When people fall overboard, the worst thing to do is jump in after them. The potential for drowning immediately doubles. If the person overboard is close to the vessel put the motor in neutral, raise the alarm and swing the propeller quickly away from them.

Throw a lifebuoy ring, horseshoe or lifejacket to them and keep them in sight at all times. 

Ask someone on board to point continuously at the person in the water for the reference of others on board who may be preparing equipment or other head-down activities.

Check your bearings relative to any prominent landmarks. If operating with a GPS or chart plotter it may be possible to quickly create a waypoint where the event occurred. These will assist if a search is required.

Position the vessel to bring the person alongside then stop engines to avoid striking them with a spinning propeller.

Help the person into the vessel, preferably over the stern, as a small vessel might capsize or take on water if you try taking them in over the side. On yachts with overhanging sterns, they should be pulled in at the lowest point of the freeboard.

It is recommended that your vessel is fitted with a ladder or that you carry a portable ladder to help with reboarding a person in the water.

A person recovered from the water may be hurt, cold or exhausted. If they cannot help themselves, it is difficult to get them back into the vessel. Practice your ‘man overboard’ drill whenever possible and in all conditions.