A sudden emergency where a person falls into the water from a vessel is known as a Man Overboard (MOB) incident. This situation demands an immediate, disciplined response, as the initial moments are crucial for survival and successful retrieval. Survival time decreases rapidly depending on water temperature, with cold shock and hypothermia posing severe threats. A successful rescue relies on a rapid sequence of actions, clear communication, and precise vessel handling.
Immediate Actions and Location Marking
The first person to recognize the incident must immediately shout a clear alarm, such as “Man Overboard!” to alert the entire crew. This shifts the vessel’s focus to the emergency and ensures everyone knows which side the person fell from. Simultaneously, the nearest person should throw any available flotation devices, such as a life ring or buoyant cushion, toward the person in the water. This flotation provides a survival aid and acts as a visual marker, making the person easier to locate.
A dedicated spotter must be assigned immediately, whose only task is to point at the person and never take their eyes off them. Losing sight of the casualty, even for a moment, can make re-locating them nearly impossible, especially in rough seas or at night. While the spotter maintains visual contact, another crew member must mark the exact location where the person entered the water by pressing the “MOB” button on the GPS or chart plotter. This electronic marking records the precise coordinates, providing a reference point for the vessel’s return if the person drifts out of sight.
If available, a lifebuoy equipped with a self-igniting light and smoke signal should also be deployed to provide a high-visibility marker. After the initial marking and flotation deployment, the vessel’s engines should be placed in neutral to stop forward motion and prevent the propeller from injuring the person. These swift, coordinated actions keep the casualty visible and increase the probability of a quick recovery.
Maneuvering the Vessel for Safe Approach
Once the initial actions are complete, the focus shifts to safely maneuvering the vessel back to the person. The helmsperson must execute a controlled turn to return to the marked position, with the choice of maneuver depending on the vessel type and visibility. When the person is still visible, the Anderson Turn is generally the fastest maneuver, involving a single, hard turn back towards the casualty. In low visibility or when a precise return to the original track is needed, the Williamson Turn is often preferred, as it ensures the vessel returns along its original path.
Regardless of the specific turn used, the goal is to approach the person with the vessel moving slowly and under control. The final approach should be made from downwind or into the current, whichever factor is stronger, to give the helmsperson maximum control. Approaching from the upwind side is preferred because the vessel will drift toward the person, creating a sheltered area (a lee) that makes retrieval easier.
Slowing the vessel down well in advance is necessary for a safe final stage, aiming for a speed of less than one knot as you reach the person. Once alongside, the engine must be placed in neutral or shut down completely to eliminate the risk of propeller strike. The person should be positioned alongside the midships or stern, but never near the stern drive or outboard motor, ensuring the propeller is clear of the rescue area.
Recovery and Retrieval Techniques
The physical act of getting the person out of the water is often the most challenging part of the rescue, especially if the person is injured, unconscious, or exhausted by cold water. Specialized equipment is available for this task, such as a Life Sling (a buoyant harness used as a lifting point) or a dedicated boarding ladder. For vessels with high freeboards, mechanical lifts, davits, or recovery nets like a Dacon Rescue Scoop may be necessary to haul the person aboard.
A person who has been in cold water for an extended period is vulnerable to circum-rescue collapse. This is a form of circulatory shock triggered by the sudden loss of hydrostatic pressure once they are removed from the water. For this reason, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) recommends that the casualty be recovered in a horizontal or near-horizontal position whenever possible to mitigate this risk.
Crew members assisting with the lift should secure a line to the casualty as soon as contact is made, preventing the person from drifting away. Rescuers must avoid entering the water unless they are trained rescue swimmers, are tethered to the vessel, and it is necessary, as an in-water rescue attempt risks creating a second casualty. The person should not be asked to climb or exert themselves significantly during the recovery, as their cardiovascular system is compromised by the cold.
Post-Rescue Care and Reporting
Once the person is safely on deck, immediate medical assessment is the priority, checking for consciousness, breathing, and any visible injuries. The person must be moved to a sheltered space immediately to begin treatment for hypothermia, which is expected after cold water immersion. Wet clothing should be carefully removed, and the person should be dried and wrapped in multiple layers of blankets or a specialized hypothermia wrap.
Attempt to warm the person’s core slowly by covering the head and neck. If the person is conscious, they may be given warm, non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated drinks. Physical manipulation, such as rubbing limbs, should be avoided, as this can force cold blood from the extremities back to the core, causing further temperature drop. Even if the person appears stable, they should be kept still and monitored closely, as the effects of cold water and shock can be delayed.
After the immediate medical needs are addressed, contact the appropriate authorities, such as the Coast Guard or marine patrol, to report the incident. Even a successful rescue requires reporting, and all events, actions taken, and the person’s condition should be logged in the vessel’s record. Medical professionals should assess the person at the earliest opportunity, as internal injuries or the long-term effects of near-drowning may not be immediately apparent.