How should you perform a "man overboard" maneuver?

The correct approach for performing a "man overboard" maneuver involves turning the boat in a circle toward the person who has fallen overboard. This method allows you to keep the individual in sight, ensuring you can monitor their position and condition while maneuvering. By turning toward the person, you create a smaller, more controlled radius that brings the boat back to their location efficiently and safely.

Using this technique minimizes the risk of losing sight of the person and helps position the boat effectively for recovery. It also allows for a better approach for rescue operations, as the boat will be coming in from a position where the crew can assist the person back onboard.

Other methods, like steering away and circling back or speeding up to reach the person faster, can lead to miscalculations in distance, making it harder to locate and recover the individual safely. Additionally, simply sailing around the person may cause the boat to drift further away, complicating the rescue effort. Thus, turning towards the person ensures timely and efficient assistance.