What is the recommended drill for "man overboard"?

• A. Practice with a person in the water, shout, maintain visual contact, throw flotation, and execute a controlled return to recover.
• B. Immediately abandon the vessel and sail away.
• C. Call shore and wait for rescue without attempting to recover.
• D. Lower a lifeboat without signaling.

Answer: (A)

In a man overboard situation, the priority is to take immediate, coordinated action that keeps the person in sight and brings them back aboard safely. The best drill mirrors this sequence: practice with a person in the water, loudly alert that someone is overboard, maintain continuous visual contact, throw a flotation device or line to aid and attract attention, and then execute a controlled return maneuver to recover the person onto the vessel. This approach minimizes delay, keeps the MOB visible, and provides buoyant assistance while you work your way back to a safe recovery. Abandoning the vessel, waiting passively for shore rescue, or lowering a lifeboat without signaling all fail to provide the immediate, organized response needed and can endanger the person in the water.