#HELPING THEM KEEP AFLOAT CODE#

To start, steer a straight course away from the victim - Put the helm hard over and wait until the boat has turned 90 degrees. One is the Williamson Turn - ti requires no equipment, although a compass is helpful, and puts the boat on a return course back along its original track. There are a couple of manoeuvres that make this easier. It is actually quite hard to steer a boat of any size back to a particular spot in the water. (during the exercise in the photo, the sails were already furled) In which case, the parent vessel need only manoeuvre to allow this. In a large vessel, or depending on crew and availability, it may be best to launch a smaller boat such as an inflatable to effect the rescue. a parent jumped after their child, another swimmer may gear up (fins, wetsuit) to assist if necessary. If the rescue swimmer is underequipped or inexperienced, e.g. This will probably trigger a long conversation with the Coast Guard, diverting a crew member from the actual rescue. Vessels not assisting please stand clear'. 'Securitay securitay securitay sailing vessel Cygnet has man overboard in Victoria harbour entrance. In busy or restricted waters (which is to some degree a function of vessel size), it may be prudent to issue a safety notice on VHF radio, e.g. A float may be secured for later retrieval. Depending on the weather, sails in use, and condition of the victim, it may be necessary to cut loose a sail such as a spinnaker that cannot be quickly furled. In high wind, they may be a hazard to crew doing the rescue - loose sails and lines can flap with considerable force and often have metal fittings capable of inflicting injury. If sails are left up, they may block the view of the victim and will limit the possible courses that may be steered. Continue to steer a straight course, keeping the victim in sight, until ready to turn.Take down and secure all sails, if this can be done rapidly, then return under power. In a larger boat, or when under sail, it may be more complex. In a small powerboat, this may be trivial. The next step is to prepare to navigate back to the victim. The buoy shown needs repair, but is fully functional - anything to hand is better than the best equipment stowed out of reach) However, it is not actually preventing easy removal of the lifebuoys.

(It would probably be better to stow the bicycle somewhere else. Even on a relatively small boat, the deck may be a metre above water level so a 'pool rescue' technique is unsuitable.

On a powerboat, a boat davit may be available. On a sailboat, the main boom may be used as lifting tackle as shown. A block and winch are useful to retrieve an injured or unconscious victim. But it is strong enough, and easy to secure around a victim. The sling shown is actually intended for someone to sit in while working aloft, not as a rescue sling. The small ones are activated by contact with water, the larger one by orientation (when stored inverted, it is off). The larger one is intended to be attached to the life buoy, but may be used separately. The small floating lights are suitable for attachment to a PFD. Mine was lost and replaced with a scrap of fabric.

#HELPING THEM KEEP AFLOAT CODE#

Typically the pole is sold with a code 'O' flag ('man overboard') in a cover. 60 metres of floating line - two life buoys, or medium sized floats - a marker buoy - a boarding ladder (should extend 80cm into the water) - a sling, or harness - davits or spar with block and winch - floating lights - PFD (personal flotation device or life jacket), one per person, with light and whistle - GPS receiver - VHF radio - Heaving line (flaked into a soft bag for an effective throw) - powerful flashlight or spotlight - swim fins The purpose of the marker pole is to be visible in waves several feet high. They may be required equipment in some jurisdictions and for boats of a certain size. The following items are useful, at the least. It's more important to get on with the rescue than to waste time looking for the 'correct' equipment. In a real emergency, if you don't have something, improvise.

Helping them keep afloat