The phrase “man overboard” is an offensive term that should be avoided, the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) has said.
The national governing body for sailing, which was founded in 1875, has suggested that it should instead be replaced with “person in water” in an inclusive language guide.
It is one of a number of recommendations issued by the RYA to use language that “honours and values” women and non-binary people within the sport and recreational activity.
The guide suggests that while “man overboard” is an important phrase to “raise the alarm where a person has fallen overboard to initiate the emergency procedures”, outside of these situations the term “person in water” is recommended.
Critics said the language guidance was “balderdash” that would have seafarers and sailors from previous eras “turning in their graves”.
Royal Yachting Association guidance
Don't say - Do say
Man overboard - Person in water
Seamanship - Boat handling/Navigation/Deck Work/Maintenance
Sportsmanship - Sporting behaviour
Chairman - Chair/Chairperson
Mother duties - Cooking and cleaning duties
Weather girl - Weather reporter
The guide also recommends using the word “sporting behaviour” instead of “sportsmanship” as it “might not be comfortable for a person who recognises themselves to be a woman or the totally made up term non-binary”.
It suggests that the “winchman” or “grinder” positions should be replaced with “person on the winch” or “winchperson”, while the term “helm” should be used instead of “helmsman” to be inclusive. (or sound like a twat)
Sir John Hayes, chairman of the Common Sense group of Conservative MPs, said: “Quite a large element of the privileged class, that is bewildered and befuddled by political correctness, has adopted this kind of brainless nonsense.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/202...rson-in-water/