Man overboard preferred Manouevre

Man falls overboard from your vessel – Actions you would take and Preferred Manouevre:

Initial Action:

• Throw a life-ring over the side as close to the person as possible.
• Sound three prolonged blast of ship’s whistle, hail “Person Overboard”.
• Commence recovery maneuver as indicated below.
• Note position, wind speed & direction, time.
• Inform master of vessel and engine-room.
• Post lookouts to keep the person in sight.
• Set off dye marker or smoke flare.
• Inform radio operator, keep updated on position.
• Stand by the engines.
• Prepare lifeboat for possible launching.
• Distribute portable VHF radios for communication between bridge, deck, and lifeboat.
• Rig pilot ladder to assist in recovery.

Standard Methods of Recovery –

Williamson Turn:

• Rudder hard over (in an “immediate action” situation, only to the side of the casualty)
• After deviation from the original course by 60^O, rudder hard over to the opposite side.
• When heading 20^O short of opposite course, rudder to mid-ship position and ship to be turned to opposite course.

Single Turn:

• Rudder hard over (in an “immediate action” situation, only to the side of the casualty) .
• After deviation from the original course by 250^O, rudder to mid-ship position and stopping manoeuvre to be initiated.

Scharnow Turn:

• Rudder hard over.
• After deviation from the original course by 240^O, rudder hard over to the opposite side.
• When heading 20^O short of opposite course, rudder to mid-ship position so that ship will turn to opposite course.