The most important Sailing Skill on any water craft, especially,
a Sailing Vessel, is the Crew-Overboard-Procedure (COP). When
someone falls off the boat, recovery time is crucial. Therefore, it
is imperative to practice at least one COP drill before Cast Off.

Any one can go Overboard in any kind of weather and on any Tack.
Generally, when a passenger or Crew member falls off the boat and
into the water, any person who witnesses the event will immediately
hail loudly, "Crew Overboard", while keeping the person who fell
Overboard in view, pointing constantly at the person's position in
the water until a 'Spotter' is designated. Upon hearing the "Crew
Overboard" alarm, anyone Aboard nearest the Life-Ring with a Line
attached (150 ft. or more in length) shall immediately toss the ring
out and toward the person Overboard as close as possible without
actually contacting the individual. If the person is conscious he/she
will be able to grab onto it and will facilitate rescue. If the person
is unable to grasp the Life-Ring, the Helm shall maneuver the boat
immediately in order to come up alongside the person Overboard,
usually keeping the boat Leeward of the person to be rescued.

• The Upwind Technique
Maneuvering the boat from a Close-Hauled Tack to a Broad Reach.

• The Downwind Technique
Maneuvering the boat when Sailing Before-The-Wind.

• The Quick Stop Technique
Maneuvering the boat to a quick stop from any Tack.

• The Heave-To (Pronounced: "Hóve-Too") Technique
Maneuvering the boat to stay stationary in the water while under Sail.

• Technique For Helm, Close-Hauled:
* Fall Off, then Jibe, to a Broad Reach.
* Approach the person to be rescued two boat lengths and Head-Up.
* Luff the Jib, control the Mainsheet, and be ready to abort.
* Approach the Overboard person cautiously from Leeward.
* When the person is reached, Luff the Mainsail and proceed to
bring the individual Aboard.
* Once the individual is safely Aboard, Trim Sails and be Underway.

• Technique For Helm, On A Reach:
* Head-Up, Come-About and go to a Broad Reach.
* Approach the person to be rescued two boat lengths and Head-Up.
* Luff the Jib, control the Mainsheet, and be ready to abort.
* Approach the overboard person cautiously from Windward.
* When the person is reached, Luff the Mainsail, and proceed to
bring the individual Aboard.
* Once the individual is safely Aboard, Trim Sails and be Underway.

• Technique For Helm, Downwind, Spinnaker Hoisted:
* Head-Up, Douse the Spinnaker (Trip the Guy or lower the Spinnaker
Halyard and Come-About to a Broad Reach.
* Approach the person to be rescued Windward and Head-Up.
* Luff the Jib, control the Mainsheet, and be ready to abort.
* When the person is reached, Luff the Mainsail and proceed to
bring the individual Aboard.
* Once the individual is safely Aboard, Trim Sails and be Underway.

• Technique For Helm, Quick-Stop:
* Bring the boat Head-To-Wind immediately.
* Backwind the Headsail.
* Continue to turn with the Headsail backed until wind is abaft the beam.
* Maintain a Beam to Broad Reach Heading for two or three boat lengths
and then Steer to nearly Dead-Downwind, Sheeting In the Mainsail
all the way to Close-Hauled.
* Drop the Headsail while keeping the Mainsail centered and keeping
the Jib Sheets taught so that they stay inside the lifelines.
* Maneuver the boat until the victim is Abaft the Beam.
* Jibe the boat.
* Approach the victim approximately 45°-60° degrees off the wind.

• Technique For Helm, The Heave-To (Hove-To) Maneuver:
* Come-about (Tack) without breaking the Headsail.
* Leave the Headsail backed during the come-about.
* Luff the Mainsail after the tack.
* After the boat has lost momentum, bring the helm to the lee.
* When the person is reached, secure the individual to the boat.
* Proceed to bring the individual aboard.
* Once the individual is safely aboard, trim sails and be underway.
(NOTE: This maneuver is executed in order to facilitate bringing the
individual back on board the boat.)

• To Bring The Overboard Person Back On board The Boat:
* After having reached the individual, stop the boat (luff the sails).
* Secure the person to the boat with lines and flotation.
* Get more flotation if necessary.
* Use a life sling or bosun's chair to bring the person aboard.
* Be careful not to injure the individual when unconscious.
* Proceed to bring the individual aboard.
* Once the individual is safely aboard, trim sails and be underway.

• Using The Engine:
The engine is not usually required during the Crew-Overboard-Procedure.
However, do start the engine and maintain the throttle in idle during
the approach sequence of the Quick-Stop maneuver; it may be needed in
the final approach because of the potential for stalling out.

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