Lesson 1 of 8 · 1 min
Man Overboard
| Priority sequence |
|---|
| 1. Raise the alarm — shout "Man Overboard" and press the MOB button on GPS/ECDIS to mark position |
| 2. Post a lookout — dedicated person keeps eyes on the person in the water at all times. Never lose visual contact |
| 3. Throw lifebuoy with light and smoke — immediately, as close to the MOB as possible |
| 4. Call the Master — immediately |
| 5. Sound alarm / all hands — MOB signal: three long blasts on the ship's whistle |
| 6. Broadcast Mayday or Pan-Pan — Mayday if life in danger, Pan-Pan if serious but not immediately life-threatening |
| 7. Manoeuvre the vessel — Master will direct the turn and recovery |
| 8. Prepare rescue boat or swimmer — per vessel's SMS |
MOB Turns
- Williamson Turn: Hard over to the side of MOB → when 60° off course, hard over opposite → come back on reciprocal course. Good in restricted visibility — returns to original track
- Anderson Turn: Hard over to side of MOB → full circle back. Fastest — use in good visibility
- Scharnow Turn: Hard over → steady on 240° from original → hard over opposite → come back on reciprocal. Used when time has elapsed
Key Points
- Never lose visual contact — the lookout's job is solely to point at the MOB
- Press MOB on GPS the moment the alarm is raised
- Note time, position, course, speed, sea state
- Consider drift — wind and current will move the MOB
- Approach from downwind — control the recovery
- Have crew ready with recovery equipment before coming alongside
Try it
Emergency decision simulator
Work through the first minutes of an emergency, decision by decision.
Say it out loud. Talk “Man overboard — immediate actions and recovery” through with the live Tutor.
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