Using a RIB for a Safety Boat Duty

Transcription

1 Using a RIB for a Safety Boat Duty Reminder Notes for Safety Boat Helms This information should be used as a reminder of what constitutes safe practice when carrying out a safety boat duty. However, the advice below cannot cover all the situations that may arise; so there may be times when it is prudent to take other actions. As the helm of the safety boat, this is a decision you will need to take at the time. RIBs should be navigated with due consideration to the International Rules for Prevention of Collisions at Sea, Harbour Bye-Laws and the safety and comfort of other harbour users. The helm must hold a RYA Level 2 Powerboat qualification, as a minimum. Eligibility (Club RIB Driving Rules) year olds can helm RIBS, but there should be an over 18 in the boat as well. 2. Under 16s cannot be a RIB helm, but are encouraged to crew. If the helm (who will be over 18) is happy for them to drive; under 16s are able to drive to and from the race area BUT NOT when the boat is on active rescue duties. Safety Boats Role The role of the Safety Boat is to ensure that all sailing takes place safely for both sailors and people who might be in danger from the sailors or their boats. It is important that as a club we not only conduct all activities safely but are seen to do so by others and set an example. Look at the board outside the Bosun s Office to see which boat you have been assigned. Tell the Beachmaster that you have arrived and give them the names of the helm and crew. Boats should only be rescued if they present a hazard or can be safely recovered without leaving other sailors at risk. You must always get permission from the PRO before towing a boat home. In the event of serious injury you will need to follow the emergency procedure (to follow). Safety Essentials 1. Always use the kill cord (clip it round your thigh) 2. You and your crew should wear personal buoyancy 3. Keep a 360 degree lookout at all times 4. When driving, keep one hand on the throttle (it is also your brake) 5. Communicate with your crew. Warn them before manoeuvring. Know where they are in the boat 6. Accelerate and decelerate gently, and always proceed at the lowest speed necessary 7. Observe harbour speed limits unless responding to an urgent safety situation 8. At all times, be aware of the depth of water under the RIB 9. Turn engine off when the RIB is close to anyone in the water 10. Check the engine telltale after each start

2 11. Do not drink alcohol before or during your duty, or smoke on the RIB Before Your Duty Confirm the availability of your crew Check the weather forecast a few days beforehand If the conditions look challenging for your level of experience you could ask a more experienced helm to help you with the duty. If this is not possible, please contact the Club Bosun for advice If you want to refresh your boat handling before your duty, please contact the Club Bosun, who can arrange for you to use a RIB for practise beforehand On the Day Please arrive at least one hour before the first start Wear appropriate clothing. Safety boats normally feel 5 degrees Celsius colder than the surroundings Your RIB crew should be dressed and able to enter the water if necessary Sign out your RIB. Collect the keys and kit for your allocated RIB. Check the kit: Equipment check to include Safety Pack/tow rope, flags (and poles) and radio (sign out if handheld or portable). Echo sounder present on RIBs 1, 3, and Youth Rib 1 Unlock the RIB Familiarise yourself with the vessel assigned to you: Check bilges are pumped out and pumps work Check boat for damage, especially propeller. Has it got all the blades? Check fuel level and inflation of tubes Start the engine and check cooling water telltale (N.B. some of the RIBs have engine immobilisers that must be neutralised using the key fob) Kill cords must be worn. Fit kill cord separately from keys (RIBs). Make crew aware of all procedures, if possible. Carry out a radio check with the Race Team/Beachmaster (or Safety Coordinator if there is one) and confirm that you are on the water. Use P1 only unless directed otherwise. Lower engine but re-trim to best angle for speed and efficiency. Raise when in shallows rescuing. Leaving the Marina On leaving the Marina call the Race Platform and ask for instructions Depart using marina channels only. Do not exit via the north marina entrance. It is not allowed During the Duty 1. Patrol the area allocated to you by the Race Office or Safety Coordinator

3 2. Observe the PYC boats racing in your area. Respond to any boats in difficulties 3. Provide updates on race progress, and report significant incidents/events to the PRO 4. If all the boats leave your area contact the Race Officer or Safety Coordinator to request new instructions 5. Do not exceed the speed limit except in a real emergency. Keep alert and ensure crew is covering the area you cannot see. Keep moving, patrol between two points minimum. Do not idle unless asked to anchor while awaiting an assignment 6. The PRO (or Safety Coordinator) will allocate a duty to you and advise if this changes during the races U Flag Duty The Race Officer or Safety coordinator may ask you to create a moving exclusion zone in front of a large commercial vessel proceeding in the Middle Channel 1. Unwrap Flag U from its pole and ensure it is prominently displayed. Use the horn in the safety pack to make intermittent sound signals 2. Proceed before the commercial vessel at a distance of about between 300m (for Condor) and 500m (for Barfleur) (300m is the distance between each pair of navigation buoys in the Middle Channel) 3. You must ensure that you see the ship s bridge, so they can see you 4. Match your speed to the ship. Run down one edge of the channel, so you will not collide with the commercial vessel if your RIB s engine fails. 5. The Harbour master launch will normally also escort the commercial vessel. Run opposite to and in front of the Harbour Masters launch 6. Note the sail numbers of any racing boats that enter into the exclusion zone between your RIB and the ship and notify the Race Officer 7. When there are no more Parkstone racing boats in the area in front of you, leave the ship and contact the Race Officer or Safety Coordinator for directions Capsize or Other Safety Incident 1. Count heads in the water. Ensure you can see all crew members. Observe the behaviour of the crew 2. If you have safety concerns, proceed carefully but quickly to get close to the casualty 3. On approaching the casualty, bring the RIB to a complete halt well away from the casualty, normally more than 25m. This ensures any final approach is slow and controlled, and minimises wash for those in the water 4. Stand off and observe while dinghy crews self-rescue 5. If direct assistance seems to be required, move in slowly and cautiously 6. If a crew is struggling, ask whether they want help, and if so, of what sort

4 7. Follow the crews instructions/requests unless they appear to be unable to make sensible choices 8. Turn the engine off if you are assisting someone in the water and/or there are ropes near the prop 9. If you become involved in a lengthy assistance, inform the PRO of your situation so other safety boats can be directed to maintain safety cover 10. If you have to take the crew off a capsized boat and leave it for later recovery: a. Tie a ribbon or marker buoy to the shroud to let other safety boats know the crew are safe b. Call the Race Officer, and decide who informs Harbour Control on VHF Channel 14 Serious Injury or Medical Emergency If someone on the water develops a critical life threatening condition or injury: 1. Call the Race Officer on the Club Channel and briefly explain the situation and state your intention to call the coastguard on Channel 16. The Race Officer will confirm. 2. Switch VHF radio to Channel 16 and make a Mayday call, giving your boat name, position and nature of emergency 3. Provide first aid if appropriate 4. Take actions in conjunction with the Coastguard If someone has an injury or develops a condition which is not life threatening: 1. Ask the casualty what help or support they need 2. Provide first aid as appropriate 3. Inform the Race Officer or Safety Coordinator Taking a Sailor Ashore If a sailor needs to return to PYC: 1. Request permission from the Race Officer or Safety Coordinator to leave the race area 2. If help ashore will be required, contact the Beachmaster to arrange this 3. Take casualties to the First Aid berth (marked red) on the south side of the main pontoon near the pontoon bridge (between pontoons A and B) Towing Boats If a boat is disabled, becalmed or damaged it may need to be towed. 1. Contact the Race Officer or Safety Coordinator to request permission to leave the race area 2. If permission is denied, then you may need to tie the boat temporarily to a buoy, or anchor it 3. Before towing, talk to the helm of the boat to determine the preferred method for the class of boat 4. When towing astern a. Ensure the towline is secured to a strong point on the towed boat e.g. around the mast b. Accelerate slowly, and do not exceed 5 knots

5 c. Ask the crew to raise their centreboard to avoid the boat tripping, and to steer their boat At the End of Your Duty 1. Return to the Club Marina when stood down by the Race Officer or Safety Coordinator 2. Check fuel level, and if tank is less than half full, refuel at Saltern s Marina (or Parkstone Bay Marina) 3. Moor and lock the RIB on its berth. Switch off all electrics, including the VHF 4. Return kit and key, and complete the signing out form, noting any problems or deficiencies in the Defects Book in the Haven Office. Also note down any items used from the safety pack