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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:

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

Single Turn:

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

Scharnow Turn:

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