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MOB - Set up and test Man Overboard with DataHub Pro

Set up Man Overboard on your DataHub Pro and devices, test your alerts, then turn monitoring on.

Written by Matt Crockett

Once you have a supported device and the Man Overboard app installed, you're ready to set up Man Overboard.

This guide will help you:

  • Set up Man Overboard on your DataHub Pro.

  • Add and test your email and SMS alert contacts.

  • Connect your phones and smartwatches.

  • Run your first MOB test.

  • Turn Monitoring On and check your crew.

Before you start

You will need:

  • A DataHub Pro powered on onboard.

  • A supported phone or smartwatch.

  • The Man Overboard app installed.

  • Your phone, tablet or computer connected to the DataHub Pro Wi-Fi network.

  • Internet connectivity if you want to test email and SMS alerts.

If you also want Man Overboard alerts displayed on your chartplotter, your DataHub Pro will need to be connected to your NMEA 2000 network with a compatible chartplotter and GPS and both need to be powered on.

1. Open Man Overboard on your DataHub Pro

  1. Connect your phone, tablet or computer to DataHub Pro Wi-Fi.

  2. Open Chrome or Safari.

  3. Enter 10.10.10.1 in the browser address bar.

  4. Log in to DataHub Pro using your admin credentials.

  5. Under Services, select Man Overboard.

The Man Overboard Settings page will open.

  1. Select the Enable MOB checkbox, then click SAVE & APPLY.

  2. Log back in to DataHub Pro.

  3. Under Services, select Man Overboard.

2. Enable N2K Filters for GPS

Man Overboard requires a GPS position to set the waypoint on your chartplotter and share it with your shore crew via email and SMS in the event of a Man Overboard being detected. To ensure the DataHub Pro has the best GPS position, enable N2K filters.

IMPORTANT NOTE: To avoid false alarms when your boat instruments are powered off or restarted, attach the DataHub Pro's 1.8m patch GPS antenna as a backup device and place it high up, in an open view.

To set the N2K filter for GPS on the DataHub Pro

  1. Connect to DataHub Pro Wi-Fi or an Ethernet cable plugged into the LAN port.

  2. Open a Chrome or Safari browser and type 10.10.10.1 in the URL bar.

  3. Log in with the default username admin and password admin.

  4. Under the Services menu, click NMEA.

  5. On the NMEA Settings page, click on Advanced.

  6. Tick the checkbox to Enable N2K filters.

  7. Click the drop-down boxes and select the correct GPS address, Heading, Depth and Wind sensors for the DataHub Pro. Leave the drop-down box blank to use all available sensors.

  8. Check the Internal GPS position box below to enable failover to the 1.8m patch GPS antenna connected to the DataHub Pro when your boat instruments are powered off.

  9. Click Save & Apply.

In the example below, N2K Filters for GPS, Wind and Internal GPS are enabled.

3. Add and test an email contact

Under Email Alert Contacts:

  1. Enter the email address of the person you want to notify.

  2. Enter their Name.

  3. Click the green TEST button.

  4. Check that they receive the Man Overboard test email.

We recommend testing the email before continuing to ensure the contact details are correct and that DataHub Pro can send the alert.

You can add additional contacts using ADD.

3. Add and test an SMS contact

Under SMS Alert Contacts:

  1. Select the contact's Country.

  2. Enter their Phone Number without the country code or leading 0.

  3. Enter their Name.

  4. Click the green TEST button.

  5. Check that they receive the test SMS.

For example, after selecting United States (+64), enter 211234567 rather than 0211234567 or +64211234567.

You can add additional SMS contacts using ADD.

4. Save your Man Overboard settings

Once your email and SMS tests have both worked:

  1. Click SAVE & APPLY.

  2. DataHub Pro will log you out.

  3. Log back in using your admin credentials.

Your DataHub Pro is now ready for your Man Overboard devices.

5. Open the Man Overboard app and allow permissions

Open the Man Overboard app on your supported phone or smartwatch.

The app will guide you through the permissions it needs.

Allow the requested permissions, including:

  • Notifications

  • Critical Alerts

  • Location (Always)

  • Apple Watch: Health Access

These permissions are required for Man Overboard to monitor and alert you correctly, including when the app isn't open on screen.

Tap Continue.

6. Enter your name

Enter the name of the person who will be using the device.

Use the crew member's name rather than the device name or model.

If an MOB alert is triggered, this helps everyone onboard immediately identify who may be missing.

Tap Continue.

7. Connect the app to DataHub Pro

Make sure the device is connected to the DataHub Pro Wi-Fi network. The app will look for DataHub Pro and connect automatically.

When successful, you will see: You are now connected to the DataHub Pro.

Repeat the setup for each phone or smartwatch you intend to use onboard.

8. Run your first MOB test

Once your DataHub Pro and devices are set up, run the built-in MOB test.

Make sure Monitoring is Off on the device you are testing.

  1. Tap the three dots in the top-left of the Man Overboard app.

  2. Open Settings.

  3. Tap the purple Run MOB test button.

  4. Follow the test and check the alerts you have configured.

This lets you test the MOB workflow while everyone is safely onboard.

9. Check your MOB test

Confirm the parts of the system you have configured are working.

Check that:

  • Your device displays the expected MOB test alert.

  • Your email contact receives the MOB test email.

  • Your SMS contact receives the test SMS.

  • If configured, your compatible chartplotter receives the MOB information.

Email and SMS alerts require Internet connectivity.

10. Turn Monitoring On

Once testing is complete, return to the main Man Overboard screen.

  1. Tap On.

  2. The screen will turn green and display: MOB monitoring is active.

  3. Your device is now being monitored by DataHub Pro.

Repeat this for each crew member who should currently be monitored.

11. Check everyone is being monitored

You can check your setup from either the app or DataHub Pro.

In the Man Overboard app

Open Crew Status to see which crew members currently have Monitoring On.
​

On DataHub Pro

Go to: Services → Man Overboard → Status
​

Confirm:

  • System Status shows Operational.

  • Each crew member you expect to be monitored appears in the device list.

  • Their Status shows MONITORING.

You are now ready to use Man Overboard onboard.

IMPORTANT: Test every device you intend to use and repeat your tests after significant app, operating system or DataHub Pro updates.

Next: Understand Wi-Fi and Internet connectivity

Man Overboard relies on the connection between your device and DataHub Pro to determine whether you are still on board.

Next, learn how Wi-Fi, Internet connectivity and automatic network switching can affect Man Overboard, and how to set up your devices for reliable monitoring.

Next article: MOB - Set up Wi-Fi for reliable monitoring

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