Man Overboard (MOB) Recovery: Essential Techniques and Devices
There’s a moment every experienced sailor dreads – that split second when you realize someone’s gone over the side. Your heart stops, your mind races, and suddenly every piece of safety training you’ve ever had better kick in fast. Because here’s the brutal truth: you’ve got maybe 10-15 minutes before hypothermia starts affecting their ability to help themselves, and that’s in warm water.
I’ll never forget the first time I witnessed a real MOB situation. We were sailing in the Pacific Northwest when a crew member slipped on the wet deck during a sail change. One moment he was there, the next he was 50 feet behind us in 55-degree water. What happened next taught me more about MOB recovery than any textbook ever could.
Understanding the Critical Timeline
The First 60 Seconds: Everything Changes
When someone goes overboard, your window of opportunity slams shut faster than you’d think. In those first crucial seconds, the person in the water is usually still alert, can swim effectively, and hasn’t yet been affected by cold water shock. But that window’s closing every second you hesitate.
Cold water shock hits within the first minute and can cause immediate gasping, hyperventilation, and panic. Even strong swimmers can struggle when their body’s fighting against involuntary responses to sudden temperature changes.
The 10-Minute Mark: When Things Get Serious
After about 10 minutes in cold water (and we’re talking anything under 70°F here), hypothermia starts kicking in. Fine motor skills go first – goodbye to self-rescue attempts. Cognitive function follows, which means the person might not even be able to grab a life ring you throw directly at them.
But here’s what really keeps me up at night: drowning doesn’t look like the movies. There’s no dramatic splashing or yelling for help. Real drowning is quiet, quick, and terrifyingly easy to miss if you’re not watching carefully.
Essential MOB Recovery Techniques
The Williamson Turn: Your Go-To Maneuver
The Williamson Turn is like the Swiss Army knife of MOB recovery – it works in most situations and gets you back to approximately where the person went over. Here’s how it works:
- Immediately turn hard to port or starboard (doesn’t matter which, just pick one and commit)
- Continue turning until you’re heading 60 degrees from your original course
- Shift rudder to opposite direction and continue turning
- When you’re heading the reciprocal of your original course, straighten out
Sounds simple, right? Well, it is – until you factor in wind, current, and the fact that your brain just went into panic mode. Practice this maneuver until it becomes muscle memory.
The Anderson Turn: For When Time Is Everything
The Anderson Turn is faster but requires more skill. You immediately turn toward the side the person fell from, then continue in a tight circle back to the MOB position. It’s quicker than the Williamson Turn but harder to execute under pressure.
Modern GPS MOB Functions
Thank goodness for technology. Most modern GPS units have a MOB button that marks your exact position when someone goes over. Hit that button first, then start your maneuver. Even if you lose sight of the person, you’ll have a starting point for your search pattern.
Critical Equipment for MOB Recovery
Throwable Devices: Your First Line of Defense
Life rings are classic, but let’s be honest – most people can’t throw them accurately when they’re panicking. Horseshoe buoys with attached lines are better because they’re easier to throw and the person can grab onto the line even if they miss the buoy itself.
Throw bags are game-changers. These compact bags contain 50-75 feet of floating line and can be thrown with surprising accuracy. Pro tip: keep one within arm’s reach of the helm at all times.
Recovery Devices: Getting Them Back Aboard
Here’s where things get real challenging. A person in the water, especially if they’re unconscious or suffering from hypothermia, is dead weight. Literally. Trying to haul 150+ pounds of wet, limp human up the side of a boat is nearly impossible without proper equipment.
Rescue ladders are essential, but they only work if the person can climb them. Rescue slings and lifting harnesses are better for someone who can’t help themselves. The LifeSling system is popular because it combines a flotation device with a lifting harness.
Communication Equipment
A waterproof VHF radio isn’t just nice to have – it’s absolutely critical. Channel 16 for emergencies, and don’t forget to give your position, the number of people in the water, and sea conditions. The Coast Guard can’t help if they can’t find you.
Personal locator beacons (PLBs) or automatic identification system (AIS) MOB devices are becoming more common. These devices, worn by crew members, automatically activate when they hit the water and send out a distress signal with GPS coordinates.
Recovery Techniques by Boat Type
Sailboat Recovery
Sailboats present unique challenges because of their size and the complexity of sail handling during an emergency. Your first priority is to stop the boat – this usually means releasing sheets and starting the engine if conditions allow.
Approach from downwind when possible. This gives you better control and prevents the boat from drifting over the person in the water. Lower your sails if you have crew to help, but don’t waste precious time if you’re single-handing.
Powerboat Recovery
Powerboats are generally easier to maneuver, but they come with their own risks. Never approach with the engines running – those propellers can turn a rescue into a tragedy. Shift to neutral well before you reach the person.
Use the swim platform if your boat has one, but be careful about waves pushing the person into the boat’s hull. A boarding ladder deployed from the side is often safer.
Small Boat Considerations
In smaller boats (under 20 feet), the challenge isn’t just getting the person back aboard – it’s keeping everyone else from going over in the process. Distribute weight carefully and consider having one person move to the opposite side of the boat to maintain balance during recovery.
Training and Preparation
Regular Drills: Making It Automatic
Here’s something most boaters don’t want to hear: you need to practice MOB recovery regularly. Not just talk about it – actually do it. Use a fender or cushion as your “victim” and practice different scenarios.
Assign specific roles to each crew member. Who hits the MOB button? Who keeps eyes on the person in the water? Who prepares recovery equipment? When everyone knows their job, things go much smoother.
Crew Communication
Develop clear, simple commands that everyone understands. “MOB port side!” is better than “Oh my God, someone fell overboard on the left!” Keep communication calm and direct – panic is contagious.
| Situation | Command | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Person goes over port | “MOB PORT!” | Designated spotter points, helmsman begins turn |
| Person goes over starboard | “MOB STARBOARD!” | Designated spotter points, helmsman begins turn |
| Person in sight | “VISUAL CONTACT!” | Continue approach, prepare recovery gear |
| Person not visible | “NO VISUAL!” | Begin search pattern, call for help |
| Ready for pickup | “RECOVERY READY!” | Deploy recovery equipment, engines to neutral |
Technology and Modern Solutions
Wearable MOB Devices
Crew overboard alarms are getting smaller and more reliable. Devices like the ACR ResQLink or Ocean Signal MOB1 can be worn like a watch and automatically activate when submerged. They send both GPS coordinates and AIS signals to nearby vessels.
Automated Recovery Systems
Some newer boats come equipped with automated MOB recovery systems that can mark the position, sound alarms, and even begin the recovery turn automatically. These systems are expensive but could be lifesavers on single-handed passages or boats with inexperienced crew.
Thermal Imaging
FLIR thermal cameras can spot a person in the water much more easily than the naked eye, especially in poor visibility conditions. They’re not cheap, but for boats doing serious offshore work, they’re worth considering.
Prevention: The Best Recovery
Of course, the best MOB recovery is the one you never have to perform. Jacklines and safety harnesses are non-negotiable in rough conditions. Non-skid surfaces and proper handholds prevent slips in the first place.
Life jackets should be worn by everyone on deck, not just stored in a locker somewhere. Modern inflatable PFDs are comfortable enough to wear all day and won’t restrict movement during normal boat operations.
“The sea doesn’t care about your schedule, your experience, or your good intentions. It only cares about your preparation.” – Every Coast Guard instructor ever
When to Call for Help
Don’t be a hero. If conditions are rough, visibility is poor, or you’re not confident in your ability to recover the person safely, call the Coast Guard immediately. They have helicopters, fast boats, and trained rescue swimmers. Your ego isn’t worth someone’s life.
Call early, call often. You can always cancel a rescue request if you recover the person successfully, but you can’t undo the time lost by waiting too long to ask for help.
Final Thoughts
MOB recovery isn’t just about equipment and techniques – it’s about mindset. The difference between a successful rescue and a tragedy often comes down to preparation, practice, and the ability to think clearly under pressure.
Every time you step aboard a boat, you’re accepting responsibility not just for yourself but for everyone else on board. That’s a heavy responsibility, but it’s also what makes boating such a team sport. We look out for each other because we know that out there, we’re all we’ve got.
Take the time to practice these techniques, invest in proper equipment, and make sure everyone on your boat knows what to do. Because when that moment comes – and hopefully it never will – you’ll be ready.
FAQ
Q: How long can someone survive in the water before hypothermia becomes fatal?
A: It depends on water temperature, but in 50°F water, you’ve got maybe 1-3 hours before it becomes life-threatening. In 70°F water, you might have 12+ hours. But cognitive impairment starts much sooner – within 10-15 minutes in cold water.
Q: Should I jump in to help someone who’s gone overboard?
A: Generally, no. Now you’ve got two people in the water instead of one. Use your boat and recovery equipment. The only exception might be if you’re in very warm, calm water and the person is clearly drowning and can’t help themselves.
Q: What’s the most important piece of MOB equipment to have on board?
A: A GPS with MOB function and a reliable means of communication (VHF radio). Everything else is secondary to marking the position and calling for help if needed. You can improvise recovery equipment, but you can’t improvise a GPS coordinate.
Q: How do I practice MOB recovery without risking my crew?
A: Use a fender, cushion, or dedicated MOB training dummy. Practice in calm conditions with experienced crew. Many sailing clubs and Coast Guard Auxiliaries offer MOB training sessions where you can practice with proper supervision.
Q: Is it worth investing in expensive MOB detection systems?
A: For serious offshore sailors or commercial operations, absolutely. For weekend warriors in protected waters, basic equipment and training are more important than high-tech gadgets. Start with the fundamentals, then add technology as your budget and needs dictate.
