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Boat Training OnLine .Com
On Line and On Course !
Hit the man overboard waypoint on your chart plotter.
Drop your ring buoy with light overboard or a seat cusion. This does two things: 1) provides addition flotation to the PIW (Person in the Water) and 2) marks the location where the individual fell into the water.) Don’t pick up the ring buoy until the person is safely aboard for this will provide invaluable information for a search if you don't locate the PIW.
I recommend using the trail feature on your plotter which marks where you have traveled. This feature has saved many PIW's especially those who are alone and don't have their kill switch attached to their person. Man Overboard's are not always seen as they go overboard. Having the trail feature on makes it a simple task to go back on your exact course.
Try not to take your eyes of the PIW. If someone else is on the boat with you, make them the pointer and tell them to point at the PIW and not to take their eyes off the subject. It is extremely easy to loose sight of someone in a large body of water.
Make your approach from downwind or down current for better maneuverability. Take the PIW down the side of your boat and turn to put your boat beam to the wind or current. This will help push your boat down on the PIW. Once the PIW is amidship, stop engaging your engines. Propellers are very dangerous. Once the individual is aboard, start first aid.
If you are unable to locate the PIW, call for help! This is a Mayday situation. Use your radio on channel 16 VHF/FM because there may be boaters in the area that can assist you. Time is of the essence but don't panic. Focus on the area around your ring buoy. When a person drowns they are that much harder to locate in the water because they have a smaller profile and may be floating just under the surface of the water. Once locate, get them aboard and start CPR immediately.
Points of Interest:
1. It’s a great big ocean out there and your search object is the size of a melon. It is extremely easy to lose sight of the PIW so do everything in your power to mark the location where the individual went into the water.
Drop your ring buoy with light overboard or a seat cusion. This does two things: 1) provides addition flotation to the PIW (Person in the Water) and 2) marks the location where the individual fell into the water.) Don’t pick up the ring buoy until the person is safely aboard for this will provide invaluable information for a search if you don't locate the PIW.
I recommend using the trail feature on your plotter which marks where you have traveled. This feature has saved many PIW's especially those who are alone and don't have their kill switch attached to their person. Man Overboard's are not always seen as they go overboard. Having the trail feature on makes it a simple task to go back on your exact course.
Try not to take your eyes of the PIW. If someone else is on the boat with you, make them the pointer and tell them to point at the PIW and not to take their eyes off the subject. It is extremely easy to loose sight of someone in a large body of water.
Make your approach from downwind or down current for better maneuverability. Take the PIW down the side of your boat and turn to put your boat beam to the wind or current. This will help push your boat down on the PIW. Once the PIW is amidship, stop engaging your engines. Propellers are very dangerous. Once the individual is aboard, start first aid.
If you are unable to locate the PIW, call for help! This is a Mayday situation. Use your radio on channel 16 VHF/FM because there may be boaters in the area that can assist you. Time is of the essence but don't panic. Focus on the area around your ring buoy. When a person drowns they are that much harder to locate in the water because they have a smaller profile and may be floating just under the surface of the water. Once locate, get them aboard and start CPR immediately.
Points of Interest:
1. It’s a great big ocean out there and your search object is the size of a melon. It is extremely easy to lose sight of the PIW so do everything in your power to mark the location where the individual went into the water.
- 90% of all drowning in the U.S. are due to not wearing a lifejacket. Invest and insist that everyone wears some type of floatation device (equipped with a light) at all times while aboard the boat. After a while, it will feel weird not to have your lifejacket on and it could save your life. (12 years and under, it is mandatory they be in a lifejacket.