First off ... I think Stormster should be commended for raising this topic ... the MOB drill is something every crew MUST discuss. The USCG instructions state the first step is to throw a life ring to the victim, followed immediately by assigning somebody to locate the person in the water and NEVER take their eyes off of them. Next comes the part where somebody has to take control of the helm and initiate a retrieval turn. If the Skipper is the only person aboard who is competent in doing this and they go over-board, that is a bad situation for sure. You simply must have a 1st Mate with basic skills and a level head.

BTW ... my brother-in-law told me how he once fell off the starboard side of a catamaran he was chartering in the BVI and he grabbed the dinghy painter as it went by and pulled himself back to the boat ... and now he wants to charter my boat ;-)

Thanks again Stormster ... I hope all charter crews give MOB some thought.

- Mark