Shipyard Man Overboard Protocol

Few calls from a boat or shipyard are more terrifying than man overboard. In the open water, far from land, someone falling overboard is a desperate situation requiring immediate action. Falling from a dock in the protected area of a marina or shipyard requires immediate action before the victim drowns or is crushed under a moored ship. Emergency protocols are in place at all major shipyards, but knowing what to do in a crisis situation and acting immediately could save a life.

  1. Safety Rules in a Shipyard

    • Falls are a major source of injury for dockworkers and all shipyards have safety rules and procedures in place to prevent accidents from happening. Guardrails surround workers 5 feet above deck. If working outside of the rails, they wear full-body harnesses. Ladders must be secured to a solid object. If working over water, dockworkers are required to wear personal flotation devices.

    Man Overboard Procedures

    • Stepping off the dock or falling from a moored boat can happen even on the calmest of days. Even when following safety procedures, accidents happen. If you witness someone falling into the water, don't assume the person can swim and yell "Man overboard!" Keep your eye on him and throw any available object for him to grab --life jackets, fenders or ropes -- if they're readily available. If he's close enough to the dock, extend a boat hook for him to grab and pull him to the dock where you and others can assist in lifting him out of the water. Call 911 for help at any time during the rescue. If the person is unconscious, dive in only if you can swim and take a life jacket with you to place on him. Stay there until help arrives. A method used by rescue workers and easy to remember is "reach, throw, row, go."

    Victim Procedures

    • Remain calm. Look for something to grab onto or wait for someone on the dock to throw you a lifeline or float. Keep as still as possible, hanging onto the float, and wait for rescue. Restrict movements as much as possible. Hypothermia can set in quickly in cold water, so conserving energy is essential to survival. If the water is rough, turn your back to the waves. This helps keep water from breaking waves splashing into your mouth and nose.

    On a Vessel

    • As soon as someone goes overboard, throw the lifebuoy and attachment in the direction she went over the side. Shout "Man overboard!" and keep your eye on her. Assume the boat is moving, so distance between you and the person in the water will quickly develop. Point at her and tell the helmsman to stop the boat and turn around immediately. Call the U.S. Coast Guard for assistance.

    Practice

    • First responders and the Coast Guard advise boaters to practice man-overboard procedures with all crew members at least once a year. Shipyards hold safety classes and require all workers to attend. A practice exercise mimics real-life situations, without the emergency to demonstrate actual procedures and methods to use should the need arise.