Safety Boat Briefing

Welcome

Reason for Briefing Encourage Best Practice Focus On What Safety Boat Duties Include Encourage Clubs to run more Safety Boat Courses.

Agenda Rescue Boat and Kit What makes a good rescue crew Duties and responsibilities Briefing and Communications

RESCUE BOAT AND KIT

Rescue Boat and Kit Consider operating area and duties when choosing rescue craft. FREEBOARD Consider recovering a casualty. FREEBOARD Consider recovering a casualty. SPACE Working room and space for equipment. SPACE Working room and space for equipment. CRAFT SIZE Local conditions, size of sailing area. CRAFT SIZE Local conditions, size of sailing area. MANOEVRABILITY Craft must be able to be handled in a limited area MANOEVRABILITY Craft must be able to be handled in a limited area

Rescue Boat Example Types RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) Fast, Stable and relatively comfortable Good handling and sea going ability Dory Inexpensive Light and easy to handle SIB (Soft Inflatable Boat) Very shallow draft Soft, easy on boats when coming alongside Displacement Boats Normally lower running costs Great Towing Power

Minimum Safety Boat Kit Flares Radio Tow Lines + towing bridle Serrated Knife Paddles Boat Hook Anchor with chain and warp First Aid Kit Bucket / Bailer Kill Cord (+ spare) Sufficient Fuel Survival Bag

Personal Kit Food and DrinkSpare ClothingWet / Dry SuitHat and GlovesKnifeWhistleBuoyancy Aid

WHAT MAKES A GOOD RESCUE CREW

Good Crew Recipe Knowledge Sailing Area / Course Knowledge of boats in fleet First Aid Trained Experience Good driving skills Awareness of sailors course Equipment Prepared to go into the water Know what to do with equipment! Resourcefulness No two rescues are the same, you often need to think on your feet. +++

How do people gain knowledge and experience? PB 1+2 Assistant Duties Safety Boat Training Safety Boat Cox Difficulty – in club situations people often only get duties once or twice a year making it difficult to practice in different conditions and maintain skill levels.

Club Safety and Refresher Courses Time Efficient – does not require 2 days Increased focus on clubs requirements Uses Kit Associated to Club

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Duties and responsibilities All duties and responsibilities require good boat handling ability, combined with knowledge and experience. Training Fleet Control Rescue Mark Laying

Good Practice Rescue Boats should always be manned with 2 people.People before Property - ALWAYS Have an understanding on why you are out there and any additional equipment required (e.g. marks). Ensure Communication is established with Officer of the Day by radio. When in contact with anyone IN the water ENGINE OFFEnsure at least one crew member is First Aid trained

Dealing With A Rescue Access Safety of own craft and crew Safety of people in difficulty Safety of craft in difficulty Safety of own craft and crew Safety of people in difficulty Safety of craft in difficulty Plan Method of rescue Whether additional help is required Escape Plan Method of rescue Whether additional help is required Escape Plan React Communication with crew AND casualty AND external people Deliver plan Communication with crew AND casualty AND external people Deliver plan

BRIEFING AND COMMUNICATION

Briefing Rescue Boat Crews VHF Working Channel Special Instructions for Day Numbers / Types of Craft expected Numbers of Races Patrol Areas / Stations / Sailing Area Marks to lay Circumstances like medical info Emergency Procedures Abandonment Procedures

Working with new crew Boat Introduction Where kit is stored on boat (start at front of boat and work to stern) Boat operation Run through basic operation of boat including radio, kill chord, fuel, engine etc. Explain & Delegate Discuss what is happening, to impart knowledge and interest. Delegate jobs such as look out

Communications RADIO Radio Programmed to working channel Radio Check Prior to going afloat Maintain regular contact to ensure link Only use High Power IF necessary Know Call Signs for other Rescue and Shore

Communications Sound and Visual Try not to shout, get into a position you can talk to others, it is more effective! Individual boat come alongside 1 Whistle and Point All boats circle rescue boat 2 Whistles and hands on shoulders All head for shore 3 Whistles and arms shoulders in triangle Clear consistent signals example

More Sources Of Information G16 RYA Safety Boat Handbook G13 Powerboat Handbook Centre Risk Assessment Documents