What is the recommended action if someone falls overboard?

The recommended action if someone falls overboard is to throw flotation devices and alert others. This response prioritizes the safety of the person who has fallen overboard and provides immediate assistance. Throwing flotation devices, such as life rings or life jackets, gives the person something to hold onto while keeping them afloat, which is critical in preventing drowning. Alerting others ensures that the crew or other nearby boats realize there is an emergency, enabling quick coordination of rescue efforts.

Turning the boat around quickly can exacerbate the situation, as doing so may disrupt the boat’s stability and could lead to capsizing or putting more people in danger. Jumping into the water without securing the boat can lead to abandoning it, which could make it difficult to maneuver and assist the person in distress. Continuing on and hoping the person can swim to shore neglects the immediate danger they face and significantly increases the risk of injury or drowning, especially if they are injured or unable to swim adequately. Therefore, the action of using flotation devices and informing others is the most responsible and safety-conscious approach.