If a Passenger Falls Overboard

If someone on your pleasure craft falls overboard, you need to immediately:

• Reduce speed and toss the victim a lifejacket or PFD, unless you know he or she is already wearing a lifejacket or PFD.
• Turn your pleasure craft around and slowly pull alongside the victim, approaching the victim from downwind or into the current, whichever is stronger.
• Stop the engine.
• Use a reaching assist—or a buoyant heaving line or lifebuoy—to pull the victim to the side of the pleasure craft.
• Use a reboarding device to help the victim get into the pleasure craft. If you do not have a reboarding device, pull the victim on board over the stern, keeping the weight in the pleasure craft balanced, especially in small boats.