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Seamanship

Small Boat Operations

UNCLASSIFIED

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References

• Boats and Small Craft, NSTM 583• Boat Officer’s Handbook• SORM• NAVEDTRA 14343 Boatswain’s Mate• Boat Information Book (BIB)• Navy Search and Rescue Manual, NTTP 3-50.1

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Terminal Objectives

• Given a small boat DESCRIBE the parts of the craft and safety precautions prescribed in the NSTM 583 (Small Boats and Crafts)

• Given a small boat DISCUSS the proper procedures of a small boat to include: lowering/hoisting,  start up/shut down, maneuvering while underway as discussed in the NSTM 583, SORM, and Boat Officer’s Handbook

• Given a situation DISCUSS the small boat etiquette as it applies in the Boat Officer Handbook

• Given a SAR situation DESCRIBE the duties and procedures of a rescue boat IAW the SAR Manual

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• DISCUSS the components of small boat structure to include: hull, rudder, outdrives, handrails, hoisting sling, sampson post

• DISCUSS the engineering systems to include starting, fuel, drainage, and outdrive systems

• DISCUSS the marine reduction gear, jet drive and outboard motor

• DISCUSS the instrument panel• DESCRIBE what indications and warnings there are if the

system is malfunctioning• EXPLAIN the safety precautions that must be observed during

operation of a small boat

Enabling Objectives

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• STATE the basic duties of each member of the small boat crew: coxswain, boat engineer, bow hook, and boat officer

• DISCUSS the hoisting/lowering capability of U.S. naval vessels• DISCUSS the procedures and precautions for launching and recovering

small boats during calm and heavy weather• DESCRIBE the equipage found on a small boat• DISCUSS planing speed, pivot turns, preventing tripping and

preventing a RHIB from becoming airborne• DISCUSS rendering/receiving honors for officials embarked and

between naval vessels• DISCUSS boat hails during daylight and night and the proper

procedure for embarking/disembarking personnel

Enabling Objectives

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• DISCUSS the flag staff insignia for embarked officers• DISCUSS actions taken if conducting small boat operations

during Colors• LIST all required rescue boat equipment• DISCUSS the duties of each member of the rescue boat crew• DISCUSS SAR swimmer hand, flare, and light signals• DISCUSS procedures to be followed when approaching and

recovering a survivor in the water

Enabling Objectives

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Introduction

• Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB)• Captain’s Gig / Admiral’s Barge• Paint Punt

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RHIB Features

SPONSON

KEEL

FLAG STAFF

SAMPSON POSTS

TRANSOM

HOISTING SLING

LIFE LINES

BOW POST / JACK STAFF

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SPONSON

KEEL

FLAG STAFF

SAMPSON POSTS

TRANSOM

HOISTING SLING

LIFE LINES

BOW POST / JACK STAFF

RHIB Features

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Small Boat Engineering

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Operation

• The service life and maintenance requirements of any diesel engine are greatly influenced by the speeds and load factors imposed by the user during its operation.

• An engine operated at full rated (nameplate) power output will require more maintenance and more frequent overhauls than the engine would require if the load were reduced to about 80 percent of full load and the speed reduced to about 90 percent of full rated speed.

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Starting

• Engines start most readily when the throttle (fuel injector rack) is slowly opened to the full fuel position during cranking.

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Cooling System• Engine Coolant

– Engine coolant transfers heat from the hot areas of an engine to a heat exchanger.

– Without engine coolant, engine components would rapidly overheat and fail due to the large amounts of heat produced by combustion.

• Water– Water is used as coolant because it is readily available and

because of its large heat capacity (the quantity of heat it can absorb).

– Depending on its source, water quality can vary widely. For example, seawater contains large amounts of dissolved salts as well as seaweed, and debris.

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Lube Oil System

• Lubricants are used to:– Reduce friction– Dissipate heat– Prevent corrosion

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Lube Oil System

• Friction Reduction– Friction can be greatly decreased by using the correct

lubricant for the specific application.

– Lubricants form a film between contacting surfaces, thereby separating the surfaces and reducing friction. Consequently, wear and seizing of parts are also reduced.

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Lube Oil System

• Heat Dissipation– Friction generated heat shall be rapidly dissipated to

prevent damage to equipment

• Corrosion Prevention– Corrosion resulting from continuous exposure to a

marine environment is a major maintenance problem. – The lubricant should accomplish the following:

• Remain on the surface to be protected under adverse conditions of pressure and temperature.

• Retard or prevent the formation of corrosion, particularly in the presence of moisture or seawater.

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Lube Oil System

• Internal combustion engine lubricants– Contain additives that keep combustion products

such as soot, wear and oxidation products in suspension, thereby reducing the amount of contaminants deposited on engine parts.

– This property is particularly important in modern, high speed, turbocharged diesel engines.

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Fuel Oil System

• JP-5 fuels RHIBs• Fuel Contamination

– During transfer and handling, the danger of contamination with foreign material increases. The major contaminants are:

• Water• Rust• Sediment• Oil Soluble Soap

– Contaminated fuel will cause the motor to stall or not start

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The Valve

• All mechanical equipment requires a VALVE LINE UP to be performed.

• There is ONLY ONE VALVE to be manipulated on a RHIB.

• It is called the Sea Cock. – Allows sea water suction for the cooling of the

engine.– If not opened, the diesel engine will start and BURN

ITSELF OUT.

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Engine Problems

• Report if you experience any of the below:– Difficulty starting the engine– Abnormal Engine Oil temperature– Abnormal engine oil pressure– Abnormal engine tachometer reading– Unusual engine noise– Unusual engine vibration– Excessive smoke

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Jet Drive

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Jet Drive

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Inboard Motor

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Inboard Motor

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Outboard Motor

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Outboard Motor

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Steering Console

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• For the Crew:– Make sure fire extinguishers are in place and charged (fire hazards

prevelant)– Inherently buoyant lifejackets, readily accessible, should be in

boats for all members of the crew and passengers– Rules of the road must be strictly obeyed– If a boat swamps or capsizes, do not panic and stay with the boat

• For Passengers:– Obey coxswain commands– Embark in a quiet, orderly manner and move as far forward as

possible– Once embarked, stay in place– Keep all parts of your body in the boat

Safety Precautions

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Boat Crew• The Boat Crew consists of at least 3

personnel: Coxswain, Bowhook, Boat Engineer

• The minimum can be added to by the CO

• Boat Officer is assigned during foul weather, runs after sunset, or whenever the CO directs

• All crew members must be at least 2nd Class swimmer qualified

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Coxswain• Responsible for the care and handling

of the boat

• In charge of the boat in the absence of a Boat Officer

• Familiar with all aspects of the boat including : operation, safety gear, navigation, capacity in fair and foul weather

• Responsible for the behavior and appearance of the boat crew

• Responsible for the safety and welfare of all passengers

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Boat Engineer• Ensures proper operation and

maintenance of the boat’s engines

• Makes any repairs or adjustments while the boat is underway

• Ensures repair parts are onboard, boat is fueled and the battery is charged

• Responsible for part of the Daily Boat Report

• Doubles as the Sternhook, handling lines and fenders when mooring or getting underway

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Bowhook• Assists the Coxswain in the operation

of the boat

• Provides a lookout while underway, and handles lines and fenders while mooring or getting underway

• Has the knowledge to operate the boat in an emergency when the Coxswain must be relieved

• The SAR swimmer usually doubles as the Bowhook

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Boat Officer• Jointly responsible for the safety and

welfare of the crew and passengers with the Coxswain

• Will identify the senior line officer aboard and notify them of such. As the senior officer they have overall authority of the boat

• Directs the Coxswain to ensure safety precautions are taken and the boat is safely navigated

• Ensures that the Engineer inspects and fuels the boat before launch

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Additional Crew Options• Corpsman: administers first aid to boat crew or recovered person• Gunner’s Mate: Armed as Shark Watch

• Coast Guard Legal Detachment (LEDET): specialized maritime law enforcement team

• Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS)

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Small Boat Equipage• Bow hook• Stockless anchor• Fenders• Life Ring• Sea Painter• Steadying lines• Grapnel hook• Compass• Fire Extinguisher• Handheld BTB radio• Lifejackets for passengers

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• Fall: a heavy cable used to hoist/lower the boat• Monkey Lines: Knotted safety lines that hang from the top of the

davit to the water’s edge. Crew members aboard the small boat are required to support 80% of their weight with these lines as the boat is hoisted/lowered

• Steadying Lines: Lines tended by the boat deck crew to keep the boat from twisting

• Sea Painter: Line attached to the bow of the boat and connected to a forward section of the ship. Allows the boat to “ride” along with the ship to allow the boat crew time to fasten/unfasten lines in the water

Hoisting and Lowering Terminology

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Hoisting and Lowering of Small Boats

• A ship’s boats are hoisted/lowered by either a davit or crane

• There are several davit designs in use, but all can be divided in two categories:– Mechanical, ex. Slew Arm Davit– Gravity, ex. Double Pivot Gravity Davit

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Pivot Gravity Davit

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Gravity Davit

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Slewing Arm Davit (SLAD)

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SLAD

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Cranes and Small Boats

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Launching and Recovering

* Boat Deck receives permission for all actions from OOD*– OOD ensures CONN creates a lee on the side of launching and slows

to 3kts 1) Prepare the boat for launch

– Disconnect stowage lines– Boat sling is attached to the davit and steadying lines are made ready

2) Lower the boat to the ship’s rail3) Embark crew and lower boat

– **Before boat touches the water, start engine to ensure some maneuverability when waterborne**

4) Boat rides sea painter5) All lines clear and boat is free to proceed• Recovering small boats follows the same actions in reverse

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Maneuvering a RHIB• Planing

– RHIBs are designed to hydroplane. Planing speed is that speed that slightly raises the boat so that it glides over, versus ploughs through, the water

• Pivot Turns– Sharply turn the rudder to come about

180o

• Prevent tripping– Manage acceleration to prevent over-

speeding of the engine• Prevent becoming airborne

– Manage speed based on sea state. Becoming airborne can severely damage the boat

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Small Boat Etiquette • Rendering Honors

- When Passing:• Boats with embarked officials in view pass each other, the

coxswain and senior officer embarked render hand salutes• Coxswain of the junior boat idles the engine• After the senior boat returns the salute, speed is resumed• Unless it is dangerous, the coxswain must rise while saluting

- When Overtaking:• No junior should overtake a senior boat without permission• Junior boat slows and salutes first, once returned by the senior

permission is granted

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Small Boat Etiquette• Embarking/Disembarking

- Whenever an officer embarks or disembarks, the coxswain will rise and salute, as is safe and practical

- Seniors embark a boat last and disembark first. Seats farthest aft are reserved for senior officers

• Daylight Boat Hails- OOD raises arm straight up with a clenched fist- Coxswain replies by showing fingers amounting to how many side boys the

officer/official onboard is designated• Night Boat Hails

- OOD calls out “Boat ahoy!”- Coxswain replies with the proper name from the NTP 13 series

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Flag Staff Insignia• President – Spread Eagle• Flag Officer – Halbert• Captain – Ball• Commander – Star• Officer below Commander – Flat Truck

• When an officer is embarked and has a personal flag or pennant, it will be flown at the bow

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Small Boat Etiquette• Actions during Colors

- Stop engines or proceed at the slowest safe speed- Boat Officer or Coxswain stands and salutes, rest of the

crew stands at attention- Passengers sit at attention- The ensign in lowered once the boat returns to shore or

ship

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Rescue Boat

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Rescue Boat Equipment

• Boat Hook• Life Ring• Battle Lanterns• Medical Kit• Rifle – Shark watch• SAR MEDEVAC Litter• Swimmer Tending Line• Radio set (BTB and Portable)• Flashlights• V-Bladed Rescue Knife• Heaving Lines • Grapnel Hook

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Rescue Boat Crew• Similar to normal Boat Crew

- Mandatory additions are a Boat Officer and SAR Swimmer. Common optional crew members include a Corpsman or Shark Watch

• Swimmer carries SAR Swimmer NEC- Each ship is required to have 2 SAR swimmers onboard- Specially trained at man overboard recovery from ship or

RHIB- Basic Swimmer Gear: Wet/Dry suits, swim fins, snorkel and

mask, lifting harness, light, and dive knife

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SAR Swimmer Signals• Day Signals

- I am alright: Arm raised above head with flat palm- Ready for pickup: Raised arm, thumb up- In trouble, need assistance: Vigorous waving of one arm- Heave around: Raised arm, thumb up, trail line in hand

• Night Signals- I am alright: Arm raised straight with chem light- Ready for pickup: Waving chem light- Need Assistance: Waving flare or blue strobe light on

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Approaching a Survivor• Approach should be made directly at

the survivor, keeping the survivor on the port bow until the Swimmer is deployed off the starboard bow

• Once the Swimmer has positive control of the survivor and signals, the RHIB comes alongside the survivor

• To prevent back injury, survivors should be recovered outboard facing on a RHIB

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Questions?

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Review

• Boat Crew

• Small Boat Etiquette

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Review

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Types of Small Boats

2-7-7

Utility Boat

Personnel Boat

Captain’s Gig

UNCLASSIFIED