What are "man overboard" drills designed to accomplish?

"Man overboard" drills are essential safety exercises designed to practice recovery operations and ensure that crew members are proficient in responding to incidents where someone has fallen overboard. The primary goal of these drills is to train the crew on the crucial steps and procedures needed to quickly and effectively locate and rescue a person who has gone into the water.

During these drills, crew members learn how to communicate effectively, operate rescue equipment, and apply appropriate rescue techniques, all of which are vital in ensuring a quick response that can save a life. These drills also reinforce teamwork among the crew since an immediate and coordinated response increases the chances of a successful rescue.

While it is important for crew members to possess good navigational skills, swimming abilities, and knowledge of emergency evacuations, those factors are not the central focus of "man overboard" drills. Instead, the emphasis is placed directly on the specific response to the emergency of someone being in the water, highlighting recovery operations and crew readiness.