SOLAS Regulation III/17-1: Recovery of Persons from the Water

"All SOLAS ships are now required to have clear arrangements for the recovery of persons from the water, in line with IMO guidelines. While this does not mandate additional equipment, vessels must have documented plans and procedures for using recovery systems safely and effectively. The guidance also encourages non-SOLAS vessels, including fishing boats, small craft, and pleasure vessels, to follow the same best-practice measures where practicable." (GOV.uk)

SOLAS Regulation III/17-1 requires ships to have planned procedures and suitable equipment for recovering a person from the water, ensuring that crews can carry out a safe and effective man overboard (MOB) recovery operation.

Introduced to address gaps in recovery capability across the maritime industry, the regulation focuses on preparation rather than mandating a single type of equipment. Instead, vessels must identify and document how recovery will be carried out using equipment appropriate to the vessel’s design, freeboard, and operational environment.

For operators, safety managers, and procurement teams looking for guidance on suitable recovery equipment, understanding this regulation is essential when selecting and implementing MOB recovery systems.

SOLAS Regulation III/17-1 applies to all passenger ships and cargo ships of 500 GT and above. The regulation requires ships to:

• Have ship-specific plans and procedures for recovering persons from the water.
• Identify equipment available onboard that can be used during recovery operations.
• Ensure the recovery method minimises risk to both the casualty and the crew.
• Take into account the physical condition of the person being recovered, including the possibility that they may be unconscious or unable to assist.

Rather than prescribing equipment, SOLAS requires operators to demonstrate that effective recovery arrangements exist and that crews are familiar with how to use them.

This flexible approach allows ship operators to select MOB recovery equipment suited to their vessel type, freeboard height, and crew capabilities.

SOLAS Regulation III/17-1 entered into force on 1 July 2014 and applies to both new and existing ships (Lloyd's Register, 2013)

The regulation requires all ships (other than ro-ro passenger ships) to have ship-specific plans and procedures for the recovery of persons from the water.

The requirements apply to:

• New ships constructed on or after 1 July 2014 (having their keel laid on or after this date)
• Existing ships, which were required to comply by the first periodical or renewal Safety Equipment Survey after 1 July 2014

An exception applies to ro-ro passenger ships, which are already required under SOLAS Regulation III/26.4 to carry dedicated recovery arrangements. As a result, these vessels are considered to already comply with the intent of Regulation III/17-1.

This means that virtually all SOLAS vessels must now demonstrate have clear procedures and suitable arrangements for recovering a person from the water following a man overboard incident.

SOLAS Regulation III/17-1 requires ships to implement ship-specific plans and procedures that enable the safe recovery of persons from the water.

The regulation requires ships to:

• Have ship-specific plans and procedures for recovering persons from the water
• Identify equipment available onboard that can be used during recovery operations
• Ensure the recovery method minimises risk to both the casualty and the crew
• Take into account the physical condition of the person being recovered, including the possibility that they may be unconscious or unable to assist

Rather than prescribing equipment, SOLAS requires operators to demonstrate that effective recovery arrangements exist and that crews are familiar with how to use them. This flexible approach allows ship operators to select MOB recovery equipment suited to their vessel type, freeboard height, and crew capabilities.

To support implementation, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) issued MSC.1/Circ.1447 – Guidelines for the Development of Plans and Procedures for Recovery of Persons from the Water (International Chamber of Shipping)

This guidance recommends that ships consider:

• Freeboard height
• Crew numbers available for recovery
• Sea conditions
• Casualty weight and condition
• Risk of injury during lifting

The guidance also highlights the importance of recovering casualties in a horizontal position where possible to reduce the risk of circum-rescue collapse, a condition that can occur when a hypothermic casualty is lifted vertically.

Recovery plans developed under SOLAS Regulation III/17-1 should facilitate the safe transfer of a casualty from the water to the vessel while minimising the risk of injury. This includes reducing the possibility of impact with the ship’s structure or the recovery appliance itself.

To achieve this, recovery procedures should be supported by a risk assessment that considers:

• Vessel design and layout
• Freeboard height
• Access points and working areas for crew
• Anticipated operating conditions and sea states
• The likely condition of the casualty

These factors help ensure that recovery operations can be carried out safely and effectively in real operating conditions.

Although the regulation does not mandate specific products, many ships implement recovery procedures using recognised MOB recovery equipment, including:

Recovery Cradles and Scoop Systems:

Often deployed over the ship’s side, these systems allow a casualty to be rolled or lifted on board in a horizontal position, helping reduce stress on the body during recovery and minimising the risk of hypothermia or circum-rescue collapse as the casualty is brought out of the water.

Rescue Nets and Scramble Nets:

Used particularly on vessels with lower freeboard, these nets allow casualties to climb aboard or be recovered using a parbuckle technique.

Man Overboard Recovery Slings and Lifting Strops:

Designed to secure a casualty in the water before lifting using a winch, davit, or block and tackle system.

Boat Hook Recovery Poles with Loops:

Allow crew to place a recovery loop around the casualty without needing to lean over the vessel side.

Rescue Davits, Cranes, or Lifting Arrangements :

Used on vessels with higher freeboard, where manual recovery is not practical.

Important Note: In many cases, ships incorporate multiple recovery methods to ensure a casualty can still be recovered if unconscious or if sea conditions make one method unsuitable. For example, a rescue sling may be used in combination with a recovery stretcher, which can then be lifted by a davit. This ensures that the casualty is brought close to the ship’s side in a horizontal position before being safely lifted on board.

SOLAS Regulation III/17-1 also requires crews to be familiar with the plans, procedures, and equipment used for recovery operations. To ensure this, ships should include recovery procedures within routine man overboard drills.

These drills help confirm that:

• Recovery equipment can be deployed quickly and safely
• Crew members understand their roles during the recovery operation
• Recovery procedures remain practical under real operating conditions

Regular drills are an important part of ensuring that recovery arrangements are effective and fully integrated into the vessel’s safety procedures.

Before this regulation was introduced, many vessels had no practical means of recovering a person from the water, particularly on ships with high freeboard.

SOLAS III/17-1 ensures that:

• Every ship has planned recovery procedures.
  
• Crews understand how to deploy recovery equipment quickly.
  
• Recovery operations consider the safety of both casualty and rescuers.

For maritime operators, compliance with this regulation also supports training exercises, safety management systems (SMS), and emergency preparedness.

Selecting suitable man overboard recovery equipment is an important part of complying with SOLAS Regulation III/17-1.

Operators typically evaluate:

• Vessel freeboard height
  
• Deck layout and available lifting points
  
• Crew numbers and strength
  
• Likely operating conditions
  
• Ability to recover unconscious casualties

In summary, SOLAS Regulation III/17-1 ensures that every ship has planned procedures and suitable equipment for recovering persons from the water. By selecting appropriate recovery methods and training crews effectively, vessels can safely manage man overboard situations, protecting both the casualty and shipboard personnel.

In short: Using the correct combination of recovery equipment helps ensure that MOB recovery procedures are practical, effective, and compliant with SOLAS guidance.