admin Date , April 8, 2026 Sailing 10 Days to Go
“What Happens If Someone Falls In?
”This is one of those topics that starts as theory…
And very quickly becomes:
Something you really want to get right
If someone falls overboard:
Time matters
Visibility matters
Calm thinking matters
And shouting:
“They’ve fallen in!”
is only the beginning.
I’ve already looked at this on the Thames:
Recovering someone when a safety boat isn’t immediately available
On a yacht at sea:
It becomes even more critical
(No convenient riverbank to drift towards…)
The key steps are simple (in theory):
1. Shout & point – never lose sight
2. Throw flotation – anything that floats
3. Press MOB on GPS (if available)
4. Turn the boat – quickly but under control
5. Recover the person – safely - and this is much harder in practice
In practice:
It’s harder than it sounds
This is where things get important.
🟢 Buoyancy Aid:
Helps you float
You still need to keep yourself safe
Common in dinghy sailing
🔴 Lifejacket:
Turns you onto your back
Keeps your airway clear
Essential offshore
On a yacht:
I'll be wearing a lifejacket
No debate.
Safety isn’t about:
Knowing what to do
It’s about:
Doing it quickly, calmly, and correctly
Preferably:
Without needing to use it at all
I fully intend:
Not to fall in
But if I do…
I hope someone’s been paying attention.
