Uomo a mare: cosa fare

Ultima verifica: 14 ottobre 2026

Passo per passo

1. Grida e indica

   Grida «Uomo a mare!» perché tutti a bordo lo sappiano. Affida a una persona l’unico compito di indicare chi è in acqua senza mai distogliere lo sguardo.[1][2][3][4]

2. Lancia qualcosa che galleggi

   Lancia un salvagente anulare, una sagola di lancio o un giubbotto di salvataggio il più vicino possibile alla persona. La aiuta a restare a galla e segna dove si trova.[5][6]

3. Premi MOB

   Premi il tasto MOB del chartplotter o del GPS per segnare la posizione in cui è caduta.[5]

4. Lancia un MAYDAY

   Tieni premuto il tasto di soccorso DSC, poi fai una chiamata MAYDAY sul canale 16 VHF. Di’ che c’è una persona in mare, dai la tua posizione e il numero di persone a bordo.[7][8][9][10]

5. Rallenta e torna indietro

   Rallenta, fermati se puoi e torna indietro appena ti è possibile. Continua a guardare la persona per tutto il tempo.[11][12][13]

6. Scegli come tornare

   Transport Canada descrive due virate per le barche a motore: la virata Anderson (giro singolo), la più rapida, per acque calme e buona visibilità; e la virata Williamson, per quando hai reagito tardi o la visibilità è scarsa. Procedi piano e tieni l’elica ben lontana dalla persona.[14][15][16]

7. Affiancati in folle

   Fermati accanto alla persona con il motore in folle. Transport Canada consiglia di portare la barca sopravvento alla persona e di recuperarla dal lato sopravvento.[17][18]

8. Riportala a bordo

   Avvicinala alla barca con una cima galleggiante o un salvagente legato alla barca. Usa una scaletta o un’imbracatura di sollevamento per tirarla fuori. Non entrare in acqua per andarla a prendere.[18][19][20]

9. Riscaldala e chiedi assistenza medica

   Chiunque venga tirato fuori da acqua fredda può essere in ipotermia, che è un’emergenza medica. Mettila al riparo, togli i vestiti bagnati e avvolgila coprendole la testa, e avvisa il servizio di soccorso.[21][22]

Cosa non fare

• Non tuffarti per andarla a prendere. Lancia qualcosa che galleggi e agisci dalla barca.[20][6]
• Non perdere di vista la persona. È facile perdere di vista qualcuno in acqua.[13]
• Non avvicinarti con l’elica in rotazione. Metti il motore in folle quando sei accanto.[12][17]
• Non riscaldare una persona ipotermica con un bagno caldo o una borsa dell’acqua calda, e non strofinarle braccia e gambe.[23]

Prima di salpare

• Prima di salpare: spiega all’equipaggio la procedura di uomo a mare e come chiedere aiuto, e scegli un secondo in comando che sappia condurre la barca e usare la radio.[24]
• Indossa il giubbotto di salvataggio. Con mare formato, valuta una cintura di sicurezza e una cima di vita fissate alla barca.[25][26]
• Se la barca ha il cavetto di stacco motore, controlla che funzioni prima di partire.[27]
• Pianifica come riporteresti qualcuno a bordo, per esempio con una scaletta o un’imbracatura di sollevamento.[28][19]

Domande frequenti

Fonti

Le fonti sono citate nella lingua originale.

1. Coastguard New Zealand (2026-10-14): “Shout loudly, to make sure everyone knows that someone’s gone overboard”
2. Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) (2026-10-14): “Yell “man overboard, man overboard””
3. Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) (2026-10-14): “Point to casualty, keep pointing”
4. Transport Canada – Safe Boating Guide (TP 511E, 03/2026) (2026-10-14): “assign one person to constantly watch the person in the water”
5. RNLI (2026-10-14): “Throw a flotation aid. Point to the person in the water while maintaining visual contact with them. Mark the position using the MOB button on the chart plotter.”
6. Coastguard New Zealand (2026-10-14): “Throw a life buoy, line or lifejacket as close as you can to the person, not only to help them stay afloat but also to mark their position”
7. RNLI (2026-10-14): “Send a distress message using the DSC distress alert and voice message. Recover the person from the water.”
8. RNLI (2026-10-14): “If your radio is equipped with Digital Selective Calling (DSC) press and hold the Distress Alert button(s) until the transmission sends. Set the VHF Radio to Channel 16, High Power.”
9. Coastguard New Zealand (2026-10-14): “A distress/Mayday call is used to indicate that a boat or person is threatened by grave and imminent danger and requires immediate assistance - for example, a boat taking on water, a vessel on fire, a person overboard or a serious medical emergency such as a heart attack.”
10. Maritime and Coastguard Agency (HM Coastguard) (2026-10-14): “Only to be used in the event of grave and imminent danger and assistance is required. Send a distress alert using digital selective calling (DSC), (press and hold the button until the alert is sent).”
11. Transport Canada – Safe Boating Guide (TP 511E, 03/2026) (2026-10-14): “slow down and stop (if possible)”
12. Coastguard New Zealand (2026-10-14): “Stop the boat and turn back as soon as you’re able. Remember that the prop is always a danger to anyone in the water, so take care as you approach them.”
13. Coastguard New Zealand (2026-10-14): “Watch the person carefully – it’s easy to lose sight of someone in the water, so don’t take your eyes off them!”
14. Transport Canada – Safe Boating Guide (TP 511E, 03/2026) (2026-10-14): “The Anderson Turn (or single turn) is the fastest method. It brings the boat back to a position it previously passed. It’s a good option to use in calm water with good visibility.”
15. Transport Canada – Safe Boating Guide (TP 511E, 03/2026) (2026-10-14): “The Williamson Turn is used when response is delayed or in poor visibility ( at night, in wavy conditions, etc.). It can be used in most situations.”
16. Transport Canada – Safe Boating Guide (TP 511E, 03/2026) (2026-10-14): “keep the propeller far away from them”
17. Transport Canada – Safe Boating Guide (TP 511E, 03/2026) (2026-10-14): “Bring the boat upwind of the person Stop alongside, put the engine in neutral and keep the person well away from the propellers”
18. Transport Canada – Safe Boating Guide (TP 511E, 03/2026) (2026-10-14): “use a heavy line that floats, or a lifebuoy secured to the boat with a line to recover the person. Always bring the person back into the boat on the windward side”
19. Transport Canada – Safe Boating Guide (TP 511E, 03/2026) (2026-10-14): “Consider adding lifting slings and riggings to make it easier to remove a person from the water if it’s not part of your required safety equipment.”
20. Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) (2026-10-14): “Do not enter the water to retrieve the casualty”
21. NHS (2026-10-14): “Hypothermia is a dangerous drop in body temperature below 35C (normal body temperature is around 37C). It's a medical emergency that needs to be treated in hospital.”
22. NHS (2026-10-14): “remove any wet clothing, wrap them in a blanket, sleeping bag or dry towel, making sure their head is covered”
23. NHS (2026-10-14): “do not use a hot bath, hot water bottle or heat lamp to warm them up do not rub their arms, legs, feet or hands”
24. RNLI (2026-10-14): “Discuss man overboard procedures and how to call for help. Identify a second in command and ensure they know how to call for help and operate the engine.”
25. Transport Canada – Safe Boating Guide (TP 511E, 03/2026) (2026-10-14): “always wear your Canadian-approved lifejacket or PFD”
26. Transport Canada – Safe Boating Guide (TP 511E, 03/2026) (2026-10-14): “In certain weather, and on some boats, it’s a good idea to wear a quick release safety harness and safety lines secured to your boat.”
27. RNLI (2026-10-14): “Check the kill cord is working if fitted.”
28. Transport Canada – Safe Boating Guide (TP 511E, 03/2026) (2026-10-14): “Also consider how you or someone else can get back into your boat. Could you get out of the water with no help from others? Could you and your guests lift someone out of the water safely?”
29. Transport Canada – Safe Boating Guide (TP 511E, 03/2026) (2026-10-14): “The 1-10-1 Principle is a simple way to remember the stages of cold-water immersion and how long each one lasts.”
30. Transport Canada – Safe Boating Guide (TP 511E, 03/2026) (2026-10-14): “It can take an hour to go unconscious from hypothermia, even in ice water.”
31. Transport Canada – Safe Boating Guide (TP 511E, 03/2026) (2026-10-14): “Wearing your lifejacket during this stage will keep you afloat, with your mouth and nose out of the water, so you can focus on your breathing.”
32. RNLI (2026-10-14): “Take a minute. The initial effects of cold water pass in less than a minute so don’t try to swim straight away.”
33. RNLI (2026-10-14): “The best way to float is to tilt your head back with your ears submerged. Try to relax and breathe normally.”
34. U.S. Coast Guard Boating Safety – A Boater’s Guide to the Federal Requirements for Recreational Boats (2026-10-14): “If you are wearing a PFD, keep it on.”
35. U.S. Coast Guard Boating Safety – A Boater’s Guide to the Federal Requirements for Recreational Boats (2026-10-14): “Cold Shock: an initial deep and sudden gasp followed by hyperventilation. Cold shock will pass in about one minute.”
36. RNLI (2026-10-14): “When in cold water (anything below 15°C), your body can go into cold water shock.”
37. Transport Canada – Safe Boating Guide (TP 511E, 03/2026) (2026-10-14): “About 94% of Canadian boaters who drown were in water less than 20C.”

Altre guide alle emergenze

Numeri di soccorso per paese → Come fare una chiamata MAYDAY → Scheda di emergenza da stampare →