Quickstop! Crew Overboard Recovery

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To come up with a recovery system that is simple to remember and effective under stress, the US Naval Academy Sailing Squadron, the Cruising Club of America Technical Committee, the Sailing Foundation of Seattle, Washington, and the US Yacht Racing Union Safety at Sea Committee joined forces to conduct extensive sea trials. The result of their collaboration is the “Quick-Stop” method, the hallmark of which is…quickly stopping the boat by turning immediately into the wind, whether the boat is going upwind or downwind, maneuvering slowly around the COB and approaching in a controlled way for the recovery.

Steps for Quick-Stop Indexed to Diagram

1.Shout “Crew Overboard” and assign a crew member to spot and point to the COB’s position in the water continuously. The spotter should not take his/her eyes off the COB. If possible have a crew hit the “MOB” button on a GPS.

2.Immediately throw buoyant objects into the water: cockpit cushions, old fashioned horseshoe etc. These objects may not only come to the aid of the COB, but also will litter the water where he/she went overboard and help your spotter. USCG regulations, as well as many class rules require that a throwable PFD be on board. Deployment of the older style “pole and flag” or newer style MOM (“Man Overboard Module”) takes too much time if the boat is moving away fast from the COB: the pole or MOM are better saved to drop close to the COB as the boat approaches (later in the Quick-Stop) especially if there is chance that the first “circle” was not successful and a second circle has to be attempted.

3.If the boat was on an upwind course, tack immediately.

4. Allow headsail to back and further slow the boat.

5. Keep turning with headsail backed until wind is abaft the beam.

6. Head on beam-to-broad reach course for two or three boat lengths then go nearly dead downwind.

7. Drop the headsail while keeping the mainsail centered (or nearly so). Take up on both jib sheets as you drop the jib, helping to keep the jib inside the lifelines.

8. Hold the downward course until boat passes abeam of the COB.

9. Gybe carefully, lest you add to your woes.

11.Approach the COB on a course of approximately 45 degrees to 60 degrees off the wind.

12.Start turning head to wind; have crew throw heaving line from foredeck to COB or deploy Lifesling; recover COB, over the windward side preferably.