In this session, you'll learn how to respond when a person falls overboard
by safely returning your boat to the person in the water within ten feet
in less than a minute avoiding risky or sudden maneuvers.
You'll learn that a successful retrieval begins with a passenger and crew briefing
of their responsibilities before leaving the dock.
You'll also learn how to bring the person back on board without further injury to him or her.
What problems are we trying to avoid?
Not immediately verbalizing "Man Overboard."
And not giving the order for a spotter to point at the person in the water.
Making an extra large turn of the boat or engaging in sporadic throttle control
with sliding, digging chine, or ventilating of the boat.
Taking more than two minutes to return to the person overboard.
And then, not giving an order to have passengers or crew
throw a line to an active person overboard or to reach him or her with a boat pole.
Keeping the engine running after physical contact is made
with the person overboard.
Once the person overboard is alongside, failing to create a secure hold.
Losing contact with him or her.
Not using a boarding aid to help the person
climb back into the boat.
Not assisting the person climbing on board
or retrieving the throwable flotation aid.
And not maintaining a proper lookout throughout the entire maneuver
with a spotter keeping an eye on the person overboard.
So, how do we do it right?
A successful person overboard recovery
starts with a briefing of your passengers and crew before departure, discussing how to react
to a man overboard incident and individual responsibilities.
Recovering a person in the water is a four stage process:
making contact with the person,
attaching him or her to the boat,
getting the person back aboard,
and performing aftercare.
The first individual observing the incident has the critical role of spotter
and should immediately shout loudly
"Man Overboard" and keep pointing
at the person in the water until directed otherwise
by the boat operator.
The only visible part of a person overboard is his or her head above water
and that quickly looks smaller-and-smaller to the eye
as distance increases.
Do not lose sight of the person overboard.
Other crew members should immediately throw flotation aids to the person overboard
if they are sure the aids will reach the person,
otherwise wait until the boat returns.
Having a line attached to the throwable makes it more useful for retrieving the person.
The helmsman must maintain safe operation of the boat
and keep a forward lookout.
In calm or moderate seas, he or she should shout "Hold On"
and reduce speed, drop off plane, and shift
the throttle to neutral minimizing the distance
from the person in the water.
In heavy sea conditions, avoid pitch-polling or rolling in adjusting vessel speed and direction.
If there is sufficient crew, assign one individual
to maintain a lookout for other boats and objects in the water
during the entire maneuver.
Otherwise this remains the responsibility of the helmsman.
Most important,
have your spotter,
who is pointing at the person overboard, move forward into the sight of the helmsan
to aid in the final approach.
Make your final approach to the person in the water
as a controlled turn of the boat at the slowest speed, using intermittent throttle,
if possible heading into the wind or current for maximum control.
This is the most critical step in a quick recovery.
Position the side of your boat within eight-to-ten feet
from the person overboard
on the upwind side --
between the person and the wind.
This will help the boat drift toward him or her.
Stop your boat before reaching the person but close enough
to reach him or her using a boat pole
or by throwing a line a short distance.
If an adjustment is needed to get closer,
when the person overboard is amidship,
turn the helm away from the person in order to bring the stern closer.
When you have positioned your boat alongside
the active person overboard,
throw a flotation device
attached to a line, or just a line,
or reach him or her with a boat pole.
In calm to moderate seas,
turn off your engine once physical contact is made with the person.
With the engine off, put it in gear to prevent prop freewheeling.
In heavy sea conditions, leave your engine on
to avoid pitch-polling, rolling, or capsizing.
Pull the person overboard alongside
and use a lifesling or looped line attached to the boat to create a secure hold
and ensure you will not lose control of the person
should he or she weaken.
Use a swim platform, ladder, or other boarding aid
to help the active person climb back into the boat.
Assist the person in climbing on board
and monitor the health of the recovered individual.
Treat for hypothermia if necessary
and call for medical assistance as warranted.
Retrieve the throwable flotation aids.
If the person overboard is unconscious,
check for injury.
Only bring the person on board if this can be done safely.
Otherwise secure the person to the side of the boat in a safe position
and call for help.
And again, maintain a proper lookout throughout the entire maneuver
with an eye on the person overboard.
With practice, should a person fall overboard, returning your boat to the person in the water
within ten feet in less than a minute
will become your natural response.
You'll also know what you need to do to bring the person back on board safely.