Man Overboard (MOB) Situation

A man overboard situation is always serious. It should be practiced beforehand in calm weather, because during a storm, in the dark or in fog, there is no time for practice.

Anyone who falls overboard from a small boat should always be assisted back onboard from the stern, because assisting over the side may cause the boat to capsize. A rope loop attached to the boat makes lifting easier. If the boat has a swim ladder, use it to help the person back onboard. The ladder should reach about half a meter below the water surface and must be the type that can be fully deployed even from the water.

SEE MARINEKAUPPA’S SELECTION OF LIFEBUOYS

General Procedure

In a rescue situation, you often have only minutes. A well-practiced rescue typically follows these steps:

1. The person who notices the accident must shout loudly “Man overboard!”
   Everyone onboard is needed to assist.

2. Throw a lifebuoy immediately, even if the person is already wearing a life jacket.

3. Keep constant visual contact with the person in the water.
   The person navigating should also note the compass heading and the time, in case the person disappears from sight.

4. On a sailboat:

   • Start the engine

   • Head into the wind

   • Lower the sails

   • Turn and approach the person so that the boat is broadside to the wind and the person is on the sheltered (leeward) side

   • Let the boat drift toward the person and use the propeller only as needed to maintain control and make contact at midship

It is difficult to define strict rules for every emergency, but generally it is safer to approach from upwind rather than downwind, as this prevents drifting away from the person. However, in high waves an upwind position may cause the boat to strike the person in the water. Use your judgement—what matters most is reaching the person quickly.

If a child goes overboard, an adult must always jump in after them with a lifebuoy — but someone must remain on the boat to maneuver.

Rescue Sling (Baltic 9606-000-1 – GALANOS BROS)

Baltic’s instructions for using a Rescue Sling.

If the Boat Capsizes

• Stay with the boat and hold on.

• Throw a grab line over the overturned hull.

• Do not let the oars drift away.

• Try to re-enter the swamped boat from the stern.

If the Boat Sinks

• Share out all floating equipment: oars, floorboards, buoyant cushions.

• Stay together and head toward the nearest shore or send the strongest swimmer for help.

• Help the weakest members of the group.

• Signal for help.

Practice man overboard drills in summer and calm conditions!

Emergency Beacons and Distress Calls

There are emergency beacons that help locate a person who has fallen overboard. Some send an automatic distress call directly to authorities.

See emergency beacons here: Emergency Beacons – Marinekauppa

At sea, distress calls are sent using Digital Selective Calling (DSC). DSC is a method for sending and receiving calls targeted to:

• one specific station

• all stations in a defined area

• all stations within range

Recreational boats typically use a VHF radio equipped with DSC. These radios have a “Distress” button that sends an automated distress message.

A DSC distress message contains:

• the vessel’s location

• the nature of the emergency

• the type of distress alert

Some devices send a general distress alert that includes the vessel’s Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) and its GPS location, if connected to a GPS or navigation network.

See VHF radios here: Marine VHF – Marinekauppa.com

Source: Veneilyn aapinen | Finnboat (Finnish Marine Industries Federation), TKK Telecommunications Laboratory