There's nothing wrong with having a swim
platform, but to claim that it should be used for an MOB is just
wrong-headed.

Nobody anywhere has said that it should be used as such. I only
correctly pointed out that, as in the case of the Comotion rescue of
divers, it can work safely. No part of a boat is "safe" unless used
properly. Just because some putz might shoot himself in the foot with a
flaregun is no reason not to have one aboard. A swim platform can serve
as a rescue device in certain rare instances, just like a tether or a
flare gun. The difference here is that I know someone who was saved by
a platform and there's a recent case of it posted online where three
people were saved, so it's a fact...however uncomon. The platform CAN
and HAS served as a usable MOB device.

Actually, it is a big deal for several reasons. If you have to "stow" it
that means you'll have to unstow it when you want to use it.

And this is a problem for who? Lots of cruisers stow the dinghy to make
better speed. Lighter faster cruisers do best that way. It takes me 15
minutes to inflate the dinghy, less if I use the electric compressor.
It's an airdeck so it's fantastic for that.

It's a minor option for safety during MOBs. We're not talking about
a
perfect world. We're talking about being prepared and smart enough to
know
what to do, so that a MOB is unlikely.

I'm sorry, Jonathan. That "minor option" can and HAS saved lives. The
crew of Comotion got a medal for it. Last season, some idiot was saved
by a platform not far from my club. I guess it would be best if
everyone did the exact right things aboard, but as we both know...it's
just not reality. Those divers and that guy wouldn't call a platform a
"minor option." There's simply no such thing. When it comes to safety
you start with the best methods and when those fail, you try every
option available. The last could be the one that saves a life. A good
case was a fellow who fell off his IP in the slip at Capri. It was
March and he was elderly, the cold water hit him fast. Guess what saved
him?
A swim platform is a MUCH easier way to board a boat from the water.
There are plenty of situations where that can become a safety feature.
No one's saying it's the best way, but when someone goes overboard I'll
take every option available and take none lightly.
Sorry, Jonathan. You're simply dead wrong about this, factually and
historically. In addition to the case of Comotion, here's yet another
rescue using a swim platform...and medal awarded.

http://www.ussailing.org/pressreleas...ABHVoyager.htm

And the 35s5 swim platform rescue

http://www.ussailing.org/Pressreleas...HCommotion.htm

RB
35s5
NY