11.7.2 2 Craft with an engine

11.7.2 Manoeuvring boat to aid recovery of man overboard

11.7.2.2 Craft with an engine

To stay as close to the person in the water as possible:

11.7.2.1 Craft without an engine

A simple way to recover is to:

1. Come up to wind and tack, leaving headsail cleated so that boat stops hove to (yachts).

2. Put the craft into an “apparent” beam reach (burgee across the craft). Allow yourself some sea room to manoeuvre and get yourself organised to recover the person from the water.

3. Throw a heaving line to the person in the water if in range, and haul alongside.

4. Tack and sail on the opposite beam reach (person in water now on weather bow).

5. If not within heaving line range: - start the engine

• lower or furl the headsail

3. Approach on a close reach, easing the sheets in the final stages. Leeway will increase as you slow down - allow for this.

• sheet the main sail amidships.

Ensure there are no lines or sheets lying loose on deck or overside that could foul the propeller.

4. In a larger craft, it is easier to come alongside to windward of the person in the water and make the recovery over the leeward side.

5. Motor to leeward of the person in the water and approach the person head to wind.

6. In a dinghy, come alongside to the leeward of the person in the water and make the recovery by the weather shroud.

Figure from page 186

Figure from page 186

Figure from page 187

Other turning manoeuvres 1. If you can see the person in the water clearly, a simple sight 180 degree turn is the quickest.

should proceed slowly with a good lookout as the casualty will be directly ahead of you.

3. In heavy weather, the reciprocal course may bring the sea astern, in which case a short approach head to sea may be more appropriate once the turn has been completed.

4. If you lose sight of the casualty, due to poor visibility or heavy weather and sea state, the “Williamson Turn” is a good way to get to a reciprocal course which will take you back down your track. From the moment the skipper is aware of a “man overboard” situation, put the helm to starboard and adopt a course of “original course + 60 degrees”. Then put the helm immediately to port until the vessel has completed a turn which brings the compass reading to “original course plus or minus 180 degrees”. This will put you on a reciprocal course where you

5. Do not waste time while the craft is turning to approach the person in the water. Prepare for the recovery as it is too late when the person is alongside.

-Which side will you approach?

-Have a heaving line ready.

-Wear a PFD/lifejacket and

lifeline; if you don’t, you may get pulled on top of the person in the water.