We use a Type IV floatation device to simulate the man overboard. To make the exercise more personal I like to remind my students of the movie "Cast Away" with Tom Hanks and his volleyball companion Wilson. Our goal is to make sure that this time, Wilson makes it home.
One of the most important jobs in performing the maneuver is simply keeping Wilson in sight. That task is quickly assigned to a crew member whose only job is to keep the helmsman informed of Wilson's whereabouts.
The helmsman's challenge is to quickly sail the boat back to Wilson and then slow the boat so he can be recovered. That may sound easy, but until you've been shown how, it is not.
Wilson lives!
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