A man overboard is the fastest emergency on a small boat. There is no time to think it through in the moment โ the outcome depends on what you already knew before anyone fell. In Kuwaiti waters, from Shuwaikh and Shuaiba to the shallow bays, this plan works.
Shift to neutral or kill the engine at once, especially if the person is near the stern. A spinning propeller turns a fall into a fatality. Never reverse toward someone in the water โ reverse pulls them into the prop. If you were moving fast, ease the throttle down smoothly instead of throwing the helm around, and let the boat settle.
Come at the person from the downwind, downcurrent side so the boat drifts toward them, not onto them. Close the distance under power, then shift to neutral and coast the last few metres. If you lose sight of them, mark the spot on your GPS or chart plotter immediately โ a marked waypoint is the difference between a search and a guess. the B7R app gives you an SOS emergency button and sea-state information, and shows tide times for Shuaiba and Shuwaikh before you leave the dock.
A person in the water loses strength fast. Do not haul them over the side โ that is where small boats are least stable. Use a boarding ladder or a looped line under the arms and pull with your legs, not your back. Two people on the line is safer than one. If you cannot lift them, tie them alongside the hull, clear of the prop, and wait for help rather than risk a capsize. Never make them stand or walk straight after recovery.
Warm Gulf water does not make cold a non-issue. Heat loss starts in water in the mid-twenties if exposure runs long, and wind on the ride home accelerates it. Once aboard, get them out of the wind, remove wet clothing, and cover them with anything dry. If they are confused, shivering hard, or drifting in and out, call the coast guard or emergency services with your position. Shock can also mask real injuries, so do not trust "I'm fine" as a diagnosis.
If one thing separates a bad scare from a tragedy, it is a worn life jacket. It keeps a person afloat with a clear airway, and buys you the time to run the manoeuvre properly. Before every trip, walk your crew through the drill out loud: who shouts, who throws, who takes the helm, who handles the engine.
Get the gear on board and the drill in your head. Download the B7R app free on Google Play and check the sea state before you head out: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.q8dm.b7r