What should you always do when a person falls overboard?

When a person falls overboard, maintaining visual contact with the victim is critical for their safety and for effective rescue operations. This ensures that the person who has fallen over can be continuously monitored, allowing the crew to assess their position and condition. Keeping the victim in sight enables those on board to inform others about their movements and can significantly reduce response time and improve the likelihood of a successful rescue.

In this emergency situation, other actions, such as moving the vessel away or calling emergency services, may be necessary, but they should follow the immediate step of keeping the victim in view. Losing sight of the individual can lead to confusion and delays, significantly increasing the risk of injury or drowning. Therefore, prioritizing visual contact with the victim is the most logical and effective first action when someone goes overboard.