Question 235 Deck General

The correct answer is A) give full right rudder. The immediate action in a "man overboard" situation is to turn the vessel sharply to starboard (right) in order to bring the vessel back to the person in the water as quickly as possible. This maneuver is known as the "Williamson turn" and is the standard procedure taught in USCG license examinations. Giving full right rudder will initiate a tight turn to bring the vessel back to the person overboard. The other options are incorrect because: B) throwing a life ring may delay the critical first action of turning the vessel, C) giving left rudder would take the vessel away from the person overboard, and D) keeping the rudder amidships would not initiate the necessary turn.