Ring Buoy, with or without throw line?

bajadan2000 · 07-12-2005, 03:46 PM

I have purchased a throw type ring buoy to carry on the boat, just to be certain that I will never need it. I am debating if it should have a length of rope attached for retrieval, and if so how long?

I was going to PM the CG

for an answer and hope they still respond, however, I decided to open the question up to everyones thoughts.

MY mid range boat shakedowns are done and it is time to head our after Mr. Tuna. Also, I would like to hear what other safety equipment some of you carry. I know there is a lot of exsperience within this site and I value everyones input.

Hawg Caller · 07-12-2005, 04:09 PM

With rope...c.g. makes us have rope on ours on charter boats, also an epirb(electronic position indicating radio beacon) is a real nice thing to have. assuming you have v.h.f, and the basic stuff. if $$$ not a problem the other things the coast guard requires us to have if we go over 20 mi. is lights on the life jackets and a side band radio ( basicaly a radio telephone or short wave.) you can p.m. me and I'll give you a list of stuff were required to have on our charter boats.

Hawg Caller · 07-12-2005, 04:10 PM

With rope...c.g. makes us have rope on ours on charter boats, also an epirb(electronic position indicating radio beacon) is a real nice thing to have. assuming you have v.h.f, and the basic stuff. if $$$ not a problem the other things the coast guard requires us to have if we go over 20 mi. is lights on the life jackets and a side band radio ( basicaly a radio telephone or short wave.) you can p.m. me and I'll give you a list of stuff were required to have on our charter boats.

bajadan2000 · 07-12-2005, 04:47 PM

Hawg Caller,
PM sent. Thanks for your help. I am a sport fisher not a charter, however, if I am going outside the 20 mile range with you guys then I feel I should carry the same equipment. $$? What is a life worth?
Safe journey.
Baja Dan

Something Good · 07-12-2005, 05:19 PM

It's good to have one of each on board. With and without the rope.

If a person falls overboard and you do not spot them right away it is still best to throw a life ring in the direction you think they are as soon as possible. This would be the one without the rope. Hopefully they surface near the life ring and have something to grab on to immediately. It can also give you a visual to follow in the direction the person will be drifting.

The life ring with rope you should hang on to until you see the person. Then you can throw and retrieve.

Learned this from a coast gaurd safety class I took a few years back. I keep two throwables on my boat for this reason.

Hope this helps

bajadan2000 · 07-12-2005, 05:42 PM

Bigliar,
Helps a lot, Thanks, All very good points and solves the debate I was having with myself. In the class did they mention if the square flotation cushion was adequate for a throwable device or do they recommend only ring bouys? I have one ring (with rope) and several cushions.
Any other safety tips greatly appreciated.
Baja Dan

The Bad Fish · 07-12-2005, 07:46 PM

If you throw the ring and make a crappy throw how are you going to get it back?

When I had the courtesy inspection the coast guard folks looked at my throw ring and rescue rope bag and said that they wish more people had that kind of setup on their boat.

I use a 75' 5/8 rescue rope bag with a locking aluminum caribiner snapped to the rope on the life ring. If you make a bad throw just reel it back in and go throw again.

I mounted it on the inside of the hardtop with quick release straps

Something Good · 07-12-2005, 08:26 PM

Bug flicker, hopefully you will never have to use your setup. I'm not sure what you mean by crappy throw. You just throw the first in the general direction the person is in and if you see them surface somewhere else that is where the second comes in. If you see the person immediately and they are within your rope throwables range then use that and you don't have to take the chance of losing the other.

If I have someone that should be in the boat in the water the least of my concern is retrieving the first throwable. I can buy another at the store. It's more important to get the person back in the boat. Much harder to replace too.

bajadan2000 · 07-12-2005, 08:26 PM

BUG_FLICKER,
Good idea! Is this the same type of bag set up that kayakers and rafters use for river rescue?
Baja Dan

Something Good · 07-12-2005, 08:33 PM

Sorry bajadan almost forgot about you. The instructor did say the cushions were ok for non rope throwables but the rope should be attatched to a ring bouy. If you are dragging someone in by a rope in is easier to hang on to, especially if they are cold and their hands are knumb.

Old Coot · 07-12-2005, 09:03 PM

Here's a tip in case you have to make a second throw with your roped float: When you retrieve it from the first throw, don't try to coil the rope for your second throw. Just let it drop to the deck and be careful not to step on any portion except the end.

That way, when you make your second throw the line will pay out in reverse order of the natural coils, tangle free. If you try to neatly coil the rope as you bring it in for the second toss, you increase the time lag before your second throw, and the coiled rope is still likely to tangle.

Be sure you rig your float with a flexible line, and practice throwing occasionally.

For emergencies, take note of other things in your boat that will float, too. Coolers, anchor floats, crab floats, beach balls, mostly-empty water jugs, remote gas tanks, fat friends, etc.

I hope you never need any of this information.

Billfisher · 07-13-2005, 04:19 AM

"For emergencies, take note of other things in your boat that will float, too. Coolers, anchor floats, crab floats, beach balls, mostly-empty water jugs, remote gas tanks, fat friends, etc."

I love it!, and Agree!

I'd also start thnking about EPIRB, or one of the handheld PLB's.

OceanBlue · 07-13-2005, 06:24 AM

Our ring has a carabiner on it. All we have to do is grab a mooring line, clip the carabiner to it, and voila! No extra line on deck to get tangled in and no bag to fumble with. (but that reminds me, we need to pick up a longer mooring line)

USCG Yaquina Bay · 07-13-2005, 06:30 AM

This is all really good information from people who are pro active in their approach to being prepared when at sea. Life Rings, Seat Cushions, Throw Bags, Radios, EPIRBs, Strobe Lights, Fire Extinguishers, Flares... These are all items which have saved lives, but nothing beats a wise mariner. When you are outbound to the Chicken Ranch and you've got some time on your hands, think about what you would do if someone fell over the side, what if you had a fire aboard, do you know how to use your Flares, how about your Fire Extinguisher? Have you ever tried to pull someone from the water aboard your boat? When was the last time you actually threw a life ring to someone? Think about it, then Do It! I had a Surfman tell me one time "Luck comes with practice." The more you practice the luckier you will get. The CG Auxiliary has some great training available to everyone if you are interested. Hey, come by your local Coast Guard Station and ask them. I'd rather be showing you how to use your fire extinguisher here at the station for practice than trying to tell you over the radio when you're 20 miles offshore. Talk to your fellow Salty Dogs, there's some experience there also. R

Boatful · 07-13-2005, 06:49 AM

Great Ideas all. We have Man Over Board drills with our kids on the boat. We practice the whole thing, from yelling and pointing, throwing the throwable/bag rope and throwables, rigging the re-entry ladder, climbing in and out. It's surprising how we get faster, and figure out potential problems, as we practice.

We try to do this in an out of the way place, or we get too many curious drive-bys. Nobody's called the CG yet, but we've had some offers of help.

bajadan2000 · 07-13-2005, 07:05 AM

Thanks to the CG and everyone for your help. It is nice to know you guys are there for us, both on, and off of the water. Hope to see you guys Sat at the CG apprec. day. I will bring a large side dish.

Keep the ideas coming, Allways eager to learn something new.

The Bad Fish · 07-14-2005, 05:36 PM

what I mean is, If you have a throwable without a rope attached to it, and you pitch it and it don't quite get to the target you will have to drive the boat to get it back so you can throw it again, and that takes time.
I only have the one ring and rope bag setup, Did you say you had 2 ? one with rope and one without?

I am a PADI certified rescue diver and I have had several hours of swift water rescue training as a volunteer firefighter. I'm sure you all know that time is against you in a water rescue situation.

If you want to see the rig I use I could bring it to the bbq on saturday.

skein · 07-14-2005, 05:47 PM

Couple more things to think about:

Don't throw the ring or rope TO the person, throw it OVER them! If you try to throw to them, you most likely will come up short. If you throw over them, even if you miss they can hopefully reach out and grap the rope much as a waterskier does.

Second thing, once they have the ring, PULL them to the boat with the motor in neutral. Maneuvering the boat to them means you are approaching them with a meat-grinder. Cold water does ugly things to people, and they are likely to grab at the first thing they can - maybe even a running motor with a spinning prop.

And I really agree with the practice idea. Throw a fender over and see what it takes to locate it, steer close enough to throw a rope, and how close you get with the rope and throwable device. It ain't a cake-walk.

Skein

jigmaster · 07-14-2005, 05:53 PM

BIGLIAR has a tight ship...Highly recommended Dog Skipper..even brings his brother who has it all down too. Thanks Thuan...

jigmaster · 07-14-2005, 06:02 PM

Fat friends will float too

KillerBeee · 07-14-2005, 08:00 PM

Also something to think abaout. When throwing a line and float. If you miss the target-person, leave the rope in the water and maka a slow arc-ing turn around them as you would when retrieving a water skier with a tow line. Thus you will drag the arc of the line across them and they should be able to grasp the line and eventually the float.
Beeeeeeeee :shocked:

The Bad Fish · 07-14-2005, 09:30 PM

never doubted his skills or ship, I just replied to the thread.

John H · 07-15-2005, 06:08 AM

What is a caribiner? and what is the rope bag made of, etc. Can you buy them or make one up? If so, how.

Thanks John H.

slabhunter · 07-15-2005, 11:05 AM

I have been taught to shut the motor off, but leave it in gear(to stop the prop from spinning)while recovering someone at the stern.
This is a good thread; keep the information coming.

The Bad Fish · 07-15-2005, 05:34 PM

this is a carabiner, the locking type. they are used for climbing and rope work.

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this is a rope bag, hold one end and throw the whole bag or you can attach the small loop on the bag to the rope on the life ring with the carabiner and throw it that way. the rope will pay out and makes for easy storage.

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The Bad Fish · 07-15-2005, 05:36 PM

do a google search for nrs or pm me with any questions.

John H · 07-16-2005, 08:57 PM

Thank you.

John H

USCGBoating · 07-20-2005, 10:41 AM

There are several items on the market for man overboard recovery. There is also a item on the market called a rescue disc. It is frizz bee looking thing with the line wrapped around the outer edge. You attach the Velcro strap in to you or the boat and toss it. There are also less expensive but just as effective devises such as a heaving line with an inflated rubber ball on the end. The possibilities are endless. Although lines are not required on recreational boats remember that the regulatory requirements are �minimums� and I suggest more is better.

When you look a t putting a line on a life ring make sure you use something that will not kink up easy and a line that floats. Great advice earlier about throwing the line past the person, if the line floats they can grab it and you pull the ring to them.

Things to think about. Once you have the person along side how do you get them out of the water? Take an objective look at your boat and think about pulling a 180 to 200 lb person from the water; it isn�t easy. Also consider if you are out in your boat with your kids or others that physically could not get you out of the water. Consider a small rope ladder or something that you can use to help you. Self rescue is an important part of your preparation.