Marine survival and rescue systems

by the same author An Introduction to Helicopter Operations at Sea Navigation for Masters Seamanship Techniques Vols I & II Second Edition by DAVID HOUSE British Library Cataloguing in Publication data House, David Marine Survival and Rescue Systems Title ISBN 85609 127 All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher and copyright owner While the principles discussed and the details given in this book are the product of careful study, the author and publisher cannot in any way guarantee the suitability of recommendations made in this book for individual problems, and they shall not be under any legal liability of any kind in respect of or arising out of the form or contents of this book or any error therein, or the reliance of any person thereon LONDON WITHERBY & CO L TD 32-36 Aylesbury Street London ECIR OET ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The author would like to express his thanks and appreciation to the many people who have assisted with this book and in particular to: Activity Marine Aerospatial, Helicopter Division Avon Inflatables Beaufort Air-Sea Equipment Limited Berwyn Marine Safety Boeing Vertol Company Bond Helicopters Burndept Electronics C M Hammar AB Dunlop Marine Safety Limited E H Industries Limited FR Fassmer and Co GEC Mechanical Handling Limited Halmatic Limited (Osborne Rescue Boats) Hawker Siddeley Marine Limited Hays Space Technology Limited Helly-Hansen Institute of Naval Medicine: Lieutenant Commander M A Wagstaff, RN, Surgeon Captain (Frank) Golden, OBE, RN John Cairns Limited (for extracts from the International Manual of Marine Safety and The S.O.S Manual John Lilly and Gillie Limited Lambie Lifeboats Limited Land and Marine Products Lifeguard Equipment Limited Lokata Limited The Nautical Campus, Blackpool and Fylde College, Fleetwood RFD Limited Royal Aircraft Establishment Royal Fleet Auxiliary Service and the Ministry of Defence The Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy Solas Limited Survival Systems International vii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The United States Coast Guard Viking A/S Nordisk Gummibadsfabrik Watercraft International Limited Welin Lambie Limited West Lancashire Evening Gazette Westland Helicopters Limited William Mills Marine Limited and especially to publishers William Heinemann Limited for use and consideration of the book Seamanship Techniques, Volumes I and II REGULATIONS CONCERNING THE SAFETY OF LIFE AT SEA The revised text and features contained in this book relate to the 1974 SOLAS Convention and the 1978 SOLAS Protocol and subsequent amendments in force Published by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in 1975 In addition to the SOLAS amendments the text relates substantially to The Merchant Shipping (Life-Saving Appliances) Regulations, and the respective amendments to date (1996) The regulations apply to ships registered in the United Kingdom, wherever they may be and to other ships while within any port in the United Kingdom or territorial waters Marine students are advised that the requirements of the IMO and the Marine Directorate of the Department of Transport for the United Kingdom are closely aligned but not always coincide Specific detail relating to other countries' national maritime policies should also be taken into account using the respective legislation of that country in question viii IX INTRODUCTION Marine Survival and Rescue Systems Since the publication of the first edition of Marine Survival and Rescue Systems in 1988, the marine industry has experienced numerous changes Many of these being unfortunately as a direct result of highly publici sed maritime disasters: Piper Alpha, Herald of Free Enterprise, Estonia to name but three The Cullen Report, on the Piper Alpha incident investigated numerous maritime safety aspects directly related to not only personal safety from the parent structure but also recovery methods from the sea itself Many companies and organisations have taken up the challenge to provide adequate and acceptable ideas by way of new equipment, improved training methods and improved services to lessen the overall risks within the marine environment It is however a fact of life that we not live in the ideal world and the unknown factor of the weather, human failing or defective equipment very often results in the inevitable accident It seems all to often that we only learn after the event has occured and maybe, just maybe the industry should look in more depth towards "damage limitation" and provide our people at sea with realistic disaster response training It is clear from past experiences that our mariners have limited training in actual disaster response The possible reason for this may lie in the standards of existing operations being reasonably high that major incidents occur rarely If and when they occur our seafarers have never experienced the like before and shock or ignorance does not prevent the situation from esculating beyond manageable proportions xi INTRODUCTION CONTENTS The example of the Estonia, where the ship developed a large list before sinking should have generated alarms sooner rather than later This trade off between panicked passengers through an unnecessary alarm, or dead passengers through no alarm should be more deeply investigated Their remains many lessons to learn for the seafarer and the rescue services let us hope in the future we have the good sense to learn before the event rather than after the disaster D J House Page Acknowledgements Regulations concerning the 'Safety of Life at Sea' Introduction vii ix xi Chapter Evacuation Systems and Marine Requirements 1.1 1.2 1.3 1 1.8 1.9 Introduction Actions before abandoning ship or offshore installation Survival craft: manning requirements applicable to all ships Responsibilities of coxswains when abandoning ship or installation Methods of evacuation Survival actions by persons in the water Actions by persons in survival craft (of the totally enclosed type) Main dangers to survivors Summary Immersion Suits, Lifejackets and Buoyancy Aids 31 2.1 2.2 31 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 2.10 Introduction Requirements for the provision of immersion suits and thermal protective aids on ships General requirements for immersion suits Requirements for thermal protective aids (not to be confused with immersion suits) Requirements for the provision of lifejackets on ships General requirements for lifejackets Twin chamber (automatic) lifejackets The aviation lifejacket General requirements and specifications for lifebuoys Summary 36 39 40 41 42 43 46 Emergency Alarms and on Board Training 49 3.1 Introduction 49 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 2.3 2.4 xii Xlll 26 26 28 30 31 34 CONTENTS CONTENTS 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 Emergency communications (applicable to passenger and cargo ships) Emergency alarm signals Survival craft: on board training and drills Survival craft: external training facilities Summary 49 52 53 55 60 6.5 6.6 6.7 6.8 6.9 6.10 Launching and recovery arrangements for survival craft Embarkation and launching of survival craft Release gear for survival craft Definition of freefall launching Types of rigid survival craft Summary 153 155 156 160 160 171 Helicopter Operations and Aircraft Identification 63 Boat Handling: Oars, Power, and Sail Theory 173 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Introduction Shipboard operations with helicopters Deck officer's check-list for helicopter operations General precautions for seafarers working with helicopters Deck landing example Passenger safety for helicopter transit Offshore installations: helideck detail Operational details for helidecks In-flight emergency over the sea surface Search and rescue operations involving helicopters Evacuation methods by helicopter Helicopter operations Summary 63 63 66 69 69 71 73 74 76 85 88 92 106 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7 7.8 7.9 Introduction Power boat handling theory Requirements for lifeboat (engine) propulsion Engine start methods for motor lifeboats Use of wave-quelling oil with small boats Beaching technique for a lifeboat Evacuation by survival (rigid) craft Sail theory Summary 173 174 179 181 184 185 188 194 196 Liferafts: Construction and Operation 197 General Boatwork: Lifeboat Requirements, Construction and Equipment 109 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 5.8 5.9 5.10 5.11 Introduction Requirements for the provision of lifeboats on ships General requirements for lifeboats Lifeboat construction Additional fittings to lifeboats Lifeboat fitments Lifeboat equipment General information regarding lifeboats Requirements for totally enclosed lifeboats Requirements for rigid survival craft Summary 109 109 111 113 117 119 119 126 128 135 141 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 8.7 8.8 8.9 8.10 8.11 Introduction Inflatable liferafts: constructional requirements Launching the inflatable liferaft Hydrostatic release: method of operation Float-free arrangements for liferafts Liferaft equipment Miscellaneous requirements for liferafts Rigid liferafts: construction requirements Davit-launched liferafts Operations with survival craft Summary 197 197 200 202 205 206 209 211 214 220 223 Personal Survival 225 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 Introduction Survival craft operations Liferaft operations Management of liferafts Summary 225 225 232 234 238 Stowage, Launching and Recovery Systems for Rigid Survival Craft 143 10 Rescue Boats 239 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Introduction 143 Requirements for launching and stowage of survival craft 143 Requirements for launching appliances 145 Launching procedure 149 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 Introduction Rescue boat regulations General requirements for rescue boats Rescue boat categories 239 240 241 245 3.2 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 4.9 4.10 4.11 4.12 4.13 XIV xv CONTENTS 249 250 252 253 260 10.5 10.6 10.7 10.8 10.9 Designated rescue boats (shore based) Rescue boat equipment Inflated rescue boats: additional requirements Fast rescue craft (FRC) operations Summary 11 Medical Advice for Emergency Treatment Marine Casualties 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 11.6 11.7 11.8 Introduction Hypothermia Treatment of casualties in survival craft Heat exhaustion Heatstroke Casualties with burns Severe bleeding Summary 263 263 272 274 274 274 276 276 12 Emergency Communications Coastguard 279 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 Introduction Survival craft: methods of attracting attention Procedure for using an emergency transmitter Use of emergency position-indicating radio beacons (EPIRBs) Satellite monitoring systems Surface vessel/aircraft radio communications frequencies The work of the coastguard Enhanced airborne radar Surface-to-air visual signals Air-to-surface visual signals Equipment droppable by aircraft Ship reporting systems Use of rocket line throwing apparatus Breeches buoy operation Summary 12.5 12.6 12.7 12.8 12.9 12.10 12.11 12.12 12.13 12.14 12.15 of 263 xvi EVACUATION SYSTEMS AND MARINE REQUIREMENTS and the Work of the 279 280 281 285 287 292 293 295 295 299 299 302 304 305 308 309 311 Additional reference Index Chapter One 1.1 Introduction Chapter introduces the need for personnel working within the marine industry to become aware of changing ideas However, throughout the book readers should ask themselves the following questions: How would you behave in the same circumstances? Do you have the will to survive? If the reader is without a positive attitude to both these thoughts, all the text that follows will be of little avail 1.2 Actions Before Abandoning Ship or Offshore Installation When disaster strikes a ship or offshore structure those persons in authority may be compelled to order the vessel or installation to be abandoned Since the parent ship or structure provides all life-support systems, any decision to abandon is not taken lightly However, should the mother vessel be no longer habitable because of collision, fire, explosion, toxic substance or MARINE SURVIVAL AND RESCUE SYSTEMS EVACUA nON capsize, or for any other reason, the order to abandon may be gIven rather than by survival craft For evacuation by survival craft, a coxswain or boat's marshal checks off crew names against the muster list and instructs personnel in the preparation of tasks for launching the boat Should time permit, additional safety items should be collected before the launching These items may include: Should this occur, as with the Ocean Ranger disaster in February 1982*, persons on board will have a responsibility not only to themselves and to others but also to prolong the safety of the ship or structure All working operations, for example, should cease immediately and power or electrical sources should be switched off and isolated so as not to be left in a dangerous state Individuals should avoid panic, and should try to remain calm, which is not always easy when tensions are high Persons should respond quickly, without running, to the type of alarm that has been activated All ships and offshore installations have specific alarms for different types of emergency and these may vary in form from ship to ship, or installation to installation (see Chapter 3) For example, fire alarm bells are used instead of klaxons for boat or muster stations Whatever the emergency, personnel should seek basic protective clothing or safe haven, unless allocated a specific task The circumstances will dictate what actions should be taken by personnel In an escalating emergency where abandonment is a likely outcome, warm clothing, preferably a thermal suit, covered by an immersion or survival suit, is essential Failing this, a good set of waterproof oilskins over layers of warm clothing is a reasonable substitute A lifejacket should be donned and secured tightly Individuals in cold water with a badly secured jacket would find the task of resecuring with wet, cold hands extremely difficult if not impossible SYSTEMS AND MARINE REQUIREMENTS (a) Emergency transmitter, emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) or walkie-talkie radio (b) Search and Rescue Radar Transponder (SART) (c) Additional water supplies and food (d) Spare blankets (e) Lifebelts and additional lifejackets (f) Medical supplies It is normal practice that the order to abandon from ship or installation is passed by word of mouth Personnel in boats should be seated and strapped into position The coxswain assumes command of operations within the craft, and persons should remember that the launching period is critical, and that the concentration of the coxswain should not be interrupted except in exceptional circumstances It is a period of tension and it is within survivors' own interests to allow persons with designated tasks to be left alone to get on with the job in hand Keep alert, and unless you have constructive comment regarding the situation, keep quiet Assist other people inside the craft, especially injured personnel, if you can Make casualties as comfortable as possible and try to reassure them that everything is going well, even when the situation may appear difficult *The Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit (MODU) Ocean Ranger capsized on 15 February 1982 off the East Coast of Canada AJI 84 persons on board died The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause for the disaster was due to the flooding of the anchor chain lockers in the forward columns, when the unit took an adverse list of 10-15° The list was the result of liquid transfer from other tanks within the Ocean Ranger The baJlast control console suffered an electrical malfunction and the crew were unable to fuJly control the ballast system Circumstances will present marine personnel with possible options and although these options may well differ from ship to installation the priority listing can generally be applied to both Where helicopter evacuation is possible for all parties this is probably the safest and most convenient method Discussion within the context of this book will be directly related to the alternatives available, such as the totally enclosed boat However, it is possible that boats may not be capable of being launched due to listing of the parent ship or structure Consequently, additional alternatives may be required, such as davit-launched liferafts and/or marine slides, both of which permit dry evacuation into the inflated liferafts Direct transfer, especially Persons should move quickly to their designated muster point or survival station, unless direct orders to the contrary are issued For example, evacuation may take place from a helideck MARINE SUR VIVAL AND RESCUE SYSTEMS EVACUA nON from installations on to an emergency stand-by vessel (ESV) should also be considered as a viable option The person in charge of a survival craft shall have a list of the survival craft crew, and ensure that they are familiar with their duties The second in command of the lifeboats will also have a similar list The Odele development (see pp 20-23) has employed the davit-launched raft principle to effect direct transfer on to the deck of an ESV Similar thinking provides the basis for the GEC Personnel Evacuation System, where a small Survival Systems International capsule is transferred to a supporting vessel With any of the alternatives which might present themselves during an emergency, an individual's actions must be subject to variation depending on the emergency and the circumstances that surround it 1.3 Survival Craft: Manning Requirements Applicable to all Ships The regulations specify that there shall be a sufficiently trained number of persons on board a ship for the mustering and assisting of untrained persons A sufficient number of crew members, who may be deck officers or certificated persons, are required on board for the operation of survival craft and implementation of launching arrangements for an abandonment by the total number of persons on board A deck officer or certificated person shall be placed in charge of each survival craft However, the administration authority of the ship's country of origin, having due regard to the nature of the voyage and the characteristics of the ship, may permit persons practised in the handling and operation of liferafts to be placed in charge of liferafts instead of the persons qualified as above The Master shall ensure that persons qualified to carry out respective duties regarding the boatwork operations shall be allocated among all the ship's survival craft Every motorized boat shall have a person assigned to it who can operate the engine and carry out minor adjustments Every lifeboat which carries a radio telegraph installation shall also have a person assigned to it who is capable of operating the equipment SYSTEMS AND MARINE REQUIREMENTS 1.4 Responsibilities of Coxswains when Abandoning Ship or Installation Check that all persons are wearing lifejackets and that they are secured in the correct manner Ensure that all persons are correctly attired, preferably with warm clothing and a waterproof top covering Inspect the craft prior to embarking personnel and ensure that all equipment and the craft itself is in good order and not suffering from any defects Establish his or her authority and maintain discipline within the craft Pass all orders in a loud clear voice to ensure the safe launch and handling of the craft Check overside, or order an inspection overside to observe that the surface is clear of debris and other survivors The line of descent should be clear and noted to be free of obstructions MARINE SURVIVAL AND RESCUE SYSTEMS The second main advantage of operations on the 406 MHz frequency is that the power and signal character is such as to allow the satellite to process the data on reception, as opposed to relaying it to an LUT for processing This results in a time-saving operation which allows the satellite to relay direct information or store the information on board the space craft memory prior to dumping it to an LUT, when one comes into view A few local user terminals strategically placed could give full global coverage 12.5.4 The function segment of the satellite system/ground To receive signals from both COSPAS and SARSAT space craft To process these signals and obtain distress beacon location To provide the geographic location of the distress beacon to the mission control centre for search and rescue operation by the local rescue co-ordination centre EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS MARINE SUR VIVAL AND RESCUE SYSTEMS Recording and storage of data for' the purpose of performance tests and demonstrations To provide a data base for analysis and the exchange of appropriate data If communications difficulties arise between ships and aircraft while engaged in search and rescue activity, information may also be relayed through the rescue co-ordination centre (RCC) At present 12.7 The Work of the Coastguard there are ten local user terminals, as follows COSPAS: Moscow, USSR; Archangel, USSR; Vladivostok, USSR SARSA T: Point Reyes, California, USA; Scot Air Force Base, Illinois, USA; Kodiak, Ontario, Canada; Toulouse, France; Tromso, Norway; Lasham, England The COSP AS LUTs not process on 243 MHz All have 406 MHz capability See Figs 12.5 and 12.6 12.6 Surface Vessel/Aircraft Radio Communications Frequencies 2182 kHz: Designated search and rescue (SAR) aircraft are required to carry this frequency It is an international distress frequency for radio-telephony Silence periods operate for three minutes on the hour and on the half hour to allow the reception of distress calls 156.8 MHz: The VHF maritime distress frequency (channel 16) Designated SAR aircraft should have this additional frequency to enable communications to the distressed vessel and other participating SAR units 3023 and 5680 kHz: HF radiotelephony frequencies for SAR on-scene use Carried by designated SAR aircraft and the majority of civil aircraft May also be employed by coast radio stations and shipboard operators 121.5 and 243 MHz: The international aeronautical distress frequencies carried by all aircraft engaged in designated SAR duty Designated SAR and civilian aircraft are recommended to guard 121.5 MHz frequency subject to cockpit duties permitting Aeronautical survival craft radio equipment operates on 121.5 and/or 243 MHz Emergency position-indicating radio beacons also operate on these frequencies 123.1 MHz: An aeronautical on-scene frequency which may be used by both aircraft and surface vessels as a common VHF frequency for search and rescue operations 292 Fast rescue craft and aircraft in service with the United States Coastguard are illustrated in Figs 12.7-12.8 EMERGENCY COMMUNICA nONS The reply by an aircraft observing the signals given in Table 12.1 is given in Fig 12.15 12.10 Air-to-surface Visual Signals Signals given by aircraft which are employed in search and rescue operations to direct ships towards another aircraft, ship or person in distress are shown in Fig 12.16 Response signals by surface vessels towards an aircraft engaged in search and rescue operations are shown in Fig 12.17 12.11 Equipment Droppable by Aircraft The type of droppable container or package varies according to the circumstances of the survivors and their requirements Containers may be dropped by parachute or free fall, and in the case of marine incidents they would be buoyant The contents of containers would be indicated and colour coded: Food and water '" Blue Blankets and protective clothing Yellow Medical supplies and first aid equipment Red Miscellaneous equipment Black In addition, liferafts in a ready packed condition are kept available for use in the event of: (a) Survival craft being damaged during launch or survival craft not being capable of being launched (b) Survival craft being overcrowded (c) Survivors being in the water (d) Survival craft having become unserviceable General synopsis of supplies (within survival packs) (i) Assorted cans of food or concentrated food packs, canned water or droppable containers of water, condensed milk, coffee, sugar and salt (ii) First aid kit, sunglasses, goggles, sunburn lotion, codeine tablets 299 EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS MARINE SURVIVAL AND RESCUE SYSTEMS (iii) Portable radio, pyrotechnics, whistle, signal mirror, code card, Very pistol and cartridges (iv) Can opener, compass, axe, ropes, pumps, toilet gear, writing materials, cooking and eating utensils, and survival booklets Blankets and waterproof covering 12.12 Ship Reporting Systems The function of a 'position reporting system' is to provide sufficient, up-todate information on a vessel's movements to allow a plot to be made, in the event of an emergency This requirement is currently fulfilled by the AMVER system operated by the United States Coast Guard and AUSREP system operated by the Australian authorities The AMVER system, which is probably more familiar to mariners in the Northern Hemisphere, is an abbreviated title for: The Automated Mutual-assistance Vessel Rescue system Ideally a ship position reporting system will have the following objectives, in the event of an emergency: To establish a reduced time interval between the last contact with the vessel and the initiation of an SAR operation, when no distress signal has been received To allow immediate determination of other ships and rescue facilities within range, that are capable of providing the required assistance To establish the most likely area and the possible limits of that area, when the position of the distressed vessel is unknown or uncertain To provide medical advice or assistance to a distressed vessel, when a doctor is not carried Participating vessels are required to provide information will allow the operational system to show: If the AMVER system is used as an example, voluntary information from vessels making offshore voyages is passed to the US Coast Guard Centre, New York, via selected radio stations The format of the message will be one of four types of transmission The information from the message is fed to a computer complex which constantly updates the particulars on every vessel up to its next port of call The position fixing of respective vessels is by dead-reckoning, based on the last known speed and course of the ship 12.12.1 Standard types of AMVER message Type The complete type report consists of thirteen parts, together with relevant information necessary to initiate a plot It may be considered a sailing plan of the vessel sent prior to, at, or immediately after departure from port, as soon as communications have been established Type D Known as a deviation report, this need only include such information as differs from the previous report It is transmitted when the actual position will vary more than 25 miles from the predicted position (based on previous reports) It may also include a change of course, speed or destination, together with relevant remarks Type This is considered the position report and includes the date, time and actual position of the vessel Position reports are necessary during long sea passages to ensure that the computer will predict future positions with acceptable accuracy that Type (a) The future positions of ships and allow predictions to be maintained on a shipping plot (b) Standard procedures which should be internationally agreed, with simplified reports from ships, at regular intervals The arrival report, which is despatched on the arrival of the vessel at the harbour entrance of the port of destination This report is desired to check the accuracy of the plotting system 302 303 MARINE SUR VIVAL AND RESCUE SYSTEMS 12.13 Use of Rocket Line Throwing Apparatus If individuals have cause to use the rocket line throwing apparatus they should be aware of the following points The weight of the line provides directional force for the flight of the rocket Under no circumstances should the rocket be fired without the line attached The wind direction, if strong, will affect the line, not the rocket itself Consequently the rocket should never be aimed up into the wind direction Aiming should be at the target, or slightly downwind of the target, depending on the strength of the wind The self-contained rocket lines must have a capability of throwing a line, with reasonable accuracy, over a distance of 230 metres Manufacturers normally include up to 275 metres of line to allow for overshoot and deflection The breaking strength of the self-contained rocket line should be not less than kN It is normally mm in diameter and consequently should be used to obtain a messenger (heavy rope) to allow a weight-bearing hawser to be obtained Prior to the operation of firing a rocket the operator should always ensure that it is safe to so Especially important with tanker vessels or gas/oil installations See Fig 12.18 12.13.1 Additional information lines for use with rocket All vessels are obliged to carry a minimum of four rocket line appliances, together with instructions for their use It is important for the operator to establish communications with the target prior to firing, if at all possible, though in the case of a man overboard this might not always be practicable It is normal practice for a vessel to fire towards the shoreline because the shore will present a larger target However, weather conditions, especially with an offshore wind, may restrict this direction of operation, causing the coastguard to fire from the shore to the distress area The operation of the rocket line throwing gear should be carried out with extreme caution This is specially important if helicopters are engaged in the vicinity Should the distress vessel be carrying inflammable spirit or be in other similar dangerous state, she may exhibit a warning 'RED' light at night or 'B' flag, of the international code, by day, to indicate that it is dangerous to fire a rocket These signals may also be supplemented by 'GU' in the morse code, meaning 'It is not safe to fire a rocket' Should the coastguard employ the shore-based rocket line gear distressed persons should bear in mind that it is more powerful and will have a greater range than the self-contained rocket line which seafarers are normally accustomed to They should subsequently take up a place of substantial cover prior to the coastguard attempting to pass a line NB With increased helicopter cover this system is virtually obsolete and is included for reference only 304 305 12.14 Breeches Buoy Operation MARINE SURVIVAL AND RESCUE SYSTEMS EMERGENCY COMMUNICA nONS 12.14.1 Transfers by breeches buoy 12.14.2 Breeches buoy procedure The breeches buoy is a method of evacuation of distressed persons from a position of imminent danger to a place of relative safety The system is generally employed by coastguard organizations, as and when circumstances admit, i.e when the emergency takes place within a range of operations, and no helicopter assistance is available within the time Communications established between the rescue party and the distressed persons A rocket line is passed between the two stations Once both parties have signalled in the affirmative the distressed party should haul away on the rocket line to obtain a heavier messenger line Attached to the messenger will be the tail block, having the endless whip rove through its sheave Once the 'tail block' is obtained by the distress party, they should secure the tail of the block to a high point aboard their own stricken vessel (Usual method of securing is by a round turn and two half hitches.) Once secured the would-be survivors should signal in the affirmative The authorities may bend on a hawser (sometimes called a jackstay) to the endless whip, or the system may be operated just with the endless whip 'If the hawser is used, it will be secured by a clove hitch set into the whip while the bitter end of the hawser is secured by a bowline being passed around the whip.' Once the hawser is obtained by the would-be survivors, the bowline should be cast off and the end secured approximately two metres over and above the securing point of the tail block The clove hitch can then be released To prevent the lee whip and the weather whip from fouling, it is normal practice to pass the hawser end between the two parts of the whip prior to securing On receipt of an affirmative signal the rig will be set taught by the shore-side authorities The breeches buoy will be run out to the distressed vessel to recover personnel The first person ashore should be able to provide a comprehensive report of the on-board situation with regard to number of persons, casualties, infants, and so on The method of operation and procedure may differ from coast station to coast station, much depending on the nature of the terrain and the prevailing weather conditions The method of rigging shown in Fig 12.19 is achieved from the initial contact with the rocket line throwing apparatus, either from the distressed vessel or from the shore authorities The following procedure may well be the order of events once communications have been established Note A short-range system has recently come into operation with the United Kingdom coastguard This employs an endless whip and tail block but also incorporates a jackstay shackled to the 'arse' of the block This effectively reduces the time in setting up and rigging because the whipjjackstayjand block are all passed out to the distressed vessel simultaneously The gear is all contained in a back pack for swift and easy transport to a required location 307 MARINE SURVIVAL AND RESCUE SYSTEMS 12.15 Summary Chapter 12 covers including distress transmitter The beacons (EPIRBs) standard methods of marine communications signals and the use of the emergency boat use of emergency position-indicating radio and satellite warning systems is also outlined Information is given on ship reporting systems and the response of rescue services to an alert The function of coastguard services, together with the facilities that they are capable of providing, i.e surface vessel support, helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, breeches buoy equipment and droppable survival equipment are discussed INDEX Abandon ship drill 52, 53, 54 ship signal 52 Abandonment actions prior to 1-4, 5, 6, 52-54 with MES 10-15 with liferafts 16-18 Access hatches 128, 132, 133, 160 to lifeboats 126, 128, 133 to liferafts 210, 212 to helicopters 95 Airborne Radar 296-297 Air-cooledengine(lifeboats) 141,178, 179 Aircraft droppable equipment 299 fixed wing 294-296 rotary wing 63-107 Air support systems (survival craft) 29, 132, 160 Alarms 49, 50, 52 Aluminium boats 113, 114 Amendments to SOLAS ix AMVER system 302-303 Authorities marine ix, 302 Automatic distress signal 283, 286 Automatic Release, liferafts 202-205, 218, 219 Automatically inflated lifejackets 41, 42 Aviation Lifejackets 42, 43 Bailer 22, 118, 120, 141, 206, 236, 250 Ballast/Stability pockets, liferafts 58, 220, 221 Basic Sea Survival courses 58 Baskets: Helicopter 24, 25 Rescue 24, 25 Stretcher 102 Beaching: Lifeboat 185-188 Liferaft 222, 223 Becketed lifeline 147, 166, 198, 199, 249, 253 Bell 412 SP helicopter 86 Bell 214 ST helicopter 86 Bellows 22, 251 Bilge Grab rail 115, 119, 147 Bleeding 276 Boarding: aircraft 72, 226 ladders 210, 250, 257 liferafts 201, 210, 215, 227, 230, 231 nets 253, 254, 256, 257 Boat compass 124, 134, 167, 250 construction 113-11 cover 147 crew: dangers 151 launching orders 152 davit styles 147-150, 152, 159, 165 equipment 119-126 handling operations 173-179 hook 120, 174, 189, 250, 251 muster lists/stations 2, 3, 52 Boatwork 109-141 Boeing AWAC 295-297 Boeing 234 LR Chinook Helio 73, 104, 105, 106 Bow line 177, 228 Bow-man 174 Bowsing in: lines 13, 97, 215, 216, 219 tackle 152, 153 Braking systems launching appliances 146, 151 Breathing apparatus, applications 29, 74 Breeches Buoy 305- 307 311 INDEX INDEX Bridge wing lifebuoy 147 Buddy Line 83 Buoyancy requirements: immersion suits 35 lifeboats 91, 127 lifebuoys 43-46 lifejackets 39-43 liferafts 197, 198 rescue boats 252 Buoyancy tanks 114 Burns 274, 275 Coxswains: duties 90, 91, 151-153, 167, 177, 178, 190, 192 responsibilities 26, 27, 53 Crash (emergency) box 65, 66 Crew change: by helicopter 71- 73 Crutch 119, 126 Cadet Training 55-61 Canopies: lifeboats 135-140, 185 liferafts 96-98, 198, 199 Capacity: aircraft 98, 105 lifeboats 112, 127, 129, 138, 160, 162 liferafts 197, 198, 210, 211 Capsize: helicopter procedure 81-84 lifeboat 119, 128, 132 liferaft 58, 220, 221 Cardiac arrest 266 Cardiac massage 270-272 Cargo ships LSA requirements 32-39, 43,44, 109-111, 144, 154 Casualties 3, 85, 94, 102, 103, 236, 253, 254, 256, 257-259, 265 Casualty bag 272 Catamaran: new tonnage 213 Chemical Tankers 110, 111 Chinook helicopters 73, 104, 105 Class 'c' boats 126 Coastguard operations 85, 291, 293, 294, 307 Cold shock 266, 267 Collision, effects of 29 Compass card 124 Communications 49, 279-303 Construction: ladders 144, 145 lifeboats 113-119 Controlled landing - helicopters 78, 80 Control of passengers & crew 144,145 Core temperature 268 Cospas 287- 292 Dauphin helicopter 105 Davit -launched liferaft 17, 18, 22, 33, 214-219 Davits: banded 56 gravity 145-153, 159 luffing 147 styles 148, 150 Daylight signalling mirror 99, 207 Decompression of lifeboat engine 182 Deck landings - helicopters 66-70 Deck Officer - Checklists helios 66 Ditched aircraft 76-83 Dinghies (aircraft liferafts) 95-97 Disembarkation ladders 17, 144, 145 Disengaging gear 155-158 Disposable Hydrostatic Release Unit 204, 205 Distress beacons 288- 290 Distress message 285 Doti boats 245 Double Evacuation Slides 9, 11, 13, 15 Double lift (helicopter hoist) 90 Down-draught of rotors 64, 90, 91, 97, 258 Drills 53, 54 'D'Ring 203, 204 Drogue (sea anchor) 121, 198, 206 Dry powder extinguisher use, 135 Earth connection/radio 118 Earthquake effects 29 Embarkation methods: dry 17, 201, 215, 217,225-228 Emergency: alarms 2, 3, 51, 52 boat 119, 239 equipment (deck landings) 65, 67 procedures (in flight) 72-74, 76-83 stand-by vessel (ESV) 4, 7, 19 transmitter 281-285 treatment of casualties 263-277 312 Guide to Helicopter Ship Operations 63 Enclosed boat requirements (T.E.M.P.S.C.) 128-135 Engine: 140, 145, 179-184 checks 178, 179, 182 faults 179 lifeboats 140, 141, 179-183 starting procedures 181-183 Survival Systems International 165, 166 T.E.M.P.S.C 181 Entering water 229, 230 E.P.I.R.B 3, 27, 30, 232, 236, 285- 292 Equipment: helidecks 73, 74, 78, 79 lifeboats 119-125 liferafts 206-208 rescue boats 250-253 Evacuation methods 6, 16-23, 225- 228 Evacuation Systems, (slides): 8-16, 18 double track 11-13 single track 14 Hammar HRU 204 Handing off pendant 192, 193 Heat exhaustion 274 Heatstroke 274 Helicopter Landing Officer (HLO) 74, 75 Helicopter operations: hoist work 6,69,87,89-95,97-104 rescue baskets 24, 25, 87 stretcher evacuation 102, 103 Helicopter incident reports 106 Heli-deck detail 66-68, 70, 73, 74, 78 Heli immersion suit 36, 47 Heliograph 22, 207 Heli-raft 95-98 H.E.L.P (Heat Escape lessening posture) 26, 83, 84, 267 Herald of Free Enterprise 8, 9, 30 Hi-Line operation 99-102 Hook handler 66-69 HRN 254, 257 Hydro-static release unit (HRU) 202-205 Hyperventilation 267 Face visor/splashguard 26,41,42,43, 46, 268 Falls (lifeboats) 146, 148, 151, 156 Fire Drill 28, 47-52 First Aid kit 22,65, 72, 124,208, 250, 251 Fixed wing aircraft 294-300 Float free arrangements 161,202-205 Food rations 123, 208 Foul weather recovery strops 192-194 Fractures 273 FRC, (Fast Rescue Craft) function 240, 245, 253, 254 Free Fall- Lifeboats 159-164 Frostbite 273 Immersion: foot 273 initial 267 long term 268, 269 post 269, 270 short term 267, 268 treatment 270-272 Immersion suits 31-36, 71, 266 Inflatables 198, 244-253 Inflated rescue boats: 244 construction 249, 252, 253 buoyancy 252 In flight emergency 76-83 Gas 29, 52 Gas Carriers 110, 111, 154 GEC Personnel Evacuation System 4, 19 General requirements, lifeboats 111-113, 125-133, 135-141 Gravity Davits 56, 146-152 Gripes 149, 152 GRP, (Glass reinforced Plastic) construction 114-117 Jasons ladder 253, 255 Jayhawk (helicopter) 293 Jet Drive control 228, 239, 260 Klaxon 2, 52 Ladders: boarding 250, 254, 257 construction 144, 145 313 INDEX INDEX Ladders: (con/d.) fittings 199, 214 disembarkation 145, 230 heli-raft 95-98 Landing 'on' 6, 29, 63-70, 88, 90, inflatables 6, 197, 227 225, 226 inflation 199, 200 Lap strap 27, 72, 78, 82, 118, 132, launching 200, 201 140 lights 198, 200 Launching: 143, 152-154, 241 manning 4, 211 appliances 145-147, 150, 159, markings 209 214-216 operations 9, 97, 98, 232-238 procedure lifeboats 151-153, 161, Long term immersion 268, 269 174, 188, 190 Lookout 236 procedure liferafts 200, 201, 214-219 Management of liferafts 234-238 rescue boats 241 Manning requirements (survival craft) stations 143-145 4, 5, 177,211 Lifeboats: Man overboard: 259, 260 access 126, 127, 128, 164 alarm 52, 86 arrangements 129-131, 138, 139 Marine evacuation systems (MES) buoyancy 127 8-16, 18 construction 113-117, 141 Markings on survival craft: equipment 119-125 'c' Boats 125, 126 falls 148 lifeboats 127, 128 free fall 156, 159-164 liferafts 209 manning 4, 5, 177 Medical advice, marine emergency markings 127, 128 263 partially enclosed 110, 135-140 Medical supplies 299 requirements 109, 111, 112, 125, Merlin (EHI01) helicopter 77, 87, 126, 179-181 105 stability 127 Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre totally enclosed 128, 129, 133-135, 85, 288, 290, 291 152 'M' Notice reference 309 Lifebuoys: 43, 147 Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit lines 46 (MODU) 1, 75 requirements 43-45 Morphine 125 self igniting lights 45, 46 Multi-liferaft stowage 210 smoke signals 46, 147 Muster lists 50, 51 Lifejackets: 31 M.V Caroline 101 automatic 41 M.V Craigantlet 89 aviation 42, 43 M.V Lovat (1975) 234 inflatable 41, 42 lights 40, 41 Nautical training 49, 53-60 requirements 39-43 Navigation signals (helicopter ops.) 65 Liferafts: 16, 95-99, 197, 225 Nets: access 22, 210-212 boarding 256 beaching 222, 223 helicopter landing 79 boarding 5, 16,201,202, 231 recovery 254, 257 capacity 211 rescue 253, 254 capsize/righting 58, 220, 221 scrambling 7, 8, 253 davit launched 6, 17, 18,214-219, Night flying (helicopter ops.) 64 227 equipment 206-208 Ocean Ranger incident 314 ODELE evacuation system 20-23 Offshore: installation heli-decks 29, 73-75, 78, 79, 80 training 53-60 Oil: for wave quelling 184, 185 pollution 29 tanker vessels (LSA requirements) Ill, 154 OSC On Scene Commander 86 Open lifeboats 143, 147, 148, 149-151, 174 Over heating (lifeboat engine) 178, 179, 180 Painters: lifeboats 123, 126, 152, 155, 177, 187-191,228,250 liferafts 58, 199-206, 214, 219, 233-235 Partially enclosed lifeboats 110, 135-141 Partially enclosed rescue boats 242-244 Passenger safety (helicopters) 71, 72 Passenger vessel requirements: communications 49, 50, 51 lifeboats 110, Ill, 154, 240, 241 lifebuoys 43, 44 lifejackets 31, 32, 39 Personal locator beacons (PLB) 288, 290 Position reporting systems 302, 303 Post immersion 269, 270 Practical boatwork advice 133, 167, 178 Propulsion (T.E.M.P.S.C.) 128, 134, 140 Public address system 52 'Puma' helicopter 76, 78 Pyrotechnic signals: 121 operation 206, 207, 280 Rack stowage (Iiferafts) 210 Radar reflector 207 Radio: beacons (EPIRBs) 280, 285, 286, 288-290 frequencies 292 lifeboat emergency 281-285 Rations: 237 lifeboats 123 liferafts 208 Recovery: lifeboats 153, 192-194 nets 253, 254, 256, 257 sea anchor 121, 186 strops 192, 193 Reefing procedure 194-196 Release gear, survival craft 155-158, 218, 219 Rescue: baskets 24, 25 boats 239-261 co-ordination centre 288, 290, 291 quoit 206 signal table 122 Rescue boats: buoyancy 252 categories 245 construction 242, 243, 249 equipment 241, 242, 250, 251 fittings 251 Response signals to aircraft 298, 299 Restricted articles 71, 72 Restrictions on helicopters 103, 104 Rigid craft 6, 90, 226, 227, 229, 238 Rigid liferaft 211, 212, 226, 227, 230 Righting strap 58, 220 RMS Titanic (1912) 276 Rocket line throwing gear 304, 305 Rocket parachute flare 121, 206, 280 Rudder 117, 120, 179, 185 Safe indicator 218 Safety harness 7, 38 Sail theory 194-196 Sailing rig 195 Saint Malo (1994) 213 Sally Albatros (1994) 15 SARSAT 287, 290 SART 232, 236, 281 Satellite monitoring systems 287, 290, 291 Scrambling nets 7, 8, 227, 261 Sea Anchor 90, 98, 120, 121, 184-187, 194, 195, 198, 199, 206, 220, 222, 234, 235 Sea King helicopter (varient HH-52A) 70, 87, 101, 103, 106 315 INDEX INDEX Search and Rescue (SAR) 85-88, 287- 292 Sea sick medication 27, 120, 208, 273 Self righting partially enclosed lifeboats 135-140 Service: hydrostatic release 205 liferafts 209, 211 release gear 157, 158 Shipboard: landing area 66, 67, 69 winching area 68 Ship Reporting Systems 302, 303 Ship to aircraft transfer 99-102 Shock 266, 267, 273 Shore based rescue boats 245, 249, 250 Short term immersion 267, 268 Signals of attention 122, 280, 281, 283, 284 Signals: air to surface 300 surface to air 301 Single lift, helicopters 89, 90-95 Skates 119, 141 Slides (Marine evacuation type) 6, 8-16, 18, 19 SOLAS ix, 109, 155, 209, 240, 245 Specifications: lifeboat equipment 125, 126 lifebuoys 43-46 rescue boats 244 Splashguard (face visor) 42, 43 Stability lifeboats 127, 140 Standby vessel 19-22 Static electricity 69, 95 Steel lifeboats 114 Steering oar 119, 120, 185, 186 Stretcher casualties 99, 102, 103 Strop, helicopter hoist 6, 89-91, 92-94 Super Puma helicopter 76 Survival actions in: evacuation 6-9, 30 T.E.M.S.C 26-28 water 26, 28 Survival craft: disembarkation 5,17,18,145,177, 215 evacuation 6-16, 215-216 ~lh launch & recovery 21, 136, 143-147,149-153,161,167,200, 215-220 manning 4, 26, 27 operations 184-196, 220-223 requirements 111, 135, 137, 179, 197, 209, 211 seating 23, 162 steering & control 134, 167, 174, 175 stowage 16, 147, 148, 209, 210 training 53-62 Survival manual 54, 55, 120 Survival phases 28 Survival suits 37, 38 Survival Systems International 164-170 Survivor recovery 270-273 Tanker vessels LSA 111, 154 Telephone alarm 284 T.E.M.P.S.C 128-135, 152 Thermal clothing 266 Thermal protective aids (TPA) 33, 36 Thermal requirements 34, 35 (immersion suits) Towing operations 176 Towlines 254, 256 Toxic's 29, 88 Training 49-61 Transfer: breeches buoy 305-307 casualty 93, 99, 102, 103 Hi-Line 99, 100 personnel 230, 231 ship - to aircraft 99-102 survival craft to vessel 177, 178 Transmitter (emergency) 281-285 Treatment: 263 following immersion 267-272 hypothermia 264, 265 injured parties 272-276 Tricing pendant 149, 152, 153 Triggers 151, 152 Twin chamber lifejackets 41, 42 Two tone alarm 283, 284 Two way radio telephone 50 Vertical Lift (helicopter hoist) 269 VHF - marine distress frequency 292 Visual signals: 65 air to surface 300 surface to air 301 Water: ballast pockets 58, 59, 198 cooled engine 165, 179, 182 fresh, drinking 27, 123, 208 spray cooling 60, 132, 133, 165 tight lockers 118 Waterborne, boat release 156, 157 Wave quelling oil 184, 185 Weak link 99, 100, 202, 203, 204, 205 Wessex helicopter 94, 105 Westland '30' helicopter Whistle 40, 42, 83, 207 Whittaker Capsule see 'Survival Systems International' Will to survive 27, 236 Winch brakes 146 Winching area 68 Winching operations 89, 94, 95 Wind indicator 64, 67 Wooden lifeboats 113, 114, 147 ... in question viii IX INTRODUCTION Marine Survival and Rescue Systems Since the publication of the first edition of Marine Survival and Rescue Systems in 1988, the marine industry has experienced... be 27 MARINE SURVIVAL AND RESCUE SYSTEMS EVACUATION SYSTEMS AND MARINE REQUIREMENTS some time before a rescue attempt is made, personnel may experience a problem of boredom Jokes and a cheerful... clear of debris and other survivors The line of descent should be clear and noted to be free of obstructions MARINE SURVIVAL AND RESCUE SYSTEMS EVACUA nON Carry out an orderly and safe launch