Crew overboard

The best solution is to never go overboard:

• work in teams
• avoid the sides
• keep your centre of gravity inboard
• be careful of heavy seas and night time.

Keep the COB in sight

• Never take your eyes off the COB
• use your arm to indicate direction
• you will spot someone better if you keep on the main deck - your eyes will spot the silhouette of the COB's head as it rises with the swell on the horizon
• going aloft will waste time, may cause more trouble and you will lose sight of the COB
• throw anything that floats into the water to mark the place
• place a COB mark on the GPS

Turn around quickly

A simple U turn is good in a small vessel. Know the number of seconds you need to hold the wheel hard over at normal traveling speed to gain the reciprocal (opposite) course.

A Williamson turn is also very effective because it brings you back on the same course.
 

U turn You can see that the vessel will not arrive at the COB.	Williamson turn Crew members should be trained to yell "Crew overboard starboard" in this case so you know which way to turn the wheel. There is a danger in the propeller injuring the COB however it will happen so quickly that you probably won't react in time!

Bringing the COB aboard

Plan to use the side of the vessel where your wheel is - this will give you better vision when the COB is close by.
Stop your vessel slightly upwind to give the COB a 'lee' and then drift onto them. The danger here is that the vessel rolls and injures the COB so in heavy sea conditions it may be better to head in to the weather.

Jeff Watts, October 2015