Falling overboard can happen. While you’re better off focusing on preventing it from happening, it’s useful to know how to perform a man overboard (MOB) procedure. Being able to retrieve a person from the water is extremely important, as we can only survive for a certain amount of time at sea.

Why do people fall overboard? They can slip on a wet deck or lose their balance while working overside. In the event of a boat accident, the impact from the crash can cause people to fall into the water, too.

We listed the steps you need to take if someone falls overboard on your boat below. Memorise them and practice each one, so you’re prepared for an emergency.

1) REDUCE SPEED

Slow the boat down immediately. If you’re on a motorboat, decelerate. If you’re on a sailboat, lower the sails and turn on the engine.

2) SHOUT: “MAN OVERBOARD!”

The first important step is to make everyone on board aware of the situation. This ensures that all crew members can help handle the emergency. No one should jump in the water.

3) PUSH THE “MAN OVERBOARD” (MOB) BUTTON ON YOUR CHARTPLOTTER

Ideally, you should mark the position of the man overboard, so you can make your way back to it, should you be unable to see the person in the water. Knowing the position of the man overboard is also important in case you need to call search and rescue services.

4) THROW A LIFEBUOY RING IN THE WATER

Next, throw a lifebuoy ring, horseshoe, or lifejacket in the water. Anything that floats will help. Stay calm. Aim for the person overboard when you throw the floatation aid into the water. They need to be able to swim to reach it and hold onto it.

Floating in the water can be challenging in some weather conditions, so it’s crucial that everyone wears a lifejacket on boats.

If you’re not alone on the boat, ask someone to throw the lifebuoy ring, so you can jump to the next step in the process right away.

5) KEEP A CLOSE EYE ON THE MAN OVERBOARD

Ask a crew member or two to focus on not losing sight of the person in the water. If you’re alone, turn around often to check on their position. If you haven’t marked the position in which the person fell into the water, it’s especially important that you keep a close eye on them at all times. Objects and people quickly disappear among the waves.

6) TURN THE BOAT AROUND

Take the necessary steps it takes for your boat to safely turn around and motor or sail in the direction of the man overboard. Scan the area around you and choose the right time to turn. If you’re on a sailboat, prepare to trim the sails for the new direction you’re travelling towards.

7) PUSH THE DISTRESS BUTTON ON THE VHF RADIO

While you’re making your way back to the person, push the red distress button on your VHF radio and make a “Mayday” call on channel 16. Remember to include your position in your call.

8) PULL ALONGSIDE THE MAN OVERBOARD

As you get closer to the person in the water, make sure to approach them from downwind (with the breeze against you) or into the current, depending on whichever is stronger.

9) TURN THE ENGINE INTO NEUTRAL

Once you’re close to the person, put the engine into neutral, so the propeller cannot hurt them. Don’t turn the engine off completely, in case the person gets detached from the boat and starts drifting away.

10) HELP THE PERSON GET BACK ONBOARD

Once the person is hanging onto the boat, help them get back onto the boat, preferably at the stern, or at the lowest point of the freeboard. If you have a safe sling or swim ladder, deploy it over the side near them. If you don’t, you may have to use a line or blanket to try and lift or roll them back into the vessel.

On smaller boats, remember to keep the weight balanced, so the vessel doesn’t capsize.

11) OFFER ASSISTANCE

Once the person is back on board, assess any potential injuries. Get them to lie down and make them warm. They are probably cold and exhausted.

Depending on the situation, you may have to skip some of these steps. For example, if you’re alone, you may not be able to make a Mayday call. If that’s the case, here are the simplified, essential steps you need to take in a man overboard situation:

Reduce speed
Throw a lifebuoy ring to the man overboard
Don’t lose sight of them
Turn the boat around
Establish your position in case you need to call search and rescue services
Pull along side the person, against the wind or current
Turn the engine into neutral
Help the person back on board.

If you can’t locate the person in the water, place a Mayday call. Keep searching while they come.

Getting the MOB procedure right takes practice. We recommend doing MOB drills regularly, so you get used to performing all the steps in the correct order.

Remember: preventing an MOB from happening is a lot easier than rescuing a person from the water. Wear a lifejacket at all times and move carefully around the boat. For more tips on how to prevent falling overboard, check out this article.

HOW TO DEAL WITH A MAN OVERBOARD (MOB) SITUATION