Here are some brief points to consider:
Crew overboard.
Common sense is important here. Is your charter yacht sailing in a cold area or was the crew who fell overboard injured whilst falling. If the answer is yes to one of these questions you have less time to get back to the crew overboard because of the heightened risk of hypothermia and drowning. People who cannot swim should wear life jackets or floatation devices and/or remain in the cockpit while underway.
The five general steps to a man overboard rescue are: stop the boat as fast as possible (crash tack if your not going to injure anyone else doing it), remember to get someone to keep their eye on the crew overboard at all times (this can be more difficult than expected and should be taken very seriously); second, provide buoyancy, such as a life ring, to the crew overboard (as close as possible, throw up wind); third, put the boat alongside (take note of which way the wind is blowing to help you wit this task); fourth, connect the crew overboard to the boat; and last, get them onboard.
It is a good idea and can be a fun exercise to practice a man overboard drill on your first day (don’t use a real person). This is good maneuvering/helming practice too if you are a bit out of touch or on an unfamiliar yacht. Remember the old adage for you and your crew: “keep one hand for yourself and one for the boat”.
