What action should be taken immediately when a person is missing overboard?

What action should be taken immediately when a person is missing overboard?

• A. Start immediate MOB procedures.
• B. Call for help after a long delay.
• C. Ignore and resume course.
• D. Take a photo.

Answer: (A)

When someone goes missing overboard, the top priority is to act immediately to minimize distance and time to recovery. The moment you realize a person is overboard, you should initiate man overboard procedures right away. This means loudly announcing “Man overboard,” assigning a crew member to maintain visual contact with the person, and another to manage the helm and engine controls. At the same time, throw a throwable flotation device or life buoy to help the person stay afloat and become a visible marker of the spot. Keeping the person in sight while you steer the boat back to them is essential. You’ll typically follow a short MOB recovery pattern that brings the vessel back to the person without losing the visual contact, often coordinating a turn and a controlled approach so you can recover the person safely. Alert the rest of the crew, call for help if needed, and log the incident. Delaying actions or resuming course while someone is overboard greatly increases the risk of losing the person, so waiting to call for help or taking photos would not be appropriate. Taking quick, decisive action maximizes the chances of a successful rescue.

When someone goes missing overboard, the top priority is to act immediately to minimize distance and time to recovery. The moment you realize a person is overboard, you should initiate man overboard procedures right away. This means loudly announcing “Man overboard,” assigning a crew member to maintain visual contact with the person, and another to manage the helm and engine controls. At the same time, throw a throwable flotation device or life buoy to help the person stay afloat and become a visible marker of the spot.

Keeping the person in sight while you steer the boat back to them is essential. You’ll typically follow a short MOB recovery pattern that brings the vessel back to the person without losing the visual contact, often coordinating a turn and a controlled approach so you can recover the person safely. Alert the rest of the crew, call for help if needed, and log the incident.

Delaying actions or resuming course while someone is overboard greatly increases the risk of losing the person, so waiting to call for help or taking photos would not be appropriate. Taking quick, decisive action maximizes the chances of a successful rescue.