Question 501 Deck Safety

The correct answer is C) Immediately put the rudder over hard left. When a person falls overboard, the immediate action is to turn the vessel sharply to the left (port). This allows the vessel to circle back towards the person in the water, keeping them on the port side of the vessel where they can be more easily sighted and reached. Putting the rudder hard left is the correct maneuver to initiate a quick turn and circle back to the person. The other options are incorrect. Putting the rudder hard right (A) or waiting to turn (B) would take the vessel further away from the person. Putting the engines astern (D) would not provide the necessary turning radius to circle back effectively.