Responding To Boating Emergencies: Overboard Recovery, Breadkdowns, Leaks And Capsizing
Recovering a Person Overboard
If someone does fall overboard, sound the alarm immediately and then establish contact with the person in the water;
using a buoyant heaving line, or
life-buoy secured to the boat with a line, and
recover the person over the windward side, and
if necessary use a heavy rope, chain or cable secured at both ends and draped over the side, almost touching the water, to provide a makeshift step.
Also, a procedure to recover a person overboard should include;
slowing down, stop if possible,
throw something buoyant like a PFD, to assist the person, this will also mark the spot if the person submerges,
assign one person to keep sight of the overboard person and have that person continuously point to the victim's location,
carefully maneuver to recover the overboard person.
It is very important to practice rescue procedures so that all persons on board become familiar with various techniques for recovering a person overboard, relative to:
the safety equipment
the tasks to be completed
how effective the maneuver can be performed, considering sea-state, additional crew duties, and
condition of the person overboard.
It is strongly recommended that sailors, power boaters and paddlers learn a recovery technique that works, and practice, practice, practice!
Responding to Breakdowns
The operator of a pleasure craft should take the following actions in response to breakdowns:
alter the speed of the craft as appropriate to the circumstances,
anchor the craft as appropriate to the circumstances,
investigate the problem,
correct the problem if possible, and
use or exhibit signals to indicate distress and need of assistance if necessary.
The operator should maintain the pleasure craft and its equipment on a regular basis so that it is functioning properly at all times to reduce the probability of breakdowns occurring.
Responding to Hull Leaks or Flooding
The following are actions to take in response to a hull leak or flooding such as when water is seen to be rising in the pleasure craft or accumulating at the bottom of the craft:
locate the source of the hull leak or the flooding,
stop the leakage or the source of flooding if possible,
remove accumulations of water in the hold or other compartments of the pleasure craft by incorporating either hand-held bailers, manual pumps or bilge pumping systems as appropriate to the circumstances and to the craft,
use or exhibit signals to indicate distress and need of assistance if necessary.
The operator of a pleasure craft should carry on board at all times tools and materials to temporarily stop hull leaks or flooding.
Responding to Capsizing, Swamping, Sinking and Grounding
The following are actions to take in response to a pleasure craft that capsizes, that swamps, that sinks, or that runs aground:
put on PFD'S or life-jackets,
stay with the craft when appropriate
account for persons previously on board, and
use or exhibit signals to indicate distress and need of assistance if necessary.
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