It is unlikely we will resolve our differing perspectives in this public forum.

Granted, an able bodied MOB can assist in their own rescue by swimming to the Life Sling line.
Consider an injured MOB who is unable to swim to the Life Sling line. In this case, the Life Sling needs to be brought to the MOB. Typically, the line will come to the MOB before the Life Sling gets to the MOB.
Managing the Life Sling line by hand from the boat can expedite getting the line and Life Sling to the MOB, and provide slack in the line between the boat and MOB while the sailboat is brought to a stop by heaving-to or using auxiliary power.

I have been involved in 8 MOB recoveries, all points of sail , wind and sea state – all non Life Sling; all under sail, no auxilry power used. In each event, the boat forward motion was effectively halted to bring the MOB back aboard the vessel.

Since the introduction of the Life Sling we have practiced annually with a volunteer crew member acting as:
Fully functional MOB
Injured but able to assist MOB
Unconcious MOB (Use the Life Sling to lift the MOB on board)
And continue to practice all other MOB recovery methods in all conditions

MOBs tend to occur at the most inopportune times; during a sail change, a gybe, mark rounding, reefing, a knockdown, gear failure, boom break, rigging failure i.e. dismasting.

MOB procedures require the same dedication and practice as hoisting the kite, dousing the kite, kite changes, jib changes.

Practice MOB in all conditions, all points of sail, all sail combinations
Practice with the Life Sling.
Practice
Practice
Practice

Roger Baske

It is unlikely we will resolve our differing perspectives in this public forum.

Granted, an able bodied MOB can assist in their own rescue by swimming to the Life Sling line.
Consider an injured MOB who is unable to swim to the Life Sling line. In this case, the Life Sling needs to be brought to the MOB. Typically, the line will come to the MOB before the Life Sling gets to the MOB.
Managing the Life Sling line by hand from the boat can expedite getting the line and Life Sling to the MOB, and provide slack in the line between the boat and MOB while the sailboat is brought to a stop by heaving-to or using auxiliary power.

I have been involved in 8 MOB recoveries, all points of sail , wind and sea state – all non Life Sling; all under sail, no auxilry power used. In each event, the boat forward motion was effectively halted to bring the MOB back aboard the vessel.

Since the introduction of the Life Sling we have practiced annually with a volunteer crew member acting as:
Fully functional MOB
Injured but able to assist MOB
Unconcious MOB (Use the Life Sling to lift the MOB on board)
And continue to practice all other MOB recovery methods in all conditions

MOBs tend to occur at the most inopportune times; during a sail change, a gybe, mark rounding, reefing, a knockdown, gear failure, boom break, rigging failure i.e. dismasting.

MOB procedures require the same dedication and practice as hoisting the kite, dousing the kite, kite changes, jib changes.

Practice MOB in all conditions, all points of sail, all sail combinations
Practice with the Life Sling.
Practice
Practice
Practice

Roger Baske

I take your point about bringing the line to the swimmer, as one does with a water skier.

But waterskiing is done with powerboats that can be put in neutral or even reverse. Sailboats can’t do that. The boat needs to have forward motion for the rudder to have any effect. So once you bring the sling to the MOB the residual motion will mean you begin towing the MOB. who then becomes a de facto drogue. The MOB begins steering the boat!

Even if the boat comes to a full stop, pulling him to the boat creates an equal and opposite reaction force that pulls back on the boat.

If you were to look at the design of tow boats (AKA tugboats), you will see that the attachment point for the tow cable is forward of the rudder and propeller. That is to enable the helmsman to steer the boat against the drag of the tow. Having the Lifesling stored and deployed from the stern puts the attachment point aft of the center of effort, propellor and rudder degrading the ability to steer the boat.

Rather than mounting the Life Sling on the stern, it would make more sense to mount it near the mast for exactly the same reasons why tugboats attach tow hawsers well forward and not at the stern.

I take your point about bringing the line to the swimmer, as one does with a water skier.

But waterskiing is done with powerboats that can be put in neutral or even reverse. Sailboats can’t do that. The boat needs to have forward motion for the rudder to have any effect. So once you bring the sling to the MOB the residual motion will mean you begin towing the MOB. who then becomes a de facto drogue. The MOB begins steering the boat!

Even if the boat comes to a full stop, pulling him to the boat creates an equal and opposite reaction force that pulls back on the boat.

If you were to look at the design of tow boats (AKA tugboats), you will see that the attachment point for the tow cable is forward of the rudder and propeller. That is to enable the helmsman to steer the boat against the drag of the tow. Having the Lifesling stored and deployed from the stern puts the attachment point aft of the center of effort, propellor and rudder degrading the ability to steer the boat.

Rather than mounting the Life Sling on the stern, it would make more sense to mount it near the mast for exactly the same reasons why tugboats attach tow hawsers well forward and not at the stern.

This same thing happened on the Patapsco River years ago. A J24 broached and lost a crew member, without a PFD (!!). The J24 did try to recover the MOB twice, unsuccessfully due to the high winds and sea state. Another boat did deploy their life sling but the crew was not aware of the proper procedure to use it and were also unsuccessful. The J24 did recover the crew member on the 3rd pass, after what seemed like a lifetime. Even with a low free board it was very difficult for the crew to haul the MOB onto the boat. Having a life sling ready and crew with knowledge how to use it properly is crucial to safe sailing. The club has also now initiated an instant race cancellation procedure anytime there is an MOB so that all focus is on recovery. Along with regular reminders to practice and know your MOB procedures.

Here is a video showing conditions about the time of the incident.

https://youtu.be/WmeMp8lfJ0o?t=108

And if you read the Coast Guard part of the report, you will see that they recalled their RBS because it exceeded its safe operating range. That may not mean much to the average sailor, but watch this video to see an RBS in action off Oak Street Beach in Chicago.

https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2018/09/08/dangerous-high-waves-kill-man-along-lake-michigan/

You do not want to be swimming in that kind of wave condition. Wearing a harness would be a better strategy.

Here is a video showing conditions about the time of the incident.

https://youtu.be/WmeMp8lfJ0o?t=108

And if you read the Coast Guard part of the report, you will see that they recalled their RBS because it exceeded its safe operating range. That may not mean much to the average sailor, but watch this video to see an RBS in action off Oak Street Beach in Chicago.

https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2018/09/08/dangerous-high-waves-kill-man-along-lake-michigan/

You do not want to be swimming in that kind of wave condition. Wearing a harness would be a better strategy.

This takes practice, and training. I always tell my crew to pay attention to who does not take safety training seriously. If you fall overboard and you see that person on the transom, things will probably not go well for you. Be the person that everyone wants to see on the transom.

A seemingly functioning individual may not be. Unless they tell you otherwise, assume they are impaired. As a collegiate baseball player I was involved in a violent collision at home plate. I remember being called out. However, I do not remember promptly getting up, walking over to the opposing team’s bench and sitting down. This was at our home field. My teammates had to come retrieve me.

This takes practice, and training. I always tell my crew to pay attention to who does not take safety training seriously. If you fall overboard and you see that person on the transom, things will probably not go well for you. Be the person that everyone wants to see on the transom.

A seemingly functioning individual may not be. Unless they tell you otherwise, assume they are impaired. As a collegiate baseball player I was involved in a violent collision at home plate. I remember being called out. However, I do not remember promptly getting up, walking over to the opposing team’s bench and sitting down. This was at our home field. My teammates had to come retrieve me.