Now that spring is
officially here (even though it may not seem so) it is time for many boaters to start
planning their boating season. If you plan to get involved in sailing and sail
racing, this week's tip, provided by the Rescue Chiefs of Cork (Canadian Olympic Sail
Training Regatta, Kingston), makes a good outline for a rescue plan for your yacht or
sailing club.
Rescue
Considerations
- Physical Condition of the sailors(s) - Strength, type of injury or illness,
the first aid request, etc.- especially after a long or a heavy weather day
- Water Temperature - Even if the air is warm, the water temperature
can be very cold and the sailor will require assistance sooner. The major concern for
sailors in cold water is Hypothermia.
- Wind Velocity - Strong winds make it difficult for the sailor to right
the craft and keep it from re-capsizing, especially novice competitors. In such cases,
sailors will require aid to prevent repeated roll overs and physical exhaustion.
- Large Waves - larger waves increase the difficulty and danger of Rescue,
as large waves cause both the disabled craft and the Rescue Boat
to move up and down in the water quickly and often unpredictably.
- Condition of Capsized / Disabled
Boat - Is the crew all right? Even
though the boat is disabled or overturned, ensure the crew needs assistance. In a most
cases, the crew is able to repair or right the capsized vessel. If the crew waves you off,
indicating no assistance is required, and you proceed to give aid, the boat, if touched,
will be disqualified for that race. Use your best judgement. If the crew’s
condition demonstrates the need for assistance, do not hesitate to help.
After you have aided any boat, inform your Course
Rescue Chief immediately as to the condition of the crew and the
vessel, giving the Rescue Chief the sail number of the
competitor, the time of the occurrence and description of the assistance given. This
information is necessary for the Course PRO and Land Rescue personnel.
Additional points to
consider are:
- Is there serious injury which demands
immediate attention or resources to get sailor to shore?
- Is the boat going to sink or wash up on
shore?
- Can it be towed?
- Can you get to it in a safe manner?
- Are you able to execute the rescue or do you
need additional assistance or equipment?
- How critical are the injuries (if any)?
- How fast must you get the sailor(s) to
further medical aid?
- Are you trained and equipped to administer
medical aid or must you make a transfer to another vessel?
- How many other boats require assistance?
- How busy is the Rescue Fleet?
- Have you contacted your Course Rescue Chief
to see if he or she can spare you to leave the course area and tow disabled boats(s) or to
give additional assistance? Your Course Rescue Chief will decide if your
vessel can leave the course.
Essentials of
Rescue
In any rescue it is essential to:
- Be prepared to execute a rescue. This includes taking into consideration the physical
conditions and training/ briefing of the rescue crew (who does what, why, where, when and
how)? The serviceability, location and readiness of your rescue and first aid
equipment/supplies etc. Additional personnel on board larger vessels should, in Rescue
situations, be moved well out of the way. Smaller vessels should not be carrying
additional personnel that are not prepared to Rescue, regardless of their concerns. All Rescue personnel must wear approved life saving jackets or PFD.
REMEMBER SAFETY FIRST!
- Keep focused on the disabled craft’s
crew. People come first, boats and equipment
later.
- Pay attention to distances between the rescue boat and other obstacles. Be conscious
of the speed the disabled craft is drifting away from the crew.
- All crews should be briefed on each task they are to perform before the action takes place, to
reduce further problems caused by themselves, the boat, or the craft / sailors in trouble.
- If the capsized vessel is drifting into shallow water, be prepared to rescue the crew and
abandon the capsized, damaged craft, if necessary. You can then leave the scene before
getting into difficulty yourself, especially with an injured person(s) on board. Keep your
Course Chief posted as to your situation as much as possible.
- Keep talking to the distressed sailors to ascertain their physical/mental condition and to
alleviate their distress. This communication will increase their confidence in you and the
actions you are taking on their behalf.
- Ensure rescuers watch for booms, sails,
lines, etc., flying around in the wind. Also,
be aware of your equipment, such as tangled lines, which could get caught around a Rescue
Crew member’s foot, or fall overboard and tangle in your prop or rudder.
Handling Injuries
The handling of the injury will depend on
many factors including severity of the injury, the number of the injured persons, weather
conditions and the positions of the boats involved, the capability (including size and
shelter available) of the Rescue Boat and crew, first aid
equipment, and supplies on board etc. However, the important thing is to bring the injured
person(s) on board the Rescue Boat as quickly, safely and
comfortably as possible. Administer first aid, keep them warm and continually monitor
their condition. It may be necessary to take them to shore or transfer them to a larger
vessel. Again, keep your Course Rescue Chief advised of your
actions, so if necessary he or she can make the arrangements for you, know the situation
you’re in and your availability for other rescue tasks.
Towing
Two methods of towing are recommended. Rescue
Boats should always wait for permission of their Course Rescue
Chief before towing boats to shore, because Rescue on the Course
is Rescue’s priority. For example, a course Rescue Fleet
of four boats sending one to shore, loses 25% of its Rescue capability.
The two recommended tow methods are:
- One behind the other - Drop either a bridle or a line over the stern of the
rescue vessel and have the first sailboat tie a line to the mast step with a bowline. Make
sure the boat is far enough away to avoid exhaust and damage. Next, have the painter of
the second boat secured to the bowline and not to the mast step. The other boats do the
same until you have a full and safe tow. The number of boats you can put on a line will
depend on the weather and the Rescue Boat’s size and
horsepower.
- Long Line Tow - For this type of tow you will need a long floating line. Let it out over
the stem, encouraging dinghies to tie to it as you approach them. It is easiest if you let
the whole line out at one time. It is safest and the best controlled if you attach the
first boat picked up to the end of the line and later boats between it and the rescue
vessel. In this way you build the tow from the end forward. Remember to wear
the proper gloves in order to protect your hands, and never wrap the rope around your hand
as this can cause sever rope burn.
Other
Responsibilities
In addition to our primary objective, the Safety
of Life and Limb, and our secondary consideration, the Safety/Recovery
of Equipment, RESCUE has other tasks to perform. These include:
- The observation of, and safe passage to and
from the race area, of all vessels involved. Late comers WILL NOT be
towed to the course unless requested/given permission by the Course PRO,
through the Course Rescue Chief. All Rescue Boats should be at
their designated locations, and report to the Course Rescue Chief,
before the ten minute gun (Yellow Shape).
- Report of competitors leaving the Course
before the end of racing including the class of vessel, the sail number, time they left
and disposition ( under sail or tow ). All Rescue Boats will
record this information and will pass it onto the Course Rescue Chief.
On arrival this information must be given to the Harbour Master/Mistress
(launch).
- A visual sweep of the Course at the end of
the day’s racing will ensure that all competitors and committee boats have returned
safely. This is accomplished by combing rescue fleets at either end of the Courses.
- Being asked to return to the water to assist
in finding boats not recorded in or to find equipment lost during the day. This request
would normally come from the Rescue Chief.
- Being requested to carry other persons on
board such as Jury, Press etc. Other persons you agree to take on board must be cleared
through the Rescue Chief. They are responsible for their own
safety equipment and lunch.
- Under no condition will a Rescue vessel
leave their Course areas without consent from the Course Rescue Chief,
despite adverse weather conditions.
Related Articles:
Crew
Overboard by Jim Smith
Crew Overboard - Quick Question
BoatSafe.com
Copyright ©1996/2000 Nautical Know How, Inc. All rights reserved.
Sponsor: International Marine Educators, Inc.
promoting boating and water safety
 |
AMERICAN
SAILING
ASSOCIATION |
| CERTIFICATION
FACILITY |
Web Site Design and Maintenance: Moonraker Productions, Inc. 08/28/00
