Throw Line - Mounting Point

[mikew4]

Whats the common concensus on where to mount a throw line?

On the A-Frame at rear of boat, or in cockpit so it is at hand to driver? I can see arguments for both positions.

[Tim M]

How useful really is a throw line on a RIB in a MOB situation? Probably not very. You're in a small, highly manoeuvrable boat. A bigger vessel is a different kettle of fish, especially when it comes to positioning the boat very close to the person in the water - in which case a grab line would be very useful to be able to haul them in the last 10 ft.

I would pop it under the drivers seat so it's close to hand if you do ever need it, but I personally think fitting a grab line holding contraption on a RIB is a bit unnecessary.

[Starovich]

Originally Posted by Tim M

How useful really is a throw line on a RIB in a MOB situation? Probably not very. You're in a small, highly manoeuvrable boat. A bigger vessel is a different kettle of fish, especially when it comes to positioning the boat very close to the person in the water - in which case a grab line would be very useful to be able to haul them in the last 10 ft.

I would pop it under the drivers seat so it's close to hand if you do ever need it, but I personally think fitting a grab line holding contraption on a RIB is a bit unnecessary.

Throw lines/Bags are incredibly useful in a rib. The ability to grab a line a throw it accurately to a casualty person or boat easily and quickly is essential.

On a lee shore being able to throw a line to a person/boat and keep my boat away from the shore is great.

Additional having a (in my case) 10mm line , in a bag, I can use to set up a tow easily without having to go in a locker and dig one out is great.
This line also gives and extra (20m) in my case extention for a spring/bowline if needed.

I use the canoeing rescue type rather than the sailing thin line version as i find the rope a more flexible in its uses.

[paintman]

Very useful bit of kit to have as Starovich says & I bought mine as a direct result of 'need and not have'. I do have other ropes on board, but not as convenient or easy to throw accurately.
Lives in console for easy access but away from light fingers when on drying harbour mooring.
Mine: RIBER BUOYANT THROW ROPE 25MTS RESCUE LINE CANOE KAYAK RIB YACHT | eBay

[Maximus]

I think a weighted throw/grab line is a good addition to your safety kit on a RIB..I keep mine in one of the seats.
At hand..in the Dry and easily accessible
No need for a mount or anchor point at all IMO.

[mikew4]

Originally Posted by Tim M

How useful really is a throw line on a RIB in a MOB situation? Probably not very. You're in a small, highly manoeuvrable boat. A bigger vessel is a different kettle of fish, especially when it comes to positioning the boat very close to the person in the water - in which case a grab line would be very useful to be able to haul them in the last 10 ft.

I would pop it under the drivers seat so it's close to hand if you do ever need it, but I personally think fitting a grab line holding contraption on a RIB is a bit unnecessary.

Very useful on a RIB. Amongst other things, I use my RIB for supporting windsurfing. When my son drifts into the shallows, I can throw him a line and gently tow him and his board out into the deep without risking grounding the prop / without hassle of anchoring etc.

So I want my line accessible quickly.

[Phil M]

Great for getting divers away from rocks with less risk of grounding or impact and for diver recovery in rough conditions where driving at them is too risky. Mine lives easily to hand on the tank rack, just behind the drivers seat.

Phil M

[Starovich]

I would add, in my opinion, the ones with a foam block in the base of the bag work better for the "re throw", and are easier for a person to find in the water, especially if its rough or surf as the bag sits a little higher in the water.

[Ian M]

As a diver coxswain for many years I have yet to use a throw line in a real world situation. Granted divers do not go in the water when the surface conditions are 'tricky'.
So for me it is a balance of probabilities, possibly influenced by what you use your RIB for. Do you want a line permanently attached with the risk of it forming a trip hazard, balanced against the time taken to obtain the line from a boat locker. In my experience, surface situations do not develop instantaneously, and so are generally not that time critical.
Edit; just realised that I have thrown lines in the past, but always to other boats and seconds were not at issue.

[two stroke mick]

If mounted to the A frame there is a risk of losing it overboard and the rope becoming tangled in the prop. Think before you attach it to anything

TSM

[mikew4]

Originally Posted by two stroke mick

If mounted to the A frame there is a risk of losing it overboard and the rope becoming tangled in the prop. Think before you attach it to anything

TSM

Good point. I am veering towards having it mounted in a cage to hand in the cockpit.

[Starovich]

Originally Posted by two stroke mick

If mounted to the A frame there is a risk of losing it overboard and the rope becoming tangled in the prop. Think before you attach it to anything

TSM

All thowbags ive seen are floating line, but i take your point.

[Starovich]

Originally Posted by Ian M

As a diver coxswain for many years I have yet to use a throw line in a real world situation. Granted divers do not go in the water when the surface conditions are 'tricky'.
So for me it is a balance of probabilities, possibly influenced by what you use your RIB for. Do you want a line permanently attached with the risk of it forming a trip hazard, balanced against the time taken to obtain the line from a boat locker. In my experience, surface situations do not develop instantaneously, and so are generally not that time critical.
Edit; just realised that I have thrown lines in the past, but always to other boats and seconds were not at issue.

Thowbags are not permanently attached, that would defeat the point, but firmly attached, and simply removable. Mine is usually velcro strapped on , no knots, too tricky with cold fingers in a hurry.
There is no trip hazard as it is in bag, mine is the size of a 2 litre pop bottle, so easy to put in a place not in the way.

Of course the use you put your boat too really determines what/how you set it up for.
General usage how often are you likely to need to assist someone else so maybe no need?
If you do a lot of safety cover then its a different scenario.
By the same logic, I don't dive any longer,so having a dive rack would be pointless but for a dive boat its almost an essential. each to his own

[jeffstevens763@g]

Had mine in a rack which was attached to the back rest of the seat, strait pull out to dispatch

[markmullen]

A little tip, if you're going to carry a throw bag please practice on land, there is a technique to them. In the swiftwater rescue world we have to be able to get a shot on target, recover it and get it back on target in 20 seconds which sounds easy but really isn't.

They're one of those things that really get much easier with practice. Stand a pop bottle or cone or whatever a few metres away and practice throwing overhand, underarm, sideways etc.

[jyasaki]

Originally Posted by Phil M

Great for getting divers away from rocks with less risk of grounding or impact and for diver recovery in rough conditions where driving at them is too risky. Mine lives easily to hand on the tank rack, just behind the drivers seat.

I've used my rescue/throw bag for getting divers out of kelp fields without having to motor in to get them. Deployed several times in this manner (and once to get a couple of elderly capsized kayakers to my boarding ladder.)

Mine lives clipped to the top crosspiece of my A-frame (takes a lot of sun, though; it gets replaced every few years.) I like being able to grab it and deploy without moving from the helm.

jky

Added: In a high wind situation where an accurate throw is tricky, you can get the line in the water and drive the boat in a slow circle around the victim. The line will cut the corner and be pulled onto the victim.