EMERGENCY PROCEDURES EXERCISE:

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES EXERCISE: NAME:

QUESTIONS

1 Describe how you would manoeuvre a vessel if you lost control of the rudder.

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2 If your vessel and another have collided and are wedged together, what course of action is necessary?

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3 If all the passengers on your vessel came up onto the flying bridge and then onto the starboard side, what effect would this have on the stability of your vessel?

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4. You are on watch and you see a person fall overboard on your starboard side. Describe with sketches if required the actions you could take until the person is safely brought onboard.

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5 Detail your primary responsibility as a Master, in the operation of the vessel.

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6. Discuss your responsibilities as a Coxswain in the rescue of a vessel in distress

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Emergency Procedures-ANSWERS

1. If the vessel experiencing rudder loss is a twin screw then the problem is lessened. Use can be made of the revolutions of each engine to control the direction of the vessel.

In a single screwed vessel a different situation applies and can best be met by towing an object offering drag such as:- fish basket, bundle of nets, a 20 litre partly filled drum or bundles of boards attached to a length of line.

When secured to the centre of the transom, this arrangement will keep the vessel moving in a straight direction.

To steer the vessel it will be necessary to attach the line (with the drag attached) to one quarter of the vessel, with a lighter line made fast to the other quarter.

Alteration of tension on the light line will cause a change in direction of the vessel.

2. If the collision between the two vessels has resulted in the vessel piercing the other and becoming wedged, the striking vessel should refrain from going astern immediately as this may result in one or both vessels' sinking. If abandonment of either vessel is essential, transferring to the stable vessel, while wedged, may be easier than by doing so via water.

If the Master of the vessel with extensive damage wishes to try to salvage the vessel, assist in anyway to do so. If however the situation turns so as to endanger your own vessel or crew, get your vessel away as soon as possible.

3. If the passengers came up to the flying bridge that would have the effect of raising the G of the vessel, a high G can make the vessel less stable. A vessel in this condition will roll slowly and sluggishly in the slightest seaway. The danger with a vessel in this condition is that in rough weather it may not be able to come upright before being heeled further by another wave and possibly capsize. This condition is known as a “tender vessel”.

In addition to this, the continued use of fuel from the lower tanks will have the effect of further raising the G and possibly making the vessel unstable. In this condition, any internal or external force applied to the vessel will cause it to capsize.

The passengers then moving over to one side will create a list on the vessel, moving the G away from the centreline of the vessel towards the side the passengers (or weight) are on. If the vessel is unstable this would cause the vessel to capsize.

4. If a person does fall into the water:

· throw a lifebuoy (as far as possible to the person) or any other flotation device

· yell out "man overboard" and the side to which he/she fell

· maintain visual contact or have an observer take over the role, point to the person in the water

· warn other vessels in the vicinity of the situation `0' flag

· the helmsman on receipt of a "man overboard" signal will first acknowledge the call (if plotter is fitted - hit the "man overboard" key to indicate the position) take the appropriate turn depending on type of vessel and operation undertaken - always take the propeller away from the person in the water

· bring vessel back near the person, approach the person from downwind, keeping the bow into the wind as this enables manoeuvring at slower speeds

· notify the crew of the pick up side of vessel

· stop vessel when person is near the beam section

· retrieve the person

· conscious:- by means of rescue quoit and line, or nets over the side, boarding ladder, Jason's cradle, or litter

· ensure propeller is not operating with the person alongside.

When the person is retrieved, it may be necessary to support the person when he/she reaches the safe place. Ensure the person remains out of harm's way.

5. It is the duty of the Master or persons in charge of a vessel to maintain that vessel in a safe, in survey & seaworthy condition at all times.

Not only is the person responsible for the vessel's safety but also to safety of all persons on-board including the behavior of the people.

The crew and passengers of a vessel are obliged by law to obey any reasonable direction of the Master or person in charge.

6. If your vessel is too far away to be of practical assistance - but you may be the only vessel that has picked up the distress signal. You are required to maintain that contact, inform a coastal radio station or, if that is not possible, some other vessel that may be closer, and continue to act as a relay station for as long as required.

Your obligation to render all possible assistance is only lifted when the distressed vessel advises you that your assistance is no longer required, either because others are already there or some other satisfactory arrangement has been made. This same release may be obtained from the Master of another vessel which has reached the area or the relevant search and rescue body that has taken charge of the operation and has the situation under control. You should read the relevant section of the act very carefully.

The primary aim of a Master of a vessel rendering assistance is saving life.

In achieving this aim the best option may be to take the vessel in tow or, in some other way, save it from total loss, the action taken will depend on the circumstance of the case that he/she is faced with - but there is no legal responsibility on the master of the rescuing vessel to save property.