Skipper incapacitated.
You are now the most experienced person on this boat. Take a breath, take the helm, take stock. The procedure depends on where the skipper is — in the water, or on the boat.
Take stock. Take the helm.
The most experienced crew member now runs the boat. First — where is the skipper? In the water, or on the boat? The answer decides everything that follows.
- 1
Locate the skipper.
On the boat or in the water? If overboard, eyes on them — that's the most important reflex.
- 2
Take the helm.
Whoever is the most experienced crew. Engine to low cruise or sails reefed. Slow down before you do anything else.
- 3
Account for the rest of the crew.
Headcount. Confirm no one else is overboard or injured. Brief them — you're now sailing without your most knowledgeable person.
- 4
Choose your scenario.
Skipper overboard means you sail to the skipper. Skipper injured means you sail to a port. Different procedures.
Where is the skipper?
In the water, or on the boat? The procedure splits two ways.
Skipper overboard.
The skipper fell in the water. You sail to them.
Go to steps ↓Skipper injured.
The skipper is on board but cannot run the boat.
Go to steps ↓Maintain eye contact. One crew member becomes the spotter.
Arm extended, finger pointing. That's their only job. They do not look away even to acknowledge an instruction.
Throw flotation aids.
Life ring, dan buoy, strobe, anything floatable. Toward the skipper, immediately — even if they're a strong swimmer.
Crash stop the boat.
- Engine to neutral.
- Disconnect the autopilot.
- Heave to: turn the wheel all the way opposite the boom (don't tack the jib). Once the boom crosses, lock the rudder upwind.
Press the MOB button on the GPS.
Marks the position — your single most useful piece of data if you lose sight of them in waves.
Drop or furl the headsail when you're ready to proceed.
Sailing back to the MOB is easier under main alone or under engine. Get the headsail out of your way.
Deploy the lifesling, approach the skipper, recover.
Run the Man Overboard recovery sequence. Keep the skipper to leeward, engine in neutral on final approach.
↗08Man OverboardTransmit Mayday. Use every comms channel you have.
Determine if the boat is in immediate danger.
Lee shore, traffic, hazards visible? Or open water, no threats? The answer decides whether you stop the boat or keep moving.
If the boat IS in immediate danger — stop the boat.
- Engine to neutral.
- Disconnect the autopilot.
- Heave to (wheel opposite the boom, lock rudder upwind once boom crosses).
- Headsail loose or furled.
If the boat is NOT in immediate danger — continue under way, don't maneuver.
Hold your course. The boat is safe; you have time to think. Don't change anything until you know what to change to.
Administer first aid as needed.
Run the Medical Emergency procedure on the skipper's specific condition. Brief crew on what's happening with them.
↗07Medical EmergencyTake inventory of crew skills.
The skills each crew member should have basic proficiency in:
- Starting and stopping the engine
- Disengaging and engaging the autopilot
- Tacking, gybing, and heaving to
- Furling, lowering, and raising sails
- Using the VHF and other comms
- Anchoring
- Basic safety equipment (PFDs, harnesses, jacklines)
Reduce operations.
You're sailing with one less competent crew member. Reef the sails. Avoid foredeck work. No spinnaker, no jibing, no anchoring in unfamiliar harbors. Conservative everything.
Plan to the nearest competent port.
Not the nicest port — the nearest one with medical facilities AND a marina where you can take the boat in safely. Use the chart. Note tides and arrival times.
Contact your on-shore advocate.
If you have one — a designated person ashore who knows your plan — call them now. They become the link to medical authorities and family.
Transmit a Pan-Pan with "I require medical advice."
Don't wait. Even if the skipper seems stable, medical guidance from shore via radio dramatically improves outcomes.
↗14Emergency CommunicationsBrief the crew on the next 24 hours.
Watch rotation, meals, navigation responsibilities. Keep someone always watching the skipper. Decide what triggers a Mayday escalation.
If the skipper deteriorates or you're losing capability to manage the boat: Transmit Mayday.
Once the situation stabilizes:
Document what happened — times, conditions, decisions. The skipper will want this when recovered; the Coast Guard, insurance, and family will want it if not. Photograph any injuries; note any first aid given.
If the situation deteriorates beyond what the crew can manage:
Gear for this moment.
The equipment we'd want aboard if this alarm went off right now. Each piece earns its place against a specific step above.
The tools that turn a frightened crew into a recovery: a marker that drifts with the skipper and a sling you can deploy from the cockpit.
View gearYour line to shore medical advice and to the rescue services. One button sends position and a distress alert when you're suddenly short-handed.
View gearMore than a plaster box — the supplies and the guide to keep a serious case stable on a passage to the nearest competent port.
View gearSeaWise may earn a small commission on these links — it helps keep the procedures free. We only list gear we'd carry ourselves.
Skipper notes.
No notes yet. If you've run this procedure for real, your note could be the one that helps the next skipper.
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