Man Overboard (MOB) refers to a person falling into the water from a vessel — one of the most time-critical emergencies at sea, given how quickly a person’s position relative to a moving ship changes.
Immediate Response Sequence
- Raise the alarm — shout “Man Overboard” and press the MOB alarm/button, alerting the bridge immediately
- Keep sight of the person — a dedicated lookout should point continuously at the person in the water if visible, since losing visual contact drastically complicates recovery
- Mark the position — GPS MOB button (marks exact position electronically) and throw a lifebuoy with self-igniting light/smoke signal near the person if possible
- Maneuver the vessel — standard recovery maneuvers (Williamson turn, Anderson turn, or Scharnov turn depending on situation) bring the vessel back to the person’s position
- Recovery — using the rescue boat, pilot ladder, or dedicated recovery equipment depending on conditions and available crew
Why Speed Matters
Depending on water temperature, sea state, and the person’s condition, survival time in the water can be very limited — the response sequence is drilled specifically to minimize the time between the person entering the water and recovery.
Mandatory Drills
MOB drills are a required, regularly scheduled safety drill under SOLAS and company Safety Management Systems, ensuring the entire crew — not just officers — knows their role in a real MOB situation.
Exam Relevance
MOB recovery maneuvers, procedures, and their reasoning are core Navigation and Safety topics in deck officer competency exams.