Man Overboard Guidance — Practice & Be Ready
A man overboard (MOB) situation can be serious, but it's one you can prepare for. With a well-practised plan and the right equipment to hand, your crew can respond effectively and bring everyone back safely. The key is preparation before it happens.
Before You Leave the Dock
Good seamanship starts with a thorough crew briefing before setting off. Cover how to move safely around the boat — along the high side, one hand for yourself and one for the boat. Think about what happens if the skipper is the one who goes overboard: does anyone else on board know how to manage the recovery? Rotate roles in drills so that everyone has experience in every position.
Immediate Actions
If someone goes overboard, act quickly and calmly:
- Shout "Man overboard!" loudly to alert the whole crew.
- Press the MOB button on the GPS/ VHF to mark the last known position.
- Issue a MAYDAY or DSC distress alert — a MOB represents a "grave and imminent" danger to life, so alerting the coastguard early is strongly recommended. It's far better to stand them down later than to wait.
- Throw a lifebuoy and danbuoy immediately. The danbuoy (a floating pole with flag) helps you keep the casualty in sight.
- Assign one crew member to do nothing but point continuously at the MOB. They do not stop pointing until the boat is alongside.
- Reduce speed carefully — avoid rapid or high-speed turns back towards the casualty, as these risk putting more people overboard.
- If sailing, consider dosing sails or switching to motor. Avoid potentially risky manoeuvres in strong winds such as a gybe.
Returning to the Casualty
The approach will depend on your vessel and conditions — under sail, under power, or a combination. The recommended method for sailing vessels involves manoeuvring downwind of the MOB and making the final approach upwind, picking up the casualty on the leeward side aft of the mast. Whatever method you practise, keep it consistent so the crew can execute it under pressure.
Once alongside, ensure the engine is in neutral or switched off. The risk to the casualty from a spinning propeller must be avoided at all costs.
Getting Them Back on Board
This is often the hardest part. A scramble net, rescue ladder, boarding ladder or swim platform can all help. Depending on your vessel, a halyard, block and tackle from the boom, or a dedicated lifting device may be needed. Know your boat's options before you need them. Practise recovery with your crew, including how to assist someone who is exhausted or unable to help themselves — data shows that crews can have under 11 minutes to recover a crewmate in cold water before the casualty may become unresponsive.
Once on board, get the casualty below, assess their condition and treat for hypothermia.
Practice Makes the Difference
Run MOB drills at the start of every season and regularly throughout. Alternate who plays each role. Crews need to prepare, plan and practise in order to have the best chance of helping a crewmember. A calm, well-rehearsed crew is your greatest safety asset on the water.