Boat Smart - Man Overboard
Published: Tuesday, April 23, 2019
By: Captain Fred Davis
Capt. Fred Davis is a retired charter captain and nationally published author of boating articles. His “Boat Smart” articles are published online at www.tipsforboating.com.
Man overboard incidents are difficult to handle for both the people aboard the boat and rescue personal. Response to an actual incident is never without great risks and each man overboard case differs, but all dictate the necessity for quick action, especially because instant panic can occur. Assuming that a person will not panic is foolhardy.
Man overboard drills would help ensure that a planned procedure is executed if a real need arose. The plan and its implementation should dictate steps to be taken.
The first step is get close enough to the person in the water to throw a floatation device, ring buoy, or cushion. If you have someone else aboard, direct them to keep visual contact by pointing with an outstretched arm toward the victim. This will assist you in maneuvering to a pick up point.
While maneuvering the boat to the position of the person in the water, place a MAYDAY call on your VHF radio stating “man overboard”, along with your present position and your vessel name. You have now alerted the nearest rescue assistance as well as other boats in the area.
If you are unsuccessful in placing the floatation device near the person in the water, throw anything that will float in their direction. Life jackets, coolers, fish boxes - they all have buoyancy and may help keep the person afloat. If you throw a polyline, fasten one end to your vessel but remember to use extreme caution to avoid fouling the rope in your drive system. After all, if your vessel becomes disabled, you will be unable to assist the person overboard.
Approach downwind of the person to best avoid running over them. As soon as you have a line to them or they have a hold on the boat, put the engine in neutral to avoid them having any contact with the propellers. Keep in mind that they may still be in a panicked state or perhaps exhausted, and may need extra assistance. If you are in a small boat, be additionally careful not to capsize the boat while bringing the person aboard.
DO NOT place additional persons overboard unless there is no other means of retrieving the person from the water. If you must put additional people in the water, be certain they have life jackets on, which are properly fastened before entering the water, and have them take a life line, if possible.
If you cannot retrieve the person, keep them in sight and repeat your original MAYDAY call, giving your boat’s position, and include a description of the person in the water. Should you successfully retrieve the person from the water, go back to the radio and notify all stations to “cancel MAYDAY, person is retrieved.”
A man overboard experience can be very difficult and stressful. The success of the rescue will depend on your ability to function quickly in a level-headed manner. A practice drill can help you know how to react. When practicing, do not put a person in the water. Simply throw a life jacket, float, or fender overboard and try to retrieve it as fast as possible.
If you have a regular fishing or boating partner, be sure they know what you may expect of them in this or any other type of emergency while underway.
If you’d like additional tips, you can find many resources online by searching “man overboard drill.”
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It is with a heavy heart and deep sorrow that GLS learned of Fred Davis’ passing shortly after receiving this - his last article. Fred Davis passed Saturday, Feb. 9, in Port Austin, Mich., surrounded by family. Survived by his wife of 61 years, Pat, and their four girls, as well as several grandchildren and two new great-grandchildren, Fred’s advice - learned over a lifetime of boating - will be deeply missed. Any memorial contributions are asked to be made to United Protestant Church, P.O. Box 129, Port Austin, MI. 48467.
The Great Lakes Scuttlebutt crew salutes you, Captain, as you make your final voyage. May you find smooth sailing, forever more.
This article first appeared in the Spring Issue (Mar/Apr) 2019 of Great Lakes Scuttlebutt magazine.
tags: Boating 101, safety
