Man-overboard rescue apparatus for sailboats

Claim 1

Man-overboard rescue apparatus for use on a sailboat having at least one mast supported by shrouds on both the port and starboard sides of the boat extending from a point at least part way up the mast to a point adjacent the boat deck, said apparatus comprising boom means; mounting means for attaching said boom to said shrouds on one side of the boat and providing for movement of said boom means between a stowed position generally parallel to said shrouds and an extended position with the outer end of said boom means projecting outboard of said shrouds; a recovery line having one end attached to said boat and the other end being fed through guide means attached adjacent said boom means outer end; sling means attached to said recovery line other end and being adapted to encircle the chest of the man overboard; container means attached to said boat for releasably containing said sling means and the portion of said recovery line adjacent said sling means, said container means having selectively openable closure means which, in its closed configuration, provides for substantially complete enclosure for said sling means and said recovery line portion and, in its open configuration, provides for quick removal of said sling and said recovery line portion therefrom, whereby the container may be opened and the sling and recovery line quickly removed therefrom and tossed to the man overboard.