Equipment Outfitters

In many cases, if a member of your crew falls overboard it is not a life-threatening situation since the boat is maneuverable and it is relatively easy to get the person back on board. But the energy-sapping effects of cold water, the difficulty of swimming with soggy clothing or the possibility of injury could turn the situation serious. The swimmer should be retrieved as quickly as possible.

When recovering the swimmer, it is important to keep the person close to the boat so that he or she doesn’t drift away. A dock line can be thrown to the person for this purpose. On a small powerboat, be sure to maintain proper balance. Your entire crew should not rush to one side of the boat to help in the recovery unless every person is absolutely needed. Calm should prevail throughout the procedure.

Five Basic Steps in a Man Overboard Situation

1. Get buoyancy to the person.
2. Stop the boat.
3. Return to the person.
4. Connect the person to the boat.
5. Recover the person on board.

Buoyancy

As soon as possible, someone should throw a buoyant cushion or life jacket to the swimmer. Keep a Type IV cushion ready in the cockpit for this purpose.

Stopping

Throttle back immediately and have. one of your crew members watch the swimmer at all times. In calm water this poses no problem but in rough seas a swimmer’s head can be hard to spot. At night, use a flashlight to spotlight the swimmer.

Returning

Approach from the downwind side so you don’t drift down onto the swimmer. Plan your approach to keep the swimmer on the driver’s side for visibility and have your crew rig a boarding ladder.

Connecting

In the absence of a tethered cushion or life jacket, a dock line with a loop tied in the end can be thrown to the swimmer, to be slipped around the chest to keep the person nearby as the boat drifts with the gearshift in neutral.

Recovery

If the swimmer is in good condition, coming aboard via a boarding ladder is the easiest method of retrieval. Most small powerboats have low sides and even a heavy person can be pulled aboard by members of the crew. If there is no ladder, the engine can be stopped and the swimmer can use the sterndrive or outboard as a step.

Note

There is often the temptation for a crew member to jump into the water to help the swimmer. This should be avoided unless the swimmer is in trouble since it doubles the number of people to recover. If anyone goes to the assistance of a swimmer, he or she must wear a PFD and be attached to the boat with a sturdy line.

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