It's every skipper's nightmare: a sudden splash, a shout, and someone is in the water. Man overboard (MOB) situations can happen to anyone — in calm conditions, rough seas, day or night. Knowing exactly what to do before it happens could save a life. Let's walk through it.
Step 1: Shout and Point
The moment someone goes overboard, shout "Man overboard!" loudly and clearly so the entire crew is alerted. Immediately assign one person to do nothing but point at the person in the water and never take their eyes off them. In choppy water, a person's head can disappear from sight surprisingly fast — that spotter is critical.
Step 2: Throw Flotation Immediately
Throw your Type IV throwable PFD (life ring or cushion) as close to the person as possible. Even if they're a strong swimmer, flotation buys time and energy. If you have a MOB buoy or horseshoe buoy, deploy it. Every second they stay afloat is a second you have to get back to them.
Step 3: Hit the MOB Button on Your GPS/Chartplotter
Most modern chartplotters have a dedicated Man Overboard button. Press it immediately — it marks the exact GPS coordinates of the incident. This is invaluable if you lose visual contact or conditions deteriorate. Know where this button is before you ever need it.
Step 4: Radio a Mayday if Needed
If recovery is going to be difficult — rough seas, injured person, nighttime — transmit a Mayday on VHF Channel 16 immediately. Give your vessel name, position, number of people aboard, and the nature of the emergency. Don't wait to see if you can handle it alone.
Step 5: Return to the Person
There are several recognized MOB recovery maneuvers. The most common for recreational boaters is the Williamson Turn or the simpler Quick Stop: immediately throttle back, turn toward the side the person fell from, circle around, and approach slowly from downwind/downcurrent. Come alongside slowly — a propeller strike can be fatal.
Step 6: Get Them Back Aboard Safely
This is harder than it sounds, especially if the person is exhausted, hypothermic, or injured. Have a boarding ladder deployed. A rescue sling, swim step, or even a looped line can help. Never reach out and let the boat drift over them. If they can't help themselves, you may need to enter the water with a line attached — but only if you're confident and properly equipped.
Practice Makes the Difference
Run MOB drills with your crew using a fender or cushion as a stand-in. Time yourselves. Practice the radio call. Walk through who does what. The chaos of a real emergency is no time to figure it out. A crew that's drilled is a crew that's ready.
Remember: Cold water shock can incapacitate a person in minutes. Speed and preparation are everything. Know your boat, know your crew, and practice before you need it. 🚨