MAN OVERBOARD TRAINING MANIKINS - otherwise known as 'Dead Fred'

 NATO STOCK NUMBER 6910-99-1519652

It is vital that effective MOB drills are conducted frequently with regular crew members on all vessels - these manikins have proven to be a vital tool in achieving that.

The secret to the performance of this manikin is the balance between the weighting and the buoyancy - the tough Nylon mesh carcass allows the water to penetrate rapidly and after a few minutes the legs will drop below the surface, resting at an angle of about 45 degrees with just the head and shoulders visable above the surface.

The Man Overboard Manikin is specifically designed to simulate a person in water for man overboard training, maritime safety drills, and search and rescue operations. Used by coast guards, navies, offshore industries, and marine training centers worldwide, this manikin offers realistic buoyancy, weight distribution, and handling in open water.

Built with a reinforced mesh body and foam filling, the manikin floats with a lifelike posture—head and shoulders above water—making it visible to rescuers while simulating the drag and resistance of a real person. Its bright, high-visibility clothing and reflective tape enhance detection in daylight or low-light scenarios.

Key features include:

• Realistic floating position with head and shoulders above water

• Highly visible design with bright clothing and reflective elements

• Durable mesh and foam construction for repeated use in saltwater or freshwater

• Drains quickly for easy handling post-recovery

• Available in multiple sizes and weights to simulate different casualty types

Ideal for man overboard response training, crew readiness drills, and water recovery exercises, this manikin ensures crews are fully prepared for emergencies at sea.

FEATURES & BENEFITS

• This model can float horizontally or vertically to simulate a live person or dead body - it takes seconds to move the foam pieces in the overalls to achieve this.
• A polypropylene loop to the back allows the manikin to be lowered into position or hung up to dry.
• Bright orange overalls and SOLAS reflective tape on the head make the manikins very conspicuous in open water.
• Polyethylene strips allow flexibility in and out of the water but prevent the manikin from bending in half when using stretchers or recovery devices like a Jason's Cradle.
• Now has a Polyethylene strip extending from the back up through the neck and into the head to add additional support to the neck
• Protective overalls and boots are user replaceable and greatly extend the life of the manikin

WHO USES THEM?