The two recognized maneuvers in the event of a man-overboard situation are
- the 'Reach and Reach' method, also known as 'Six Second Reach' or 'Figure Eight,
- the the 'Quick Stop' method.

Since anyone in a crew can be the person overboard, it makes sense to advise all persons on board of what to do in the event of a MOB situation – both from being the MOB to being on the boat during a MOB.

Apart from actually maneuvring the boat to the spot of the accident there are a few measures to be taken as soon as it happens:

1. Anyone seeing a person go overboard should immediately shout, “Man Overboard”, point and continue to point at the MOB and not take their eyes off the MOB until or unless another spotter is appointed to prevent losing sight of the person in the water.

2. Throw anything that will help the MOB stay afloat – a life jacket, a life ring, a boat cushion etc. These items will also help mark the location of the MOB.

3. The skipper should appoint a spotter – usually the person who initially saw the MOB.

4. Shout words of encouragement to the MOB. “Don’t worry, we will get to you.” “Stay calm, we are just turning around to come back for you.” etc.

5. Stay calm on the boat. Follow the skipper's instructions.
a. Once close to the MOB the skipper will give directions to throw the MOB a floatable line. If the line is not attached to a sling or life ring, make a large loop in the end using a bowline so that the MOB can place the line around his body and under the arms.
b The skipper will likely direct that all sails be lowered in order to hold the boats position.

6. Slowly pull the MOB to the boat making sure that the s/he is able to keep his face out of the water. Pulling too quickly may pull them under.

7. Once beside the boat, pull the MOB aboard. S/he may not be able to offer much assistance. If the MOB is too heavy to pull aboard by crew power alone, run a line from a forward cleat back to a cockpit winch. Dip the (non-floating) line over the side so that the MOB can stand on it. Winch in the line to raise the MOB to deck level.
An alternative to the above is to push the boom out over the MOB, using a block and tackle system attached to the boom, hoist the MOB out of the water and then swing the boom back over the deck to recover the MOB.

8. Once back onboard, check the MOB for physical injuries and treat for hypothermia if necessary.

The choice of maneuver depends on the maneuverability of the boat and the wind and sea conditions.

Whenever someone shouts “Man Overboard!”, the person at the helm will immediately put the boat into a beam reach (sail straight across the wind). The advantage of doing a beam reach is that if you lose sight of the MOB, you at least know that you can come about (tack back) and retrace your course and regain sight of the MOB. The other important aspect of doing a beam reach you always know that you will be able to sail back on the same course and not find yourself trying to sail against the wind or control your running speed sailing downwind.

Once the helmsman has sufficient space between the boat and the MOB, (note: a crew member who is able to judge boat lengths should be shouting out distance from the MOB in order help the helmsman determine when he has sufficient room to tack about.), the helmsman will tack (not gybe).

When coming out of the tack, head immediately down wind (broad reach) from the MOB. If you are sailing solo, release the jib sheets and let the jib luff to slow the boat speed.

When you are at a Close Reach angle to the MOB, turn up into a Close Reach pointed slightly below the MOB. If you sailed towards the MOB at a Close Hauled point of sail, a wind shift could stall the boat or in strong winds, you will not be able to make much head way. Sailing at a Close Reach point of sail gives you more ‘wiggle’ room.

As you approach the MOB from a downwind position, slow the boat speed by slightly turning up into the wind and then turning down to avoid stalling. Once close and still downwind from the MOB, turn the boat into the wind so that it stalls and comes to a stop beside the MOB. It is important that the crew know which side of the boat the MOB will be on once the boat has stalled.

Once stopped and beside the MOB, through a line to the MOB - see above.

Important Aspects to Remember:

Maintaining sight of the MOB is critical – give yourself enough room to tack about and angle downwind but don’t wait to tack until you have lost sight of the MOB.

If you fail to head downwind coming out of the tack, you will gain too much boat speed heading back to the MOB and will not be able to stall the boat without heading upwind from the MOB.

From a leeward (downwind) position, approach the MOB on a Close Reach point of sail. Get a feel for controlling boat speed by heading up (turning up into the wind) and heading down (turning down wind).

Unlike a standard tack, the jib sheets will not be touched which means that as the boat comes about, the jib will back on itself.

The mainsail, as the tack is initiated, should be pulled into the centerline position of the boat. This will slow boat speed and the backed jib will help swing the bow down through the turn.

The sheets are not touched and with the rudder turned in the same direction the boat will continue to sail in circles around the MOB until such time as you can pull up to the MOB from a leeward position and stall the boat beside the MOB.

Since you will approaching the MOB from a leeward position, once below the MOB you will need to gybe to head back up to the MOB. Again, the sails are not touched. The mainsail is already secured over the centerline so there will be no swing of the boom.

If you are short of crew, this is an excellent method for recovering a MOB. Nothing has to be done to the jib sheets and only the mainsail needs to be centered.

In heavy winds and seas this method of recovering a MOB presents a few more problems in that the boat will catch a lot of wind at the top of the tack and the bottom of the gybe creating a lot of heeling.

The advantage to this maneuver is that you are always circling the MOB and therefore reduce the chances of losing sight of the MOB.

Start your motor in order to maintain control of the boat and lower your sails to help hold your position.

Slowly drift or motor back to the MOB. Once within line throwing distance, throw a line to the MOB and slowly pull the MOB to the side of the boat making sure while you are pulling that the MOB’s head does not go under water.

Your motor is running - make sure it is in neutral, or better, turn it off when ready to bring the MOB aboard so that the MOB or a line does not get caught in the propeller.