MOB

Question 2

What are the 3 MOB situations?

Answer 2

Immediate Action, Delayed Action, Person-Missing Action.

Question 3

What factors influence recovery success?

Answer 3

Weather,

sea temp,

day/night,

crew training,

location,

number of search units,

delay in alarm,

casualty’s condition.

Question 4

What is the Williamson Turn used for?

Answer 4

• Man Overboard (MOB): When visibility is poor or the position is uncertain.

•	**Low Visibility**: Works well in fog, darkness, or bad weather, since it retraces your course.

•	**Large or Fast Vessels**: Common on merchant and naval ships with wide turning radii.

⸻

🧭 Steps

1.	**Initial Turn** Turn hard toward the side where the person fell (e.g., hard to starboard). → This swings the stern clear and begins the turn.

2.	**Steer 60° Off Course** Keep turning until your heading changes by 60° from the original course.

3.	**Opposite Rudder** Turn hard the other way (e.g., hard to port if you first turned to starboard).

4.	**Steady on Reciprocal** When 20° short of the reciprocal heading, set the rudder amidships. → The vessel will align naturally on the reciprocal course.

5.	**Return and Recover** You’re now retracing your original track

•	**Slow down** and keep lookout for the person.

•	**Use radar**, lights, or lookouts to assist in recovery.

Question 5

What is the Anderson/One Turn?

Answer 5

Purpose:
To quickly return to a person who has fallen overboard when they are visible.

Best for:
• Power-driven vessels
• Good visibility conditions
• Immediate action when the casualty is seen

Con
• not good for single screw vessels
⸻

🧭 Steps

1.	**Raise the alarm** Shout “Man overboard!” and throw a lifebuoy or flotation aid near the person.

2.	**Apply full rudder** Turn hard toward the side where the person fell (e.g., hard to starboard if they fell over the starboard side). → This moves the stern (and propellers) away from the casualty.

3.	**Maintain speed** Keep the same speed through the initial turn for a tight, effective maneuver.

4.	**Complete the circle** Continue turning until you’ve nearly completed a full 360°, heading back toward the person.

5.	**Steady the course** When you’re 20–30° short of the reciprocal heading (about 250° from your original course), center the rudder.

6.	**Stop engines** As the person is 15° off the bow, stop the engines. This positions the vessel upwind of the casualty, allowing it to drift gently toward them.

7.	**Recover** the person Once the person is safely ahead of the propellers, carry out the recovery using a lifebuoy, boat hook, or other equipment.

Question 6

What is the Scharnov Turn?

Answer 6

Purpose:
To quickly return to a person overboard who is distant and likely out of sight, while minimizing the distance run and efficiently reversing course.

Best Used When:
• 🧍 The MOB is far astern (not visible).
• 🌊 There is ample sea room to perform a large, sweeping turn.
• 🚤 The vessel is fast or has a large turning radius (e.g., merchant or naval ships).

⸻

🧭 Steps for a Scharnow Turn

1. Rudder Hard Over
   Immediately apply full rudder toward the side the person fell overboard.
2. Turn 240 Degrees
   Continue turning until your heading has changed by 240° from the original course.
3. Opposite Rudder
   Shift the rudder hard over to the opposite side to begin reversing your turn.
4. Rudder Amidships
   When you are 20° short of the reciprocal course (the exact opposite of your initial heading), bring the rudder to midships (center).
5. Return to Reciprocal Course
   The vessel will settle naturally onto the reciprocal heading, bringing it back toward the casualty’s location.
6. Recovery
   As the person overboard comes into view:
   • Reduce speed and prepare recovery operations.
   • Use a rescue boat, lifebuoy, or recovery lines as appropriate.

Brings ship back into wake, saves distance; only effective if time of incident known.

Question 7

First actions when MOB occurs?

4 steps

Answer 7

•Throw lifebuoy close to casualty.

•Sound 3 prolonged blasts + hail ‘Person Overboard’.

•Press MOB button on GPS/ECDIS.

•Begin recovery manoeuvre. Note position, wind, time.

Question 8

Who must be informed on the ship?

MOB

Answer 8

Inform Master,
engine room,
radio operator (with updates).
Crew in response team

Question 9

What else should OOW arrange?

(6)

Answer 9

Post lookouts.

Release dye marker/smoke.

Prepare lifeboat for launch.

Stand by engines.

Rig pilot ladder for recovery.

Distribute VHFs for comms between bridge, deck, lifeboat.

Question 10

What are the 3 types of MOB situations?

Answer 10

Immediate action, Delayed action, Person-missing action.

Question 11

What factors influence survival in MOB?

Answer 11

Weather, sea temp, time of day, crew training, delay in alarm, casualty’s condition, number of search units.

Question 12

What is the very first action when seeing a person overboard?

Answer 12

Throw lifebuoy with light/smoke near casualty.

Question 13

What sound signal is made for MOB?

Answer 13

3 prolonged blasts on the ship’s whistle.

Question 14

What button should be pressed on bridge systems?

Answer 14

MOB button on GPS/ECDIS.

Question 15

What must be recorded immediately?

Answer 15

Position,

time,

weather,

circumstances of incident.

Question 16

Who must be informed?

Answer 16

Master, engine room, GMDSS/radio operator.

Question 17

Which MOB manoeuvre is best in reduced visibility?

Answer 17

Williamson Turn.

Question 18

Which manoeuvre is fastest for immediate recovery?

Answer 18

Anderson/One Turn.

Question 19

Which manoeuvre saves distance but requires knowing time of incident?

Answer 19

Scharnov Turn.

Question 20

Which manoeuvre is recommended for ships with single screw propulsion?

Answer 20

Williamson Turn.

Question 21

Why is the Anderson Turn unsuitable for single-screw ships?

Answer 21

Approach track does not return on reciprocal; less controlled.

Question 22

What additional aids can help locate casualty?

Answer 22

Smoke/dye markers,

lights,

AIS-SART,

lifebuoy lights,

radar reflectors.

Question 23

What arrangements are made for recovery?

Answer 23

Standby rescue boat,

rig pilot ladder,

prepare scrambling nets,

use recovery devices (Jason’s cradle, davit).

Question 24

What is the role of lookouts in MOB?

Answer 24

Maintain constant visual contact, point continuously towards casualty.

Question 25

What is the recommended approach to casualty?

Answer 25

From leeward side, to shelter casualty from wind/waves.

Question 26

How often must MOB drills be carried out (SOLAS)?

Answer 26

Every month (often combined with boat drills).

Question 27

What should an MOB drill include? (8)

Answer 27

Alarm, manoeuvres, launch/recover rescue boat, recovery of dummy, comms checks. Donning, emergency suits and lifejackets Talk on different life rings and their uses  Medical such as cold water shock

Question 28

What must be logged after an MOB drill?

Answer 28

Time, date, crew involved, actions taken, deficiencies, corrective actions.

Question 29

What publication gives guidance on MOB procedures?

Answer 29

IAMSAR Vol. III (IMO search & rescue manual).

Question 30

Steps of a Williamson Turn

Answer 30

1. Shout “Man Overboard!” and sound alarm. 2. Mark the position (life ring, MOB button, spotter points). 3. Turn hard toward the side where the person fell (stern swings away). 4. Continue turn 60° off original heading. 5. Hard over opposite side to reverse the turn. 6. Steady up when ~20° from reciprocal course; center rudder. 7. Approach slowly from downwind/downstream; stop engines. 8. Rescue using line or ladder.