MA AND PA RULE, this is for yachties m.o.b drill

IN MY CRUISING DAYS,HAVING A SUNDOWNER ,OR TWO ETC I USUALLY RAISED THE QUESTION OF MAN OVERBOARD RECOVERY DRILL(most boats were 2 person crew).
I WAITED PATIENTLY AS THE WILLIAMSON TURN WAS DETAILED (ITS TEXT BOOK DRILL)
THEN I WOULD EXPLAIN THE MA AND PA RULE ( a yank devised it)
AND WATCH FACES CHANGE IN WONDER,AS ITS SO SIMPLE

WHEN A CREW GOES OVERBOARD
FREE THE AUTO HELM
TURN THE YACHT INTO THE WIND
WHEN THE HEADSAIL BACKS ,
TURN YOUR RUDDER OPPOSITE WAY

THE YACHT WILL NOW STOP

IF THIS ACTION IS CARRIED OUT FAST,THE YACHT PROBABLY HAS TRAVELLED 2 BOAT LENGTHS

NOW DEPLOY YOUR LIFE LINE TO THE PERSON IN WATER AND HAUL ONBOARD,OR MOST CREW CAN SWIM 2 BOAT LENGTHS

PRESSING MOB ON GPS,NOTING COURSE,DOING A WILLIAMSON TURN,ADJUSTING SAILS,TRYING TO OBSERVE THE MOB,IN PANIC SITUATIONS,.....IS NOT ON

WHEN I HAD CREW.....THE FIRST THING I TAUGHT THEM WAS......MA AND PA
AFTER ALL IT COULD BE ME ONE DAY IN THE WATER

ENJOY YOUR CRUISING WITH PEACE OF MIND