What is the correct action for a person observing someone falling overboard?

• A. Call for help and proceed to the bridge.
• B. Call for help and keep the individual in sight.
• C. Immediately dive in after the person.
• D. Ignore and wait for others to respond.

Answer: (B)

When someone falls overboard, the top priority is to get the crew alerted and keep eyes on the person. Shout “Man overboard” to warn others and immediately maintain continuous visual contact so the rescue can be coordinated without losing the casualty’s position. This quick alert and sustained sighting let the bridge and rescue teams know where to focus and how the ship should maneuver.

Diving in right away isn’t the safest option unless you’re trained for such a rescue, and simply going to the bridge or waiting for others delays the recovery. If available, throw a life-ring or buoy with a line to help the person stay afloat and provide a visual reference for the crew. Ignoring the situation is dangerous, as timely action is critical to keeping the person safe.