Sailing at hull speed means distance between the boat and someone who falls overboard increases quickly and dramatically. Knowing what to do immediately after someone goes over increases the chance of recovery.

One of the most serious safety concerns sailors have is falling in the water, or losing a fellow crew member into the sea. Aside from frequent practice of overboard drills, it may seem that there is little you can do to prepare for the sudden loss of a person overboard, except perhaps, studying the necessary reactions and taking a long look at the boat itself.

While every situation is different, a man overboard situation can be generally broken down into several phases. These will vary somewhat depending on conditions, such as the number of crew on board, proximity of outside assistance, and the general design of the boat. In general, though, the steps for recovering someone from the water are fairly straightforward in execution. They can be separated into the following chain of events:

1) Posting a lookout and mark the location by throwing something in the water
2) Alerting all remaining crew
3) Bringing the boat back to the original spot
4) Throwing a buoy with a line attached to connect the swimmer to boat

And, most importantly,

5) Recovering the person back aboard the boat.

Much has been written about proper actions at each of these steps, as well as how to avoid going overboard in the first place. It is worthwhile to study as many of these different perspectives as you can. A unifying theme among recovery procedures is quick and proper crew response established through training; practicing drills in all conditions; and crewmembers' ability to remain calm.

The last step, getting the swimmer back aboard, is often greatly affected by the design of the vessel or the accessories carried on board. With larger boats, and the modern trend toward higher freeboards, climbing the three feet or so up to the toe rail can become almost impossible, even for a strong swimmer after just a few minutes in cold water. No matter how successful the crew was at all the previous steps, actually bringing the victim back aboard often proves to be the most difficult aspect of the maneuver.

Quick, press the Man Over Board button! That would be the bottom left hand corner. Modern technological marvels like GPS are only as helpful as a crewmember is familiar with the unit.

Many tools exist to keep from losing a crew member, for example, the extremely popular LifeSling, which many sailors consider essential. As with any equipment aboard the boat, it's important that the crew understands how to deploy it before an overboard situation arises. Briefly reviewing the instructions will make certain that the crew on board spend the time immediately after the overboard occurs in recovering the swimmer, rather than reading directions, trying to figure out how to use the equipment. Personal locator beacons, strobe lights, or even inexpensive glow sticks clipped to each life jacket or safety harness are all effective insurance, as well as ensuring that the crew is wearing foul weather gear in a bright, visible color. (It's astounding how many people buy dark blue foulies, which may be flattering but are nearly impossible to spot in the water.) Most GPS receivers incorporate an instant MOB marking feature, which can be an excellent tool, as long as someone remembers to push the button.

When it comes to getting the person out of the water and back aboard the boat, keep in mind that every situation is different. Crew members should be practiced at using any tool available to complete the recovery. Sometimes a strong arm from the boat can simply haul a lightweight victim in, as was the case when I was 12 and Uncle Gary pulled me out by my hair. Another technique to try is to quickly tie a line in an ascending series of bights, forming a ladder, which when secured to a cleat and dropped overboard, can help a swimmer get a foothold, while crew work to pull him in. You can also use a spare halyard and winch a heavy victim aboard. If necessary, it's possible even to drop the mainsail over the side as a giant scoop, and hoist the person aboard in its belly. Be as creative as the amount of time you spend rigging and deploying systems will allow.

A swim ladder mounted on the transom is perhaps the easiest way to get someone back up into the boat.

There is one simple device most boats should already have in place and be able to deploy almost instantly: the swim step. A very handy accessory often thought of as a convenience rather than a safety feature, the swim step can be invaluable in an overboard situation. Walking the docks, it surprises me how many boats do not carry one, and until recently, even my own boat lacked this instant path back aboard. The majority of overboard victims, while even scared and tired, are still able to climb a swim ladder, particularly if it is located on the transom. With the boat headed away from or up into any swell, any rolling that would make an amidships boarding a sketchy proposal is significantly decreased.

You can give yourself a much better chance of recovering a victim by taking a moment to consider having to board your boat from the waterline. Take a look at your boat from the water, and give it an honest assessment. Would an accidental swimmer have an easy way to climb back aboard? This is one area of an overboard situation that everyone can anticipate and prepare for while still tied to the dock.

The other thing you can do is prepare yourself and your crew by conducting some unexpected drills. A captain I work with has been known to surprise a member of the deck crew by stepping up and stating, "I just went overboard! What are you gonna do?" to test their reflexes. Woe to the deckhand who doesn't dive for a throwable life ring. You don't have to resort to drastic measures, but ask yourself: Has your boat practiced an MOB drill lately? Next time you're out sailing with your faithful crew, toss a fender over the side and call "Man overboard!" then get out of their way. Don't do or say anything to help, to create the illusion of a situation in which you're no longer aboard. After the crew recovers the fender, immediately take a few minutes to discuss the effectiveness of the response, what was done well, and areas for improvement.

Employing these drills and having a path in place to get back on the boat are the most effective things you can do to prepare for losing someone over the side. Part of the pleasure of sailing comes with the security of knowing that you've got systems in place to protect the safety of you and your passengers.