EPA Vessel Safety during Response Operations

EPA Vessel Safety during Response Operations

EPA Vessel Safety Manual EPA employees who operate Class A vessels under 45 feet in length, shall conform to the minimum qualifications; 1) Approval by the Vessel Management Official 2) Completions of a safe boating course 3) As appropriate, completion of a First Aid and CPR course

EPA Vessel Safety Everyone onboard an EPA vessel must wear a Coast Guard approved Personal Floatation Device (PFD) at all times. All EPA vessels shall be equipped with a serviceable Type I, II, or III PFD for each person on board. A vessel greater then 16 in length shall also carry at least one Type IV (throwable) PFD. Everyone onboard the vessel has All Stop Authority during all operations. Any person on board the vessel can stop operations to correct an unsafe condition.

EPA Vessel Safety (continued) Safety Equipment (required by Coast Guard for vessels over 16 ft.) Type I, II, III, or V PFDs; Type IV (throwable) PFD; horn, or whistle; fire extinguisher; visual distress signals, navigation lights Other useful Safety Equipment; throw rope, first aid kit, extra rope, anchor, pump/bailer, paddle, tools/knife, signal lights, rain gear, marine radio For distress calls, use Marine channel 16 (same as EPA radio - zone11, ch. 3)

Man Overboard Procedure The first spotter calls loudly man overboard. Make sure you have been heard by the pilot and crew. Assign a person to keep the victim in sight and clearly point towards him. Hit the MoB button on the GPS.

Man Overboard Procedure (continued) If necessary, execute a circle turn to bring the boat alongside the victim. As soon as the victim is in range, throw the victim a flotation device (preferably attached to a rope) Hoist the victim aboard with a ladder or rope sling.

Capsizing or Swamping your Boat Capsizing involves turning your boat over. Swamping involves filling your boat with water. Usually a capsized boat will result in a swamped boat. The most common way boats swamp: Under power a boat running with it's bow up then quickly decelerates can cause the wake to overtakes the stern. The effects are compounded in a heavily loaded boat. To avoid this get in the habit of slowing down your boat gradually.

Capsizing or Swamping your Boat Most small boats will not sink when swamped or capsized. Stay calm and consider these tips: Take care of yourself first. You can't help your passengers until your situation is under control. Always stay with the boat unless there is a greater danger such as a dam intake or waterfall. Be sure and keep everyone together. If you are in cold water you will need to consider the effects that hypothermia will have on you and your passengers. It's a good idea to get everyone as far out of the water as possible.

Capsizing or Swamping your Boat Attract attention. Use anything you have to get attention. A bright article of clothing, everyone waving, air horns, whistle or bells. Make a lot of noise. Just make sure there is someone around to see or hear your signal. Otherwise, conserve your energy until you feel you have a chance to be noticed.

Fast water operations Operating in flood water (do you really need to?) Evaluate the needs and risks of taking immediate response actions. Use NOAA & USGS websites to monitor gage stations and river conditions River dynamics Always try to approach from the Bottom Up when working around boom, ropes or other obstacles. Always try to land the vessel facing upstream and into the current.

Fast water operations Avoid operating upstream of bridge pilings, docks, anchored vessels, and other obstructions. Avoid operating near low head dams. Avoid log jams, flooded bridges, flooded wooded areas, and other Strainers. Try to identify water depth often. Launching/trailering Check condition/depth of ramp with a pole or stick

EPA Vessel Safety

Boat Launching & Recovery

Pre-Launch Preparations Prepare your boat for launching away from the ramp as a courtesy to others and to prevent rushing during the launch. This is not the place to learn how to back your boat.

Is the boat unhooked from the trailer? Is the plug in the boat? Check condition/depth of ramp with a pole or stick Run bilge blowers (if equipped) for at least one minute before starting engine

Tip: Try to keep the rear wheels of the tow vehicle out of the water. If the exhaust pipes become immersed in water, the engine may stall. Launching Your Vessel

Boat Launching Procedures Set the parking brake. Once in the water, lower the motor (be sure there is enough for depth as to not damage the propeller) and prepare to start the engine (after running blowers and checking for fuel leaks). Start the boat motor and make sure that water is passing through the engine cooling system. Release the winch and disconnect the winch line from the bow when the boat operator is ready. At this point, the boat can be launched with a light shove or by backing off the trailer under power. Finish loading the boat at a sufficient distance from the ramp so that others may use the launch ramp.

Boat Retrieval The steps for removing the boat from the water are basically the reverse of those taken to launch it. Keep in mind that certain conditions may exist during retrieval that did not exist during launching. When approaching the takeout ramp, take care to note such factors as environmental conditions and increased boat traffic.

Davis.joe@epa.gov 913 551 7909