| It's a blustery afternoon off the coast and you are | | | | the maneuver. Do not be alarmed by the noise of |
| near the end of your watch. You set the autopilot | | | | the flapping Genoa or jib sail and sheets. This is |
| and step below to wake your friend for the next | | | | normal in high wind conditions. |
| watch. He comes out on deck and goes forward to | | | | 3. Fall off to a broad reach again. |
| check the headsail furling gear. | | | | Fall off to a broad reach. Sail until you are a bit |
| Suddenly, out of nowhere, a gust heels your boat | | | | downwind of the person in the water. Do not be |
| hard over to starboard, burying the rail in blue water. | | | | tempted to turn toward him or her earlier. This could |
| You hear a cry from the bow and see your friend fall | | | | cause you to end up too far upwind on the next leg. |
| backwards over the lifelines. You quickly toss a life | | | | Be patient and you will make the recovery on the |
| jacket and life ring over the side. | | | | first attempt. |
| You push the small diesel engine start button. Nothing | | | | 4. Turn onto a close reach. |
| happens! Not a sound; not a click; not a whimper. | | | | Head up to a close reach as soon as you are |
| You've already lost precious seconds and it will soon | | | | downwind of the person. Sheet in on the mainsheet |
| be dark. What now, skipper? | | | | to speed up. Ease off on the mainsheet to slow |
| Use these five easy steps to approach a person in | | | | down. Slack the mainsheet all the way to stop the |
| the water under sail. Remember this memory key to | | | | boat. Keep the person in sight at all times. |
| help you throughout the maneuver: | | | | 5. Stop and heave a line |
| "reach--tack--reach". | | | | Slow the boat as you approach the person (ease the |
| 1. Fall off to a broad reach | | | | mainsheet). Slack the mainsheet all the way and luff |
| Turn your small cruising boat onto a broad reach. Sail | | | | the mainsail to stop the boat nearby. Tie a long line |
| until you are about three to five boat lengths from | | | | off to a boat cleat. Make a large bowline in one end |
| the person. Keep an eye on the person in the water | | | | and heave it to the person. Have them pass the line |
| at all times. If you cannot see him or her, toss over | | | | around their chest. Pull them to the boat for |
| more items like boat fenders, jerry jugs, or life | | | | recovery. |
| jackets. These provide a trail back to the person in | | | | As a sailing skipper, you must practice for overboard |
| the water. | | | | emergencies and approaches under sail. Your sailing |
| 2. Perform a quick tack | | | | crew will look to you to know what to do to keep |
| Make a fast tack. Release the headsail sheet and let | | | | them safe and sound when the unexpected happens. |
| it fly. Do not sheet in on the opposite headsail sheet. | | | | Are you ready, skipper? |
| You won't need the headsail to perform the rest of | | | | |