Practical Considerations in a Man Overboard Situation, updated

What would you do and how would you do it?

Most crews realized that it is not enough to discuss a MOB situation at a safety meeting conducted around the galley table, but they must get out on the boat and practice their response. 

Obviously the first step is to not fall overboard.  There are many risks and dangers to look out for when working on a towboat and arguably the most dangerous is the "man overboard." And, those crewmembers who spend the most time on deck such as deckhands and tankermen are especially at risk.

Assessing and reacting to a MOB

Tankerman Johnnie Parker inspects the ring buoy on the M/V ARANSAS PASS.

For those who were in Boy Scouts, the motto "BePrepared" is easily remembered. It is a motto that all of us can use in our daily operation while working on the water.  Being prepared can be facilitated by planning and practicing your reactions to emergency situation.  Here is a man overboard situation that brought up some questions and considerations that can help us be prepared:

Three years ago I participated in a real life man overboard situation with the crew of the M/V CUMBERLAND. The crews' quick actions were instrumental in the rescue of a deckhand from another company's boat who went overboard during a routine operation.  Here was the situation:

From the parking lot at the SBS dock in Channelview, Capt. JJ Conner and I were about to visit his boat at that time, the M/V CUMBERLAND.  Just as we boarded, there was a commotion off of the port side of the vessel. A non-Higman harbor boat had just eased up, about 20 yards away, to shift a barge from the dock. 

In a second, the towboat's deckhand fell overboard while transferring himself from the tow knee to the moored barge. The CUMBERLAND's Pilot at that time was up at the wheelhouse level and saw the deckhand going into the water. He quickly assessed the situation and lowered the ring buoy down to the crew on the main deck.

Practical Consideration #1

The deckhand was floating about 30' away, amidships from the CUMBERLAND. He was slowly moving his arms and appeared confused. He was conscious, kept his head above water and said his leg was broken. How do you get him to safety?

In this case, the first step was to talk to the victim. He was not in immediate danger so there was time to think things through.

Can he swim toward the boat? Does he need assistance?

Back to my scouting days, the lifesaving adage that I have always remembered was "Reach, throw, row, go". This means reach for the victim first; use a spike pole, a piece of lumber, whatever you can find.

If he is too far out to reach with a pole, then throw a ring buoy. Still too far to reach, get the skiff out.

The final adage, "go", is a last resort that should be left only to the experts.  The Higman SMS system does not allow for crewmembers to get into the water to conduct a rescue.  In all practicality, by getting into the water to rescue a MOB victim, there now becomes 2 MOB's. 

In this case, we threw the ring buoy as close as possible to the victim.

The technique is to throw past and as close to the victim as possible so it can be grabbed as you are pulling it in. With this rescue, it took one throw to get ring buoy to the victim.

Practical Consideration #2

Is the crew proficient in throwing a ring buoy?  This is where practice comes in.  

Though it may seem easy, getting an accurate throw of our buoys is difficult and takes some practice.

The first consideration is that the buoy is light in weight.  Getting the enough momentum on it as it is thrown requires proper technique.  Try practicing a overhand,sideways type of throw so that it flies through the air like a flying saucer.  The technique requires you is to throw the ring past and as close to the victim as possible so it can be grabbed as you are pulling it in. With this rescue, it took one throw to get ring buoy to the victim.

Higman ring buoys are equipped with a large MOB auto illuminating light that is mounted alongside on the bulkhead. It is heavy, weighting  3.3 lbs. and makes it difficult to accurately throw the buoy if attached.  An added concern is that it could possibly hit the victim.  A 3.3 lb. light with a hard plastic case when thrown from thirty feet is bound to make more than just a mark on the victim's head.

Attach the light if needed, with the snap shackle to the ring buoy lanyard after throwing it and let it slide to the victim.

Some Higman boats have set up light weight MOB lights to their ring buoys with a snap shackle.

How are your ring buoys set up?

Practical Consideration #3

In this case, our victim weighted over 200 lbs. He had a leg injury that potentially prevented him in assisting in his own rescue; he was possibly in shock. How do we get the victim onboard?

Every situation is different so your ingenuity is important here.

In our case, we pulled the victim gently to the boat's side. The crew retrieved a step ladder and secured it to the timberhead on the stern quarter. While the ladder was being rigged, one crewman (me) held the victim above the water and continued to talk to him. With an injury it is important to calm the victim down and continually assess his medical situation.

We moved the victim close to the hanging step ladder and explained to him how we were going to get him onboard. With one person lifting on each side of the victim, we coached him to use the good leg on the ladder. With some help from him, we were able to get him over the bulwark. It was not an easy task.

Higman boats and barges today are equipped with custom made Jacob's ladders that can be hooked almost anywhere on the boat or barge.  All crewmembers should know on day one, where the Jacob's ladders are stored.

Practical Consideration #4

What happens if you have to use the skiff to retrieve your victim? It will not be easy to get a fully dressed, wet and unresponsive person onboard. The manpower needed to get the person onboard adds too much weight in one section of the low freeboard boat. The chance of swamping is great.

In this case you may have to tow the person alongside to a nearby bank or to the side of the towboat to continue the rescue. Give great consideration to using the outboard with a person alongside the boat.  If possible, paddle to the shore or to the boat.

This undated photo has shows the crew of the M/V SKIPJACK  practicing MOB retrieval.

Practical Consideration #5

There has always been discussions about using the skiff hoist to bring an unresponsive victim aboard. In reality, a harness would have to be rigged around the victim while they are in the water.

How would that be accomplished?  

Practical Consideration #6

Are you ready to deal with the first aid requirements of the victim? You have now gotten the person aboard; what is the next step?

The first consideration is to assess the victim's condition. Are they responsive? Are they injured? Do you need professional medical assistance? Do you call the USCG or do you call 911? Here your first aid training pays off.

In the end, the deckhand in our example was taken ashore by emergency personnel.  Thanks to the quick thinking and the positive actions of the M/V CUMBERLAND crew, this deckhand should be able to work again soon.

Is your crew ready for action when needed in an emergency?  The Higman Safety Management System (SMS) has an entire section describing response to a MOB; section F.2.40.0 EMERGENCY RESPONSE - MAN OVERBOARD.  Though this has good ideas, your crew must be able to think and react to whatever is thrown their way.