Man overboard response

Most fatal MOB victims were not wearing a lifejacket. The best rescue never needs to happen.

Know the risk areas on deck. Wear a PFD when there is a risk of going overboard. Never go out on deck alone without telling someone.

Cold water shock hits in the first minute: gasping, loss of breathing control. Ten minutes of useful movement - count on less.

Swim away from the vessel. Then take the H.E.L.P. position: arms crossed, knees up. It protects your core heat.

Shout 'MAN OVERBOARD!' at the top of your voice - and keep pointing. Never take your eyes off the casualty. Your pointing hand is how the helmsman finds the way back.

Throw flotation immediately. Never jump in.

Press the MOB button on the GPS or chartplotter straight away. It gives the helmsman a heading back - vital if the spotter loses sight, even for one wave.

If serious: DSC distress on the VHF, extra lookout, alert other vessels.

Turn the stern away: wheel towards the side they fell on, so the propeller points away. A propeller near a person in the water is deadly.

Approach slowly from downwind, dead slow near the casualty. Stop the engine when they are alongside.

A conscious casualty may climb a ladder or net - but grip strength fades fast in cold water.

For an unconscious casualty, recover horizontally with a cradle or sling. Vertical lifting of a cold casualty can cause rescue collapse.

Keep them flat and handle them gently. Wet clothes off, wrap them up, rewarm gradually. No alcohol. Do not rub the limbs.

Call for help early. Then record it: in Vessel Plus, report it as a deviation with immediate measures and follow-up.

Drill MOB regularly - with a dummy, from departure, rotating roles so everyone has practised both pointing and steering.

In Vessel Plus: set the MOB drill up as a recurring drill. It flags overdue in the daily digest and logs every execution.

Question 1 of 8

Where does the risk of going overboard usually hide on a small vessel?

• Unmarked risk areas: open rails, slippery work areas, lifting gear over the side
• The galley, during cooking
• Nowhere in particular - it only happens in storms
• The wheelhouse, when the door is closed

Question 2 of 8

What happens in the first minute, and what should the person in the water do?

• Sharp leg cramps - float on the back and kick slowly towards the vessel
• Immediate unconsciousness - nothing can be done without a liferaft
• Gasping and loss of breathing control - get breathing under control, then assume the H.E.L.P. position
• A surge of adrenaline - swim hard towards the vessel before it drifts away

Question 3 of 8

What do you do first, and what must you never do?

• Run to the wheelhouse and take the helm yourself
• Shout the alarm and keep pointing - never take your eyes off the casualty
• Jump in and swim to them - never leave them alone in the water
• Lower the rescue ladder first - never throw lines into the water

Question 4 of 8

Which two actions mark the casualty's position for the rescue?

• A mayday call on channel 16, and one long blast on the horn
• MOB button only works when the casualty carries a personal AIS beacon
• A photo of the area, and a note in the logbook
• MOB button on the GPS/plotter, and flotation thrown in the water

Question 5 of 8

How do you approach, and why?

• Approach from upwind so the wind pushes the casualty to the hull
• Approach beam-on so the recovery rail is closest to them
• Fast head-on approach - speed keeps steerage and saves time
• Slow approach from downwind, stern away from them - propeller is deadly nearby

Question 6 of 8

How do you get them on board?

• Vertically over the rail with a line under the arms - it is fastest
• Horizontally, with a cradle or sling - vertical lifting can cause rescue collapse
• Wait for a rescue helicopter - never lift an unconscious person on a small vessel
• By their lifejacket straps - the harness is designed for lifting

Question 7 of 8

What is the correct treatment?

• A hot drink with a measure of spirits to warm from inside
• Walk them around the deck to restore circulation
• Flat, handled gently, wet clothes off, wrapped up, gradual rewarming - no alcohol, no rubbing
• Hot shower on the torso to rewarm quickly

Question 8 of 8

What should happen after every man-overboard incident?

• Only report it if the authorities ask about the incident
• Report it as a deviation with immediate measures, and drill the MOB procedure regularly
• Discuss it informally at the next crew meeting, no written record needed
• Leave reporting to the shipping company - the crew has no role