MOB boarding ladders
MOB ladders on test
are either designed to be attached
permanently ready for use like
the rescue slings, or stored in
a position where they can be
quickly deployed. Some (the Kim
Safety Ladder, Lalizas Safe Up,
Markus Emergency Ladder)
come with buckles so they can
be attached to a handrail: the
remainder (Osculati emergency
ladder, Plastimo Safety Ladder,
Waveline Help Ladder) come
with two attachment tape loops
which require a secondary
attachment method.
Rescue scenarios
A ladder will only work for a fit
person who is able to climb:
it won’t work if the casualty is
unconscious or too weak from
exposure. It could be very
effective for a boat on a mooring
or at anchor if someone falls
overboard, perhaps in the middle
of the night. To be of use to the
lone sailor, it must be capable of
being deployed by the MOB. For
light-handed crews under way,
being able to concentrate on
steering the boat back alongside
the casualty without having to
forage for the rescue ladder
offers a great advantage.How we tested them
We berthed my Bénéteau First
305 alongside the inside of
Warsash Sailing Club’s pontoon
in the River Hamble. The ladders
were attached in appropriate
places, and our test team entered
the water and tried the ladders
out. When appropriate, a different
location or height was tried. Our
‘MOBs’ wore typical onboard
clothing, including shoes. All
wore a buoyancy aid.Waveline Help Ladder
PRICE: £31.75
Contact: http://www.marathonleisure.co.ukThis comes in three lengths; three, four or five (as tested) steps. Two
web loops are provided to attach the pouch at deck level. The short pull
handle releases the Velcro closure to allow the ladder to fall out of the
bag. The five semi-circular steps are broad and are supported by plastic
side tubes through which the webbing straps are threaded. Two lead
weights ensure the bottom step sinks. Additional fastening is required,
eg snap shackles to attach to the toerail or another convenient strong
point: we used shackles to attach the pouch to the toerail.
The first tester broke one of the steps, but the others stayed intact.
Another ladder was tested later and performed satisfactorily, so the
first failure was put down to a manufacturing defect. The bag handle
was not strong enough to use as a pull-up sling as the webbing does
not extend to the attachment loops. One tester successfully climbed
onto the boat in the first test, despite the broken step.Osculati Flushmount
PRICE: £34.95
Contact: http://www.force4.co.ukOffering a totally different solution to ladder storage, the Flushmount fits
into a polyamide tube and has a flange with a protective cap. The ladder
is designed to be mounted on the transom and would only be suitable
for, say, a sugar scoop stern or a power boat bathing platform as the
mounting position must be low enough to reach from the water. The
ladder has three 140mm-wide polypropylene steps attached to a
polyester line. An additional stainless steel pipe acts as a handhold.
On test, the end cap was found to be stiff to release until it was
greased with silicone. No tester was successful in climbing aboard
solely using the ladder, but success was achieved with a sling
attached to the backstay to pull upon.The test team found some laders much easier to use than others
Our ‘MOBs’ all wore typical onboard clothing, including shoes
ABOVE The Flushmount fits into a
polyamide tube and has a flange
with a protective cap. RIGHT The
mounting position must be low
enough to reach from the waterABOVE A short pull handle
releases the Velcro closure.
RIGHT The steps are supported
by side tubes through which the
webbing straps are threaded➜