Man overboard: how you can help in an emergency

Precautions

Always move around the boat holding onto something and have three points of support. Additional support may include shrouds, rails, or lifelines

If you go on deck in bad weather, at night, or in poor visibility, wear a life jacket and use a safety harness. The harnesses are attached to a safety rail stretched along the sailboat, railings, shrouds or special brackets

Practice the man overboard maneuver from time to time to be prepared for emergencies.

General actions

The first person who sees a person overboard should shout "Man overboard!"

A person constantly monitors the fallen, giving direction with his hand. In excitement, bad weather or at night, it is easy to lose sight of a person by turning away for a second. That's why it is important to follow him, without disengaging

Even if you are sailing, you should start the engine immediately. This will secure you and help you if you don't manage to maneuver the boat only with sails. It is better to help with the engine than to make an extra circle

Actions if you are sailing

There are several variants of the Man Overboard maneuver with sail. Here we present two main variants.

Option one

Bear away/head up to reach. This is the easiest course for the helmsman and crew

Move on the reach 5-10 hull lengths. It's easier to count out loud to better control the distance

Tack. It is safer than a gybe, especially in an emergency situation

Go backwards on the reach to make the same count as last time. This is especially important in poor visibility conditions

On the way back go a bit downwind from the fallen

When approaching, head up and loose the sails. In this way the boat will slow down so you can control the speed

Approach the fallen from the windward side. This way the boat will not be carried away from the person by the wind. On the leeward side it is easier to pick up the person, because the boat is slightly heeled towards them. In addition, the leeward side creates a wind shadow with calmer water

Option two

Get on the reach course

Keep going on the reach for about three hull lengths (three counts)

Prepare to tack. Pull up the main sheet and jib sheet

While tacking, leave the jib on the windward side. Thus, the boat will drift

The sailboat will be slowly drifting by the wind towards the fallen one. With the help of the rudder and main sheet, you can correct the direction

Pick up a person from the leeward side

Actions when you are using an engine

The most important task when maneuvering with the engine is not to hurt a person with the propeller. On sailing boats it is quite difficult to get under the propeller, it is far under the boat. In the case with a motor boat it is much easier.

Steer the boat towards the fallen one, taking the stern and propeller away from them

Make a full turn and turn around on the opposite course

Move the engine to neutral when approaching a person to protect him

Picking up a man overboard

When picking up a person who has fallen overboard, you must always act according to the situation

It is much easier if the person is conscious and can climb aboard without any help, but it is always better to assist them. In good weather, it is more convenient to climb from the stern, but in waves, picking up a person from the side is safer. You can drop the rope attached to the cleet with a loop at the end. It can be used as a fulcrum

Picking up an unconscious person is much more difficult. There are several options here. For example, place a hammock or spare sail under them and pull them up with a halyard. You can tie up a person with ropes around the body and hips or attach a halyard to a safety harness. In some cases, you might need to enter the water. Don’t do it unless absolutely necessary, and be in a life jacket and strapped to the boat under all precautions

In addition to improvised means of picking up a person out of the water, there are devices that make this task easier:

Safety ladder. Lets you climb aboard by yourself. Can easily hang in a bag on board when not in use

Mobmat. A special cradle for picking up those who have fallen overboard. The weight on the bottom of the structure allows it to be carried under a person in the water, even if the person is unconscious. It is raised with the help of a halyard

SOS Marine Recovery Ladder. A mix of the previous two devices. This item can be used both as a ladder and a cradle

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FAQ

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