In the event of a man overboard, what is the basic recovery procedure?

• A. Call port authorities and wait for external assistance.
• B. Lower the anchor and wait for the person to be recovered by drift.
• C. Shout, throw a flotation aid if safe, whistle or alert others, mark the position, and execute a controlled approach to MOB keeping sight of the person.
• D. Immediately circle back on course and abandon the rescue.

Answer: (C)

The basic recovery procedure centers on immediate, coordinated action with clear signals and continuous visual contact with the person in the water. Start by alerting everyone on board and the person in the water: shout that someone is overboard, point to the casualty, and ensure the crew knows to assist. If it’s safe, throw a flotation aid to the person to help them stay afloat and reduce their effort. Use a whistle or loud call to further alert others and summon help. Then mark the position so you don’t lose track of where the MOB is, which can be done by noting relative bearings or using onboard navigation gear.

Next, execute a controlled approach to the MOB, keeping the person in sight at all times. This means maneuvering the vessel back toward the casualty in a deliberate, monitored manner rather than rushing or drifting with inattention. Keeping the person visible and maintaining a steady course improves the chances of a safe pickup and reduces the risk of losing track of the individual.

These steps are preferred because they minimize delay, provide buoyancy to the person, alert the crew, and preserve visual contact, all of which are essential for a successful rescue. Waiting for external authorities, dropping anchor and waiting for drift, circling back and abandoning the rescue, or other delays undermine safety and increase the risk to the person in the water.