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Boating is fun; however, as with any other outdoor activity, mishaps are bound to happen. Speaking of casualties, the most dangerous by far is an unexpected trip overboard.
It’s impractical to rule out the possibility of a MOB (Man Overboard) situation while at sea. Even skilled boaters occasionally experience a man overboard (MOB) situation. A typical example is the case of the sailor who fell aboard while taking a leak in New Zealand.
The most likely cause of falling overboard is standing without holding onto something, especially on smaller boats or in rough waters. Any sudden vessel movement caused by waves or hard sway can cause a person to fall overboard. Wear a lifejacket and use one hand to hold onto the vessel.
In large vessels like cruise ships, falling overboard is less unlikely because of the high railings, precautionary measures, and security cameras that monitor what’s happening are also helpful. But when it does happen, it is often caused by intoxication.
According to reports by the US Coast Guard in 2020, falling overboard ranked the fifth out of all boating accidents, with 355 incidents recorded. About 54% caused deaths, and about 48% suffered injuries.
What Can Cause Someone to Fall Overboard?
Now let’s go into the detail of some of the causes of these MOB situations
Standing while the boat is moving
This is the most common cause, and it is especially common in small boats. When in motion, folks tend to lose balance and move to the side or low railing. If you stand in the boat, you ought to have at least one hand on it; otherwise, you run the risk of falling overboard.
Also, neglecting to use lifelines, handholds, and toe rails are signs of carelessness that can lead to a serious accident.
Also, neglecting to use lifelines, handholds, and toe rails are signs of carelessness that can lead to a serious accident.
Drinking alcohol near the edge
While you’re out there to have a blast, ensure you consume alcohol moderately. It is very possible to get so drunk that you start messing around or even try to “test the waters”. Alcohol can make you move to the edge where the sight of moving water can make you dizzy, and you never know when that happens next.
Suicide mission
This might sound crazy, but several cases of persons deliberately jumping off a boat exist. Many suicide missions happen at night. Since there might not be many people around, the number of available persons, if there are any, may not be enough to save the person who goes overboard.
People that commit suicide on ships are either excessively drunk or have gone through serious disturbances onboard. In other cases, such persons had personal issues that reached a breaking point during the cruise, and they chose to take their life.
Pushing or throwing someone overboard
Don’t get me wrong; a little altercation can quickly turn into a sticky situation. And when tempers flare, it’s easy to do something stupid – push the opponent overboard. In other cases, people were thrown overboard, and the offenders remained unknown.
What to do when you see someone go overboard
The most important thing to do in a MOB situation is to stay calm. Do not panic; call for help. This is the time to yell and point. If you notice a person falling overboard, already in the water, or flailing, first you need to raise the “man overboard” alarm and make them know if the person is on the “port side (left) or “starboard side” (right). Don’t stop pointing until they are rescued. If the overboard passenger isn’t wearing a life jacket, throw one immediately. Also, throw a personal flotation device (PFD). Ideally, it is recommended that every passenger or crew member on a ship wears a PFD at all times to protect them from drowning if they go overboard.
In addition to this, it’s crucial you realize that there are two MOB situations; in-sight scenarios and out of sight. The rescue methods for each differ.
You need to ensure that your boat has procedures for both covered. The required safety equipment such as lifejackets (for everybody on the boat, including children), floatation aids, lifelines, and throw-able bags must also be available.
In-Sight Scenarios
If the person overboard is in sight, you must keep them in view until they are rescued. In such cases, the principles to apply are the “reach, throw, row, and go” steps of water rescue.
Step 1: Reach
You can reach out with an oar, pole, or anything you have nearby while holding on to the dock if the person is close enough.
Step 2: Throw
Too far away to reach? Throw floatable devices to grab like a lifeline or a throw bag.
Step 3: Row
You couldn’t reach them with a throw-able device? Row closer to the person or use a MOB boat. Or, if there’s another vessel closer to the person overboard, alert them for help. Do not approach them using the motor side of the ship, so they don’t get hurt by the propeller.
Step 4: Go/Don’t Go
This is the last step and requires special training. Unless you are trained specially in water rescue, do not attempt to go into the water to save. Call for help instead while keeping them in your line of sight.
Out of Sight Scenarios
Out-of-sight scenarios happen at night, or in the rare case that you had the person in view and then lost sight of them. Whichever the case, here’s what you need to do;
Step 1: Throw a Floatation Device
Throw a lighted floatation device like a life ring into the water. If you still don’t see them, call for help.
Step 2: Call for Help
Alert the necessary authorities by using the VHF radio, pressing the MOB alarm, or calling on a mayday.
Step 3: Call out and Listen
Slowly maneuver the boat, call out to the person and listen. Do this starting from the last seen point. If you hear nothing, move on to the next. Keep searching while waiting for the Coast Guard’s arrival.
Rescue is only complete when the person is revived. So, after getting the person to safety, assess their conditions. Check their pulse, breathing, and body temperature. If you notice any distress, give first aid and seek medical assistance immediately.
What are the Dangers of Falling Overboard?
Falling overboard should be treated as an emergency. This is because of the potential risks that follow a MOB situation. These risks include,
Getting Hurt from the Fall
The sea is not as soft as it looks in the case of a fall. A person can get injured from the force of impact with the water, especially if they hit the water with the chest or back. They may hit a body part on any part of the boat. If the person falls near the vessel’s motor, the propeller may hurt them.
Hypothermia
This abnormal drop in the body’s internal temperature is caused by sudden, prolonged exposure to cold. Falling into cold waters is a medical emergency. The heart, brain, and other vital organs would not function properly, and one can die if proper care is not provided on time.
Drifting away
While overboard, strong currents can toss the person around. The current may fling them against the parts of the vessel or anything in the water. They may be carried away, out of reach and sight by the sea.
Sharks and jellyfishes
Sharks and other sea animals may not harass you while at sea if you are aboard. However, falling overboard puts you at risk, especially if you happen to be bleeding. Contact with a jellyfish can send several shocks to your body that can lead to paralysis instantly. “Death by shark’s teeth or jellyfish’s shock” is a cruel way to die.
Essential Tips that will Prevent You from Falling Overboard
Here are a few tips to prevent a MOB situation from happening.
- While aboard, wear quality boating shoes like non-skid footwear. They provide an excellent foothold even in wet conditions.
- Be vigilant. You and every other passenger or crew member should stay alert and aware always. If you notice anything out of the blue, notify everyone.
- Do not leave children out alone anywhere on the ship. The side railings may be too high for a child, so do not leave them unattended. The case of the 3-year-old who stood on her seat and fell over the side nearly ended as a tragedy.
- Always wear your safety harness, and it must be secured firmly to a jack line, especially if you are sailing for the first time.
- When sailing, there’s this general saying, “One hand for the boat, one hand for yourself.” Boats usually have handholds, toe rails, and lifelines that you can hold on to for safety. You should keep at least one hand on something.
- Before heading out to sea, check the weather predictions. Don’t risk it if the weather conditions are bad. Even in calm waters, anything can happen out of the blue. You can’t win against natural elements with physical strength. If you are an amateur, light winds and flat waters are your safest bets.
- As much as you can, try to avoid taking alcoholic drinks while sailing. If you must, take them while ashore and rest for a while before heading out.
- Do not stay too close to the boat’s edge for any reason. Do not sit or stand in any area not designated for such.
- Keep the boat lights on at night, especially on the deck. It would help if you always had a flashlight with you too.
- Avoid making sharp turns. An unexpected vessel movement can cause a loss of balance and a fall into the sea.
As a precaution, always wear a flotation device like a life jacket. Wearing a life jacket doesn’t guard against falling into the water. Still, it increases one’s chances of survival if a fall happens.
If you happen to fall overboard, stay calm. Conserve your energy by floating. In 2018, reports showed that a 46-year-old British woman survived 10 hours after falling into the Adriatic Sea. Her survival was attributed to her calm disposition and life vest.
What To Do If I Fall Overboard?
If the words calm and hopeful mean anything to you, this is the time to put them into practice. Of course, it’s easier said than done for someone who just fell in blue water, and they’re gasping for life. But that’s the trick. Many times, those saved successfully after falling overboard remained calm and followed the rescue team’s instructions.
Also, try to float instead of swim to conserve your energy. If you don’t know the basics of floating, try to lie down on the water as you would on a bed, and you’ll realize it’s working. For more inspiration, read the story of a man who remained afloat in the Indian Ocean for over 24 hours before he was reached by a MOB boat.
So Then, How Do You Stop yourself from Falling Overboard?
The basic rule of boating is to always have at least one hand on the vessel when standing or moving. Neglecting this simple rule can make you lose balance and fall in or out of the boat. Also, make sure to:
- Keep off the edges while taking alcohol or even after. If you feel dizzy, go inside and lie down till you feel sober. It’s also a good idea to inform someone of your whereabouts in advance.
- Refrain from emotional talks near the edge. Emotions can make someone lose some level of contact with reality and get carried away into doing the unthinkable. It’s easy to get dared by your better half to jump overboard when you just said you could do anything for her! So, if you are having a romantic moment or an escalated argument, try and go inside.
- Stay inside when the waters get wild. The deck usually becomes slippery during rough waters, and the wind blows at dangerous velocity. These two factors increase the chances of an unfortunate unwelcome situation. Therefore, staying inside would be the safest bet. And if you ever need to go outside during stormy seas, wear non–slip shoes.
Final Thoughts
Falling overboard is an emergency and by far the most dangerous boating mishap. It is unlikely to happen on a good day if every passenger on the vessel obeys boating rules and regulations. However, if it happens, stay calm, ensure you keep your eyes on the person and remember the four basic steps: Reach, Throw, Row, and Go/Don’t go.
