Crew Overboard - A walk through

Here is a description of the activities of each person during the crew overboard drill. The actors in this drill are:

• Pointer: The person responsible for pointing to the crew overboard. This person must keep the overboard crew member in view at all times.
• Crew: This is one or two additional people. The crew are responsible for managing the sails.
• Helm: The helmsman is responsible for driving the boat.

This is a walk-through of the triangular method of crew overboard recovery, as described by Gillian West in Basic Cruising Skills (provided as part of your Basic Cruising course material).


Crew falls overboard

• Pointer: Yells crew overboard and points to the overboard crew member (COB). Pointer shouts: "Are you OK?"
  
• Crew: Throws a buoyant object (life jacket, kisbey ring, etc) at the COB.
• Helm: Immediate turn the boat to a beam reach, without tacking or gybing. This means either bearing away (if you are close hauled or close reaching -- shout: bearing away to a beam reach) or heading up (if you are broad reaching or running -- shout: heading up to a beam reach). It is important that the helmsman drives the boat is a straight line. The helmsman should NOT look at the COB, as that will cause the helm to turn.
  
• Crew: Adjust the sails appropriately. Prepares the jib for a tack (knowing this is coming later).
  
• Pointer: Call out the number of boat-lengths the COB is (for example: 4 boat-lengths, 5 boat-lengths).
  

At 6-8 boat lengths
When the COB is 6-8 boat lengths away, the boat must be tacked. The distance is determined by the type of boat. Some boats are OK at 6, others really need the 8 to ensure they have enough time to slow down. When in doubt error on the side of too far.

• Helm: Shouts - "Prepare to come about"
• Crew: If the jib is not prepared, the crew prepares the jib. The main is left as is (set for beam reach). The tack will be from a beam reach, to a beam reach, so there is no need to bring in the main. Shouts - Ready.
  
• Pointer: Keeps pointing at the COB and positions themselves to permit pointing during the tack. Shouts - Ready.
• Helm: Shouts - Helms-a-lee and sharply turns the boat (helm all the way over). You want to perform the tack as quickly as possible, so as not to loose any speed. The boat is tacked from a beam reach to a beam reach. Once the tack is complete (the sails are on the other side), the helm shouts - Bearing away to a broad reach. The helm continues turning until the boat is at a broad reach. This entire 235 degree turn should be performed in one smooth motion.
  
• Crew: Adjust the jib for the tack (that is, bring it to the other side). Do not bring it in too tight, as you will be bearing away immediately. Adjust the main sail for a broad reach (let it out), and re-adjust the jib for a broad reach (let it out).
  

On the broad reach

• Helm: Ensure you are driving the boat in a straight line on a broad reach (not a run or a beam reach). Avoid the temptation to look at the COB.
• Pointer: Provide a warning as the COB approaches perpendicular (directly abeam).
  

When the COB is perpendicular

• Pointer: Shout - COB is perpendicular (or COB is abeam).
• Helm: Shout - Heading up. Point the boat at the COB. Let the pointer know you have the COB in view.
  
• Crew: Adjust the sails for close reach (adjust the main first, then the jib).
• Pointer: For the drill, once the helm has seen the COB, you should prepare the boat hook to pick-up the COB. In real life, you would remain pointer unless the boat is short on crew. In which case, once the helm has the COB in view, the pointer can prepare the reboarding device.
  

When the COB is 1-3 boat lengths from the boat
You will need to lose speed in order to pick up the COB. When you start losing speed, depends upon your boat speed and the strength of the wind.

• Helm: Keep pointing directly at the COB. You will alter course when the COB is about 1/2 a boat-length away to bring the COB onto your windward side.
• Helm: When the boat is 1-3 boat lengths, start losing speed. First let loose the jib: shout - Blow the jib (or release the jib).
• Crew: Upon the command release the jib sheets. Let the jib luff.
• Helm: When ready, let loose the main. Note that the main is your "engine". It is what will control your speed the most. Shout - Blow the main (or release the main).
• Crew: Release the main sheets. Let the main luff.
• Helm: Steer the boat such that the COB is on the windward side for pickup.
• Pointer: Recover the COB.