See rescue with Markusnet.

It adds value to other lifesaving means on board!

Factors affecting your choice of Markusnet.

1.    Freeboard height / Need for lifting lines?

When you order Markusnet, remember that the lifting lines "B" on the inner end of the unit must cover the distance from water level to the top of the rescue platform railing or gunwale, i.e. the distance which is best suited to your requirements. The Markusnet type MS is available in several standard versions:

• MS.00 for yachts and deck boats under 15 metre length without strong railing or gunwale to lean on when lifting and for small deck boats with light man-overboard hoisting boom (s.a. rescue boats, police boats and pilot boats).

• MS.02 for small deck boats under 15 metre length with strong suitable railing or gunwale.

• MS.1, MS.2, MS.3 and MS.4 versions for all commercial vessels, offshore installations, quays, canal walls, dams and bridges.

The Markusnets versions MS.1, MS.2, MS.3 and MS.4 are all Lloyd's Register approved and are available as standard in fibreglass container ready for use. These versions are all the same length apart from the length of the lifting lines "B", which is 10 m on MS.1, 20 m on MS.2, 30 m on MS.3 and 40 m on MS.4. The MS.02 comes standard in white PVC bag with 20 metre attachment line, 2 m long lifting lines "B" and standard Markusnet Rescue-line . The MS.00 comes in white PVC bag with 20 m attachment line, without lifting lines "B" and a drift anchor or the Rescue-line RLC 25 are options for the customer to choose.

2.   The number of crew members.

It is a common misunderstanding that there is a less of a need for Markusnet on small deck boats with 1 to 4 in crew. The fewer that are on board, the higher the risk is. On single-handed boats or on family boats, one must always consider how one can rescue another person from the water alone. You too may need this kind of assistance at some point. 

3.    The personal risk of the MOB rescuer.

The personal risk the man overboard rescuer takes is often not considered and an injuries they sustain are often not recognised or are hidden, like back injuries. The MOB rescuer, particularly if rescuing a friend or relative, will exceed his / her body limits to help in an emergency situation. The injuries they sustain are often not apparent until long after the rescue took place. Only by suitable training and exploring and knowing your limits, can you avoid such damage.

Then there is the legal and insurance question. Who can order someone to enter the water in hazardous circumstances at sea? It is better to be prepared and know who is willing and able and whether or not he / she has the appropriate support on board, to perform in-water rescue safely. It may sometimes be the only option and the most secure one both for the rescue crew and the man overboard.

4.    Why and when should you have two or more Markusnets on board?

1. Have two Markusnets on board to enable group rescue from the water or from another floating object. By trying to lift two person in one Markusnet at the same time, one destroys the manual lifting possibility.

2. The second net is the security for the in-water rescuer.

3. It is a good practise and a requirement to have a separate Markusnet specially marked as such, especially for training purposes on board.

The need to have two or more Markusnets on board applies to vessels with enough crew to effect the rescue. On very large vessels and quay areas, we recommend the Markusnet to be located outdoor near gangways and boat stations and at a maximum 200 m distance and in sight of the nearest Markusnet when possible.

5.    Man overboard rescue speed - Flexibility.

When a man is overboard, the first actions are usually the most important. If the rescuer can release the unit to the MOB in seconds, from anywhere along the side of the platform and by that bring the MOB into safety, there will be less need for an in-water rescue and the chance of quick effective and safe rescue assured. This is particularly important where there is a strong current or high waves and even small boats can have difficulties to get near the man overboard.

6.    The reaction of the majority of man overboard casualties.

The large majority of people who fall into cold seawater, lose their ability to think at once and panic. These people:

1. can be a great danger to their in-water rescuer as they see them as float.

2. are unlikely to put anything around them, such as a life-buoy or life-sling or anything they see as floating barrier.

3. will attempt to use anything they see as float and are likely to lock their arms around such things.

These people will, if reached early, pull themselves into safety and secure themselves into something that is open and provides buoyancy and security. The Markusnet structure is designed to meet exactly that kind of casualty.

7.    The need to have the man overboard secured to be lifted manually, in distance from the vessel.

Very often the vessel itself is the best rescue platform, as there are limits to where and when MOB rescue boats can be used. In such situations, the vessel itself can be a danger to the man overboard. It has proven to be valuable to be able to have the MOB secured in the Markusnet at some distance from the vessel, so that the sea wave can be used to lift the casualty as high as possible in the water and the rest of the lifting can be done manually in seconds. The attachment line "A" is used to cover this distance.

8.    The law of nature. You should only lift one man manually in Markusnet at a time.

Two rescuers can be expected to lift one man manually with Markusnet, without risking their body (50 kg per man), but six rescuers will have much difficulty lifting two men even with one line each. The Markusnet is only designed to lift one man at a time manually. By trying to lift two men at a time manually one destroys the possibility of manual lifting. The Markusnet should therefore only be used to lift one man at a time manually in training and in real MOB rescue operation.

9.    Backup (second security) should be applied.

It is always advisable to have backup security in man overboard rescue operation, since rescuers can be expected to go to their limits in rescue operations. Never risk the life of a rescuer. Backup security is also important when using gangways, MOB boats and transport boats at sea. Have therefore Markusnet near this spots and gather them in case of need for in-water rescuer or manual rescue of many MOB casualties.

10.    Prevention of man overboard incidents / expect the unexpected.

By providing your crew with a Markusnet and by providing appropriate training and education in the use of it, you will be doing your utmost to prevent a MOB accident as well as preventing injury to your crew during a MOB rescue operation.

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