Man Overboard

About

"Man Overboard" is an exclamation used aboard vessels to alert the crew that someone has fallen into the water and requires immediate rescue. When a person sees someone fall overboard, they shout "Man overboard!" and the call is then reported by every crewman within earshot, regardless of whether they witnessed the fall themselves. This protocol continues until everyone on deck has heard and repeated the call, ensuring that all crew members are alerted to the emergency. The repetition of the call by multiple crew members notifies the officers that immediate action is necessary to save the victim. Those who witness the person in the water may point continuously at the victim to assist the helmsman in navigating toward and reaching them.