Emergencies On Board

Summary

This comprehensive guide covers essential emergency procedures onboard vessels, including responses to man overboard situations, medical evacuations, fires, groundings, hull damage, and piracy. It outlines the use of emergency signals like Mayday and Pan-Pan, the importance of proper communication, and the protocols for search and rescue operations. Key procedures like the Williamson Turn for man overboard and the steps to manage onboard fires or evacuations are detailed. The guide emphasizes quick response, coordination, and clear communication to mitigate risks and ensure the safety of the crew during critical incidents at sea.

Takeaways

• 😀 Immediate communication with Search and Rescue (SAR) is crucial when an emergency situation arises, allowing SAR to prepare for potential escalation.
• 😀 The three main spoken emergency signals – 'Mayday' (distress), 'Pan-Pan' (urgency), and 'Security' (safety) – should be understood and used appropriately in all emergency situations.
• 😀 The use of procedural terms such as 'affirming,' 'break,' 'Roger,' and 'sealons Feeny' helps ensure clear and effective communication during emergencies.
• 😀 International distress frequencies like GM DSS 2182 kHz and VHF Channel 16 are key to alerting SAR authorities in case of distress, while transponders and emergency beacons can further assist in pinpointing locations.
• 😀 In medical emergencies, evaluating the patient's condition and requesting medical evacuation if necessary must be done with the utmost care, considering both the risks to the patient and the rescuers.
• 😀 For a person overboard, immediate action should be taken, including deploying a lifebuoy, notifying the master, and preparing for potential recovery using various maneuvers like the Williamson or Scharnof turn.
• 😀 The Williamson turn is a widely used maneuver for recovering a person overboard, known for its simplicity and efficiency in reduced visibility, although it is a slower process.
• 😀 The one-turn maneuver is faster and effective for ships with tight turning characteristics, but can be challenging for single-screw vessels.
• 😀 In case of fire on board, the fire alarm must be activated, the fire assessed for its type, and the necessary firefighting methods implemented. A distress call may be necessary if the situation worsens.
• 😀 In grounding situations, it is important to assess hull damage, check bilge pumps, and minimize damage while awaiting external assistance. Abandoning ship should only be considered as a last resort.
• 😀 Pirate attacks are an increasing threat, and when attacked, complying with pirates' orders and discreetly transmitting a special Inmarsat message can help alert authorities for immediate intervention.

Q & A

What is the purpose of notifying the search and rescue system in the event of an emergency?

Notifying the search and rescue system early allows for preliminary planning and coordination, which can make a critical difference if the situation worsens and external assistance becomes necessary.

What are the three main spoken emergency signals used by aircraft and vessels?

The three main spoken emergency signals are Mayday (distress), Pan-pan (urgency), and Security (safety). These signals indicate the level of emergency and determine the priority of the message.

What does the distress signal 'Mayday' indicate?

'Mayday' indicates that a vessel or aircraft is in imminent danger and requires immediate assistance.

What action should be taken when a person falls overboard?

Immediate action should include throwing a lifebuoy, sounding the alarm, notifying the bridge, engine room, and lookouts, and preparing a lifeboat. The crew should attempt to recover the person as quickly as possible.

How does the Williamson turn help in a person overboard situation?

The Williamson turn is a maneuver where the vessel deviates 60 degrees from its original course, then reverses direction to return along the same track. It is particularly effective in low visibility but is slower to execute.

What are the considerations when deciding whether to conduct a medical evacuation?

The decision to conduct a medical evacuation should weigh the risks involved for both the patient and the rescue personnel. The final decision rests with the person in charge of the rescue operation.

What should be included in a distress message?

A distress message should include the vessel's identification, the nature of the distress, the type of assistance required, the number of crew remaining onboard, the time of the incident, and the current position or location.

What is the role of the emergency locator transmitter (ELT) in aviation distress situations?

The ELT is used to transmit a distress signal that helps search and rescue teams locate the distressed aircraft. It is a vital tool when other means of communication are unavailable.

What should be done in case of a fire on board?

In the event of a fire, the fire alarm should be activated, the fire's location and class should be identified, and the appropriate extinguishing methods should be applied. Crew members should follow firefighting protocols to control and extinguish the fire.

What are the key steps to take when abandoning ship?

Abandoning ship should be a last resort. The crew should send a distress signal, wear life jackets or immersion suits, prepare lifeboats and life rafts, and launch them while keeping the vessel tethered if possible. Evacuation should be conducted safely and efficiently.