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Step 3Prepare to come about
The next step is to prepare to navigate back to the victim. In a small powerboat, this may be trivial. In a larger boat, or when under sail, it may be more complex.
Continue to steer a straight course, keeping the victim in sight, until ready to turn.Take down and secure all sails, if this can be done rapidly, then return under power. If sails are left up, they may block the view of the victim and will limit the possible courses that may be steered. In high wind, they may be a hazard to crew doing the rescue - loose sails and lines can flap with considerable force and often have metal fittings capable of inflicting injury.
Depending on the weather, sails in use, and condition of the victim, it may be necessary to cut loose a sail such as a spinnaker that cannot be quickly furled. A float may be secured for later retrieval.
In busy or restricted waters (which is to some degree a function of vessel size), it may be prudent to issue a safety notice on VHF radio, e.g. "Securitay securitay securitay sailing vessel Cygnet has man overboard in Victoria harbour entrance. Vessels not assisting please stand clear". This will probably trigger a long conversation with the Coast Guard, diverting a crew member from the actual rescue.
If the rescue swimmer is underequipped or inexperienced, e.g. a parent jumped after their child, another swimmer may gear up (fins, wetsuit) to assist if necessary.
In a large vessel, or depending on crew and availability, it may be best to launch a smaller boat such as an inflatable to effect the rescue. In which case, the parent vessel need only manoeuvre to allow this.
(during the exercise in the photo, the sails were already furled)
Continue to steer a straight course, keeping the victim in sight, until ready to turn.Take down and secure all sails, if this can be done rapidly, then return under power. If sails are left up, they may block the view of the victim and will limit the possible courses that may be steered. In high wind, they may be a hazard to crew doing the rescue - loose sails and lines can flap with considerable force and often have metal fittings capable of inflicting injury.
Depending on the weather, sails in use, and condition of the victim, it may be necessary to cut loose a sail such as a spinnaker that cannot be quickly furled. A float may be secured for later retrieval.
In busy or restricted waters (which is to some degree a function of vessel size), it may be prudent to issue a safety notice on VHF radio, e.g. "Securitay securitay securitay sailing vessel Cygnet has man overboard in Victoria harbour entrance. Vessels not assisting please stand clear". This will probably trigger a long conversation with the Coast Guard, diverting a crew member from the actual rescue.
If the rescue swimmer is underequipped or inexperienced, e.g. a parent jumped after their child, another swimmer may gear up (fins, wetsuit) to assist if necessary.
In a large vessel, or depending on crew and availability, it may be best to launch a smaller boat such as an inflatable to effect the rescue. In which case, the parent vessel need only manoeuvre to allow this.
(during the exercise in the photo, the sails were already furled)
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