Overboard recovery techniques

In case of emergency

Know and practice the following emergency procedures with your family to lessen panic in an emergency.

If someone falls overboard, sound the alarm immediately and then:

• Slow down, stop if possible and throw something buoyant to assist the person (this will also mark the spot if the person submerges).
• Assign someone to monitor the person overboard.
• Carefully manoeuvre to recover the person overboard.

Recovery

Use a buoyant heaving line, or a lifebuoy secured to the vessel with a line, and recover the person from the windward side (side the wind is blowing toward). A heavy rope, chain or cable secured at both ends and draped over the side (almost touching the water) can provide a makeshift step if necessary.

Different boats, different methods

Sailors and power boaters should be familiar with different overboard recover techniques and should decide which techniques should be used considering the weather, water conditions and the condition of the person overboard.

Get prepared

Ask yourself: Could you retrieve a person from the water if they could not help themselves? If you fell overboard, could your family lift you to safety? When someone's size, or when the freeboard of the vessel makes it difficult to carry out a rescue by hand, equipment such as lifting slings and rigging are recommended, if not already required for your vessel.

Factoring in the weather

In certain weather conditions, and on some boats, wearing a safety harness with a quick release mechanism and a safety line secured to your boat is wise. This keeps you from falling overboard unless your boat is overturned in the water.