International Sign for Man Overboard

A person may fall overboard for many reasons: he may be struck by the boom, or the spinnaker, due to slippery deck or an unexpected movement of the boat.

In that case we have the Man Overboard case.

Man overboard is a situation in which a person has fallen off a boat, yacht or ship into the water and is to be rescued. Whoever sees the person’s fall should shout «man overboard» to alert others and should maintain visual contact with the person in the water by pointing continuously to the victim, to reassure him that he is spotted.

When you first discover that someone has fallen overboard, the most important thing is “DON’T PANIC!”

Immediately throw the lifebuoy together with its smoke float/light unit overboard, but never directly, at a person in the water The person in the water may not be able to reach it, however it will mark his approximate position.

Keep pointing the man continuously.

Ensure that the helmsman is aware of the situation. He should mark down the boat’s position. It may prove vital if contact is lost with the person in the water.

In most circumstances and weather conditions, recovery of a person from the water should be carried out from the weather side of your vessel. This prevents the vessel from drifting down on top of them and reduces the risk of ropes and heaving lines, being used for the recovery, from fouling the propeller.

In poor visibility or when the weather and sea state are heavy, the ‘Williamson Turn’ is a good way for the helmsman to get back on to a reciprocal course which will take you back down the track.

– Put the helm hard over to starboard and add 60° to your initial course.

– On the new heading, put the helm hard over to port.

– When the compass is reading the initial course + 180° steer a reciprocal course and the casualty should be ahead of you.