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.

FREEBOARDConsider

recovering a casualty.

SPACEWorking room and space for equipment.

CRAFT SIZELocal conditions,

size of sailing area.

MANOEVRABILITYCraft must be able to be handled in a

limited area

Rescue Boat Example TypesRIB (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 Drink

Spare Clothing

Wet / Dry Suit

Hat and Gloves

Knife

Whistle

Buoyancy 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 AssistantDuties

Safety Boat TrainingSafety 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 OFF

Ensure 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

Plan

• Method of rescue• Whether additional help is required• Escape Plan

React• 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 layCircumstances

like medical info

Emergency Procedures

Abandonment Procedures

Working with new crew

Boat IntroductionWhere kit is stored on boat (start at front of boat and

work to stern)

Boat operationRun through basic operation of boat including radio, kill

chord, fuel, engine etc.

Explain & DelegateDiscuss 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