SOLAS Regulations and Man Overboard Drills: Using Ruth Lee MOB Training Manikins for Safety at Sea

The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) establishes international standards for ship safety (IMO, SOLAS Convention). Chapter III covers life-saving appliances and arrangements, including emergency drills under Regulation 19 and recovery of persons from the water under Regulation 17-1 (IMO, SOLAS Chapter III).

Regulation III/19.3.1 requires drills, as far as practicable, to simulate an actual emergency, while Regulation III/17-1 addresses ship-specific recovery plans and procedures. The IMO’s Guidelines for the Development of Plans and Procedures for Recovery of Persons from the Water, reproduced in MCA guidance, recommend drills to familiarise crew with the relevant recovery plans, procedures and equipment (SOLAS, Regulations 17-1 and 19; MCA, MGN 544 Amendment 1, Annex 1, section 3.1).

A vessel's recovery plans and procedures should reflect its operations, available equipment and arrangements for recovering a person from the water. MOB drills can form part of these procedures, helping crews practise recovery techniques, test equipment and identify areas for improvement.

1. Drill Frequency

SOLAS Regulation III/19.3.2 requires each crew member to participate in at least one abandon-ship drill and one fire drill every month. It also requires these drills within 24 hours of departure in certain circumstances where more than 25% of the crew have not participated in them during the previous month. These requirements do not establish a universal monthly frequency for dedicated MOB drills (MCA, MGN 71 Amendment 1, Annex, section 5.2).

As general guidance, it is fair to state that MOB drills may be incorporated into the vessel's training programme at a frequency appropriate to its operations, recovery equipment, procedures and applicable requirements. Drills should give crew regular opportunities to practice their assigned roles and identify any gaps in the recovery arrangements.

2. Realistic Scenarios

Drills should be conducted, as far as practicable, as if there were an actual emergency. Using rescue training manikins helps crews practice recovering a casualty while accounting for factors such as casualty weight, vessel freeboard and equipment limitations. The MCA's guidance states that a surveyor may request a practical demonstration of recovery equipment and its fitting arrangements. A man-overboard recovery drill may also be required to demonstrate that the equipment and procedures can safely recover a 100 kg bulk weight or manikin from the water onto the ship, where applicable (MCA, MGN 544 Amendment 1, section 3.3.2).

3. Crew Training and Roles

Crew should be familiar with their assigned emergency duties and the vessel's procedures for recovering a person from the water. Drills help teams practice communication, clarify individual responsibilities and coordinate the response. The IMO recovery guidelines specifically recommend drills to familiarise crew with recovery plans, procedures and equipment (MCA, MGN 544 Amendment 1, Annex 1, section 3.1).

4. Equipment Readiness

Drills provide an opportunity to practise using the equipment identified in the vessel's recovery procedures, such as lifebuoys, rescue boats, recovery slings and communication devices. Equipment should also be inspected and maintained in accordance with the applicable requirements and the manufacturer's instructions.

5. Record Keeping

Recording drills, including their date, scope, participating crew and any issues identified, helps operators monitor training, follow up on deficiencies and demonstrate their safety-management arrangements. The specific record-keeping requirements depend on the applicable regulations and the vessel's safety management system.

Man overboard (MOB) situations present a serious threat to the safety of anyone at sea. A rapid and well-coordinated response is critical, as survival time in open water can be very limited, depending on factors such as water temperature, sea conditions, and how quickly the person can be located and recovered. Regular MOB drills are essential to ensure that crew members know the correct procedures and can use the necessary equipment effectively to carry out a rescue.

An effective man-overboard (MOB) drill allows the crew to practise the vessel's procedures for responding to a person in the water. Depending on the scenario, this may include sounding the MOB alarm, deploying a lifebuoy or marker buoy, and maintaining visual contact with the casualty.

The bridge team coordinates the vessel's response, manoeuvring as appropriate to support recovery. Crew members may also prepare and launch a rescue boat if required by the situation and the vessel's procedures.

During the recovery phase, the crew practises using the relevant shipboard recovery equipment and techniques to bring the casualty safely back on board. Training manikins can help simulate an unconscious or incapacitated casualty and allow crews to practise handling and recovery methods under controlled conditions.

After the drill, a debriefing helps the crew review performance, identify difficulties and discuss improvements. This process supports continued learning and helps operators assess whether recovery procedures, equipment and crew coordination are effective.

The Role of Manikins in Man Overboard (MOB) Training

Ruth Lee Man Overboard Training Manikins allow crews to practise casualty handling and recovery procedures using a simulated person in the water. They can help recreate scenarios involving unconscious or incapacitated casualties, allowing teams to practise recovery techniques without exposing a live participant to the risks of being used as a recovery load.

Using training manikins can help crews build familiarity with recovery equipment, practise assigned roles and identify potential difficulties in recovery procedures. Their suitability depends on the training objectives, casualty weight, vessel freeboard and recovery methods.

Building Your Crew's Skills

• Search and recovery techniques: Practice locating, approaching and recovering a simulated casualty using procedures appropriate to the vessel and the training scenario.

• Equipment use: Rehearse the deployment and use of lifebuoys, heaving lines, recovery slings and other relevant equipment.

• Coordination and communication: Practise individual roles, communication and teamwork throughout the recovery process, helping crews identify gaps in their procedures.

Safe and Realistic Training

Manikins allow crews to practise casualty handling and recovery without exposing a live participant to the risks associated with entering the water or being used as a recovery load, including injury and hypothermia. They can also be used repeatedly to practise different scenarios and recovery methods.

The suitability and durability of a manikin depend on its design and intended use. Operators should select equipment appropriate for the training environment and follow the manufacturer's instructions for use, care and maintenance.

Regulatory Context

SOLAS does not universally require training manikins. However, they can help crews practise casualty handling and recovery procedures in realistic conditions. Under the MCA's guidance, a surveyor may request a practical demonstration of recovery equipment, its fitting arrangements and the means of recovery.

As previously stated earlier in the article, a man overboard recovery drill may also be required to demonstrate that the equipment and procedures can safely recover a 100 kg bulk weight or a 100 kg manikin from the water onto the ship (MCA, MGN 544 Amendment 1, section 3.3.2).

The applicable requirements depend on the vessel's type, operating regime and relevant flag-state and national regulations. Operators should consult the requirements that apply to their vessels when planning emergency training and recovery procedures.

Important Note: This provision concerns the demonstration of recovery equipment and procedures; it does not constitute SOLAS approval or certification of the training manikins themselves.

Ruth Lee man overboard training manikins give crews a practical way to rehearse casualty handling and recovery procedures in controlled training scenarios.

Using a suitable manikin can help crews practise recovery techniques, assess equipment arrangements and identify opportunities to improve their procedures. Training should reflect the vessel's operating conditions, recovery arrangements and applicable requirements.

Explore our full range of Ruth Lee Man Overboard Training Manikins.