Markus Lifenet Ltd. in Iceland is a specialist in development and production of man overboard rescue-nets since 1979. It has promoted the well known Markusnet (Markus Lifenet) man overboard rescue-technique to the international maritime world since 1984. Recently the company launched the 4^th generation, the M4 Markusnet.

The Markus Lifenet man overboard rescue-technique is based on the Markusnet. It is a teaching, training and rescue unit consisting of

1. easy-to-move container (standard size L70 cm xW21 cm xH51 cm), with water proof instruction drawings.

2. front unit (attachment line and double knot-line),

3. rescue-net structure (a combination of buoyancy 14,5 kg, side straps, net-bag and climbing net),

4. rear unit (knot-line and manual throw-line unit) and

5. Instruction poster and Man overboard safety and rescue guide.

The unit is intended for man overboard rescue from quay or ship deck, when there is one or more rescuers at the scene of such accident and for use when there is chance to call for natural reaction or impulse from a conscious man overboard to enter the net structure by himself.

The container allows the possibility to move the total rescue-net unit, ready for immediate use, anywhere along the ship's side and inner and outer line units provide deck rescuer possibility to control the position of the casualty in the net structure before lifting and to lift the casualty in horizontal, sitting in, sitting out, standing or in birth position.

Hoisting strap attached to the front corners of the net structure, provide the possibility to hoist the casualty up in standing, birth and sitting in and out position, but the side straps provide the possibility to hoist the casualty manually up in horizontal position. Snap hooks attached to the side edge of the net, provide the man overboard or its in-water rescuer, the possibilities to fasten the man overboard in the net, before it is hoisted.

The Markusnet has proven to be an ideal in-water mob rescue teaching and training tool, as well as safety and rescue equipment to secure in-water rescue operation and mob boat operation in critical rescue situations. Since the establishment of the Maritime Safety Centre in Iceland 1985 the Markus Lifenet has been used there to make sailors aware of modern possibilities to build up man overboard rescue teams on deck vessels and to provide them with the know-how and training to manoeuvre safe in-water mob rescue operation in difficult situation, with good results.

The M4 type is approved and offered in two standard versions, the M4.1 and the M4.2 and one variable version, M4.S. The M4.1 is with knot-lines for vessels with 10 metre freeboard or less, the M4.2 with knot-lines for vessels with 20 metre freeboard or less and the M4.S with extra long knot-lines.

All versions are manufactured at the same quality standard (ISO 9000), based on the same production description, quality description, and user instruction.

The net structure and buoyancy is the same in all versions as well as materials used.