What Is A Man Overboard Training Dummy Used For in Marine Safety Drills?

In the high-stakes world of maritime operations, we understand that a Man Over Board Training Dummy is the only bridge between theoretical knowledge and life-saving muscle memory. When we stand on the deck of a vessel in the Arabian Gulf or navigate international waters, we recognize that the sea does not offer second chances. If a crew member falls into the water, the clock starts ticking against hypothermia, exhaustion, and physical trauma.

At SeaOnBag, based in the United Arab Emirates, we provide the Fibrelight BOB Dummy because we believe that reality is the best teacher. We don't just sell equipment; we provide the means for us to sharpen our instincts and perfect our rescue protocols. A Man Overboard Training Dummy allows us to replicate the exact weight, drag, and difficulty of a human rescue without putting our team members at risk during practice.

The Physical Reality of Unconscious Casualty Recovery

We often underestimate the sheer difficulty of moving a human body that cannot help itself. In a real emergency, the victim may be hypothermic, injured, or completely unresponsive. The Fibrelight BOB Dummy is a training tool to practice recovering an unconscious casualty with the Fibrelight MOB Recovery Cradles. We use this specific model because it mimics the "dead weight" of a person who cannot grip a ladder or slide into a rescue sling.

By filling the internal bladder of the dummy with water, we can reach a realistic weight of 55kg. This allows us to feel the strain on our winches, the tension in our recovery lines, and the physical effort required from our deck crew. We find that practicing with this realistic weight changes the way we approach the side of the ship. We stop treating the drill like a chore and start treating it like a mission.

Achieving Proper Flotation Orientation

One of the most valuable aspects of using a professional Man Over Board Training Dummy is its buoyancy profile. Unlike makeshift floats that lie flat on the surface, this dummy is designed to float in a vertical, head-up position. This mimics a person wearing a standard lifejacket. When we approach the casualty in a fast rescue craft (FRC), we learn how to position the boat to avoid the propellers hitting the victim and how to secure a person whose limbs are limp.

Integrating Secondary Systems for Complete Readiness

We know that a successful rescue is never the result of one single tool. It is the result of a ship that functions as a single, cohesive unit. While our focus remains on the person in the water, we must also pay attention to the deck hardware that supports our operations.

Maintaining the Deck with Fire Hose Couplings

During a recovery, the deck needs to be clear of debris and hazards. We often use our onboard water systems to manage the environment or even to ballast the dummy before it goes over the side. This is where we rely on our Fire Hose Couplings. If we find that our Fire Hose Couplings are sticking or showing signs of salt corrosion, we address it immediately. We view the maintenance of these couplings as a direct extension of our safety culture.

Precision Connections with Storz Brass Coupling

In the maritime industry of the UAE, we prioritize standards that work under pressure. The Storz Brass Coupling is our preferred choice for quick, secure connections. Whether we are using a hose to fill our training dummy or preparing for a fire-related emergency, we trust the Storz Brass Coupling to hold firm. By using a Storz Brass Coupling in our daily drills, we remove the risk of fumbling with threaded joints when time is our most precious commodity. We make sure our Fire Hose Couplings are always ready for action, just like our rescue team.

Why Muscle Memory Outperforms Manuals?

We have seen that in the heat of a crisis, humans do not rise to the level of their expectations; we fall to the level of our training. By using a professional-grade dummy, we build the subconscious habits that save lives.

• Weight Management: We learn the limits of our physical strength and our mechanical davits.
• Drift Analysis: We throw the dummy into the current to see how it moves relative to our vessel, helping us understand local water patterns.
• Equipment Testing: We use the dummy to verify that our recovery cradles and nets are rigged correctly for a heavy lift.



When we use high-quality brass fittings like the Storz Brass Coupling, we eliminate technical failures from the equation. We want our drills to be about the person, not about fixing a leaky hose or a broken connection.

Setting a New Standard for Maritime Safety in the UAE

We believe that every vessel operating out of the United Arab Emirates should have access to the highest tier of safety equipment. The environment here is harsh; the heat and salt can degrade inferior materials in a matter of months. That is why we choose gear that is built to last. Our dummies are made from PU-coated polyester that resists the sun, and our couplings are made from heavy-duty brass that stands up to the elements.

We do not just want to meet the minimum legal requirements for safety; we want to exceed them. When we use a specialized dummy and keep our Fire Hose Couplings in top shape, we send a message to our crew and our clients that we take human life seriously.

Perfect Your Recovery Procedures Today

Are we ready for the unexpected? At SeaOnBag, we are dedicated to helping you answer that question with a confident "yes." We provide the specialized tools that make your drills more effective and your ship more secure. From recovery dummies to industrial-grade couplings, we have everything we need to maintain a world-class safety standard.