Survival Guide for Maritime Workers Lost at Sea

The best possible outcome from going overboard at sea is getting rescued immediately. What if that doesn’t happen? What do you do? Whether you work on ships, go on cruises, or use recreational boats, going overboard and getting lost is a real possibility. Use this guide to help you think about what you would do in that terrifying situation.

For Maritime Workers

If you are a maritime worker, you should be prepared to some extent for the possibility of an overboard incident. Your employer is responsible for providing training, safety gear, and resources. Take advantage of any non-mandatory opportunities your employer has for safety and training.

When on the job, follow all safety procedures outlined by the ship or your employer. For example, wear appropriate safety gear when on deck and avoid working alone on deck. The right gear and working with someone else in view could save your life.

For Passengers

Passengers on boats and ships don’t have the same training as maritime workers. However, you should be given an initial safety briefing at a minimum. Pay attention to this information and find out where safety gear is located. Know what to do in the event of an accident or a fall overboard to reduce the risk of harm or of getting lost at sea.

Tips for Anyone Lost at Sea

Whether you’re a crew member or a passenger, it’s important to know what to do if you go overboard or get lost from a vessel at sea. This information could be life-saving and will increase your chances of survival.

After an Overboard Fall

If you fall overboard from a ship, your only real chance of survival is being found before you succumb to cold temperatures or drowning. Your immediate response to the fall is crucial. Here’s what to do:

• Stay Calm. It’s natural and easy to panic in this situation, but it will only make it worse. You must remain calm so that you can stay afloat, conserve energy, and decide what to do next.
• Signal for Help. Signal for help from the boat or ship as soon as possible. Hopefully you have a whistle or light you can use to get attention. If not, use your voice. During the day, you can also use any shiny object, like glasses or a mirror, to catch sunlight and produce a flash of light that can be seen from the vessel.
• Assume the HELP Position. Even in warm locations, you will lose heat in the water. Do whatever you can to retain your body heat. You can do this by floating in the HELP position (Heat Escape Lessening Posture). Cross your arms over your chest, draw your knees up to your arms, and lean back to keep your head above water.
• Conserve Your Energy. Drowning is another risk when overboard. You’ll need to conserve your energy to survive longer in the water. Floating instead of thrashing your limbs in the water will help if you don’t have a flotation device. Look for any available objects in the water that you could rest or float on.

If You Have a Lifeboat

In some situations, you may find yourself afloat in a lifeboat or other small vessel. As with an overboard incident, it’s important to remain calm, assess the situation, and signal for help. If you end up out of range of the vessel and in survival situation, these tips can help.

• Create Shelter. Exposure to heat and sun can be very damaging when out at sea. Use what you have at hand to create shelter and shade. Tarps, sails, clothing, or even wooden boards can shelter you from the sun.
• Hydrate Carefully. Sea water is undrinkable because of the salt content. Avoid the temptation to drink it as you get thirsty. Your best bet for getting fresh water is rain, so find ways to collect it. Use sail cloth like a bowl to collect rain. Use any other fabric you have to collect rainwater that you can wring out to drink. Carefully ration any freshwater you have to make it last longer. If you have food stores, it’s best to avoid eating until you can get water. Digestion requires water and eating can dehydrate you further.
• Find Food. Food is also necessary for survival when lost at sea and can even provide some hydration. If you can catch fish, turtles, or sea birds, you can drink the blood to hydrate and eat the animals as a source of food. Use whatever you have on the boat to fashion a fishing pole and hook: jewelry, shoelaces, pieces of plastic. Use a sail, tarp, net, or even clothing to capture birds or fish. You can also eat seaweed.
• Signal for Help. Find ways to make your boat noticeable to any passing ships. If you have flares, use those when you site a ship. If not, use mirrors, glasses, or a phone screen to create a bright light for signaling a ship or even an airplane.

Most people who survive being lost at sea are found by passing ships rather than by making it to land. However, you can try to make it to land by rowing or using sails. The latter is better for conserving your energy. If you are in the middle of the ocean, rowing to shore will not be possible and will only drain your energy. Rig up sails using any fabric you have available and take advantage of the wind. These are some signs you may be near land:

• Shallow, clear water
• Drifting wood or other vegetation
• A lot of seabirds, which often fly back to land in the evening and away from land in the morning
• Suddenly murky water, which can indicate the outflow of a river
• Cumulus clouds, which typically form over land

Falling overboard and being lost at sea are scary and very serious survival situations. The best thing you can do is prepare. Once you’re in the situation, remain calm and use what you’ve learned to try to survive until you can be rescued.