“Man overboard!” These words strike terror in the hearts of every maritime worker. The moment the alert is sounded, they quickly spring into action. Response time is crucial when performing a rescue for a crew member who has fallen overboard.
The truth is that falling overboard can happen at the dock or while the ship is sailing. That’s one of the reasons that ships are required to have personal flotation devices on board and within reach. In a dangerous situation, these can help in the effort to safely rescue the crew member who is in danger.
What can cause a crew member to fall overboard?
Some of the things that can cause a crew member to fall overboard include:
Slippery decks
Turbulent seas
Poor visibility
Being struck by an unsecured container or object on board
Bad weather conditions
Low gunwales (sides)
Falling or tripping hazards, such as a rope or chain
Equipment malfunctioning
Employers and boat owners should do all they can to reduce these risks, but accidents can still happen.
Getting wet may be the least of your worries
Some of the injuries that can occur when a crew member falls overboard include:
Concussions
Spinal injuries
Broken bones
Hypothermia
Drowning
Propellor injuries
When the rescue is complete, the crew member should be seen by a doctor. That way, their injuries can be assessed, and a treatment program can be assigned to them.
If you were injured because you fell overboard while working on a ship, you should look into your options for compensation to help with medical bills and damages.
