The following are standard emergency procedures to be
followed in the event of hazards occurring, as identified in the Job Hazard
Analysis for Boat Operation and Working Over Water.
Grounding
·
Stop engine
·
Call field personnel to established emergency
station
·
Assess need to call Coast Guard and issue a Pan
Pan
·
Inspect vessel for damages, check engine and fuel
for damage, leakage
·
Sound around vessel for depths and obstructions
·
Prepare plan to refloat - consider tide, extent
of damages, can vessel be lightened, will vessel be stranded until next high
tide, is there alternative assistance available, is inclement weather a concern
·
Check area for other vessels, and be ready to
notify others if they approach
Engine Failure
·
Use rudder and bow thrusters if available to
navigate
·
Anchor if in shallow water
·
Assess need to call Coast Guard and issue a Pan
Pan
Fire
·
Stop field operations and call field personnel to
established emergency station
·
Close all ventilation, watertight doors
·
Switch on deck lights
·
Don heavy duty work gloves and grab correct
extinguisher for type of fire you are fighting
o
Class A – combustibles, sold materials
o
Class B – combustible liquids and fuels
o
Class C – electrical
·
Send constant flow of extinguishing agent at base
of the flames; if you stop you may reintroduce oxygen
·
Never turn your back on the fire
·
Assess need to call Coast Guard and issue a Pan
Pan or May Day
Collision/Imminent
Collision
·
Maneuver vessel to minimize effects of collision
·
Stop engine or reverse if possible
·
Close all watertight doors, hatches, ports,
windows
·
Switch on deck lights
·
Prepare radio dispatch with all necessary
information
·
Once the collision has occurred assess the
damage, check all bilges and engine and tanks
·
If repairs are possible, attempt to do so
·
If danger of sinking, abandon ship, make
appropriate distress signals (radio, flares) – see Abandoning Ship below
Man Overboard
·
Call MAN
OVERBOARD to alert vessel operator and all field personnel
·
Throw floating, buoyant object, preferably a
lifebuoy with light (or smoke signal if available if dark) into water as close
to victim as possible
·
Assign one field personnel to keep constant watch
over the victim’s location
·
Turn vessel to recover the victim; preferably
approach in upwind direction
·
Plan to pick up victim on lee side of the vessel
·
Vessel operator takes action to avoid running
over victim, and put vessel in neutral before arriving at victim
·
Organize field personnel to provide different
functions and prepare to treat victim (prepare appliance to retrieve victim,
arrange area with warm blankets and liquids for victim)
·
Be ready to radio vessel and victim’s position in
case further assistance is required
Abandoning Ship
·
This is the last extreme. Vessel operator to yell
really loud, the order to abandon ship
·
Maintain calm and control over all aboard
·
Take extra supplies and water, hand held radios,
EPIRBs and any other safety and survival equipment that time allows (such as
personal survival kit – see list below)
·
Get clear of ship as quickly as possible in case
it is sinking
·
Keep your body in fetal position to retain the
heat in your head, armpits and groin
·
Huddle with others to keep in body warmth and
raise morale
·
Never try to swim to shore as the surrounding
water quickly depletes your body warmth and exhaustion occurs quickly when
trying to swim against currents and wind/waves
·
Remain with any flotsam or buoys to make it
easier for Search and Rescue to locate you
·
Cold water shock:
o
Stage 1: first 3 to 5 minutes you will
gasp for breath and then experience uncontrollable hyperventilation which can
cause dizziness, confusion, and muscle spasm; there is dramatic rise in heart
rate and blood pressure
o
Stage 2: 3 to 30 minutes your limbs will
cool and the ability of muscles to contract, grip strength and manual dexterity
all deteriorate quickly; the body literally becomes numb with cold and it is
difficult if not impossible at this stage to locate and don a PFD
o
Stage 3: a drop in body temperature from
37C to 35C leads to serious declines in physical and mental abilities, which may
interfere with rescue and will lead to hypothermia (when your body loses heat
faster than it can generate it)
Without a PFD already on, a person will likely die within the first two
stages; a person with a PFD on, however, can survive for one to two hours
despite hypothermia setting in.
Following a
Pre-Departure Safety Checklist will help prevent marine emergencies.
Pre-Departure Safety
Checklist
1.
Determine what the weather forecast is for the
day and whether the conditions match the forecast.
2.
Map out route for the day and any local hazards
or boating restrictions that you may encounter on route.
3.
Ensure all navigation equipment is functioning
and that you have updated charts of the area onboard.
4.
Ensure a sail plan is prepared and submitted to a
responsible person (e.g., project manager, Harbour Master, Canadian Coast
Guard).
5.
Ensure proper number and sizes of lifejackets are
onboard (1 per person).
6.
Ensure all safety gear is functional.
7.
Ensure that the VHF radio and/or the portable VHF
radio is functioning (conduct a radio check if necessary, conduct check with
another vessel or on a Canadian Coast Guard working station (e.g., Ch 04A),
do not request check on Ch 16).
8.
Ensure navigational lights are working.
9.
Ensure first aid kit is onboard.
10.
Ensure an adequate tool box with spare parts is
onboard.
11.
Check batteries have no corrosion around
terminals and that their fluid levels are topped up (use Distilled Water).
12.
Check oil reserve and fill if necessary.
13.
Look for any leaks in fuel lines.
14.
Make sure there is sufficient fuel (check fuel
gauge).
Personal Survival
Kit:
·
Wool cap and mitts
·
Space blanket
·
Flares, smoke flares
·
Whistle and signal mirror
·
Strobe light
·
Flashlight, head lamp
·
Handheld VHF and EPIRB
·
Extra water and food rations
·
First aid kit
·
Knife
·
Waterproof matches, lighter or firestarter,
candles
·
Cord