What to Do If Someone Falls Overboard: A Step-by-Step Plan for Cruisers
No one ever plans to hear the words “Man overboard!”—but if you cruise long enough, especially with kids or a small crew, you need a plan for what to do if it happens. Unlike in training drills with a dozen crew on deck, most of us on the Great Loop or coastal cruising routes are sailing short-handed, often with just one or two adults and children aboard. That changes how we prepare and respond.
Here’s a realistic, step-by-step plan designed for cruising families and couples to handle a person overboard (POB) scenario—because safety is about planning ahead, not reacting in panic.
🧠 Step 1: Shout, Point, and Keep Eyes On
The second someone goes overboard, yell loudly—“Man Overboard!” or “Overboard!”. Get everyone’s attention immediately.
Assign someone to keep pointing at the person in the water. This is critical. In any kind of chop or swell, a head can disappear fast. If you’re the only one aboard, keep your eyes on them as best you can while moving to the next steps.
⚓ Step 2: Hit the MOB Button or Mark the Spot
If you have a chartplotter or mobile navigation app, hit the MOB (Man Overboard) button to mark the location immediately.
No MOB feature? Drop a waypoint or throw a floating marker like a life ring or fender. It’s not perfect, but it gives you something to aim for if you lose sight.
🛟 Step 3: Deploy a Flotation Device
Toss anything that floats to the person in the water—life sling, throwable cushion, even a fender with a line attached. This buys them time and energy, and can serve as a marker if you briefly lose visual contact.
🔁 Step 4: Maneuver Back Carefully
This is where practice pays off.
On a powerboat, bring the vessel around in a wide loop, approaching the person from downwind, so you don’t drift over them.
On a sailboat, you’ll likely need to heave-to, start the engine, and drop sail (if under sail) before maneuvering.
Take your time—it’s better to get it right than to rush and overshoot or endanger the person further.
🪢 Step 5: Secure the Boat First
Before you help them aboard, stop the boat. Shift into neutral or kill the throttle. If the person is unconscious or struggling, a drifting boat is dangerous.
If you’re solo, use your autopilot or windlass remote to help manage the boat while staying safe and close.
💪 Step 6: Recover the Person
This is often the hardest part, especially with kids or elderly crew.
Use a swim platform, sugar scoop stern, or boarding ladder.
If they can’t climb, consider rigging a looped line with knots or using a dinghy davit or halyard to hoist them.
You might need a plan for lifting an unconscious or exhausted person—test your gear ahead of time to know what works.
🩹 Step 7: Treat for Shock and Reassess
Even if they’re physically okay, a person who fell overboard might be cold, in shock, or injured.
Get them warm and dry.
Check for cuts, scrapes, or head trauma.
Call for help via VHF (Channel 16) or DSC distress if needed.
👨👩👧 Tips for Cruising Families & Short-Handed Crews
Kids overboard drills are essential. Teach your kids how to throw flotation and use the VHF in an emergency.
Practice with your own crew. Toss a fender overboard and do a retrieval drill every so often.
Keep lifejackets on deck. Make it easy to grab and toss one.
Use tethers in rough conditions or at night. Prevention is your best defense.
It’s easy to assume that man-overboard procedures are for offshore racers or big crews. But honestly, families and cruising couples need them even more. With limited hands on deck, everything from spotting to recovery falls on you. Having a step-by-step plan—one you’ve walked through with your crew—can be the difference between panic and action.
Stay prepared, practice often, and remember: the best overboard recovery is the one you never have to make.
We’d Love to Hear From You!
What’s your strategy for MOB situations? Do you practice drills with your kids or crew?
Drop a comment and let’s learn from each other.
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