"Man overboard" is the emergency every sailor prepares for and hopes never to face. The good news is that with the right response, recovering a person from the water is a well-drilled, practised procedure – and on a shared trip your skipper leads it. Still, every crew member should understand the basics, because in those first seconds everyone has a job. Here's the essential man overboard procedure, explained simply.
Prevention comes first
The best man-overboard drill is the one you never need. On board, the mantra is "one hand for you, one hand for the boat" – always hold on when moving around. In rough weather or at night, the crew clip on with safety harnesses and lifelines, and everyone stays in the cockpit unless there's a reason to go forward. Sensible movement and a tidy deck prevent the vast majority of incidents.
The immediate response
If someone does go over, seconds count. The crew acts together:
- Shout "Man overboard!" so the whole crew knows instantly.
- Throw a lifebuoy and anything that floats towards the person – both to help them and to mark the spot.
- Point – one person does nothing but keep an arm pointed at the casualty and never takes their eyes off them.
- Press the MOB button on the GPS/chartplotter to mark the exact position.
Turning back and recovery
The skipper then brings the boat back to the casualty using a practised manoeuvre, approaching slowly from downwind so the boat drifts gently towards them – never over them. Getting a person back aboard is often the hardest part: a boarding ladder, a rope, a sail used as a sling or a dedicated recovery system all help. Keeping the casualty calm and warm afterwards matters too. This is exactly why crews practise the drill in calm conditions.
Practising MOB with an instructor builds real confidence. It's a core part of every skipper training week.
Do beginners need to worry?
Not at all – the skipper leads any emergency and briefs the crew on day one. Knowing the basics simply means you can play your part calmly. More safety essentials are in our sailing wiki.
Frequently asked questions
What is the first thing to do in a man overboard situation?
Shout to alert the crew, throw a lifebuoy, assign someone to point continuously at the person, and press the MOB button on the plotter to mark the position.
How do you prevent falling overboard?
Always hold on when moving – "one hand for the boat" – and clip on with a harness and lifeline in rough weather or at night.
Who handles a man overboard on a trip?
The skipper leads the recovery and directs the crew, having briefed everyone on their role at the start of the trip.
Conclusion
Prevent, then respond: hold on, and if the worst happens, shout–throw–point–press and turn back calmly. A practised crew makes man overboard a manageable drill, not a disaster. Want to learn it hands-on? Join a skipper training week.
