What action is recommended to safely recover a person who has fallen overboard?

Throwing a life vest to a person who has fallen overboard is a crucial safety action. This is because the life vest provides immediate flotation support, helping the individual stay afloat until they can be rescued. It's a quick and effective way to assist someone in distress in the water, as the vest can help prevent drowning and keep them safe while you maneuver the boat to assist them further.

While turning the boat around, circling the area, or calling for help are all important actions to take when recovering someone who has fallen overboard, they do not provide immediate assistance to the person in the water. Instead, tossing a life vest gives them something to grab onto, increasing their chances of survival while you execute further recovery efforts. Therefore, ensuring the person has a life vest can be the difference between life and death in an emergency situation.