All boat owners need to be aware of these man overboard procedures. There is no doubt that a man overboard can be quite a scary event, but if you are aware of the right man overboard procedures to follow, you will be able to help the man overboard in a cool and calm manner if it happens. Being prepared stops panic.



Always use your voice and shout "MAN OVERBOARD!" This allows all on the boat to be aware and to be able to pitch in and help where it is needed.

Next you need to throw the closest floatable object into the water. This will help to mark where you are at in the water for the coast guard and other boaters to see you. Do this even if the man overboard does not come up, it again is to mark your spot.

You should take a compass reading immediately in order to help you to locate the man overboard when you turn the boat around to pick him up. If you are heading away from the person that has fallen overboard and he is directly behind you, you should simply note the reverse position to the heading on your compass.

In heavy seas it is possible that you may lose sight of the person, so having taken a reading, this will help to make sure that you can head back along a line that should bring you back to the position where the man overboard situation first occurred.

If the man overboard is visible, throw a life buoy as close to the man as possible so that he can swim to it. If the man overboard did not have a personal floatation device on, try to get one of those out to him as well.

It is required by law to have a personal floatation device on board for every person that is boating with you. The man overboard will then at least have something to hold on to if he is not able to swim back to the boat. This will be especially useful if you are in heavy weather.

Always let the weather help you (where possible) and use the winds to drift back into the man overboard. Make certain that whoever is trying to assist in getting him back on board is also wearing a lifejacket. You may even want to tie a line to his waist and secure the other end of the line to the boat.

After you get your man back aboard and have returned to the shore safely, if you have not taken a boating course, this might be something that you want to consider.

Your local marina will be able to tell you the best place to go to get a course in boating and sailing. Usually your local coast guard offers safety courses for boat owners.