What should you do after securing a man overboard?

After a man overboard situation, it is vital to turn off the engine if it is safe to do so. This action helps to prevent further accidents, as a running engine can pose a significant danger to the person in the water. Turning off the engine also allows the crew to focus on assisting the individual without the distraction or risk of the propeller's motion.

Securing the person in the water is crucial, which often involves maneuvering the vessel carefully to avoid additional risk. While it may seem appropriate to start the engine to return to the person quickly, doing so without assessment of the situation can lead to unintended consequences, such as injury to the person overboard.

A distress call is essential, but it should not take priority over ensuring that the engine is off to protect the individual in the water. Additionally, although backtracking can be necessary to retrieve the person, it should be done cautiously, ideally after ensuring the engine is off first. Safe navigation and recovery tactics are fundamental in these scenarios.