SABOT
Standardized Auxiliary Boat
Operations Training
Ninth District - Eastern Region
COMO. Lew Wargo, Sr.
CQEC-9ER
01 APR 2015
EQUIPPING YOU FACILITY
SABOT
Equipping Your Facility
EQUIPPING
YOUR FACILITY
• There are some general considerations for a
member when equipping a vessel as an
operational facility including the cost impact on
the member. The following is a general list of
things to consider:
PATROL
SIGNS
The size varies with the length of the facility.
FACILITY
LENGTH
 14’ – 24’
 20’ – 30’
 Over 30’
SIZE
#1
#2
#3
DIMENSIONS
48” X 10”
60” X 12.5”
72” X 15.5”
PATROL
SIGNS
Consider how and where you will display and mount
them when in use:
a.
Using shock cord secured to “J” hooks
b.
VELCRO to the side of cabin or hull
c.
Cable tied to railing
d.
Secured on hard boards that are clamped to
railing.
ENSIGNS
US Flag & Patrol Ensigns are both required. Size
depends on facility length:
LENGTH
14’ – 18’
18’ - 24’
24’ - 30’
30’ – 36’
Over 36’
US ENSIGN
12” X 24”
16” X 24”
20” X 30”
24” X 36”
30” X 48”
PATROL ENSIGN
9” X 15.5” size #5
12” X 21” size #4
15” X 24” size #3
24” X 36” size #2
30” X 48” size #1
FENDERS
Bigger is always better but, you have space to store
them. Consider both the tube and ball types. Both have
advantages in different situations. The larger the fender
the more its cost.
Remember, you not only have to protect your vessel at a
mooring but also Have a sufficient number and size for
doing an alongside tow.
BINOCULARS
Consider the power and size needed for your
area. The Cost varies greatly with the size,
Quality and features. Be sure to have a lanyard
on the binoculars to hold them around the neck
of the user. This prevents them from being
dropped and damaged.
FIRE
EXTINGUISHERS
The type, size and location of your fire extinguisher
varies with the size of the facility. Remember the
smaller type #1 will only last for about 6 or 7
seconds! Should be inspected periodically!
Dry chemical is most common, CO2 is effective but
there is a danger of freezing when touching the cone.
Mount where it is immediately accessible and in
different locations where they can be quickly grabbed.
LINES
There are many different kinds of lines to choose from.
The size (diameter) of lines will vary depending on use.
Don’t use lines stronger than your fittings or you may
Damage your boat under extreme loads. The material
that the line is made with may also vary with use.
NYLON LINE
This is the most commonly used due to its strength and
elasticity (shock absorbing quality). It does cost more
than most other types. Excellent as a towline, mooring
Line and anchor line.
POLYPROPYLENE
This type of line is popular due to its much lower cost and
the fact that it floats. It does have some disadvantages:
• Much weaker than nylon of the same size
• Little elasticity (Shock absorbing quality)
• Gets stiff with prolonged exposure to sun
• Does not return to it’s original length if stretched
• Melt/fuses under heavy loads.
DACRON
Dacron is nearly as strong as nylon but it doesn’t
stretch as much (reducing shock absorbing qualities).
Commonly used in rigging on sailboats.
• It doesn’t float.
• It is more costly than nylon
DOCK
LINES
These should be dedicated lines. Consider the strength
and elasticity of these lines. You want these lines to be
strong and able to absorb shock if a storm strikes your
mooring. You may want to consider doubling some in
heavy weather conditions.
TOWLINES
The towline must be strong enough to handle any size
vessel you might tow and be able to absorb the shock
loads you could encounter. It should have an eye
spliced into the end used on the towed vessel. The
length will vary on your AOR and weather conditions.
The “Tow Rig” is as weak as the weakest link in the rig.
(A 1 ton shackle on a ¾” line limits the tow to 1 ton!)
It should not double as your anchor line!
ALONGSIDE
TOWLINES
These should be a dedicated set of four (4) lines. You
may want to consider a second set for towing boats
with small cleats. They should be have elasticity and be
strong enough to secure any other vessel you may tow
alongside.
• Should about as long as your vessel
• Should have an eye spliced into one end
HEAVING
LINES
Consider a light cotton or polypropylene 70’ to 100’
long. Cotton clothes line works well but should be
wetted to lube for ease of use. Polypropylene also
works well as it floats.
•
The end should have a soft weight on the end
for throwing (not so hard as to cause damage
or injury).
ANCHOR
LINE
This line should have shock absorbing qualities and be
strong enough to hold your vessel in heavy seas. The
length should be enough to provide a scope of 7 or
even 10 to 1 for use in your AOR.
Consider a second line in the event you need to deploy
a second anchor or lose the first.
BRIDLES
These lines are required to attach a towline to another
vessel that has two bow cleats (one on each side). (You
may want to consider a second bridle of a smaller size
for use on small boats.
If you use a bridle on the stern of your vessel to center
a stern tow you should have another bridle for use on
the towed vessel.
MISC.
LINES
You may want to consider having several sets of short
small lines with an eye splice on each end for use in
adjusting your larger line to match small cleats on
another boat.
(You would dip the eye to attach to your larger lines.)
TOW RIGS
There are several ways to connect a tow rig to the stern of
your vessel. The most commonly used on Auxiliary facilities
are:
• “Y” bridle
• “V” bridle
• Adjustable “Y” bridle
• Single leg
“Y” BRIDLE
Used to keep the tow centered on your stern. Each
leg should not exceed 30 degrees. May be used on
both ends of the towline.
Bridle should be of the same type and size as the
towline.
Bridle may be spliced to the towline or attached with a
a shackle, ring or other strong fitting. Be sure of the
Fitting’s strength!
“Y” BRIDLE
“Y” BRIDLE
“Y” BRIDLE
“V”
BRIDLE
With a “V” bridle there is no towline used. The bridle
extends to the towed vessel. It is good for a short tow
length. Commonly used for tows in smaller rivers.
Requires twice as much towline to make up the bridle.
If the bridle it too long it will tend to twist.
“V” BRIDLE
ADJUSTABLE
“Y” BRIDLE
This is used similar to the “Y” bridle except the bridle is
longer and the length of towline is adjusted by
adjusting the length of the bridle. This can also be used
with a second bridle (not adjustable) on the towed
vessel.
The amount of adjustment is limited by bridle length.
ADJUSTABLE
“Y” BRIDLE
SINGLE LEG
TOW RIG
Requires a center tow bitt or a device to keep the tow
centered behind the tow boat (and off the outboard
engines if so equipped). This is the easiest to lengthen
or shorten but all strain is in one place.
(The device in the following diagram can also be used
to keep towline off engines.)
SINGLE LEG TOW
VHF-FM
RADIO
All facilities must have two-way communications with
their station or a shore based unit that can will
communicate with the operational command. The
VHF-FM is required in most areas except remote inland
waters where there is no VHF-FM coverage. In these
locations another system must be used. The radio
should have enough range to reach the shore station.
Cell phones are a very poor substitute.
VHF-FM
RADIO
Consider a second portable VHF-FM to loan to
disabled vessels while towing and for your crew’s
use when away from your facility. Due to limited
range of portables they are not suitable as primary
radio.
A second 25 watt VHF-FM is a nice luxury to have as
it gives you aback-up and the ability to work 2
channels simultaneously.
GPS – CHART
PLOTTERS
It is not a requirement to have a GPS onboard but, for
SAR and accurate navigation it is essential.
The features available vary greatly as does the cost of
these units. You should be able to enter waypoints,
destinations and determine your latitude and
longitude.
The owner has to balance features, size and cost.
HAILERS
Another very useful piece of equipment to have but is
not a requirement. Portable hailers are useful for talking
to other vessels and especially for giving instructions to a
vessel in a stern tow. Permanently installed units can be
purchased that also incorporate horn features including
various sound signals. Cost may be a factor.
FIRST AID
KIT
A first aid kit is a required item but there is no required
Type. Consider making your own consisting of:
a.
c.
e.
g.
i.
1” band-aids
Aspirin
Scissors
2” & 4” Roller gauze
Chemical ice pack
b. Antiseptic
d. Tweezers
f. Ant-acids
h. Compresses
BOAT
HOOKS
Boat hooks are a requirement. You can make your own
or buy a commercial one. Many have an adjustable
length. (Consider one fore and aft.)
Can be used to attach a “Skiff hook” to a tow.
The number and size depends on the facility
size.
SKIFF
HOOK
A skiff hook is required to provide the ability to attach
a towline to the towing eye on smaller vessels. Due to
the loads that could be encountered, consider buying a
Commercial one for the reliability. The skiff hook
Attaches to the end of a pole and releases when
snapped onto the towing eye.
PFDs
Every facility must have one PFD for every POB, plus at
least two extra. The PFDs worn by an Auxiliary crew
must be impact rated for 50 MPH or more if the
Facility is capable of 35 MPH or greater. Spare PFDs do
Not need to meet this requirement. Recommend Type
III foam filled vs inflatable for durability and cost. Spare
PFDs must be CG approved.
PPE
• All crew PFDs must have PPE attached with
42” lanyard:
– Orange PFD with reflective tape
– Personal Marker Light
– Emergency Radio Beacon
– Signal Mirror
– Whistle
– Knife
TYPE IV
PFD
One is required but recommend having two. One to
throw to MOB and a second with a Line attached to
retrieve the PIW.
CHARTS
Charts are required for your AOR. NOAA charts can be
downloaded from the internet at:
http://www.charts.noaa.gov/PDFs/PDFs.shtml
NOAA charts in booklet form, each chart is broken
down into 8 1/2” X 11” pages (about 16 pages per chart)
at:
http://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/staffBookletChart.html
NAVIGATION
TOOLS
Consider the following items:
Dividers
Pencils and eraser
Protractor
Parallel Rule
SAR Plotter