Safety Boat Briefing
Welcome
Reason for Briefing
Encourage
Best
Practice
Focus On
What Safety
Boat Duties
Include
Encourage
Clubs to run
more Safety
Boat
Courses.
Agenda
Rescue Boat
and Kit
What makes a
good rescue crew
Duties and
responsibilities
Briefing and
Communications
RESCUE BOAT AND KIT
Rescue Boat and Kit
Consider operating area and duties
when choosing rescue craft.
FREEBOARD
Consider
recovering a
casualty.
SPACE
Working room
and space for
equipment.
CRAFT SIZE
MANOEVRABILITY
Local conditions, Craft must be able
size of sailing
to be handled in a
area.
limited area
Rescue Boat Example Types
RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat)
• Fast, Stable and relatively comfortable
• Good handling and sea going ability
Dory
• Inexpensive
• Light and easy to handle
SIB (Soft Inflatable Boat)
• Very shallow draft
• Soft, easy on boats when coming alongside
Displacement Boats
• Normally lower running costs
• Great Towing Power
Minimum Safety Boat Kit
Bucket /
Bailer
Paddles
Tow Lines
+ towing
bridle
Serrated
Knife
Radio
Flares
Boat Hook
Anchor
with chain
and warp
First Aid
Kit
Kill Cord (+
spare)
Survival
Bag
Sufficient
Fuel
Personal Kit
Wet / Dry Suit
Buoyancy Aid
Hat and Gloves
Knife
Whistle
Food and Drink
Spare Clothing
WHAT MAKES A GOOD
RESCUE CREW
Good Crew Recipe
Knowledge
Sailing Area /
Course
Knowledge of
boats in fleet
First Aid
Trained
+
Experience
Equipment
Good driving
skills
Prepared to
go into the
water
Awareness of
sailors course
+
Know what to
do with
equipment!
Resourcefulness
+
No two
rescues are
the same,
you often
need to think
on your feet.
How do people gain
knowledge and experience?
PB 1+2
Assistant
Duties
Safety Boat
Training
Safety Boat
Cox
Difficulty – in club situations people often only get duties once or twice a year
making it difficult to practice in different conditions and maintain skill levels.
Club Safety and
Refresher Courses
Time Efficient
– does not
require 2
days
Uses Kit
Associated to
Club
Increased
focus on
clubs
requirements
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Duties and responsibilities
Fleet
Control
Training
Rescue
All duties and
responsibilities
require good boat
handling ability,
combined with
knowledge and
experience.
Mark
Laying
Good Practice
Rescue Boats should always be manned with 2 people.
People before Property - ALWAYS
Have an understanding on why you are out there and any additional
equipment required (e.g. marks).
Ensure Communication is established with
Officer of the Day by radio.
When in contact with anyone IN the water ENGINE OFF
Ensure at least one crew member is First Aid trained
Dealing With A Rescue
Access
Plan
React
• Safety of own craft and crew
• Safety of people in difficulty
• Safety of craft in difficulty
• Method of rescue
• Whether additional help is required
• Escape Plan
• Communication with crew AND casualty AND external people
• Deliver plan
BRIEFING AND COMMUNICATION
Briefing Rescue Boat Crews
VHF Working
Channel
Marks to lay
Circumstances
like medical
info
Special
Instructions for
Day
Patrol Areas /
Stations /
Sailing Area
Emergency
Procedures
Numbers /
Types of Craft
expected
Numbers of
Races
Abandonment
Procedures
Working with new crew
Boat Introduction
Boat operation
Where kit is stored on boat
(start at front of boat and
work to stern)
Run through basic operation
of boat including radio, kill
chord, fuel, engine etc.
Explain & Delegate
Discuss what is happening, to
impart knowledge and
interest. Delegate jobs such
as look out
Communications
RADIO
Radio
Programmed
to working
channel
Know Call
Signs for
other Rescue
and Shore
Only use High
Power IF
necessary
Radio Check
Prior to going
afloat
Maintain
regular
contact to
ensure link
Communications
Sound and Visual
Clear consistent signals
example
• Individual
boat come
alongside
1 Whistle and
Point
Try not to shout, get into a
position you can talk to
others, it is more effective!
2 Whistles and
hands on
shoulders
• All boats
circle
rescue boat
• All head for
shore
3 Whistles and
arms shoulders
in triangle
More Sources Of Information
G16 RYA Safety Boat Handbook
G13 Powerboat Handbook
Centre Risk Assessment Documents