Person Overboard Recovery

Person Overboard techniques are taught as part of almost all sailing courses, but as one of my students recently asked, once we have got the boat alongside the person overboard, how do we get them back in the boat, particularly if they are unresponsive or unconscious.

That’s a very good question and is often not as easy to do as it may seem. Let’s consider the techniques that can be used for both Conscious and Unconscious POB’S:

A Conscious POB is generally much easier to recover as they can swim towards the boat and help with the recovery on board. Even so, if the POB is now wearing sodden clothes, other than onto a swim platform, they will not be able to haul themselves aboard without some form of mechanical assistance. Techniques to be considered include:

1.        Obviously, if there is a swim platform or steps direct the POB there, where it may be possible to haul them on board.

2.        Use a spare halyard and haul them up using their harness if they are wearing one, or a bowline under their arms if not.

3.        If a spare block and tackle is carried, attach it to the boom, haul them up and swing them on board.

4.        Attach a dock line to the bow or midships cleat with the other end on the primary winch and the middle of the line overboard. The POB can stand on the line and can be winched up. A second line, or crewman will be required for the POB to hold onto to keep their balance.

With an Unconscious MOB, the first thing to remember is that whenever possible the POB must be lifted horizontally not vertically to reduce the risk of a dangerous drop in blood pressure that can occur if a cold, unresponsive person is lifted upright. This adds an additional level of complexity to the recovery, so consider the following techniques:

1.        Roll the person onto the Transom or Swim Platform, if available.

2.        Use the dinghy as an interim step, you can roll them in and start first aid.

3.        Use a halyard, a block and tackle on the boom, the davits, or any other mechanical advantage to lift the POB in a sling, that keeps them horizontal.

4.        Drop the jib by releasing the halyard and loop it under the MOB in the water, then wind the jib up again with the POB in the sail, so it rolls them aboard horizontally.

Unfortunately, as in most things to do with Sailing, everything is situational but I am sure you can get one of these, or a version of one of these techniques to work. If you know of others, please feel free to contribute in the comments.