Saving Sailors' Lives - the Sea Scoopa

4:48 AM Mon 3 Nov 2008 GMT

'UK Halsey video image exerpt' .

Most of the inventions and innovations in the history of sailing have come from sailors themselves, and now Sydney sailor Bob Wright is keeping that tradition alive with an invention that could save many sailors' lives - the Sea Scoopa. What's a Sea Scoopa? Read on.

One of the early lessons you learn as a sailor is just how difficult it is to get a crew member who has fallen overboard back on the boat.

A couple of years ago, UK Halsey produced a safety video, showing man overboard procedures, and the video showed it all. Three burly crew, ready for the task, in reasonable conditions, had enormous difficulty in wrenching their crew mate, conscious and cooperating, from the sea. With a short-handed crew - and the vast majority of cruising sailors are short handed - the difficulties are immense, if not impossible.

Dr Bob Wright - Inventor of Sea Scoopa - .. .

Enter Bob Wright, veteran sailor, with 32 years of sailing experience and a penchant for invention.

Bob says he had always been concerned about the difficulty of retrieving crew from the water. So when - after over 40,000 miles on the water - he did his yachtmaster ticket two years ago, it was very apparent to him that the current methods being taught during his training were unsatisfactory.

He decided to look further afield and found that overseas evaluations of numerous methods including the Elevator, various Parbuckles, Proprietary Lifters and the Lifesling showed that all had significant problems; but of these the well-credentialed Lifesling was considered the best. 'However, he says, 'the Lifesling is effective only as long as the victim is able to assist and this is sometimes not possible in the case of hyperthermia or injury.'

So, after giving it a lot of thought, Bob came up with the invention of the Sea Scoopa, which, as its name implies, scoops and lifts people out of the water. Instead of lifting them vertically it rolls them up the side of the boat like a barrel. By using the Sea Scoopa and a winch a small crew member with very little upper body strength can rescue the heaviest of overboard crew members. The Sea Scoopa is designed primarily for yachts as it requires a mast and a winch in order to hoist people out of the water

MOB caught in Scoopa net - .. .

This invention basically comprises two processes.

1. 'Scooping' the MOB into a net whilst the boat is still moving at a speed of up to one to two knots. With this device, the boat can be steered under power so as to pass close to windward of the victim and the engine put in neutral so that propeller injury does not occur during the scooping process. Sails should be lowered to allow more room to operate on deck. Using the engine allows greater manoeuvrability when approaching the person to be rescued.

2. 'Parbuckling' the MOB in the net up the side of the vessel so the victim can be rolled horizontally onto the deck. This revolves the victim like a 'chicken on a spit' and is an adaptation of an old technique used to lift barrels from the dock onto large sailing ships. Despite its long history and many attempts, a successful parbuckle for rescuing MOB has hitherto eluded manufacture, victims can drown in the parbuckle. Horizontal lifting is important as the hypothermic patient can collapse when lifted vertically in the 'Lifesling'. (detailed description below)

The Sea Scoopa, which was recently chosen as the winning invention on the ABC TV program 'The New Inventors', is a work in progress, and Bob, who has already spent two years on the project, is keen to progress the device, and keen for assistance and suggestions from other sailors.

As yet the Sea Scoopa has not been tested in heavy weather, because of the risk to a volunteer MOB. However it is planned to simulate this in the future using a variety of MOB manikins.

Bob is highly conscious of the issues involved. 'Violent rolling and pitching of a vessel will certainly increase the difficulty of Scooping,' he says, 'but should not affect Parbuckling once the victim has been securely netted. In theory pitching should pose less of a problem than rolling as the Sea Scoopa is positioned amidships at the pivot point. In a heavy roll a small steadying sail can be used, however it is critical to control the boom to avoid crew injury. More than one attempt at scooping from a direction that minimises roll may be necessary.

'In these circumstances a Lifesling, throw ring or the Sea Scoopa specialised boathook can also be used to help manoeuvre a victim into the net.'

However, Bob points out that many MOB situations happen in calmer weather. 'Paradoxically MOB should be less likely in severe weather when the crew are justifiably fearful for their lives and the skipper who is mindful of his legal responsibilities has the commonsense to instruct even the most macho of the crew to wear life jackets and clip on their safety harnesses.'

While Bob is keen for continuous improvement in his design, he has had interest from rescue organisations, and he also has a small manufacturer ready to go.

As Bob says, 'The Sea Scoopa offers a different and hopefully more effective approach to this difficult problem. Its development has been a continuing process of evolution and refinement over the last two years and constructive comments are welcomed.'

Below please find detailed instructions and diagram on the operation of the Scoopa. As further progress is made, Sail-World will be here to report and applaud his success. However, whatever the outcome, one thing is sure. The world needs more sailors like Bob Wright.

For more information and pictures of Sea Scoopa, and to follow its progress in the future, go to the Sea Scoopawebsite.

..................................................................................................................

Sea Scoopa Diagram - .. .

Instructions for Use - the Detailed Version, by Bob Wright:

The Sea Scoopa can be mounted on either side of the boat but ideally it should be placed on the side where the engine controls are mounted so the helmsman can continuously sight the MOB, steer with one hand and operate the engine with the other. Bob and his crew have demonstrated a single person who is securely harnessed to the vessel can deploy the Sea Scoopa within 3 minutes. In short-handed situations the bag can be left permanently mounted on the gunwale for even more rapid deployment.

The Sea Scoopa, in its compact self-contained bag, comes with meticulously detailed instructions, as follows:

PLEASE NOTE

1.THIS DEVICE IS SIMILAR TO A SPINNAKER - IT MUST BE PACKED, DEPLOYED AND USED IN AN ORDERLY AND STEREOTYPED SEQUENCE
2.BEFORE YOU TRY IT 'YOUR WAY' PLEASE TRY 'OUR WAY' FIRST. READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS VERY CAREFULLY.
3.BE AWARE REPEATED PRACTICE IS ESSENTIAL TO ATTAIN AND MAINTAIN PROFICIENCY.

STEP ONE - PREPARATION

The vessel must be properly set up.

Fits into a small bag - .. .

1.The Sea Scoopa can be rigged on either side of a vessel. However it must be placed on the same side as the cockpit engine controls. This ensures the helmsman can do three things simultaneously - continuously sight the MOB alongside, steer and operate the engine controls. The greatest danger is propeller injury, which can be fatal. The engine MUST ALWAYS be 'out of gear' when the MOB is coming alongside.
Also the winching apparatus should be positioned on the same side as the Sea Scoopa so that the MOB can be continuously monitored during lifting.

2.On a yacht the device must be positioned amidships adjacent to the shrouds. This ensures the rescuers, who should be wearing life jackets and clipped on with safety harnesses, have

ready to deploy - .. .

something extra to hang onto.
It should also be positioned with its centre portion midway between two stanchions so the MOB can be rolled through the lifelines onto the deck.
The position of the lowest lifeline should be checked and if there is insufficient space for a 'roll-through' there should be a quick release mechanism fitted to the lower lifeline e.g. a pelican clip or cord lashings that can be cut. Be aware that an inflated life jacket adds considerable girth and will not pass between most lifelines. The most efficient position for the quick release is between the two stanchions where the 'roll-through' occurs.

3.The points for attachment of the tack and clew of the Sea Scoopa to the gunwale must be very strong as the loads will be high. If a substantial toe rail or docking cleats are not

setting up takes only a couple of minutes - .. .

present, load certified pad eyes or U bolts with strong backing plates are preferred. If stanchions are to be used they must be extremely robust and securely bolted to the boat. Depending on the type of strong point, the rings on the tack and clew can be attached with stainless steel or certified anodised aluminium carabiner clips, spectra rope, strong webbing loops etc.
The block and tackle on the clew should have a stopper knot placed some 15cm beyond the jam cleat in case the rope gets kicked out during the lifting process.

4.The rope on the lifting apparatus, which on a yacht is usually a halyard or topping lift must be pre marked with coloured whipping in 2 places so that when it is clipped to the lifting strop on the ring of the Sea Scoopa
a) At the first mark- the head ring is at deck level so that the

Ready for receiving MOB - .. .

bulk of the apparatus is kept clear of the water to minimise drag whilst the jockey pole is being attached at its inboard end.
b) At the second mark- the forward end of the red head batten whilst held out on the jockey pole is just above the surface of the water.

5.The foreguy is a floating rope to help prevent propeller entanglement if it becomes detached from the cleat. It is kept clipped onto the forward segment of the multi-segmented head ring and the bitter end is led forward around a stanchion on the pulpit or a bow cleat and back to a locking mechanism such as a cleat or jammer located amidships. It should be marked at this point so the collapsible jockey pole is positioned at right angles to the boat. This rope is kept flaked in the small yellow bag to prevent entanglement inside the Sea Scoopa bag. During the

MOB caught in Scoopa net - .. .

lifting operation the foreguy may have to be eased to allow full elevation of the lifting halyard.

6.The outer end of the carbon fibre pole must be attached to the inboard side of the horizontal bar on the multi-segmented head ring. This of course depends on whether the Sea Scoopa is mounted on the port or starboard gunwale. The outer end is then permanently attached using the locking bolt and Nylock nut.

7.The Sea Scoopa must be permanently stored in an accessible location where it is INSTANTLY available (similar to an EPIRB or a Grab Bag). In the critical emergency of MOB it should NOT be buried in the bottom of a locker.
The device is also designed so that in short handed situations it can be left in the bag permanently attached to the gunwale for instant deployment by the remaining crewmembers. In this circumstance extra circumferential Velcro locking straps may be beneficial.

STEP TWO - DEPLOYMENT

With the shout of 'man overboard', the Sea Scoopa is brought on deck and deployed for scooping. With proper preparation and familiarisation, a single crewmember, who should be clipped on with a safety harness can do this within 3 minutes.

1.The lifting halyard is attached to the short lifting strop exposed at the aft end of the aperture situated at the middle of the bag. This is to ensure during subsequent steps the apparatus cannot be lost over board. The halyard is made up on the winch at the first marked position so the headboard and net do not drag in the water.

2.The tack that is labelled 'bow' is attached to the forward strong point OUTSIDE the stanchions and lifelines.

3.The clew that is labelled 'stern' is attached to the aft strong point OUTSIDE the stanchions and lifelines utilising a block and tackle arrangement.

4.The foot must be pulled very tight along the side of the gunwale using the mechanical advantage of the block and tackle so there is no possibility of the MOB slipping through any gap between the device and the hull.

5.The foreguy is exposed at forward end of the aperture on the middle of the bag and is led forward around the pulpit or bow cleat and attached to an amidships cleat so that the jockey pole is held at right angles to the vessel.

6.The bag is then rapidly unzipped using a 'burst zipper' technique by pulling apart the two sets of zipper tails at the central aperture.

7.The three-piece interlocking carbon fibre jockey pole, the outer end of which is permanently attached to the head ring, is then extended and the inner end is attached to the special D ring sewn into the tack area.

8.The halyard is finally lowered to the second marked position so that the forward edge of the red headboard is just skimming the surface of the water at an angle of approximately 30 degrees like a shark's fin and ready for scooping. To deepen the scoop it can be lowered a little further. However the pole should be kept out of the water to avoid subjecting it to excessive stress.

9.During practice sessions some adjustments may be required for different boats.
If parts of the luff do not sink sufficiently, extra 'clip on' lead weights are available. This is important in heavy conditions.
The relative lengths of the Dyneema rope bridle attached to the red head batten may have to be adjusted at the cow hitch on the lower segment of the lifting ring. Typically the front rope is shorter than the aft one so the red head batten is at an angle of approximately 30 degrees to the surface. Occasionally the head batten will flip over forward-this can be corrected with the boathook.

PLEASE NOTE
A crease emanating from the tack towards the centre of the leech develops in the net with increasing speed. It disappears when the MOB is scooped and does not affect the functionality of the apparatus.

STEP THREE - SCOOPING

Meanwhile the crew must perform all the usual MOB drill:

1.Keep the MOB under constant observation, throw floatation and marking aids and press the MOB GPS button.
2.Stop the vessel and drop or furl the headsail.
3.Start the motor, making absolutely sure no ropes or sheets entangle the propeller.

In general it is recommended that the MOB be scooped with the vessel to windward and the MOB to leeward. This can be done at a speed of up to 1-2 knots to ensure steerage and manoeuvrability. However depending on the circumstances and with increasing experience an approach from any angle is theoretically possible. It is of paramount importance that the propeller must NOT be turning when the MOB is coming alongside.

If there is any difficulty in getting close to the MOB a throw ring or Lifesling will assist in dragging a cooperative MOB alongside and into the scoop.

This manoeuvre can be assisted by the Sea Scoopa boathook, which is designed with a special hook, a cushioned pusher and an attachment for manipulating the lifting halyard should there be any difficulty with the extendable jockey pole.

STEP FOUR - PARBUCKLING

Once the MOB is 'Scooped and Netted' the halyard must be raised using either a winch on the mast or led via a block on the deck back to a cockpit winch or forward to the anchor winch after disengaging the chain gypsy. If winching is not possible an alternative would be to use a block and tackle arrangement.
Be aware that the loads especially with large persons and waterlogged clothing can be very great and some form of mechanical advantage is absolutely essential. The Parbuckle itself generates a 2 to 1 mechanical advantage during the lift.

The MOB is then 'Parbuckled' on board. This causes the body to be rolled gently like a 'chicken on a spit' as it is raised up to the gunwale. This is advantageous as the period of time when the person is flat on their back and at risk of aspiration of seawater and vomit into the lungs is kept to a minimum. Also the 'log rolling' procedure lessens the chances of aggravating a spinal injury.
Horizontal lifting with the parbuckle is particularly advantageous for hypothermic patients who are prone to sudden death with vertical lifting as can occur with other methods such as the 'Lifesling'.

On most vessels the lower lifeline will have to be released to allow large persons to 'roll through' especially if the lifejacket is inflated.

Depending on the length of the Sea Scoopa net the jockey pole can be left attached during the lift as it becomes separated into three sections but is still held in continuity by the heavy shock cord. However on some longer models the inner end of the pole may need to be detached during the later stages of the lift as the limit of elasticity of the shock cord may be exceeded. Depending on the geometry of the vessel the foreguy may also need to be eased to allow full elevation of the net.
Once the MOB is on deck maintain halyard tension because if there is no toe rail or bulwark the victim may roll or be swept back into the water.

REPACKING

The Sea Scoopa and especially the zippers and the anodised aluminium carabiner clips should be washed with fresh water and dried before repacking.

The red head batten with lifting ring and attached extendable jockey pole, must be placed exactly in the marked middle third of the bag so that it will fold properly.
The luff is flaked with long folds in the bow third together with the yellow foreguy bag. The leech is flaked into the stern third of the bag.
The sliders on the zip are slid to both bow and stern ends and the bag is then zipped up progressively towards the middle aperture. The lifting strop is left exposed through the aft end and the foreguy through the forward end and both locked by the Velcro strips. The sliders are finally moved towards the middle so the zip is prepared for 'bursting'

The bow third of the bag is folded over first, followed by the stern third and the whole bundle is compacted by the 2 straps with snap buckles.

MAINTENANCE

As the Sea Scoopa lives in a harsh marine environment it should be regularly checked for deterioration or damage.

The joints of the extendable jockey pole must be regularly lubricated with lanoline to ensure smooth action.

The shock cord should be replaced at 12 month intervals or sooner if any fraying or loss of elasticity is noted. This is done by unscrewing the two bolts securing the spinnaker pole ends and whipping the new shock cord to the two Dyneema loops on the end fittings at a length so there is sufficient tension to hold the three segments together whilst still maintaining maximum length and elasticity of the shock cord.

The zippers on the bag must be washed with fresh water to prevent the accumulation of salt that may jam the mechanism. Never spray zippers with silicone preparations which will interact with the salt and aggravate the problem.

THE SEA SCOOPA BOATHOOK

This Boathook has been designed specifically to enhance the performance of the Sea Scoopa but it can also be used as a conventional boathook. In this latter application it has several advantages over most currently available boathooks.
There are 3 components to the boathook.
1. The hook is used to pull the MOB by the clothing in circumstances where extra assistance is required to enter the scoop. The specially curved area of this hook is also invaluable for picking up a dockline lying flat on the wharf whilst the operator is standing on a high deck.
2. The rubber cushioned tip may be required to push the MOB into an optimal position or to fend off other objects.
3. The long reverse hook is available to hold the scoop out from the vessel in the unlikely event of a malfunction of the carbon fibre pole. (a 'belt and braces' precaution) In addition it is useful for holding out a preformed rope loop to drop over a bollard or mooring pole.

The pole itself requires special consideration. It should be as long as possible and 3 metres is a recommended length to deal with most emergency situations. With a MOB, collapsible telescoping poles are both useless and dangerous as they collapse under the loads involved. Hence a long rigid pole must be used. Because of this the pole component cannot be shipped with the boathook.
The pole should be corrosion resistant anodised aluminium with an external diameter of 25mm (1inch) and substantial wall thickness. This is readily available from most suppliers.
It is a good idea to make the pole float. This is achieved by sealing the lumen at both ends of the pole with 'No Gaps' type foam which solidifies on maturation.
A Mylar membrane should be placed between the stainless steel end and the anodised aluminium pole to prevent corrosion of the dissimilar metals.
If the pole falls overboard the handle end will float vertically and thus needs to have a cord loop attached so it can be grabbed with another boathook.

PRACTICE SESSIONS

A word of caution-always exercise great care if using a human volunteer, as the potential for a mishap such as being struck by the bow or hull, propeller injury, entanglement in the device etc is always present.

It is strongly recommended that you obtain a clause in your Insurance Policy to cover MOB practice sessions. Most Companies will supply this free of charge as it is in their interest to have the crew proficient in using this life saving equipment.
Needless to say the volunteer should always wear a life jacket and also a wetsuit if the water is cold.
Only Professional Rescue Organisations with full emergency back-up including a standby inflatable rescue craft should contemplate using volunteers in adverse circumstances such as strong wind, wave or current, poor visibility or low water temperature.

IN CONCLUSION

We are in the business of saving lives and we hope that the Sea Scoopa will assist in this endeavour.

However the device MUST be used in accord with the foregoing instructions or it will acquire an undeservedly bad reputation.

The necessity for regular MOB drill to ensure proficiency cannot be overemphasised.

The design of the Sea Scoopa so far has been a process of continuing evolution. We are particularly anxious to have your critical comments regarding the device and especially any improvements you may suggest in respect to its design or usage.

by Des Ryan