looking down to check whether and Rescue Medical Group which shapes quirements and capabilities are chang- I was falling onto the cutter or into the the future and direction of UK SAR ing for many maritime organizations. sea. Fortunately the cutter had moved medicine. Drawing on nearly 30 years of

High pro? le roles are evolving close to clear of the ship and was running paral- search and rescue service with the RNLI man overboard recovery products rang- shore and offshore in UK, European and lel, close to the ship’s side. I knew then and HM Coastguard, combined with the ing from traditional life rings to electron- international waters. Challenges may be that I wasn’t going to suffer serious inju- latest medical research, he explained the ic devices for commercial and military markets. Alistair Hackett, General Man- changing and the use of technology in- ry from falling onto the cutter, but I was detail of what actually happens to the hu- creasing, but safety still remains high on going into the icy North Sea in Febru- man body’s physiology when immersed ager of the Ocean Safety division, gave a brief overview of the various types of the agenda for professional mariners.” ary between the ship and the cutter. As I or submersed in cold water. His presen- personal locator beacons. This highlight-

The Marine Accident Investigation hit the water my ? rst thoughts were the tation titled, ‘7 Ways To Die In Cold Wa-

Branch (MAIB) investigates marine ac- propellers of ? rst the cutter and then the ter’ highlighted crucial factors that can ed how the units are now cost effective for all maritime sectors plus their size is cidents involving U.K. vessels world- ship. When I resurfaced I was at the stern help survival.

both lightweight and compact.

wide and all vessels in U.K. territorial of the pilot cutter but the water ? ow was To end the day JoJo Mains, Commu-

Sally Dale, Director of Pinpoint Elec- waters. Inevitably, the MAIB have man pushing me hard up against the ship’s nity Safety Intelligence Manager for the overboard (MOB) accidents to inves- side and I knew that it was taking me to- RNLI, discussed how the organization tronics, presented the Life Cell unit tigate, many from commercial ? shing wards the ship’s propeller.” uses analysis of incident statistics from which is a SOLAS approved buoyant de- vessels, but the lessons from these ex- He estimated that he passed within a broad range of ‘on water’ and ‘close vice that can store safety equipment in- trapolate easily to the small commercial a meter of the propeller. Once he had to water’ activities to develop and re? ne cluding VHF, EPIRB, ? ares, ? ashlight, sector. The presentation by Captain An- survived that close encounter the cutter safety interventions, manage risk and air horn, whistle and signalling mirror. drew Moll, Deputy Chief Inspector of crew had to locate him in the dark and target behaviour change that can bias The mounting bracket is designed to al- the MAIB, highlighted speci? c lessons get him back onboard. participants toward safety. This includes low the unit to ? oat free in the event of a vessel sinking, then people in the wa- learned from recent incidents that are At this point it was relevant to hear fundamentals such as wearing lifejack- ter can use it as a ? oatation device. Dale relevant to all maritime sectors. from William Mills, HM Coastguard ets and adopting a means of low resource said, “Life Cell was designed and devel-

Captain Don Cockrill, Secretary Gen- Maritime Operations Controller, on how MOB recovery, particularly for short- oped after a real-life accident at sea and eral of the U.K. Maritime Pilots Associa- an MOB rescue evolves. Search and res- handed crews. aims to rede? ne how safety equipment is tion went on to look at the issues related cue (SAR) skills require a unique mix of Doug Vincett, Technical Sales & Sup- to ‘Man Overboard around Ships, Work- experience, local knowledge and digital port for Spinlock, showed its range of stored on boats.”

Harken Industrial demonstrated its boats and Port Support Vessels.’ Mari- technology. This is linked with sophisti- lifejackets which have a compact 3D time Pilots are required to board and cated communications between land, sea shape with front opening belt system for lightweight, compact, low-friction, certi- safely navigate vessels into and out of and air assets. fast and secure ? tting. The wide range ? ed MOB kit for singlehanded recovery most ports around the world. The size of Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, Chairman of chest and back adjustment allows the of a man overboard. Harken Industrial modern ships has increased, plus move- of Clipper Ventures, was the ? rst per- wearer to have a comfortable ? t which has also developed a range of corro- ments of the ship and the pilot cutter in son to sail single handed and non-stop gives increased freedom of movement sion-resistant rails and cars that enable heavy seas can be the equivalent of an around the world between June 1968 for working on deck. Vincett said, “If a crew to move freely around decks with elevator going up and down between and April 1969. Among numerous sail- lifejacket is not comfortable enough to adjustable anchorage points. Andy Ash-

Vie, Harken Industrial Group Direc- ? oors in seconds. Unimpeded spilt sec- ing achievements he co-skippered ‘Enza be worn continuously it is useless. Spin- ond judgment is often required. This New Zealand’ with the late Peter Blake lock lifejackets are designed to provide tor said, “From our experience of over presentation looked at the potential suit- to take the Jules Verne Trophy in 1994 ef? cient working and reduced fatigue 40 years building solutions for the high ability of the numerous workboats and for the fastest circumnavigation of the for continuous wear commercial marine performance yachting sector, we have support vessels operating in the modern world. The 11th edition of the Clipper applications due to improved design, developed a range of products for in- shore, coastal and short sea applications port for locating and recovering a casu- around the world yacht race starts later weight distribution and ? t.” to make working in adverse conditions alty in the water. this year and will involve more than 3Si, Safety & Survival Systems Inter-

Every pilot’s nightmare is to fall off the 700 crew on board twelve 70 ft. yachts national group, has a large portfolio of easier, safer and more productive.” 22 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • AUGUST 2017

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