Seamanship_Secrets_185_Tips_-_Techniques_for_Better_Navigation-_Cruise_Planning-_and_Boat_Handling_Under_Power_or_Sail_(Re)_e..

276 seamanship secrets

4. Head into the wind alongside
   the man overboard, or continue
   circling the victim with a trailing
   line (see the Lifesling Method
   below).

HEAVETO

Not all vessels perform the quick-stop

method eff ectively. For inexperienced

or shorthanded crews, try heaving-to

(see below). Th en perform these four

steps:

1. Th row fl otation.


2. Get a bearing on the victim
   before you lose contact.


3. If more crew are below, get
   their attention by shouting
   or using a whistle or horn.


4. If you are alone, use the
   Lifesling recovery method
   discussed below.

LIFESLING METHOD: POWER

OR SAILING VESSEL

Th e Lifesling—a horseshoe-shaped,

throwable device with a polypropylene

trail line attached—off ers an easy way

for inexperienced crews to bring a

person alongside for recovery. If you

do not have a Lifesling aboard, you can

still use this method for recovery.

1. Powerboats should turn the wheel toward the person, slow to idle speed,
   and continue to turn. Make a circle around the person in the water. Sailboats
   should use the quick-stop maneuver described above, but continue to sail
   around the person in a circle.


2. Th row the buoyancy device on the trail line (or a fl otation device attached
   to a line) inside the circle, toward the person. Continue around the circle
   until the person in the water grabs the device.


3. Stop the boat immediately. Powerboats should place both engines into
   neutral. Sailboats should luff up and drop sails. Aft er the person dons the

The Leeward-Windward
Approach Debate

So, which is the safer side to approach
a person in the water? Some may argue
that you must make all approaches to
leeward of the person. This approach
has its merits under sail, in that the
sails will luff to leeward and clear the
recovery area. Under sail or power,
there is less chance for injury because
the hull will drift downwind.
But what if you drift away from the
person before you are able to get a
line to him or her? In cold water or
with an unconscious victim, even a
short delay could cause grave danger
(see “Signs of Hypothermia and Cold-
Water Shock” below). On the other
hand, an approach to windward of
the person creates a lee (calm area)
for them because the boat hull blocks
the wind. If you are off by a few feet
on a windward approach, the boat
could still drift down to the person.
And, you could attach a line to a
fl otation aid and fl oat it downwind to
the person. In either case, base your
decision on wind and sea conditions,
boat-handling characteristics, and
the number and capability of your
crew.