What should you do first if a passenger falls overboard while your boat is at anchor?

When a passenger falls overboard while the boat is at anchor, the first action you should take is to throw a type IV Coast Guard approved life jacket to the passenger. This is essential for their immediate safety because it provides buoyancy and helps them stay afloat until they can be rescued or brought back on board.

The life jacket ensures that the person in the water can manage their situation better and minimizes the risk of drowning. In a situation where someone has fallen overboard, time is critical, and providing them with a flotation device helps stabilize their condition while you prepare to execute further rescue actions.

Following this, you would want to ensure that the boat is properly maneuvered to assist the person in the water, but having them buoyant and secure with a life jacket is the priority before any other response.