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Man Overboard Priority: Never Lose Sight | Real Catamaran Training
5 April 2026 · 12 min · 3K views
Crew secures dummy overboard from catamaran stern during drill.
What this video covers
Alexandros Retsinas demonstrates a catamaran man-overboard (MOB) recovery method that prioritizes never losing visual contact with the person in the water over all other actions, including activating the MOB button on the plotter.3:18 The core sequence: disengage the autopilot, head into the wind immediately to kill boat speed, transfer the helm to the central position, and deploy the throwbag — keeping the boat close enough to the MOB that visual contact is never broken.0:04 Retsinas argues against using the plotter's MOB function because focusing on an instrument causes crews to lose situational awareness; if the boat stays near the person, the plotter is unnecessary.2:42 Recovery is made stern-to, not from the side, because the catamaran's stern sits lower than the trampoline and gives the best boarding angle.6:34 A lasso and a hook are required to haul an 80–100 kg person aboard; the engines must be killed before the person reaches the stern to keep propellers clear.6:55 The debrief covers two additional points: always sail with a reef in so the mainsail can be dumped quickly during a MOB, and never release the rudder during the maneuver or the approach collapses.9:54 The method is taught as the Epic Navigator masterclass procedure for both catamarans and monohulls.11:14
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