US SAILING Course and Sailing School: COB Crew Overboard ( MOB Man Overboard )

The first steps in any crew-overboard situation are as follows: 1) Yell "CREW OVERBOARD" ( COB ) to alert your crew. 2) Throw flotation devices to the COB and create a debris field. 3) Appoint one or more spotters to point at and never take their eyes off the COB. 4) Have a plan on getting the MOB on board, ( use of the spinnaker halyard etc. ).

Factors on how the COB is approached will vary greatly depending upon the point-of-sail, size of the boat, the strength of the wind and the skill of the skipper. Thus, know your boat and frequently practice COB rescues. In a small keelboat and low-wind situation, it takes less skill to approach a COB on a close reach. However, with higher winds and larger keelboats an approach in irons may be needed to effectively stop the boat. In this instance, the skipper must know the glide distance of the boat because if he undershoots the COB he may have to start the approach over.

There are two basic types of rescue: The life sling approach and approaching the COB directly on a close reach or in irons. If approaching on a close reach, it is usually best to have the COB on the leeward side of your boat.

Rescue Methods which position the boat to approach the COB on a close reach or in irons (directly into the wind). A close reach is a desirable approach to a COB because, in many sailboats, it allows for both stopping the sailboat by luffing the sails and powering forward by trimming the sails. If one approaches the MOB on a run or broad reach, the sailboat cannot be stopped. In addition, a sailboat cannot be easily stopped on a beam reach since the boom cannot be let out a full 90 deg because of the slight aft placement of the shrouds.

Sailing into irons to approach a COB may also be desirable if the sailboat cannot be stopped on a close reach approach. This can happen with larger sailboats or heavy winds where the boat will continue to go forward without the force of the sails (i.e. some sailboats will travel forward with bare poles in a high wind situation.)

Quick Turn Technique ( Figure 8 Recovery ) :

Click on the pictures to enlarge.

Advantages of this technique include:

1. Can be performed from any point of sail.
2. A jibe is not required.

Disadvantages of the technique include:

Must sail away from the COB.

Harder to keep site of the COB.

Steps in this technique:

Immediately sail on a beam reach heading away from the COB for a maximum of four boat lengths.

Head up ( Sail into the wind ).

Perform a Coming about or tacking maneuver.

Head down ( bear away or sail away from the wind ) to a deep broad reach.

Cross your beam reach wake line until you are down wind from the COB. As soon as the COB is aft of your beam head up to a close reach.
Note: Many sailors will sail on a beam reach with the apparent wind 90 degrees off the bow. It should be remembered that the true wind is aft of the apparent wind. The stronger the true wind the more aft the apparent wind is. Thus, if the boat is turned directly around and sailed in the opposite direction the boat will be in a shallow broad reach point of sail. Thus, you need to use the wind as a guide of when to turn toward the COB and you may have to turn sooner than you think. )

Now you can luff your sails and slowly approach the COB. If you need more power, pull in the mainsail to midline.

Quick Stop Technique: This technique is easiest to perform when sailing on a close reach or close hauled. In this point of sail the boom is also close to midline making a jibe in high winds safer. (Some sailboats will not easily Jibe in high winds. )


         Click on the pictures to enlarge.


Advantages of this technique include:

1. Fast technique when performed properly.
2. The sailboat does not venture far from the COB.
3. Easiest to keep site of the COB. Thus, this technique may be the best to use if only one crew member is left onboard who must try to maneuver the boat and spot the COB at the same time.

Disadvantages of the technique include:

Must perform a jibe which is a harder maneuver to perform especially in high winds ( common COB conditions ) and when one is short on a crew member.

Cannot be performed when one is on a run.

Steps in this technique:

Sail away from the COB in a close reach.

Perform a coming about maneuver ( tacking ) with the jib backed ( do not release the jib's working sheet ) to perform a tight turn.

Keep the COB abeam ( directly off the boat's beam ) at all times, until the final approach.

Sail downwind of the COB.

Perform a jib. The backed jib is in the correct position for the jibe and thus only the mainsail has to be centered and then let out.

Let the jib go (release the sheets ) and allow to luff freely.

Approach the COB on a close reach.

Recovery on a Run : Click on the pictures to enlarge.

The steps are as follows:

1. Sail away from the COB for 3 boat lengths.
2. Turn upwind in the direction opposite of the boom. Thus, if you are on a port tack with your boom to starboard, turn the boat to port.
3. Head up ( turn into the wind ).
4. Come about ( tack ) the boat by steering the bow through the wind.
5. Depending upon the number of your crew and the distance from the COB, you may want to release the sheets on the jib and let it luff, sailing with the mainsail alone. This will slow the boat and make it easier sail.
6. Approach the COB on a close reach. Trim ( pull towards center ) the mainsail to increase speed, let the mainsail luff to slow the boat. At this point the jib should be let go and allowed to luff freely.

Life Sling Type of Recovery: This method requires that you have a conscious cooperative COB which can grab a life sling. The steps of this method are as follows:

Stop the boat.

Throw out the life sling.

Sail in circles around the COB until the life sling approaches the person. The jib is allowed to back to tighten the circles.