Until about 20 years ago Icelandic seamen had similar attitudes concerning MOB (man overboard) safety and rescue situations as did seamen in most other countries. Required MOB safety and rescue equipment included life-buoys, lifeboats and life-raft, and there were very few, if any, systematic training exercises in the use of these. Classroom instruction was virtually non-existent and this led to a cavalier attitude regarding accidents, the main reason why casualties among Icelandic seamen were so common.

It was against this backdrop that Capt. Markus B. Thorgeirsson began developing a new concept for retrieving men from the sea, under all conditions, while at the same time reducing danger to rescuers. His goal was to develop highly effective MOB safety equipment, along with a program that would not only greatly increase the likelihood of rescue, but also reduce the chance of accidents occurring.

In 1981 Thorgeirsson launched the first prototype of the Markus Lifenet, a system of floats and netting intended to entangle the casualty, allowing him/her to be safely and securely hauled back on board. It was subsequently placed on the vessels of several open-minded captains who were willing to try something new.

That first year the revolutionary concept proved itself during three difficult MOB rescues when all traditional lifesaving methods had failed: Three lives were saved - Thorgeirsson’s vision had borne fruit. In 1982-83 he travelled to all fishing villages around Iceland with float working suits and immersion suits and had crews try the Markusnet under real-life conditions. This created increased awareness for improving safety at sea.

In November 1983 the need for requiring the Markusnet on all vessels became clear when it was responsible for saving the lives of five crewmen from the German cargo vessel Kampen, as it floundered off Iceland’s south coast under very hazardous conditions: waves reached heights of 13 meters, and a thick oil slick covered the accident scene making it impossible to maintain a grip on anything.

These seamen were fortunate that the prototype Markusnet was on-board one of the rescue vessels, as otherwise their lives would most likely have been lost. At the end of 1984 Capt. Thorgeirsson died, but his vision did not: as his son-in-law, Petur Th. Petursson, left the teaching profession to continue developing the Markusnet safety system.

As a direct result of increased safety awareness in Iceland, a regulation was set in 1985 requiring all decked vessels to carry the Markusnet. Harbour authorities were also recommended to place at key locations. The Maritime Safety and Survival Training Centre was formed the same year and, in 1989 owners of all decked vessels bought immersion suits for all crew members. Icelandic seamen are now very knowledgeable about MOB safety and rescue procedures, having received training on retrieving casualties under the most difficult conditions.