Ideally, you’ll never fall off a boat, but it is a possibility. It’s important to be prepared. West Marine stocks many different types of crew overboard safety products. Man overboard indicators and engine kill switches will stop the boat if the captain falls over, or alert the captain if others have fallen into the water. The classic ring buoy is useful for floatation and when pulling a crew member back onboard. Horseshoe buoys and rescue slings like the popular Lifesling overboard rescue system improve on the ring and floatation cushion designs. It is important to securely connect your overboard rescue device to your boat before throwing it so you can reel your crewmate back to safety. Hoisting tackle is important when pulling someone back onto the boat, and some are designed to be attached to winches to supplement the strength of the crew recovering the person in the water.