TESTING THE PLASTIMO LIFE-SLING

Mike Thoyts

These notes follow sea trials of this deservedly popular man overboard recovery device, using a 13 stone (182 lb) casualty (at least 18 stone (252 lb) in wet clothing) and a lightweight lady who was assumed to have been left alone on board. The paragraph headings are those of the illustrated instructions on the valise containing the sling.

1. Stop the boat immediately. Maintain visual contact. Deploy life-sling

The original trial was carried out in a light displacement Warwick Collins 38 footer (Fondue), but further trials in a long keel Rustler 36 (Kinsa) have shown that the `crash stop' - ie an instant tack without changing jib sheets - works extremely well. The advantages of this method over most others is that the boat remains close to the casualty and that it requires minimal sheet handling. By reversing the helm one heaves-to, and by putting the helm down again one can sail in controlled circles around the victim. Both evolutions are needed. From close-hauled no sheets need handling, if well off the wind sheets can be pulled in easily as the boat comes into the wind.

`Deploying' the sling is straightforward providing the line has been properly faked down in its inner compartment and the end attached to something solid! The line is buoyant and relatively stiff - in light weather it tends to kink, but straightens out as soon as some way is on.

2. Circle MOB until contact is made

This follows naturally after the `crash stop' - both our boats sailed in circles without sheets being touched from a full-and-by setting. The sequence `bear away - gybe - come up - tack' allows very precise circling around the casualty. The line is some 150ft long (50m) and the `contact' is similar to a water-ski pick-up.

3. Stop boat immediately. Drop sails. MOB put life-sling on. DO NOT TOW MOB

Stopping the boat is no problem - reverse helm and heave-to at the appropriate moment. The life-sling is very buoyant and is easy to get over the head and under the arms. A snap buckle holds it closed. The warning not to tow is essential, see below.

4. Pull MOB slowly alongside boat

The difference between practising with a volunteer in swimming costume and a fully clothed casualty is very great. Wearing oilskins there is a large amount of air trapped in the trousers and this accumulates in the seat as soon as any pull is exerted on the line, tipping the person face forward into the water. It would be very easy to drown the casualty in this way. We found, however, that if he turns round in the sling there is no problem and he can be hauled in relatively quickly.

The illustration shows the MOB being secured to a midships cleat facing inboard. This is a safe, secure position and a great relief to both victim and rescuer! The fitting of cleats amidships should be part of installing the system, in addition to their usefulness for securing mooring lines etc.

5. Rig hoist tackle

The tackle illustrated is a double purchase giving 4:1 advantage, with the fall led through a jib car to a primary sheet winch. In use we found that the tackle twisted on itself so that the increased friction cancelled all advantage. The topping lift led to a halliard winch was just as effective. Neither gave really adequate power.

The illustration also shows the tackle rigged outboard over the guard rails with the top block attached to a halliard. This is a frighteningly dangerous arrangement since the casualty becomes the bob on the end of a 40 foot pendulum and is liable to be smashed against the topsides in any sort of a sea. We recommend rigging the tackle under the top guard rail, having cut the lashing on the lower.

6. Hoist MOB aboard

The illustration shows the casualty being hoisted over the top guard rail facing inboard. In fact we found it much easier, having rigged the tackle as described, to hoist him under the top rail facing outboard. Firstly this kept his face clear of the guard rail, and secondly it was only necessary to lift him until his bottom slid inboard over the toe rail leaving him sitting on the sidedeck inboard of the guard rail.

The hoisting tackle, consisting of a double block with becket and a double block, failed due to twist. Subsequent experimentation has shown the superiority of a Dory tackle (traditionally used by the Grand Banks fishermen to hoist their dories inboard), which has a theoretical advantage of 3:1 but because it cannot twist and only has two single blocks is very easy running and very efficient (see drawing).

I routinely use a Dory tackle to lift my Tinker Tramp aboard, and carry it permanently made up hoisted on a spare halliard and secured to a shroud so that it is instantly ready for use. An alternative stowage would be to chain hitch it together and stow the resulting short length inside the leg of a pair of tights!

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COULD YOU ALSO SET THE FOLLOWING WORDS AND PHRASES, WHICH I WILL PASTE ONTO THE DRAWING OF THE `DORY TACKLE'. WILL SAVE ME AN AWFUL LOT OF LETTRASET! WHERE APPLICABLE, PLEASE MAKE LINE BREAKS EXACTLY WHERE I HAVE. THANKS

Dory Tackle (Single Burton) Advantage 3:1

Height of top block

to be twice height

of desired hoist

Both parts of

line seized together

above hook

Halliard

Top block

Bottom block

Jibcar

Hook (carabiner)