Step-by-Step Man Overboard Drill for Powerboats & RIBs

Objective

To react promptly to a man overboard situation, return to the casualty safely and recover them from the water as quickly as possible, while keeping them in sight throughout the manoeuvre.

The precise man overboard drill will vary according to the vessel, its equipment, the number and ability of the crew, and the prevailing conditions. However, the procedure can generally be divided into three stages:

1. Initial actions
2. Returning to the casualty
3. Recovering the casualty aboard

Hopefully your MOB is wearing a Lifejacket or Buoyancy Aid, if they are not, their chance of survival is reduced.

Stage 1 — Initial Actions

Stabilise the Situation

When someone falls overboard:

• Reduce speed immediately and safely.
• Initially, continue driving straight ahead while the boat slows down. Turning sharply towards the casualty could bring the stern and propeller closer to them.
• Ensure that all remaining passengers stay seated, balanced and secure.
• Check the surrounding area for other vessels, rocks, shallow water and navigational hazards.

Raise the Alarm

Some of these actions will take place simultaneously:

• Shout, “Man overboard!”
• Nominate one person as the dedicated spotter. Point directly at them and instruct them to maintain continuous visual contact with the casualty.
• Press the MOB button on the chartplotter or multifunction display, where fitted.
• Throw a lifebuoy, flotation cushion or other floating aid immediately, even when the casualty appears able to swim.
• Make an appropriate VHF distress call or DSC alert when assistance may be required.

Golden rule: Never lose visual contact with the casualty.

The spotter should continue pointing at the casualty throughout the manoeuvre. In waves, poor visibility or bright sunlight, a person in the water can disappear from view remarkably quickly.

Stage 2 — Returning to the Casualty

Use a controlled turn to bring the boat back towards the casualty.

• Slow the boat sufficiently to assess the wind and conditions.
• Decide which recovery approach is most appropriate for the vessel and circumstances.
• Brief the crew clearly.
• Assign a crew member to make a DSC distress alert and voice Mayday call when necessary.
• Avoid high-speed manoeuvres close to the casualty.

Two common approaches are described below.

Approach A — Into-Wind Technique

Position the boat downwind of the casualty, with the bow pointing into the wind and towards them.

Use small amounts of forward gear to move towards the casualty, spending considerable time in neutral. Decide whether the casualty will be recovered on the port or starboard side and communicate this clearly to the crew.

The aim is to reach the casualty:

• At the slowest possible speed
• With the boat under control
• With the engine in neutral
• At the vessel’s designated recovery position

Plan the approach so that reverse gear is not required close to the casualty. Reverse should only be used with extreme caution, while the casualty remains well clear of the stern and propeller.

Approach B — Drift-Down Technique

Position the boat upwind of the casualty, approximately beam-on to both the wind and the casualty.

Allow the boat to drift sideways towards them. The wind, helm position and casualty should ideally lie roughly in line across the boat.

Small amounts of forward or reverse gear may occasionally be needed while the casualty is still safely distant, particularly because the bow may blow downwind faster than the stern. However, the final part of the approach should be completed in neutral.

On an open boat, contact may be made amidships, where the freeboard is often lower. Other vessels may require a different contact point so that a crew member can safely reach and secure the casualty.

The Effect of Tidal Stream

Wind is normally the most important factor when planning the final approach because the casualty and vessel will initially be carried in broadly the same direction by the tidal stream.

However, tidal stream must not be ignored completely. Differences in windage, leeway, local currents, eddies and the time taken to manoeuvre can cause the boat and casualty to separate. The helm should therefore continue to monitor both the casualty’s movement and the vessel’s track throughout the recovery.

The Final Approach

For either approach:

• Shift into neutral whenever close to the casualty.
• Brief the crew on which side and position will be used for recovery.
• Prepare the necessary recovery equipment, which may include:
  • Lifebuoy
  • Throw line
  • Rescue sling
  • Boarding ladder
  • MOB recovery system
  • Boat hook, used only to bring a line or flotation aid within reach—not to hook the casualty
• Approach at the slowest speed that maintains control.
• Aim to stop with the casualty alongside the helm position or designated boarding area.

As soon as a crew member confirms that they have firm contact with the casualty, stop the engine.

This ensures that the casualty cannot come into contact with a rotating propeller. There may be exceptional circumstances in which stopping the engine would place the vessel in immediate danger, but in the overwhelming majority of small-boat MOB situations, stopping the engine once contact has been made is the safest option.

Stage 3 — Recovering the Casualty

Recovery is often most difficult at the bow because this is usually where the freeboard is highest. The casualty should normally be moved towards a lower section of the vessel, a boarding ladder or a designated recovery point.

There are many different recovery methods, each suited to a particular vessel, crew and set of conditions.

If the Casualty Is Conscious

• Reassure them and encourage them to assist where able.
• Use the boarding ladder or fitted MOB recovery system.
• Assist them using grab handles, a rescue sling or suitable lifting equipment.
• Keep the casualty clear of the stern and propeller area.

If the Casualty Is Exhausted

• Secure them alongside before attempting recovery.
• Support them beneath the arms or by using a properly positioned sling.
• Use several crew members to assist where possible.
• Keep their body as close to horizontal as reasonably practicable, particularly after prolonged cold-water immersion.
• Do not rely on the casualty to climb unaided.

If the Casualty Is Unconscious

• Keep their airway clear of the water.
• Secure them immediately to prevent separation from the vessel.
• Use all available crew and recovery equipment.
• Recover them as horizontally as reasonably practicable.
• Avoid lifting them by the arms alone.
• Once aboard, begin the appropriate first-aid response immediately.

A conscious casualty may become exhausted or lose consciousness during the recovery, so crew members must remain prepared to support their full weight.

Post-Recovery Actions

Once the casualty is aboard:

• Check for a response.
• Open the airway and assess breathing.
• Begin CPR and use an AED where required.
• Treat any injuries.
• Remove wet clothing when it is safe and practical to do so.
• Protect the casualty from wind and further heat loss.
• Insulate them from the deck.
• Treat for cold-water shock and hypothermia.
• Update the Coastguard by VHF.
• Follow any instructions given by the Coastguard or medical services.

Even when the casualty appears well, continue to monitor them closely. Cold-water immersion, aspiration of water and other complications may not always be immediately apparent.

Key Safety Points

• Keep the casualty in sight at all times.
• Slow down early.
• Nominate a dedicated spotter.
• Throw flotation immediately.
• Choose an approach suited to the vessel and conditions.
• Use neutral gear whenever close to the casualty.
• Stop the engine once firm contact has been made.
• Keep the casualty away from the stern and propeller.
• Use the side, boarding area or designated recovery point rather than the bow.
• Communicate clearly and remain calm.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Turning sharply towards the casualty immediately after they fall overboard, bringing the stern and propeller closer to them.
• Reacting with uncontrolled, high-speed manoeuvres.
• Causing a second man overboard by failing to secure the remaining crew.
• Failing to nominate a dedicated spotter.
• Losing sight of the casualty.
• Forgetting to throw flotation immediately.
• Driving directly at the casualty from upwind.
• Approaching too quickly.
• Allowing the bow or hull to run over the casualty.
• Using reverse gear close to the casualty.
• Leaving the engine in gear during the final approach or recovery.
• Allowing the casualty near a rotating propeller.
• Attempting recovery over a high bow rather than at a lower or designated recovery point.
• Failing to prepare the recovery equipment before making contact.

Training Tip

Practise MOB recovery regularly using a floating fender, buoy or purpose-made training dummy as the simulated casualty. A small weight or drogue can help prevent a very light object from being blown across the surface unrealistically.

Practise:

• Both recovery approaches
• Recovery on both sides of the vessel
• Different wind strengths and directions
• Different sea states
• Day and reduced-visibility conditions
• Recovery with different crew numbers
• Recovery of a simulated unconscious casualty
• The use of the vessel’s actual recovery equipment

Regular practice helps the helm and crew develop calm, coordinated and controlled recovery techniques before they are required in a real emergency.