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Forum Index: DISCUSSION: Dock Talk:
An inappropriate MOB hail 		Team McLube

 
 


B Keim
**

Dec 5, 2011, 1:57 AM

Post #1 of 8 (2889 views)
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An inappropriate MOB hail Log-In to Post/Reply
Yesterday, a boat loudly hailed, "Man Overboard" during a starting sequence while a couple of boat lengths from the committee boat and a couple of other boats. All 3 of us on the committee boat immediately started looking for the MOB and assessing the need to abandon the race, haul anchor and make an announcement over the radio. AS PRO, I made the assessment that the 2 boats nearest the hail had the best opportunity to retrieve the MOB and the RC should stay out of the way. However, as no one was visible in the water, the fear of someone under the water welled up quickly.

The other boat nearest immediately changed direction to lend assistance.

The boat on which the crew hailed MOB immediately turned to retrieve the MOB.

After the Captain of the boat asked his crew to point to the MOB, the crew who hailed told his Captain, it was merely his beer coozie that went overboard. The Captain said he would not return for the coozie. The crew then made two more MOB hails. Of course 3 loud MOB hails were heard from much further away than the comment to his skipper that it was just his coozie.

No boats were materially harmed in the starting sequence by the immediate actions taken. However discussions following the inappropriate MOB hail were a distraction. The hail was not made to gain an advantage over another boat.

Question:

  1. While this is obviously a safety issue. Is it a violation of Rule 2, as would be an inappropriate starboard hail as in Case 41 of the current appeals?
  2. If so, did the RC have an obligation to lodge a protest?


Cupton
*

Dec 5, 2011, 6:08 PM

Post #2 of 8 (2847 views)
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Re: [B Keim] An inappropriate MOB hail [In reply to] Log-In to Post/Reply
The boat in question should be tossed for gross stupidity. We all joke about the importance of beer, booze, etc., but get a grip. On a crowded starting line?

Thisis the equivalent of false distress calls on the radio.

Besides it was only a coozy.

After the owner said no the joke should have been over.


Matt Bounds
**

Dec 5, 2011, 7:58 PM

Post #3 of 8 (2783 views)
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Re: [B Keim] An inappropriate MOB hail [In reply to] Log-In to Post/Reply
ISAF Case 47 (not 41) is the one you're thinking of here.

While the MOB call was a joke, it falls into the same category as yelling "FIRE!" in a movie theater or joking to a TSA agent that you've got a bomb in your underwear. They all have unpleasant consequences.

Whether it was intended to be a distraction or not - it was. If this went to a protest hearing, I suspect that the Captain would be taught a harsh lesson about false MOB calls - and the offending crew member would need to find another ride for the next race.

As to whether the RC has an obligation to protest, the short answer is no.

RRS 60.2(a) says, "A race committee "may protest a boat . . " "May" is permissive, whereas "shall" is obligatory.

The only time an RC has an obligation to protest a boat is under the last sentence of 60.2 ( . . . when the race committee receives a report required by rule 43.1(c) [crew clothing weight] or 78.3 [measurement issues], it shall protest the boat).

Matt Bounds
US Sailing Judge / National Race Officer


CA
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Dec 5, 2011, 8:18 PM

Post #4 of 8 (2779 views)
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Re: [Matt Bounds] An inappropriate MOB hail [In reply to] Log-In to Post/Reply
"Whether it was intended to be a distraction or not - it was. If this went to a protest hearing, I suspect that the Captain would be taught a harsh lesson about false MOB calls - and the offending crew member would need to find another ride for the next race."

I have to agree with Matt 100%.

This is not funny. People get hurt responding to emergency or distress calls. The effect on a race is irrelevant in the grand scheme.
People who think it is funny should be schooled quickly and effectively that they are wrong.
Cole




B Keim
**

Dec 5, 2011, 9:19 PM

Post #5 of 8 (2757 views)
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Re: [B Keim] An inappropriate MOB hail [In reply to] Log-In to Post/Reply
Thanks for you guidance. :)


flytact
*

Dec 6, 2011, 5:10 AM

Post #6 of 8 (2677 views)
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Re: [B Keim] An inappropriate MOB hail [In reply to] Log-In to Post/Reply
Every regatta in the Annapolis area has this as the last item in the SIs:
"A boat shall dispose of all refuse in a proper manner upon returning to shore. Discharging refuse overboard by competitors may
be grounds for protest"
If they called MOB and didn't go back for their trash then throw them out!


B Keim
**

Dec 6, 2011, 5:17 AM

Post #7 of 8 (2674 views)
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Re: [flytact] An inappropriate MOB hail [In reply to] Log-In to Post/Reply
Yes. Actually, they did actually retrieve it. That was part of the confusion. They did appear to be doing MOB recovery.

Another boat told me they were on their way to help when they saw them retrieve the cup holder and then realized that it was not an actual MOB.


Matt Bounds
**

Dec 6, 2011, 10:23 AM

Post #8 of 8 (2556 views)
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In Reply To
Yes. Actually, they did actually retrieve it. That was part of the confusion. They did appear to be doing MOB recovery.

Another boat told me they were on their way to help when they saw them retrieve the cup holder and then realized that it was not an actual MOB.


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