The man-overboard maneuver (MOB for short) is the most complex mandatory maneuver in the practical German boating license exam – and the one that really matters in an emergency. In the exam, a buoy or fender is usually used instead of a person. This guide walks you through the procedure step by step under engine power.
What matters
You’re not graded on acrobatic boat handling, but on a calm, safe and clearly structured procedure. Three things are central:
- You keep the casualty in sight at all times.
- You keep the propeller away from the casualty (injury protection).
- You approach in a controlled, slow manner and only recover with the boat stopped.
The procedure step by step
1. Command and staying calm
As soon as the examiner calls “Man overboard!” (or “Buoy overboard to starboard/port”), keep your nerve. Panic leads to mistakes – a clear head is the first step.
2. Throttle back and steer the propeller away
Immediately take off the throttle and put the helm hard over towards the side of the casualty. This swings the stern – and with it the propeller – away from the casualty. This is the single most important safety aspect of the whole maneuver: the turning propeller must never get near the person.
3. Keep the casualty in view
Don’t take your eyes off the casualty. On board, one person is usually assigned to point continuously at the casualty with an outstretched arm. On the water, a drifting person disappears from view surprisingly fast.
4. Throw a lifesaving device
Throw a buoyant lifesaving device (e.g. a lifebuoy or rescue collar) close to the casualty. This gives them buoyancy and marks the spot at the same time.
5. Stop and approach
Steer a controlled arc and approach the casualty against wind and current. This slows the boat and gives you the best control over the final meters. Regulate your speed so that you stop on course level with the casualty – coming to a halt right next to them, without overrunning them.
6. Recovery with the boat stopped
Recovery is done only with the boat stopped and the engine out of gear – the propeller must not turn while you come alongside. Only once the boat is lying still do you bring the casualty (the buoy in the exam) on board.
Common mistakes – and how to avoid them
- Propeller not steered away: The helm belongs immediately on the casualty’s side so the stern swings clear. Steering wrong here risks exactly what the maneuver is meant to prevent.
- Approaching too fast: Arriving with too much speed shoots you past the buoy. Better slow and against wind and current.
- Losing sight of the buoy: Without constant visual contact, finding it again becomes a matter of luck.
- Recovering with the propeller running: Before recovery, the engine must be out of gear.
By the way: for most mandatory maneuvers you get two attempts in the exam. Even so, it’s worth internalizing the procedure so it works the first time.
How to prepare
You learn the MOB maneuver on the water – but the theory behind it (why the propeller has to be steered away, why against wind and current) is just as much part of the exam knowledge and shows up in the theory questions. For how the entire practical exam works, read our overview SBF exam: how it works. The knots you also need to master are covered in our article on the most important knots.
Conclusion
The man-overboard maneuver is manageable once you know the thread: stay calm, throttle off and helm to the casualty’s side (propeller away), keep the casualty in sight, throw a lifesaving device, approach in a controlled way against wind and current, and only recover with the boat stopped. Master this sequence reliably and you’ll handle the most important maneuver of the SBF practical exam with confidence – and be prepared for a real emergency, too.