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to wear, and equip them all with whistles and personal strobe lights, even personal pen-sized flares.

Take time to practice. Try out your hoisting system during a sunny afternoon swim, practice heaving a line to a swimmer and pull them alongside. And try tossing a cushion over the side and see how long it takes to recover it.

My own experience with the Life-Sling makes me feel it is perhaps the most functional MOB recovery device. Stream it overboard, make a turn around the victim and drag the line and buoyant sling to the victim. The sling can then be used to haul the victim to the yacht and be used to hoist them back aboard. I was impressed with its simplicity and functionality. Perhaps a secondary alternative would be a line tied to a fender or two that could be used in a similar fashion. Try them out and see what works for you.

The best way to deal with any man overboard is to prevent them, or at least minimize the hazard. If the weather is rough, provide harnesses and tethers, rig jacklines fore and aft, and port and starboard if necessary, so that crewmembers who must work on deck can reach all required equipment and gear without having to unclip from the yacht. As always, safety should be your number one concern, and safety begins with good judgement, knowledge and planning for the worst.

I hope this information is helpful, and has opened your eyes to the true nature of MOB recovery. It is my greatest hope that you will never have to put it to actual use. Fair skies and gentle seas.

MOB Checklist
1. Eyes-on MOB
2. Deploy MOB gear
3. Hit MOB button on GPS or LORAN
4. Commence Williamson Turn
5. Determine and communicate recovery / hoisting plan
- Heaving line v. maneuvering, windward or leeward side
6. Rig recovery and hoisting gear
7. Maneuver to recovery position
8. Recover MOB
9. Evaluate MOB for injury/shock/hypothermia
10. Insure all crew safely aboard and uninjured
11. Stand down from MOB recovery
12. Analyze MOB recovery tactics and techniques

Learn more about this author, Robert Strayton.
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