A crew member has just fallen overboard off...

A crew member has just fallen overboard off...

Question 1 of 2707066636eec28f7522a1c51c15a

A crew member has just fallen overboard off your port side. Which action should you take?

Question 1 of 27070

Q

A crew member has just fallen overboard off your port side. Which action should you take?

🔍 Key Concepts

• Man overboard procedures and why quick but controlled helm action is important • How the ship’s pivot point and stern swing affect someone in the water alongside • Difference between using helm vs engines astern when a person is just abeam

💭 Think About

• If the person falls over on the port side near midships, what will your stern and propellers do if you put the rudder hard over immediately? Which direction will the stern swing? • What risk does immediate use of engines astern create for someone close alongside compared to initial helm movement? • Do you want the stern to move toward or away from the person in the water, and how does rudder direction control that?

✅ Before You Answer

• Identify which action makes the stern swing away from the person in the water, not toward them • Consider whether you should act immediately or wait until the stern is clear when someone is very close alongside • Verify which step comes first in standard man overboard response: helm to swing the stern clear, or engines astern