David,

Thanks for the reply. Admittedly, I've been scratching my head about the throwable requirement. Could there be a device for cats that would function similar to the Lifesling?

(With the Lifeslings used on larger boats, there is a floating polypro line attached on one end to the boat, the other end to the float. The float is tossed in behind the boat and the MOB is encircled by the boat/line, making it unnecessary to manuever as precisely in order to bring the sling to the MOB.)

I've begun to feel that as distance races gain popularity and cats begin moving away from protected waters and the security of the round-the-buoys fleet, new methods and devices will become important in order to sail safely.