In the event of the alarming number of "Man Overboard" incidents, at Off Radar Cruise News, we take the matter seriously and want to do our bit to generate awareness.
It goes without saying that knowing the correct procedures to follow in a heart wrenching "Man Overboard" situation, is in real terms the only realistic opportunity one has of saving the life of a loved one or friend with a successful rescue.
So in the event a person falls or slips overboard it's crucial that someone spots the incident and thereafter everyone surrounding works together in synergy. By rights the Captain has the overall responsibility of leading the rescue effort and assigning jobs, that is as soon as he's aware of the accident.
The "Man Overboard" procedure has 4 main stages depending upon the case as follows:
Phase 1 - Shout "MAN OVERBOARD"
The very first thing you must do if you see a person go overboard is shout "MAN OVERBOARD" as loud as you possibly can. It's also important to state the side of the ship - example:
- Port (left side facing forward)
- Starboard (right side facing forward).
Phase 2 - Maintain focus on victim and point
The person you originally spotted the "MAN OVERBOARD"should maintain vision on the victim and point to his exact location. The spotter should then keep pointing at the victim. Keep in mind that keeping a sharp eye on someone bobbing up and down in the middle of the ocean is exceptionally challenging.
The pointing action will give everyone else around you on board an immediate direction. The ideal scenario is that the person who spotted the "MAN OVERBOARD"should remain the spotter throughout the entire rescue. However the more people who can fix eyes on the victim the better, as it acts like a kind of back up. In the event you need to reassign the duty, ensure the new spotter has securely locked eyes on the victim.
The ship is naturally going to move away from the victim initially, hence if you lose sight for even a split second, you could lose track of the victim altogether.
Phase 3 - Create a trail
Someone must quickly throw a flotation device (ring) into the water for the victim to swim to. If the ship is moving at a high rate of knots, start throwing in anything that floats to leave a kind of trail to the scene. Sun-bed cushions, Life-Jackets, even your clothing or hat. Literally anything visible that floats can help create a trail.
Phase 4 - Launch tender boat
Depending upon the size, if the ship has travelled too far past the victim, the vessel may need to turn back towards the victim to make the rescue. For a rescue to be made a tender boat would be lowered to follow the trail made and recover the victim.
Summary
A "MAN OVERBOARD"situation is a horrific event and the chances of recovering the victim and realistically small due to the size of a Cruise Ship and the magnitude of our great oceans. There is a chance however if the spotter can maintain sight and all of the other phases mentioned above are followed carefully. A life is a life and we must all do what we can if a "MAN OVERBOARD"situation occurs.
