manover

Manover is a nautical term that refers to the event of a person falling from a vessel into the sea. In common usage, the event is described as “man overboard” and is typically abbreviated MOB in modern training and operations. Some historical logs or informal materials may use the contracted form “manover,” though it is far less common today.

The term derives from traditional maritime language and has long been associated with safety procedures for man overboard incidents. In many fleets, MOB drills are a standard part of crew training, with procedures codified in deck and bridge procedures to reduce response time and increase the chances of a successful recovery.

In practice, the moment a MOB is observed, the crew act to preserve sight of the person, alert the bridge, and initiate a planned MOB maneuver. This often includes shouting the incident, throwing a flotation aid to the person, and recording the time of the fall. The vessel then undertakes a turn or series of maneuvers designed to return to the approximate position where the person went overboard, commonly a Williamson turn or equivalent, while maintainers of the lookout coordinate rescue efforts. Lookouts, life jackets or rings, and rescue craft or ladders may be deployed as part of the recovery operation. Modern vessels may also use AIS MOB devices or other electronic systems to assist location and tracking.

Etymologically, manover is primarily of historical or less formal usage, with contemporary sources favoring “man overboard” or MOB. The concept remains a core safety protocol in maritime operations and training.