In the world of maritime training, safety is paramount. Training exercises involving manikins play a crucial role in preparing teams for emergency situations, ensuring they are well-equipped to respond efficiently. One such manikin is our Man Overboard manikin; affectionately known to many as ‘Dead Fred’, he has gained quite a reputation for unexpected adventures!
Fred stands out with his fluorescent orange body and yellow head, designed specifically to make him easily visible on the water’s surface. He serves as a vital training tool, enabling teams to practice search and rescue operations in realistic scenarios. However, there are occasions when training must be abandoned due to a real call, leaving poor Fred waiting to be rescued later. As a result, there have been instances where Fred has gone missing temporarily.
An Unexpected Encounter on the East Coast of Menorca
One of Fred’s most recent adventures took place on the east coast of Menorca, Spain. An unsuspecting vessel stumbled upon the stray manikin floating in the open ocean, and the discovery raised initial concerns of a tragic event. However, the situation quickly turned comical as the crew retrieved Fred, who had small crustaceans attached to his body, suggesting that he had spent a considerable amount of time in the water. Mark Heywood, who had alerted the local coastguard (and later us here at Ruth Lee) to the discovery, shared his amusement, stating, “We learn something every day, like how to get a lifeless body on board a yacht.”
Unfortunately, Fred’s owners could not be identified following his aquatic adventure. However, the story has a happy ending as Fred has been adopted by the local lifeguard station on Es Grau beach. The lifeguards will make sure Fred enjoys his new home, and he will be ready to assist in future training exercises. It seems Fred has found a permanent place to stay after his misadventures.
Past Encounters: Fred’s Journey Continues
Fred’s recent AWOL adventure is not an isolated incident. In 2017, another Man Overboard manikin was discovered off the coast of Flinders Island in Tasmania. The markings on this manikin indicated a possible connection to the Royal Navy, raising intriguing questions about how he ended up so far from his origin. It was either an extraordinary journey around the world or an unfortunate abandonment during training exercises in Australian waters. Just like Fred of Menorca, this Fred was adorned with crustaceans, implying he had spent an extended period at sea.
In another adventure, Fred was found washed up on a beach on a remote stretch of Canadian coastline, giving an adventurous hiker a bit of a fright!
If you ever come across a rogue Ruth Lee manikin during your adventures, we encourage you to reach out to us via email or social media. We’ll try our best to reunite lost manikins with their owners so that these valuable training tools can continue to serve their purpose in preparing teams for emergencies.
Fred’s misadventures serve as a reminder that even during carefully planned training exercises, unexpected events can occur. While these instances may add a touch of humour to an otherwise serious subject, they highlight the importance of constant preparedness. Just as the maritime community continues to prioritise safety, Fred and his counterparts will continue to play a vital role in helping to train people to save lives on the open seas.
See more articles for the water rescue sector here.
