18 September 2025
RYA Man Overboard Guidance Clarification
You may have spotted the RYA making headlines this week and we want to clarify our position.
To confirm, our guidance states we recommend the use of the phrase 鈥淢an Overboard鈥 as it is a universally recognised term and one that is tightly woven into emergency procedures, electronic equipment, training and official documents. This has not changed.
We do, however, recognise that the language we all use is continually evolving. The 鈥淩YA Inclusive Language Guidance: Modern Day Manners鈥 was created and made available for our network of clubs and centres online back in 2023. It exists to offer a range of alternative terms we can all use in non-emergency situations for when inclusive language might feel more appropriate, so that everyone feels welcome both on and off the water.
As always, we thank you for your valued support and hope this provides reassurance as safety will always remain at the heart of what we do at the RYA.
