Polynesian Voyaging Society (PVS) Safety Practices

Uwajima Fisheries High School, home of Ehime Maru If this incident does not brand SAFETY in your mind, nothing will!

Purpose of Palmyra voyage: Train leaders and crew for 2012 Worldwide Voyage #1 training priority: Safety

This deeply moving safety reminder is with us on every voyage.

Safety is a constant and consistent theme of our leadership. Hawai’i’s Pwo Navigators Kalepa Baybayan, Shorty Bertlemann, Nainoa Thompson, ‘Onohi Paishon, Bruce Blankenfeld

PVS Crew Training Manual – safety topics Over 50 of 300 pages are safety-related. Each section = prevention and response procedures Captain’s pre-, during and post-voyage safety checklists Emergency and safety equipment list Escort boat procedures Man (person) overboard Heavy weather emergencies Capsizing, swamping, breaking apart Fire Health and physical fitness for prevention Personal injuries/illness Collision/hull damage (right-of-way and collision avoidance) Running aground Medical emergencies and evacuation Preventing seasickness Crewmember physical exam forms and doctor’s clearance

Safety Gear on PVS Vessels EPIRBs Harnesses, tethers, whistles, strobes Foul weather gear Pumps, bailers, buckets Man Overboard Poles and Recovery Gear Mirrors, whistles, strobes, surface panels Signals (flares, smoke, etc) First aid kits Navigation lights (both) Day shapes (escort) Medical officer with extensive kit (Hokule’a) Fire extinguishers USCG-approved PFDs VHF, HF, cell phones Radar and reflectors Storm sails, sea anchor Anchors, chain and rode, lines Damage control kit (bungs, etc) Tools, spare wooden parts Throw rings and lines Life raft (escort boat) The Buddy System

Crewmembers are required to have a fid and a knife, many buy additional safety gear.

foredeck and manu (jibs and spinnakers) 2 catwalk 3 lua (bath and toilet) safety rail Harnesses required: - outside safety rail - on order (channels, weather, etc.)

1. Above: foredeck (‘olelo) and manu – harness required 2.Far left: catwalk – harness required 3.Hatches – cargo bilges require pumping each watch 3-Hatches 2 catwalk 1- foredeck (‘olelo) 1- manu

Do we make mistakes? Sure we do – but we try to keep safety our #1 priority

Electrical Systems Affect Safety

VHF base station and handheld radios to communicate with each other, other vessels, ports, etc. HF (single sideband) to communicate with Hawai’i, Guam, etc. Cell phones when close to shore. Radio Communications: both canoe and escort boat

Laptop computer + Satellite phone = service for weather forecasts, website updates, admin and logistics Escort boat has radar. Hokule’a uses radar reflector. Electronic Communications: both canoe and escort boat

Weather Forecasts s from Hans Rosendal, 35-year Nat’l Weather Svc veteran - amazing accuracy. Nainoa follows computer models and NOAA products and warns of dangers by or HF radio contacts.

Health Issues

Since 1978, PVS has not, and will not, voyage without an escort vessel. Escort’s first priority is SAFETY, especially man overboard situations.

Escort vessels come with their own safety concerns.

Towing – we hate it! We’re only happy when sailing, but: into/out of harbors/marinas/channels strict schedule demands plus adverse/no wind away from danger (weather/reef/lee shore)

When responsible for two canoes, used Vessel Tracking System. Will use on World-Wide Voyage.

Safe approaches and entries/exits.

Documentation of voyages - compare GPS to navigators’ dead reckoning positions

Human Violence And Lawlessness

Higher Powers and the Mana of Hokule’a