Falling overboard

When a ship is caught in a storm, the water can get very rough. It can be quite dangerous working on deck in such conditions.
 

Sailors have to make sure they are tied on with safety harnesses, so if they get swept overboard, they can be pulled back on board again.


Imagine what it would be like on this boat (which is a big tanker).

On any boat, a man overboard is dangerous. It can be very hard for the boat to turn around and actually find the person that fell into the water again, even if it is quite calm water.

It is easier for a small boat to turn around and pick someone up out of the water than it is for a large ship.

 

On a bigger boat, the person will have to be winched up like this man here.

One of the reasons this person will have survived in the water is because he is wearing a life jacket.

The life jacket keeps you afloat, even when you get too tired to keep swimming.

Everyone who goes out on a boat should wear a life jacket. All boats should have them on board.

Even animals can have their own life jackets!

This dog is wearing a "float coat" that will help to keep him warm, and floating in the water.

It is very easy for animals to fall overboard from a boat, and if they are not picked up, they will probably drown.

It is a good idea to have a life buoy handy at the back of your boat. If someone falls overboard, you throw them this life buoy, and they can put their head through it and hang on.

It helps them to float, and helps them to show up in the water. This one has a waterproof torch attached by rope also. If it was at night, the person could pull on the rope to get the torch, and turn it on, and hold it up so they could be seen more easily.

Back to Top