I’ve only experienced one real man-overboard event. Thankfully it was in fair weather in daylight. A guest on the bow stood up and lifted his binoculars to his eyes. He stumbled and fell backwards over the rail where the lifelines sloped down to the bowsprit. We instantly tossed him a couple of throw cushions. As the boat slid by him, he yelled up “I’m OK.” Oddly, he continued to hold the binoculars over his head, so we knew he wasn’t hurt or panicked.
We calmly executed our practiced man-overboard procedure, while keeping him in sight and bringing the boat head-to-wind. We started the engine, dropped sails, and motored back while putting the boarding ladder out. In minutes we were within yards of him, putting the engine in neutral. Someone tossed our horse-shoe life ring and polypropylene tether, but he climbed the ladder back aboard, unharmed. It was an excellent learning opportunity for everybody.
Losing someone overboard is one of the most dangerous and life-threatening emergencies you might experience, which is why you should have an MOB
