she said "I'd cast off the dinghy" without even looking up from her book. Oddly, that hasn't really occurred to me over the years as we casually discussed MOB stuff with our family.

Granted, there's a lot of sailing being done out there without a tender tied behind, but most of the time when someone falls off a sailboat, I'd bet there's a dinghy being towed. We always tow one so it's available nearly always.

But back to her idea. The throw able PFD would be fast but no faster than the dinghy painter easily reached from the cockpit. The life sling should be fast, but I don't know, I've never let it go. Seems that's more useful after you've turned around and all that.

The most important thing would likely be speed. Speed equals distance between MOB and whatever the mother ship sends out.

The dinghy which can be cast off immediately is likely to be as fast as any other marker. For those on the helm, it's easier to see in choppy seas or at night. I'd bet in a good breeze, it would stay put better than any PFD.

For the MOB, it's much easier to see and swim for. It'll provide plenty of flotation and if you're fit (or cold and scared), you can board ours with little risk of capsize. Plus we keep two PFDs at least secured to the seats at all times.

There's a new MOB drill on our boat now thanks to Mary Ann. Dinghy painter first.