Introduction to Boating Safety Training

When it comes to boating safety training, mindset is crucial. Firstly, let’s try to control your excitement. While your passion for boating is to be encouraged, it’s important to curb your enthusiasm initially as we go through the analytical process of selecting the perfect boat.

Importance of the Man Overboard Drill

The Man Overboard Drill is essential for every boater. While we strive to avoid man overboard situations, being prepared for them is crucial. Understanding the sequence of events to retrieve a person in the water can make all the difference.

Safety Tip: If you ever feel unsettled on the water or are not a strong swimmer, always wear a life jacket. It’s only a life jacket if you’re wearing it, so please take that advice to heart.

What is the Man Overboard Drill?

The Man Overboard Drill is a practice routine to retrieve someone who has fallen overboard. More importantly, it teaches you how to remain calm and composed in a potentially chaotic situation. As the skipper, maintaining calmness is your top responsibility. Even if you’re panicking internally, your outward appearance of calmness is vital to manage the situation effectively.

Falling Overboard: A Reality Check

Performing this drill helps develop muscle memory, ensuring you stay on top of the situation. Falling overboard is a real risk; I’ve had three instances in my 30 years of boating. Thankfully, everyone was recovered safely, but these experiences underscore the importance of being prepared.

Real-life Incidents

• Accidental Falls: Two individuals accidentally fell overboard, one while going under a bridge and another as we were docking.
• Voluntary Jump: One person jumped into the Yarra River on a bet, highlighting the unpredictability of human behavior.

While these incidents had different circumstances, they all required swift and calm action to ensure safety.

Conducting the Drill: Essential Boating Safety Training

We conduct the Man Overboard Drill in calm waters to build muscle memory. Repeating the drill multiple times ensures you know exactly what to do. Later, in advanced courses, we’ll simulate man overboard situations in choppy waters to further hone your skills. Practicing returning to a GPS point repeatedly helps simulate the real thing.

Staying Calm as the Skipper: Skipper Responsibilities

As the skipper, your demeanor sets the tone for the crew. If you remain stoic and in control, it instills confidence in everyone on board. Showing fear or uncertainty can amplify anxiety among the crew, making the situation harder to manage. The Man Overboard Drill is not only a practical exercise but also a confidence builder, helping you stay composed in emergencies.

Steps to Retrieve Someone Who Has Fallen Overboard

1. Alert the Guests/Crew
   Shout “Man Overboard!”: Immediately alert everyone on board by shouting “Man Overboard!” to ensure that all guests/crew members are aware of the situation.
2. Deploy Safety Equipment
   Throw a Life Ring or Buoyant Device: Quickly throw a life ring, buoyant cushion, or any floating device towards the person in the water to help them stay afloat. At night, throw a floating torch already switched on towards them or a life ring with a light attached to it.
   Activate Man Overboard (MOB) Button: If your boat is equipped with a MOB button on the GPS or chart plotter, activate it to mark the exact location where the person fell overboard.
3. Maintain Visual Contact
   Assign a Spotter: Designate one guest/crew member to keep constant visual contact with the person in the water. This spotter should point towards the person and not lose sight of them.
4. Slow Down and Maneuver the Boat
   Reduce Speed: Immediately reduce the boat’s speed to avoid creating a large wake and to make maneuvering easier.
   Turn the Boat: Carefully turn the boat around, ideally performing a Williamson turn or a figure-eight maneuver to return to the person’s location.
5. Approach the Person in the Water
   Approach Slowly: Approach the person from downwind or against the current, as this will give you more control over the boat’s movements.
   Prepare for Recovery: Have a guest/crew member ready with a boat hook or a heaving line to assist in bringing the person back on board.
6. Retrieve the Person
   Use a Lifeline or Ladder: If possible, use a lifeline, rescue sling, or a boarding ladder to help the person climb back onto the boat.
   Assist with Care: Ensure that the person is safely and carefully brought back onto the boat. Be mindful of their condition and avoid further injuries.
7. Provide First Aid
   Check for Injuries: Once the person is back on board, check for any injuries or signs of hypothermia.
   Administer First Aid: Provide necessary first aid, DRSABCD and keep the person warm. Where practical, remove their wet clothes and wrap them in something warm. Put them into a warm windless part of the boat. If needed, contact emergency services for further medical assistance.
8. Report the Incident
   Log the Incident: Document the incident in the boat’s log, noting the time, location, and actions taken.
   Report to Authorities: If the incident occurred in regulated waters or if the person requires medical attention, report the incident to the relevant maritime authorities.

Conclusion: Emergency Preparedness

The Man Overboard Drill is a vital part of boating safety training. It prepares you for unexpected situations, builds confidence, and ensures that you can effectively manage your vessel and crew. Remember, the key to mastering any emergency is practice and preparation. Stay calm, stay prepared, and enjoy your boating adventures safely.