With spring only a month away, sailors are
looking forward to better weather for boating with Gippsland Lakes Yacht Club recently holding an information and practical skills workshop on Man Overboard (MOB) recovery.
The night attracted 32 members and visitors who participated in the session which included information and discussions about planning and preparation to facilitate rescue should it be necessary, as well as a practical component of retrieval using “MOB”, a mannequin designed for the purpose.
Marg Goddard, the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria’s club member of the for 2024-25 opened the session, showing videos and demonstrating essential equipment which led to lively discussion about how we could best manage emergency situations during club events, as well as when cruising individually.
With her teaching background Goddard has mentored many sailors, whether running school sailing camps or encouraging, mentoring and inspiring more women to get out on the water to progress their sailing dreams.
Long-time member, Bernie McGoldrick who has sailed around the world brought his Yacht, First Light III along so that participants could practice retrieving “BOB” using his ocean standard equipment.
Participants agreed that the session had been most informative and worthwhile.
Member Rod Gardiner summed it up best.
“Acknowledging that every situation, every boat and every crew is different, the most important thing is to have a plan on your boat, with an appropriate equipment set up and to ensure that every crew member understands and can enact the plan should the unthinkable happen,” Gardiner said.
