As the
boom slammed into me and launched my body over the side, I tucked my head
and plunged into to the icy waters. The next thing I remember is realizing
how cold the water felt as it soaked through my foul weather gear and filled
my boots, weighting me down and making it extremely difficult to swim. As
bad as things were, the worst part was watching the boat move away from me
down wind, not knowing if someone observed me going over the side and if or
when they would turn around and rescue me.
Struggling to maintain his balance in the wildly pitching tender, the
frantic crew member repeatedly attempts to throw the ring buoy to the
struggling passenger in the water, only to have it fall short or be blown
off by the gusting winds. In tragic irony, just as the rescuers were able to
maneuver the tender close enough to the passenger to reach him with the
throw ring, he slipped below the surface of the water, too exhausted to
continue struggling to stay afloat, the weight of his clothing dragging him
below the surface.
The above accounts are based on true stories and are classic examples what
can happen to any of us. Any time we step onto a boat we expose ourselves to
the potential of falling overboard with serious injury or death a grim
reality.
In an average year approximately 600 boaters (including yacht crew) die in
recreational boating accidents, with 80% of those deaths due to drowning. Of
those accidents, 48% involve persons aged 22-35, over 70% are male, most
occur while operating small craft (under 30 feet), with only 28% of those
concerned having any formal boating education. Most telling of all, 9 out of
10 victims were wearing no personal flotation device.
While we can not avoid the occurrence of all accidents aboard yachts, we can
take definitive steps towards preventing them and preparing ourselves to
handle any type of emergency with safe and effective actions. Any time we
have an emergency involving a crew member or passenger in the water we have
some particular challenges that must be overcome to successfully recover the
victim and prevent further injury. These can include rough seas, bulky
clothing weighting the victim down, inability of the victim to swim,
returning the boat to the position of the victim going overboard, locating
the victim, and recovering the victim from the water. Additionally injuries
related to the accident, hypothermia, seasickness, dehydration, panic and
fear of the victim or crew could also influence the successful outcome of a
crew overboard (COB) incident.
It is evident by looking at the above statistics that we can make a
difference in crew overboard injuries, and the best place to start is with
yourself and the personal preparations that you can make to survive in the
event you do go over the side. Additionally a major factor in unsuccessful
rescue has been identified as the in ability of the rescuers to successfully
get the victim back aboard with out further injury or endangering themselves
in the process.
A well executed rescue will consist of two basic strategies, one starts with
the person in the water and their actions to make themselves as visible as
possible. The other is the prompt return of the yacht to the position of the
victim with a trained crew standing by to safely recover the person in the
water.
Personal Flotation Devices (PFD):
Without a doubt, wearing a PFD is the most significant action you can take
to prevent tragedy in the event you go over the side. Proper flotation can
keep the victim afloat long enough for rescuers to recover them, especially
when injured or hypothermia has occurred. With all yachting activities it is
essential that all crew and passengers are made aware of the location of the
PFD's, how to don them, and when it is appropriate to use them. Certainly we don't need to wear them at all times while aboard, but some conditions do
call for PFD's and/or safety harnesses to be utilized. These conditions
include when the crew working on deck in rough weather, at night or anytime
while under way with your actions being unobserved by another crew member.
Your selection in type of PFD will also be very important in increasing your
chance of survival if you go overboard. United States Coast Guard
regulations call for all vessels to be equipped (at minimum) with a PFD for
each passenger onboard, with additional requirements based on vessel size
and operation. It is very important to realize that these regulations are
minimum requirements, and may not adequately provide the best level of
protection for your yacht. PFD's are commonly divided into five categories,
Type I through Type V.
The different categories are based on a variety of factors including
buoyancy, ability to float a victim face up in the water (including
unconscious victims), intended use, and automatic or manual inflation for
the inflatable types. Your decision on the types of PFD's to outfit your
vessel with will be based on not only the regulations, but also factors such
as
As discussed, your final selection will be based on your particular needs,
with many yachts now equipped with a variety of devices, including the newer
inflatable models (Type III & V). These units provide a great deal of
protection in a compact, easily worn package and are available in both vest
style or belt pack. Recommended by many in the industry, these devices can
also be equipped with additional personal rescue devices, as described
below, that do not inhibit the user and increase the possibility of rapid
location dramatically.
Victim
Location:
Modern technology has provided us with many excellent devices to aid in the
location of a person in the water, and any well equipped yacht should take
advantage of these aids. This also includes training of personnel in their
operation, and studying their capabilities and limitations, thus enhancing your
ability to perform effectively in an emergency.
These aids include PFD lights and strobes, (both manual and water activated),
hand launched mini-flares, inflatable safety tubes and surface streamers of an
international orange material, whistles, mirrors, and personal locator devices
such as the Alert system. These devices, when worn by the crew, are activated
in the event the user falls into the water. The built-in strobe provides a
visual signal, and a radio transmitter sends a signal to the matching receiver
on board, alerting the crew to the emergency. The compact transmitter can be
easily attached to your PFD as required, dramatically increasing your level of
safety. Small pouches are also available to store various personal rescue
devices and are designed to firmly attach to your PFD. Methods of determining
victim location and recovery should also include the use of smoke marker buoys
and strobes, MOB packages, GPS fixes and other devices as available. These items
should be periodically inspected and all crew members need to be familiar with
their operation, as you may not always be there to deploy the device.
When choosing the type and number of surface markers or similar devices to
install on your vessel you will need to consider some factors including vessel
configuration, typical operating procedures, area of operation, experience level
of crew and passengers. All installed devices need to be readily accessible,
protected from the weather (not in a position to be damaged or swept away in
heavy seas), and with the proper performance capabilities to match your needs.
In regards to marine pyrotechnics such as smoke or flares, all yachts should
equip themselves with SOLAS approved devices as these provide greater
illumination and duration, increased height capabilities, and are specifically
designed for self-contained operation and meet the highest standards of
manufacture.
The M.O.M.8 (man overboard module) is another excellent device to aid in
increasing the survivability and locating of the person in the water. Releasing
this device deploys a heavy duty CO2 horseshoe buoy, lifting straps, six-foot
locator tube with water activated light, and sea anchor, meets ORC
specifications and really works! Any addition to your above water profile
(especially with a brightly colored object), can greatly increase your chance of
being located, and some device (preferably with auto inflation) should be
included with your PFD package.
The most important factor in victim location will be the posting of a
lookout(s), both to locate the victim and maintain visual contact with them
while maneuvering the yacht into position. This is to be initiated immediately
upon the sounding of the alarm, and maintained though out the emergency until
the victim has been safely recovered (as manpower permits). Lookouts should be
equipped with binoculars, night vision equipment or other devices as available.
Additionally , as this is one of the most critical positions in a COB, lookouts
should have some experience working on deck, and be familiar with sighting
objects on the water.
As with all emergencies, the best technology in the world is of little or no use
if not utilized properly. To accomplish this we need to start with realistic
training and familiarization of the equipment. Additionally we need to perform
periodic inspections of our equipment insuring it is in proper working order and
readily available for use. All persons on board the yacht should receive basic
instruction in PFD use, including passengers and guests. This should not be just
a quick "your PFD is in the closet," but physically having them put it on. This
is standard procedure for cruise ships and the yacht community should be no
different. While this pro-active approach can be difficult to sell at times, the
benefits far outweigh any perceived negatives if an accident should occur.
The creation of an onboard environment that promotes safe actions and the proper
attitude towards safe operation of the yacht are also important factors in our
safety preparations. All yachts should have standing orders for victim location
and every person standing watch needs to be able to perform those duties without
hesitation.
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