Immediate Actions — First 60 Seconds
Speed and coordination in the first minute can mean the difference between a rescue and a recovery. Assign roles instantly.
Shout "Man Overboard!"
Alert all crew immediately. Anyone who hears it repeats the call.
Throw a flotation device
Throw a life ring, horseshoe buoy, or throwable Type IV PFD toward the victim immediately. A floating object also marks the MOB position.
Assign a dedicated spotter
One crew member points continuously at the person in the water and never looks away — not for any reason. This is their only job.
Press MOB / mark position on GPS
Hit the MOB button on the chartplotter immediately. This marks the vessel's position at the moment of the incident — before the vessel moves away.
Note the time and position
Record exact time, GPS coordinates, heading, and speed. This information is essential for any USCG report and for calculating drift if the victim is lost.
Begin recovery maneuver
Choose the appropriate turn based on conditions (see below). Keep the spotter pointing at the victim throughout.
Make Pan-Pan call on VHF Ch 16
Broadcast position and situation. If victim is in grave danger of drowning, use MAYDAY instead.
Prepare for recovery
Rig boarding ladder, prepare heaving line, don life jacket on crew member who will assist from deck. Designate who will go in if a rescue swimmer is needed.
Recovery Maneuvers — When to Use Each
Choose based on visibility, vessel speed, and whether you still have the victim in sight.
Williamson Turn
Exam FavoriteMost exam-testedBest Speed
Any speed
Conditions
Restricted visibility / night
Returns to Track
Yes
- 1Put helm hard over toward the side the person fell from
- 2When 60° past original heading, put helm hard over to the opposite side
- 3Steady on the reciprocal of original course (180° reversed)
- 4Vessel returns along its original track line to the MOB position
Returns on original track — ideal when victim is lost from sight in poor visibility or darkness.
Anderson Turn
Single-turn / Quick-stopBest Speed
Higher speed
Conditions
Good visibility — victim in sight
Returns to Track
No
- 1Put helm hard over toward the side the person fell from
- 2Allow vessel to swing approximately 250° around
- 3Steady up so the vessel is heading toward the MOB position
- 4Approach and stop alongside the victim
Faster than the Williamson Turn. Does not return on original track. Use when victim is visible at all times.
Racetrack Turn
Scharnow TurnBest Speed
High speed — large vessel
Conditions
Good visibility
Returns to Track
No
- 1Put helm hard over toward the side the person fell from
- 2After 240° of turn, shift helm to the opposite side
- 3Steady on the reciprocal, offset from original track
- 4Approach the MOB position from leeward
Used on large or fast vessels when the Williamson Turn would overshoot. Does not return on original track.
| Maneuver | Returns to Track | Speed of Recovery | Best Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Williamson Turn | Yes | Slower | Night / restricted visibility / victim lost from sight |
| Anderson Turn | No | Fastest | Good visibility — victim continuously in sight |
| Racetrack Turn | No | Moderate | High-speed / large vessel — Williamson would overshoot |
Recovery Approach — Final Leg
Approach Angle and Position
- ▸Approach with the victim on the lee side (downwind / downwave)
- ▸Come in at approximately 30–40° angle to the wind
- ▸The vessel hull becomes a windbreak — protects the victim from waves
- ▸Kill headway before reaching the victim — use engines astern
- ▸Let the vessel drift slowly down toward the victim
- ▸Never approach bow-first — prop wash or bow wave can push victim under
Speed Control
- ▸Approach at minimum steerage speed
- ▸Stop engines when victim is within throwing range
- ▸Keep propeller away from victim at all times — use neutral / astern
- ▸Account for vessel drift in wind and current during approach
Victim Recovery Methods
Heaving Line
Throw a weighted heaving line with a buoyant loop or monkey fist. Practice this regularly — accuracy under stress degrades. Throw beyond the victim so the line lands across them.
Boarding Ladder
Lower a boarding or swim ladder amidships on the leeward side. For exhausted or hypothermic victims, the ladder alone may not be enough — crew must assist or descend.
Rescue Swimmer
Assign a crew member in a PFD to enter the water only as a last resort. They need to reach the victim and secure them before hoisting. Never send an unprotected swimmer.
Rescue Sling / Strop
A rescue sling passed under the victim's arms allows crew to haul them up, especially if the victim is unconscious or too weak to hold a ladder.
VHF Procedures & GMDSS
Pan-Pan Call — Person in Water
Transmit on Channel 16. Pan-Pan = urgency. Upgrade to MAYDAY if the victim is in immediate danger of drowning.
GMDSS & MOB Button
- ▸Press MOB immediately when someone goes overboard — before the vessel moves
- ▸Chartplotter marks the position and creates an automatic return course
- ▸GMDSS-capable radios linked to GPS can transmit a DSC distress alert on Channel 70 with position
- ▸Channel 70 is for digital DSC only — no voice
- ▸After DSC alert, switch to Channel 16 for voice communication
- ▸USCG monitors Channel 16 and Channel 70 continuously
Channel 22A
After initial Pan-Pan or MAYDAY on Ch 16, the Coast Guard may direct you to work on Channel 22A — the USCG primary working channel. Monitor Ch 16 and shift to 22A when directed.
MAYDAY vs. Pan-Pan
Use MAYDAY if the victim is actively drowning or in grave, immediate danger. Use Pan-Pan if the person is afloat and conscious but requires assistance. Upgrade at any time as the situation changes.
Hypothermia — Survival Time by Water Temperature
Cold incapacitation can prevent a victim from helping themselves within minutes. Know these numbers — the exam tests them, and they dictate urgency of rescue.
| Water Temp | Exhaustion / Unconsciousness | Expected Survival | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 32°F (0°C) | < 15 min | 15–45 min | Extreme |
| 32–40°F (0–4°C) | 15–30 min | 30–90 min | Extreme |
| 40–50°F (4–10°C) | 30–60 min | 1–3 hrs | High |
| 50–60°F (10–16°C) | 1–2 hrs | 1–6 hrs | High |
| 60–70°F (16–21°C) | 2–7 hrs | 2–40 hrs | Moderate |
| 70–80°F (21–27°C) | 3–12 hrs | 3 hrs+ | Lower |
| > 80°F (27°C) | Indefinite | Indefinite* | Low |
* Survival times are approximations and vary with body mass, clothing, sea state, and activity level. Source: U.S. Search and Rescue Task Force / USCG.
HELP Position
Heat Escape Lessening Posture — draw knees to chest, cross arms over the chest. Reduces heat loss by up to 50% compared to treading water. In a group, form a huddle with chests together. Preserve a life jacket's buoyancy — do not waste energy swimming unless rescue is visible and close.
Night & Low Visibility Considerations
Use Williamson Turn
At night or in fog, the Williamson Turn is the default — it returns you to your original track line even if the victim is completely lost from sight.
Deploy the searchlight
Sweep the water systematically. The victim may be low in the water — look for a small silhouette or reflective tape on a PFD.
Reflective tape and strobes
SOLAS-approved life rings and PFDs carry retroreflective tape and automatic water-activated strobe lights. Look for the strobe first.
Station extra lookouts
Night vision degrades quickly with bright lights on deck. Allow lookouts' eyes to adjust. Station them forward and to each side.
Radar sweep
Set radar to shortest range. A person in the water may appear as a small return — check around the marked MOB position repeatedly.
Thermal imaging
If equipped, FLIR or thermal cameras can detect a person's body heat in the water when visual search fails. Invaluable at night.
Documentation & USCG Reporting
When to Report (46 CFR 4.05-1)
- !Death — report immediately to nearest USCG station
- !Missing person (circumstances indicate death or injury)
- !Injury requiring medical treatment beyond first aid
- !Incapacitation preventing normal vessel operation
- !Property damage over $2,000 or complete loss of vessel
Reporting Deadlines
- ▸Immediately: Death, disappearance, or injury requiring immediate assistance
- ▸Within 48 hours: Injury requiring medical treatment, property damage > $2,000
- ▸Within 10 days: All other reportable accidents
- ▸Form: CG-3865 (Boating Accident Report)
- ▸Submit to the state boating authority where the accident occurred
Exam Tips
Williamson Turn is the exam favorite
When a USCG exam question asks about restricted visibility, night, or victim lost from sight — the answer is almost always the Williamson Turn. Memorize the 60° helm shift sequence.
Final approach: lee side, 30–40°
Questions on approach angle consistently expect the answer 'leeward side, approximately 30–40° to the wind.' Never approach upwind — the vessel won't drift toward the victim.
Pan-Pan, not MAYDAY
MOB is urgency (Pan-Pan) unless the victim is actively drowning. Exam questions test whether you know the correct signal level. 'Grave and imminent danger' = MAYDAY. Person afloat = Pan-Pan.
Spotter is non-negotiable
Assign a spotter immediately — exam questions on crew roles during MOB always include a dedicated, eyes-only spotter as a required step. Spotter never assists with any other task.
Hypothermia in cold water
At 50°F (10°C), survival is 1–3 hours. At 32°F (0°C), as little as 15–45 minutes. Exam tables use these ranges — memorize the key temperatures and expected survival windows.
MOB button before moving
Press MOB on the GPS before the vessel travels away from the position. The marked position drifts with the vessel if not marked immediately — exam questions test this sequence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which MOB recovery maneuver is most commonly tested on the USCG captain's exam?
The Williamson Turn is the most frequently tested MOB maneuver on the USCG OUPV and Master exams. Know the sequence: turn toward the side the person fell from, when heading is 60° past the original course, shift the helm hard to the opposite side, and steady up on the reciprocal of the original course. The vessel returns on the exact track it came from.
What is the correct Pan-Pan call for a man overboard?
Transmit on Channel 16: 'PAN PAN PAN PAN PAN PAN, ALL STATIONS, THIS IS [vessel name × 3], PAN PAN, [vessel name], [position], PERSON IN WATER, [description — clothing, life jacket, etc.], [number of persons on board], [vessel type and color], OVER.' Pan-Pan indicates urgency but not immediate life-threatening danger to the vessel itself. If the person is in grave danger of drowning, upgrade to MAYDAY.
What is the difference between the Williamson Turn and the Anderson Turn?
The Williamson Turn returns the vessel to its original track line — ideal in restricted visibility or at night when you need to retrace your path. The Anderson Turn (single-turn method) is faster but does not return on the original track; it is used in good visibility when speed of recovery is critical and the person in the water is in immediate view. The racetrack (Scharnow) turn is a third option used when the vessel has traveled too far to use the Williamson Turn effectively.
How long does a person survive in cold water?
Survival time depends heavily on water temperature. In 32°F (0°C) water, exhaustion or unconsciousness may occur within 15 minutes and death within 15–45 minutes. In 50°F (10°C) water, exhaustion may occur in 1–2 hours, survival up to 3 hours. In 70°F (21°C) water, exhaustion may occur in 2–7 hours with a survival of 3–40 hours. The HELP position (Heat Escape Lessening Posture) — knees to chest, arms crossed — can extend survival significantly.
What does the MOB button on a GPS chartplotter do?
Pressing the MOB (Man Overboard) button on a GPS chartplotter instantly marks the current position as a waypoint and automatically creates a course back to that position. On GMDSS-equipped vessels, triggering the MOB function may also send a digital distress alert via DSC on Channel 70. The marked position records where the vessel was when MOB was activated — press it immediately when someone goes overboard, before the vessel moves.
What is the correct angle of final approach when recovering a person overboard?
The final approach should bring the vessel alongside the person in the water with the person on the lee side (downwind), approaching at a shallow angle of about 30–40 degrees to the wind. The vessel should be drifting toward the victim slowly as engines are put astern (or stopped) to kill headway. This protects the victim from wind and waves using the vessel's hull as a windbreak, and allows crew to heave a line or use a boarding ladder. Never approach with the victim directly ahead — prop wash and bow wave can push them under.
When must a man overboard be reported to the USCG?
Under 46 CFR 4.05-1, a boating accident must be reported when a person dies, disappears from a vessel under circumstances indicating death or injury, requires medical treatment beyond first aid, or becomes incapacitated. A missing person or death must be reported immediately to the nearest USCG station. A written report (Form CG-3865) must be filed within 48 hours of a death, disappearance, or injury requiring medical treatment beyond first aid.
What should a spotter do during a man overboard emergency?
The spotter's sole job is to keep eyes on the person in the water at all times — pointing continuously to maintain visual contact. The spotter should never look away, never help with lines or equipment, and never assist with the helm. They call out distance and direction continuously to guide the helmsman. This is especially critical in rough seas where the victim can disappear from view between waves. Assign the most responsible available crew member to this role immediately.
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