Specialist rescue system for overboard crew becomes leading product for boat builder

A specialist system to rescue crew members who fall overboard has been developed by boat builder Goodchild Marine Services.

The innovative Man Overboard Recovery Platform (MOB) was designed to reduce the risk of cardiac arrest in anyone that has fallen overboard by lifting the casualty horizontally.

The Norfolk-based company will showcase its system by a working model on its stand at Seawork, 2018, at Southampton’s Mayflower Park from July 3 to 5.

The system is also built on to Goodchild Marine’s new ORC 136 pilot boat for Estuary Services Limited, one of the boats the company will exhibit at the show.

Eleven Man Overboard Recovery Platforms have been built so far, with six fitted on to Goodchild Marine-built vessels.

Others have been sold and exported overseas, as far afield as Australia, with the system becoming one of the company’s leading products.

Alan Goodchild, Managing Director of Goodchild Marine in Burgh Castle, near Great Yarmouth, said it was tested and certified for lifting three people and can be lifted to deck level for easy stretcher access.

“This has become one of our bestselling products with widespread interest in the UK and abroad and we are delighted to be exhibiting the platform at Seawork 2018.

“Key features include an automatically-hinged propeller guard to prevent injury to the casualty, manual back-up and self-cleaning tracks.

“There is also an extension below water level to aid the recovery of a floating casualty. It can be fitted to existing boats or incorporated into a new design. It follows all current legislation, the latest medical guidelines in survivor recovery and can be operated by a single person.”