SHOUT
very clearly MAN OVERBOARD so that everyone on board is aware
of the emergency.
THROW a life buoy, throwing line, cushion
or anything else to hand which will help the person in the
water to float, and mark the position.
WATCH the person in the water carefully,
have someone on the boat point continuously at the person.
Record the position on GPS if you have one.
STOP immediately to keep the distance between
the person in the water and the boat to a minimum.
Remember that when you turn, the stern (back)
of the boat swings and therefore the propeller swings when
you alter course. To avoid serious injury, turn the stern
(back) of the boat away from the person in the water.
Agree on, and practice, your person overboard drill with
all those on your boat, so that everyone is aware of what
to do in an emergency situation.
Person overboard is a distress situation. Do not hesitate
to call mayday on your VHF radio if you are
unable to rescue the person in the water immediately.
Recovery of Person Overboard
Ensuring you are clear of the person in the water, approach
the person from downwind (into the wind). Stop the engine
when you are near the person, so you can throw a line or they
can swim to you.
In small open boats and those with a low freeboard, boarding
should be over the boat's bow (front) or stern (back). If
your boat doesn't have a boarding ladder, use a rope to make
a loop over the side for the person in the water to put their
foot in to.
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