Man Overboard

A situation where a person has fallen from a vessel into the water, requiring immediate rescue actions. 

A man overboard situation is one of the most serious emergencies at sea, as it poses an immediate risk to the person’s life due to drowning, hypothermia, or injury. When someone falls overboard, the crew must act quickly to stop the vessel if possible, maintain visual contact with the person, and deploy lifesaving equipment such as lifebuoys or man overboard recovery systems. The standard response includes shouting “Man overboard!” to alert the crew, marking the person’s location, and manoeuvring the vessel to facilitate rescue. Many vessels are equipped with man overboard alarms or automatic systems that activate when a person falls into the water. Training and drills are essential to ensure a swift and effective response, as time is critical in recovering the individual safely.