Man Overboard – Manoeuvers you need to know to save a life

From the very  time a man falls over, till he is recovered back on board, every second counts. Every wrong action taken or an inappropriate decision you make, the results can be catastrophic, so as a prudent navigator it’s more than necessary to know the steps to be taken when this godforsaken Man overboard  emergency arrives.

Three scenarios:

1. Immediate action:  The person overboard is noticed from the bridge and action is taken immediately
2. Delayed action: The person is reported to the bridge by an eye witness and action is initiated with some delay.
3. Person missing action: The person is reported to the bridge is missing

Factors that affects recovery

Always remember  the rule number #1 is to  stay calm and remember the word CALMER:

C : Capability of your engine plant

A : Assistance from crew and other vessels around

L : Limitations by weather; visibility, sea state, currents

M : Manoeuvring characteristics of your vessel

E : Experience of crew and level of training

R : Recovery method to be used.

Immediate action

• Mark and note the position
• Throw life ring to the person
• Sound three prolonged blasts on the ship’s whistle
• Note wind speed and direction
• Inform master
• Post lookouts
• Stand by engines
• Inform other vessels in vicinity
• Prepare recovery equipment
• Establish communication between bridge, deck and rescue boat.

Standard Recovery methods

1. Williamson Turn

Advantages:

• Makes a good original track line
• Good in reduced visibility
• A simple manoeuvre

Disadvantages:

• Takes the ship farther away from the incident
• Slow procedure

Execution:

1. Put the rudder over full  toward the pers
   on (e.g., if the person fell over the starboard side, put the rudder over starboard full).
2. After deviating from the original course by about 60 degrees, shift the rudder full to the opposite side.
3. When heading about 20 degrees short of the reciprocal, put the rudder amidships so that vessel will turn onto the reciprocal course.
4. Bring the vessel upwind of the person, stop the vessel in the water with the person alongside, well forward of the propellers 

2. Anderson Turn (Single turn)

Advantages:

• Fastest recovery method
• Good for ships with tight turning characteristics

Disadvantages:

• Used most by ships with a considerable power
• Very difficult for single screw vessel
• Difficult since the approach to the person is not straight

Execution:

1. Put the rudder over full towards the person (e.g., if the person fell over the starboard side, put the rudder over full to starboard).
2. When clear of the person, go all ahead full, still using the full rudder.
3. After deviating from the original course by about 250 degrees (about 2/3 of a complete circle), back the engines 2/3 or full.
4. Stop the engines when the target point is 15 degrees off the bow. Ease the rudder and back the engines as required.

3. Scharnov Turn

Advantages:

• Will take the vessel back to her wake
• Less distance is covered , hence saves time

Disadvantages:

• Cannot be used in an immediate action situation.

Execution:

• Put the rudder over hard towards  the person (e.g., if the person fell over the starboard side, put the rudder over hard to starboard).
• After deviating from the original course by about 240 degrees, shift the rudder hard to the opposite side.
• When about 20 degrees short of the reciprocal course, put the rudder amidships so that vessel will turn onto the reciprocal course.