Modern Overboard Rescue

with

John Neal

Team Mahina

“Man overboard” is one of the most frightening things for a boater to hear. We will teach you some new and proven rescue techniques.

90-Minute Live Session

On Demand Replay Available

Live Q&A

This course covers preventing and preparing for Man Overboard (MOB) situations on shorthanded cruising sail and power boats, both near shore and offshore. Topics include personal safety gear, modern on-board safety tools for overboard prevent and response, improved rescue techniques including reboarding.

FREE

Modern Overboard Rescue

Online class overview

This online class addresses preventing MOB situations and effectively responding if they happen. We will discuss common challenges and lessons learned drawn from interviews with hundreds of boaters involved in actual incidents. You will learn about modern, proven equipment, including a Lifesling, and how to use it.

Who is this online class for?

This online class is for cruising sailors and power boaters at all levels of experience, whether their destinations are strictly local or offshore. It’s also for the first mate who wonders, “What will I do if my captain falls overboard?” It’s also for boat owners making purchase decisions on vessels and equipment.

What will I learn?

You will learn how to develop and implement a MOB prevention and rescue plan for your boat and crew, including critically important equipment and how to use it.

List of topics:

How to prevent falling overboard
Staying afloat if you do fall overboard
Marking location of MOB so you can rescue them
Safely making contact and reboarding the MOB
Appropriate gear for MOB
Design features and gear that makes a cruising boat safer

MODERN OVERBOARD RESCUE

From Prevention to Effective Recovery

“Man overboard” is one of the most urgent and frightening emergencies a crew can face, especially on shorthanded cruising sail and power boats. This online class brings clarity and confidence to a high-stress situation by focusing on prevention, preparation, and proven response techniques. Drawing on decades of real-world experience and hundreds of documented incidents, this class shows you how to reduce the risk of someone falling overboard—and how to act decisively and effectively if it happens.

Practical Safety Strategies for Cruising Sail and Power Boaters

This online class goes beyond theory to address the realities of MOB situations both near shore and offshore. You’ll learn how modern safety gear and onboard systems can dramatically improve outcomes, from preventing falls to executing a successful recovery. Instructors break down common challenges crews face during rescues and demonstrate improved techniques for locating, assisting, and reboarding an overboard crew member. You’ll gain hands-on understanding of proven tools such as the Lifesling, along with guidance on choosing and using the right equipment for your boat.

Essential Training for Crews, Captains, and Boat Owners

Designed for cruising sailors and powerboaters of all experience levels, this online class is equally valuable for captains, first mates, and boat owners making safety-critical decisions. Whether you sail locally or offshore, you’ll leave with a clear, actionable MOB prevention and rescue plan tailored to your vessel and crew. If you’ve ever wondered how you would respond if someone went overboard, this online class delivers the knowledge, preparation, and confidence needed to turn a worst-case scenario into a controlled, effective rescue.

Your Host

John Neal

John Neal’s 400,000 offshore miles include six Cape Horn roundings plus expeditions to Antarctica, Africa, Australia, and Spitsbergen. Since 1976, John’s passion has been sharing his ocean cruising knowledge through 204 sail training expeditions aboard Mahina Tiare III, a Hallberg-Rassy 46 and various other yachts. John is author, co-author or contributing author of 17 books including Log of the Mahina. When John’s not at sea leading sail-training expeditions he teaches Mahina Offshore Cruising Workshops and offers boat purchase consultation services. Details on mahina.com

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Online Class Registration

@ 4:30 PM PT / 7:30 PM ET (90 min)

Regular Price

ASA Member Price

On-Demand Access

All registrations include unlimited on-demand access to the recordings of the live online class. So if you are unable to attend live you can still register and watch at your leisure.

ASA MEMBER DISCOUNT

American Sailing Members can claim their discount in the Member Portal. If you’re not a current member then for only $59/year you can join or renew today!

Online Course
Course*
- Modern Overboard Rescue
ASA Certification
ASA Online Achievement Seal
- ASA Online Achievement Seal
  *recommended
  $19.00
By completing this entire course you can earn an ASA Online Achievement Seal - an official ASA seal that can be entered into your ASA Logbook!
Official ASA Logbook
- ASA Logbook
  $29.99
The ASA Logbook is a living document that chronicles your certifications and can also be used to keep a record of any and all sea-hours accrued along the way. If you chose to earn an ASA Online Achievement Seal and don't have an ASA Logbook then you *must* chose this option and purchase one.
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