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Man Overboard (MOB) Procedures

Man overboard is the most critical emergency on any vessel. Your response must be immediate, practised, and instinctive. There are three main recovery manoeuvres — which one you use depends on when the MOB was noticed and whether you're under sail or power.

Immediate Actions — Every MOB

  1. Shout "MAN OVERBOARD" — alert the entire crew immediately
  2. Throw a lifebuoy (with danbuoy and light if available) towards the casualty
  3. Press the MOB button on the GPS/plotter to mark the position
  4. Designate a spotter — one person points at the MOB continuously and never looks away
  5. Begin the recovery manoeuvre — choose the appropriate procedure below

1. Quick Stop (Crash Tack)

The fastest response. Used when the MOB is seen falling and the crew reacts immediately. Under power, this is a simple crash stop and tight turn back. Under sail, you crash-tack without releasing the jib sheets (the backed jib helps slow and turn the boat).

WINDMOB1Sailing upwind2Crash tack(keep jib sheeted)3Return to MOBQuick Stop (Crash Tack)Immediate response — used when MOB is seen falling

Steps (under sail)

  1. Immediately tack the boat — do not release the jib sheets
  2. The backed jib will slow the boat and help it bear away on the new tack
  3. When the MOB is abeam, release the jib and head up towards them
  4. Approach on a close reach, spilling wind to control speed
  5. Stop the boat alongside the MOB on the leeward side
Under power: put the helm hard over towards the side the person fell from (this kicks the stern and propeller away from them). Then circle back.

When to use: MOB seen falling, crew reacts within seconds, good visibility.

2. Williamson Turn

Used when the MOB is not immediately noticed — you may have sailed some distance before the alarm is raised. The Williamson Turn brings the vessel back along the exact reciprocal of its original course, which means you retrace your wake and pass through the point where the person fell in.

WINDMOB1Original course260° to stbd3Hard to port4Reciprocal courseWilliamson TurnDelayed discovery — returns along exact reciprocal of original course

Steps

  1. Note the compass heading. Put the helm hard over to starboard (or port — pick one and be consistent in training)
  2. When the vessel has turned 60° from the original heading, put the helm hard over the other way
  3. The vessel will swing through approximately 240° more
  4. Steady up when the heading is the reciprocal (180°) of the original course
  5. You are now heading back along your original track — search for the MOB along this line

When to use: Delayed discovery of MOB, poor visibility, night, or when you need to retrace your exact track. Primarily a power vessel manoeuvre.

3. Figure of Eight (Reach-Tack-Reach)

The standard sailing yacht MOB manoeuvre taught by the RYA. It gives the crew time to prepare while keeping the MOB in sight. The final approach is always on a close reach, which gives the best speed control — you can luff to slow down or bear away to accelerate.

WINDMOB1Close-hauled2Bear away3Gybe4Close reachto MOBFigure of Eight (Sailing)Bear away, gybe, approach on close reach — leeward side pickup

Steps

  1. Bear away onto a broad reach — this takes you away from the MOB but gives the crew time to prepare
  2. Gybe the boat (controlled gybe — preventer if possible)
  3. After the gybe, head up onto a close reach aiming to pass slightly upwind of the MOB
  4. On the close reach approach, ease sheets to slow down or sheet in to maintain speed — you have full control
  5. Stop the boat with the MOB on the leeward side for recovery
Always recover the MOB on the leeward side. This means the boat drifts towards the casualty (not away), and the boat provides a lee (shelter from wind and waves). Never approach from downwind — the boat will be blown onto the person.

When to use: Under sail, MOB seen falling, sufficient crew to handle sails. This is the standard RYA method.

Getting the Casualty Back on Board

Getting alongside is only half the job. Recovering a person from the water — especially if they're cold, exhausted, or unconscious — is physically demanding. Plan for this in advance.

  • Swim ladder — deploy immediately if the casualty is conscious and can help themselves
  • Parbuckle — roll the casualty aboard using a sail or large sheet of material passed under them (best for unconscious casualties)
  • Halyard hoist— clip a halyard to the casualty's harness or lifejacket and use a winch to lift them
  • Boarding over the transom — if the stern is low enough, this may be the easiest point
  • Specialist recovery devices— Markus Net, Jason's Cradle, or similar MOB recovery slings
Exam Tip: In the RYA Day Skipper and Yachtmaster practical exams, you will be tested on MOB recovery. The examiner typically throws a fender overboard without warning. You are expected to shout the alarm, delegate a spotter, and execute either a Quick Stop or Figure of Eight to recover the "casualty". Practise both methods until they are automatic. The Williamson Turn is less commonly examined but you must know the theory.
Pre-Sail Safety ChecklistStudy the STCW Course
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