Multiple Kill Cords

[rickuk3]

I am thinking of installing kill cords in each of the jockey seats on the rib, the main reason being that if a passenger goes overboard it will kill the engine instantly and no chance of not knowing someone behind you has gone overboard The thought is to have the extra kill cords via a dashboard switch so that they can be switched out of circuit if the engine needs to be started to recover the mob.
What do others think? pros and cons?
Richard

[Hugh Jardon]

sounds like a great idea

however

my concern would be if someone accidentally pulled one by accident just at an awkward time that could cause a potentially difficult or dangerous situation

perhaps having some kind of break cord to you, your arm or leg that you would feel a short tug if they exited without impacing your driving control would be preferable in my mind

good discussion point though

[Tim M]

I was thinking about this for use in a commercial situation where the console was at the front of the seating rather than at the back. I think the engine cutting out would be more dangerous than not in the case of passengers falling out. I think I would install maybe a light and alarm in the console so that the skipper can see/hear if someone falls out.

[ashbypower]

Originally Posted by Tim M

I was thinking about this for use in a commercial situation where the console was at the front of the seating rather than at the back. I think the engine cutting out would be more dangerous than not in the case of passengers falling out. I think I would install maybe a light and alarm in the console so that the skipper can see/hear if someone falls out.

Tim, Something along THESE line would be ideal but pricey

[Poly]

Originally Posted by rickuk3

What do others think? pros and cons?

I can see why you think it is a good idea - but I would ask:

• Have you ever lost someone overboard?
• Where they sitting on a jockey?
• Did you notice straight away?
• How likely is it to loose someone sitting on a jockey - unless you are doing a high risk (e.g. very fast turn) manouvre? - where a quick check afterwards will confirm all are present.

Out of all the "oops" events I have heard on ribnet or seen reported in press/maib etc I can't think of a crew overboard where it has gone unnoticed.

It sounds like there would be scope for someone to be wearing a kill cord but it not be "live" within your description ("switched out of circuit") that sounds vulnerable to being forgotten about to me.

Given that kill cord switches have a reputation of being unreliable does multiplying the switches not increase the risk of a problem preventing starting?

There is an article in this months MBY on MOB alarms which alert you to a MOB, and fancy ones which help you find the casualty again. Not cheap though.

There was a recent incident in training where one of the Kinghorn ILB crew fell overboard and hit his head on the prop as the boat passed. Although very seriously injured his Gecko possibly saved him. I think at 25 knots the boat only takes quater of a second to do half a boat length - so I imagine the prop would still be spinning (although possibly not as fast or powerfully) even if the kill cord was activated.

[jwalker]

Originally Posted by Polwart

...one of the Kinghorn ILB crew fell overboard and hit his head on the prop as the boat passed...

Shit, that would smart!

[The Garfish]

Originally Posted by rickuk3

What do others think?

de besst waiy ov doin itt iz too bungee strapp forr dait ikspired rokkit flairs too de dashbord. atach de fyring rinng wiv a bitt ov strinng too eech nobbur inn de fkin bote.

ifn yew cann flikk orl forr ov de bastuds owt att de saym tyme yew gett a tirbo lyke increese inn spead, a ortomatic disstress signul an yew gett rid ov yorr owld flairs wivowt settin hornchirch onn fyre.

fuk mee iym a jeenius

Originally Posted by Polwart

I can't think of a crew overboard where it has gone unnoticed.

we aynt sean codsporn forr a bitt

garF

[Poly]

Originally Posted by ashbypower

Tim, Something along THESE line would be ideal but pricey

the systems in MBY start at around £400.

For about well under £100 you should be able to wire up some alarms/lights to standard killcord type swithes.

[Poly]

Originally Posted by The Garfish

we aynt sean codsporn forr a bitt

[Poly]

Originally Posted by jwalker

Shit, that would smart!

Thats one way of putting it:

"He was struck on the head at least three times by the propellers, piercing his protective helmet in two places."

from http://www.maib.gov.uk/publications/...7/kinghorn.cfm

I believe he was it intensive care for about 2 weeks, stayed in hospital for another 4 and is still recovering at home.

[K&S]

Hi, just a thought
What if you rig a circuit to say a bulb or buzzer on the console so it doesnt interfer with the engine but does allert the driver.
I'm not electrically minded but im sure someone will be along soon that could draw a wiring diagram for 'dumies' which i would be interested in seeing as i have pondered this question before....

[Tim M]

Originally Posted by K&S

Hi, just a thought
What if you rig a circuit to say a bulb or buzzer on the console so it doesnt interfer with the engine but does allert the driver.
I'm not electrically minded but im sure someone will be along soon that could draw a wiring diagram for 'dumies' which i would be interested in seeing as i have pondered this question before....

See my last post....

[Poly]

Originally Posted by K&S

Hi, just a thought
What if you rig a circuit to say a bulb or buzzer on the console so it doesnt interfer with the engine but does allert the driver.
I'm not electrically minded but im sure someone will be along soon that could draw a wiring diagram for 'dumies' which i would be interested in seeing as i have pondered this question before....

K&S - it is very easy to do. Get a suitable 12V lamp and mount on the dash. Get a suitable buzzer and wire in series to the lamp. Wire one side of these to the battery. The other is then wired in parallel to each kill cord switch. Then these are wired (preferably via a fuse) to the battery. If you want to get fancy you can add a "mute" switch somewhere to shut the bloody buzzer up.

If you really want a wiring diagram - I will scribble one for you - but as per my comments above I think it is unlikely to ever be needed. Especially since keeping a good look out in all directions you would soon notice if the other half had disappeared.

[rickuk3]

Originally Posted by Polwart

I can see why you think it is a good idea - but I would ask:

• Have you ever lost someone overboard?
• Where they sitting on a jockey?
• Did you notice straight away?
• How likely is it to loose someone sitting on a jockey - unless you are doing a high risk (e.g. very fast turn) manouvre? - where a quick check afterwards will confirm all are present.

It sounds like there would be scope for someone to be wearing a kill cord but it not be "live" within your description ("switched out of circuit") that sounds vulnerable to being forgotten about to me.

Given that kill cord switches have a reputation of being unreliable does multiplying the switches not increase the risk of a problem preventing starting?

Thankfully I have never lost anyone overboard, and hope I never do.
The plan was to have the switch on the console with a warning light to show if 'out of circuit'.
Because of the reputation of them being unreliable was another reason for being able to take them 'out of circuit'.

May have a rethink and do a hybrid system with the 2 X double jockeys at the stern and the single behind the helmsmans wired with kill switches to a strobe/sounder on the console. Additionally on the single jockey behind the helmsmans seat fit a engine kill switch for when one of the youngsters is at the helm, in case I go overboard, which is my worst nightmare.
Richard

[K&S]

Hi, thanks for the explination Polwart, easy when someone else explains it. Think i could probably manage that.
I'm sure its a bit over the top and will probably never be used but what if .... for the sake of a few quid i think i will fit a system ... having to wear their own kil cords adds to the excitment for the kids

[Poly]

Originally Posted by rickuk3

Additionally on the single jockey behind the helmsmans seat fit a engine kill switch for when one of the youngsters is at the helm, in case I go overboard, which is my worst nightmare.
Richard

There has been stuff here before on how to link two cords together on a single switch when training. My preference when letting someone inexperienced helm is for me to keep the kill cord. If I go over then it stops if they go over then I am able to go back for them...

[RAD]

I would of thought the multiple kill cord thing would be daft. What if your littleone moves their legs while your at high speed, kicks the kill cord and sends you flying as you dont expect it.

[rickuk3]

Originally Posted by Polwart

There has been stuff here before on how to link two cords together on a single switch when training. My preference when letting someone inexperienced helm is for me to keep the kill cord. If I go over then it stops if they go over then I am able to go back for them...

On my old rib if an inexperienced person was at the helm then I had 2 cords on the switch as I was along side them, but on the new rib I will be on a seperate jockey behind them and I dont want the kill switch stretching back from the console.
Richard

[Poly]

Originally Posted by K&S

Hi, thanks for the explination Polwart, easy when someone else explains it. Think i could probably manage that.
I'm sure its a bit over the top and will probably never be used but what if .... for the sake of a few quid i think i will fit a system ... having to wear their own kil cords adds to the excitment for the kids

K&S - I am bored in a hotel on Business so have done you a doodle - not up to JW's standard...

2 versions - the simple version and then a very slightly more complicated version with a single pole double throw switch (2 position) that allows you to turn off the system (or silence it after activated) but provides a warning light (LED) as rickuk3 was suggesting to show that the system is disabled.

Of course you can add more and more features to this to make it more sophisticated - but that is more and more potential faults...

I would suggest if you do this that rather than wire direct to battery as shown it is wired so it is only on when the ignition is on.

[ashbypower]

Surley, the bulb and sounder would be better in Parallel.
If used in series should the bulb fail then the buzzer would not sound either.
all IMVHO of course