Suddenly in command!!!

C

C-Hawk

New member
Would you know what to do if you were suddenly in command of the boat?

The newspapers contain many horror stories about a passenger who does not know how to operate the boat, or radio, watching in horror as a strong wind blows the boat away faster than a captain who has fallen overboard can swim, or does not know what to do when the captain is totally incapacitated.

This FREE two hour boating safety class is designed for boat owners/captains and those not generally at the helm to help them be prepared with the basics in case of an emergency.


DATE: Thursday, August 11, 2011
Time: 1900 to 2100 (7:00pm to 9:00pm)
Place: U.S.Coast Guard Recruiting Building
4202 S. Victoria Ave.
Oxnard, CA 93035
 
Thanks for the tip. I always worry about that and I think my wife is a great canidate for the class. Perhaps they will offer it in Anchorage one day.
 
Prior to any trip with passenger on board, it's good to brief them all about what to do in the event of an emergency. In particular, one should explain:
1) How to kill the engines and restart them.
2) How to put the engines in gear and neutral and basics of throttle and helm operation.
3) How to deploy the ladder and the location of the ladder.
4) Location of the throwable and any other rescue gear.
5) Location of the flares and other signaling devices
6) How to contact the coast guard on the radio (state the problem, the boat type size and color, the location, and the number on board).
7) How to read the GPS and convey the location to the coast guard.
8) If the GPS and radio are hooked together, how to use the DSC emergency calling feature.
9) The location of the fire extinguishers and how to operate them.
10) Location of first aid kit(s).

I've probably left something off the list but the above items need to be explained even to those who are competent boat operators as various throttles, radios, GSP etc are a little different in operation and no-one can operate gear they can't find. All total, it takes < 10 mins to go over the above items with guests. Someday it might save your life.
 
A few threads back I think I posted a story about my wife having to swim out to the boat that had floated off the beach in light winds. I'd given her a few simple instructions on boat ops and had her run the engines, steer, etc. just that morning. She got on the boat and fired it up and came back and got me. We weren't in a life threatening situation, but it saved some time sitting and waiting on the beach at Lake Powell for someone else to find the boat and then find us.
 
What TR Bauers says for us Alaskan boaters............

My wife could stand a course in "husband recovery/replacement" in the boat operating dept.
I have put more equip. and thought into all the what-ifs that can occur but.....always buts............
Being realistic.........falling off of your boat into 48F water when anchored in 5 knot water.........make sure you tell those on board goodby and that you love them. The chances for survival are minimal at best w/o someone instantly cutting the boat loose, firing up the engine and coming after you with throwables ready and boarding ladder down. W/o a life jacket on the chances are almost zero.

Thanks for promoting that kind of class.
 
I customized the Emergency Procedures for my boat below. Printed them and put them in a plastic cover. You all could do the same.

BEFORE LEAVING THE DOCK/ or BEACH…
it's good to brief them all about what to do in the event of an emergency. In particular, one should explain:

1) How to kill the engines and restart them.

2) How to put the engines in gear, neutral/
forward/reverse and basics of throttle and helm
operation.

3) How to deploy the boarding ladder and the
location…….near kicker engine

4) Location of the throwables and any other rescue
gear………..each side (outside) of the cabin

5) Location of the flares and other signaling devices
…………….under the sink

6) How to contact the coast guard Channel 16 on the
VHF radio (state the problem, the boat type size
(26’ cabin boat) and color (white w/blue stripe), the
location (GPS), boat name -HIGH TIDE and the
number of people on board).

7) If the GPS and radio are hooked together, how to use
the DSC emergency calling feature…..are not

8) The location of the fire extinguishers and how to
operate them.-------------- by helmsman feet

9) Location of first aid kit(s)……..under sink

10) Life jacket location……………...on bunks
 
Stars Sakes.... I haven't been in Command of anything since I got married..... Guess I would have to rely on the dog....

Joel
SEA3PO
Kea
 
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