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Before continuing, be sure to visit Part 1 of this series [here] if you haven't already!
In Part 1, we covered how Crew Overboard (MOB) situations, while rare, are something every boater must be prepared for. It’s a life-threatening event that can escalate quickly, especially under stress, poor visibility, or cold water conditions.
Part 2 dives into more practical recovery strategies every skipper and crew member should know, whether you're under sail or power.
MOB recovery can be safely done using your boat’s engine power. Many circumstances—cold water, high waves, or your lack of confidence in you and your crew’s sailing skills—may make it more prudent, more appealing, and simple, to use your engine to get back to your MOB as fast as possible.
Even with small waves, a person can be lost in only a few boat lengths. As long as lines don’t foul the propeller or the din of sails distract the crew and visibility too much, engaging power can give a reassuring degree of control.
Before starting the engine:
Ensure the throttle is in neutral (some sailors lock the shaft by placing the engine in reverse when offshore).
Ensure no lines are over the side.
Be especially aware of your speed in approaching the MOB — slow enough not to maim, fast enough to maintain steerage.
Be aware of the propeller when close to the MOB.
The following is a diagram showing a MOB recovery starting from a close-haul point of sail where the MOB situation occurs.
MOB happens. First, immediately announce “Man Overboard.”
Appoint a dedicated watch-person.
Get a life ring and anything else that floats overboard.
Hit the MOB button on your GPS.
Gain control of crew.
Ensure no lines are overboard.
Start your engine.
Head into the wind and begin a crash tack.
Tighten up the main sheet.
Maintain control of the crew. Act decisively with your crew.
Furl or drop the headsail.
Turn downwind to approach your MOB.
Get throw-lines ready and cleated to the boat.
Communicate your plan to the remaining crew.
Drive the boat to a downwind position.
Bring the boat around.
Ensure the boat and your crew are ready for pickup.
Head toward your MOB from downwind.
Next, bring the boat alongside the MOB.
If you don’t have a transom platform on your boat you will need a block and tackle, a spare halyard, or the boom topping lift to get your MOB on board.
Be aware that pulling a person out of the water is virtually impossible; they are heavy, you may not have much strength, though adrenaline will help. Your boat is equipped with all types of winches, blocks, and halyards, so use them.
Next time you’re on your boat, plan what you would do to get a heavy person back into your boat. Buy equipment if necessary.
Note: Transoms can snap off, particularly those that are lowered to water level – it has happened in crisis. Be prepared to adapt.
The deep beam reach shown in the below video is also useful for an MOB recovery when the course has been anywhere from upwind to a broad reach. It involves:
Sailing a broad reach to a position slightly away from the MOB
Tacking
Bearing downwind a little, so as to make the approach on a close reach
Caution: This method requires more space, which may increase the chance of losing sight of the MOB. In waves, this can be fatal. If they lose visual, then your crew needs to try to maintain sound contact with the MOB.
A close reach is a good point of sail to approach a MOB under sail, because you can easily depower or repower the mainsail to control the final approach and stop.
Steps:
MOB verbal announcement, flotation deployment, crew assignments.
Bear away to a broad reach.
Trim the mainsail, furl, or drop jib if you have sufficient crew.
Tack around.
Sail back toward the MOB, such that the final approach will be on a close reach.
Prior to reaching the victim, depower the mainsail by letting it out.
Turn upwind on to a close-reach angle.
Let the boat’s momentum carry it slightly windward of the victim. Stop next to them.
Avoid overshooting. If you stop short, you can power the mainsail slightly by bringing it in.
Positioning:
Being windward of the MOB is generally best, because the windage will push the boat toward the MOB.
However, in high waves, the boat can be lifted on top of the MOB and potentially cause injury. In this case, you may consider falling off to leeward — but be aware the boat may drift too fast away from the MOB. This is why engaging the engine is often helpful for holding position close to the MOB.
This is the fastest means for returning to a victim, as it always keeps the boat relatively close by. It is basically a tack followed by a big circle back to the MOB.
Steps:
MOB announcement, flotation deployment, crew assignments.
Immediately tack the boat.
Begin the turn downwind; ignore the jib if the crew is unavailable.
Tighten jib sheets if they are flailing or hazardous.
Continue turning directly downwind. Ease out the mainsheet.
Sail downwind for only a boat length or two.
Trim sails if possible, drop or furl the jib.
Control the mainsheet and prepare to gybe.
Gybe the boat.
Sail upwind and to windward of the victim.
Angle the boat on a close reach. Luff, furl, or drop all sails to stop.
Ensure no lines are over the side before starting the engine.
Be especially careful of the boat’s momentum in approaching the MOB. Maintain steerage.
Be aware of the propeller when close to MOB.
Always during sailing have lines and throwable flotation available within quick reach.
Consider specialized MOB hoisting gear when your boat does not have an easy entry transom.
Even if your boat has a transom, it may be the type which lowers. Secure the MOB by line to the boat in case you lose the transom under strain.
Stow a change of clothes and a blanket on your boat.
If the person is hypothermic, lay them on their back and allow circulation to reinvigorate the body.
Do not stand them up or provide alcohol — this can trigger cardiac events.
It is your decision on how to get back to the crew member (MOB) as fast as possible depending on conditions and your ability.
Some instructors teach only the sail-back method due to concern over fouling the prop, which in rare cases could cause water ingress through the stuffing box.
Others recommend starting the engine and motoring back while dousing the sails, removing the reliance on precise sailing skills in a crisis.
Still others favor the heave-to method (outlined in part 1).
It is a contentious point among instructors. We leave it up to you as the skipper who knows your own abilities the best.
If you are not confident about sailing back, don’t sail — but always check for lines in the water before starting the engine.
If you are confident in a heave-to, crash tack, or other sail method, go for it.
The key is to practice in all conditions. Train hard—fight easy!
The next time you’re heading out, practice the methods discussed. You’re the skipper. Become an expert at being able to save a life when called upon in an MOB situation.
Note that you will be called upon to do it at some time in the future — or you may be the MOB, grateful that you have prepared your crew to save your life.
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