Safety

[norbhat]

What are your favorite can't-do-without safety items aboard, eg. PFDs, lifelines, etc.?

Norb

 

[Texas Steve]

I know it's not the same as having an EPIRB, but I get great peace of mind from owning the Spot Satellite Messenger. Also a decent, well thought out first aid kit, three anchors, handheld VHF, backup GPS, and spare batteries with a means for recharging handheld devices.

Texas Steve

 

[NewMoon]

Hi Norbhat,

Here's another writeup I had already done:

Safety Gear

This is not a complete description of all the safety gear you’re required to have on board – just a few comments on some of the more important items.

Everyone on board needs a life jacket (PFD), sized to fit correctly. This is not just a Coast Guard requirement – it’s a potential life saver. Almost all small boat fatalities are from drowning, and most from simply falling overboard. If you wear your PFD (in your dinghy, when the weather’s bad, or even just going up to the bow for anchor duty) you’re far more likely to survive an unexpected dip in cold PNW waters. So you want PFD’s that are easy and comfortable to wear, such as inflatable belt packs, or jackets with an inflatable built in (don’t forget spare CO2 cylinders). Check out all crew members with their PFD’s, so they know how to put them on and adjust the fit. Stow PFD’s in handy locations (not in the bowels of the boat) so they’re easy to grab and use.

If someone does go overboard, you’ll want two things really handy: a life ring or throw cushion with grab handles, and a throw bag. A throw bag is stuffed with 50-75 feet of line, rigged so its loose end can be attached to the boat. After attaching it, throw the bag (with line inside) toward the person overboard. Line pays out behind the bag as it travels, making it easy to throw much further and more accurately than a line by itself. Deploy a sturdy swim ladder, so the unfortunate swimmer can climb back in, get those wet clothes off, and start to get warm.

Of course you’ll need fire extinguishers, probably the dry chemical type. Federal regs specify a minimum size and number that’s legal for your boat, but we’d suggest having considerably more than the minimum, mounted in multiple locations. Think about where a fire might occur and where the crew might be, and mount extinguishers in places where they could be easily reached and used under those circumstances.

If you’re going to spend days or weeks out in the boonies, you need a well stocked first aid kit. You can buy one, or make one up yourself that’s better equipped and costs less. If you don’t have the expertise to do this, you might ask a friend who’s an EMT or doctor to help (and help prepare you to use it). Except for Neosporin and a few extra band-aids we keep in a galley drawer, our kit is in a “dry bag” like those used by river runners, about 10” across and 18” long. It’s pretty complete for its size.

Another dry bag you should make up is your abandon ship kit, or “ditch bag”. If you’re ever forced to leave the boat as it’s sinking or going onto the rocks, you may have to survive in cold and wet conditions for some time before anyone comes to help. There’s quite a list of items you’ll want, including a VHF radio with fresh extra batteries (AA – they stay charged in storage), flares and signaling equipment, waterproof LED headlamp, rain gear, dry clothing, tube tents and space blankets, spare contacts and glasses, essential medications, high-calorie compact food bars, some line and a knife, photocopies of passports and other key documents, and more.

Everyone on board needs to know exactly where the life jackets, life ring or throw cushion, throw bag, swim ladder, fire extinguishers, first aid kit, and ditch bag are kept – and how and when to use them.

 

[norbhat]

What is protocol for towing a disabled boat on the IP?

We all know we are to render assistance to sailors in distress. But doing the Great Loop we were cautioned against towing someone. The tower becomes legal captain (and responsible) for the operation. To my knowledge, there is nowhere on the Loop that professional Boat US towing is not available. We were advised to call the pros in to do it. They are also bonded and insured.

What do you do on the Inside Passage where the pros are not available?

Norb

 

[NewMoon]

You help however you can. Often a disabled boat puts out a call to "all vessels in the vicinity of...", and a cruiser or a commercial fishing boat will respond. If the disabled boat calls the Coast Guard, once the CG has determined what the situation is they will often put out a broadcast requesting just such a tow. Distances are so great, towns and safe anchorages so far apart, and wind and rocky shores such an issue, that the need outweighs concern about liability in most cases. We've towed people numerous times, both on the Inside Passage and on Lake Powell.

BTW, we use our spare anchor rode for the tow line. It's quick and easy to tie up a bridle with a dock line, attach it to the two stern quarter cleats, and attach the tow line to the V in the bridle.

 

[captd]

You help however you can. Often a disabled boat puts out a call to "all vessels in the vicinity of...", and a cruiser or a commercial fishing boat will respond. If the disabled boat calls the Coast Guard, once the CG has determined what the situation is they will often put out a broadcast requesting just such a tow. Distances are so great, towns and safe anchorages so far apart, and wind and rocky shores such an issue, that the need outweighs concern about liability in most cases. We've towed people numerous times, both on the Inside Passage and on Lake Powell.

BTW, we use our spare anchor rode for the tow line. It's quick and easy to tie up a bridle with a dock line, attach it to the two stern quarter cleats, and attach the tow line to the V in the bridle.

I think that is all well and good to help a fellow and to tow to nearest dock in protected waters, but you must keep in mind in rough seas it could be fool hardy to tow someone. The Ranger Tug has a name of tug but it is not. You can tear the transom off your boat being a good guy and you both sink. The proper thing to do is stand by until the pros get there. I would not attempt to tow someone in from the Gulf Stream unless the conditions are perfect. No small pleasure craft is built to do the job. Good seamanship doesnot require you to do so. I have informed people I cruise with to not feel guilty for not throwing out a tow line in rough seas. If you can help with fuel or what ever, do it but do not risk your boat or your life. I say you should carry tow insurance and not expect someone to bail you out.
Only my humble opinion.
captd

 

[Stella Maris]

As for the question of whether to tow or not to tow, this is strictly up to the boat captain that would be put into the position of the tow boat. I would evaluate every situation on its own. Even if it were rough, I would attempt to keep another boat off of the rocks as long as the risk did not put my vessel into a very threatening situation. Dangerous is one thing, threatening is another. I could not stand by a watch a vessel go up on the rocks with a threat to the loss of life. Recently out a Lake Mead we saw a boat being brought in by a salvage barge. The boat had broke down. The wind was blowing. The wind chop was large. The perfect scenario I guess you could say. I spoke with the skipper who said two boats passed by, refused to tow for fear of damaging their vessels and said they would report his situation upon arriving at the marina. There were four people on the vessel that was in distress. The four of them spent the night on a rocky shore line on a cold winter night. Fortunately, they all walked away with no serious injuries, the boat was holed and barely afloat when it was towed in. Someone taking a small chance could have prevented this. If you should take this chance, have a sharp knife available in the event you must cut the tow line in a hurry.

We were once in the position of needing this assistance and thankfully another vessel came along that was willing to render the assistance we needed. The winds were building, the waves were building and it was mid November. Not good by any standard. The skipper that towed us refused any sort of payment just a promise to help another boater in need if the need should ever arise.

Again though, this has got to be the decision of the captain of the towing vessel.

 

[j&lgray]

The crew of the Laurie Ann safely towed two vessels a distance of about 6 miles. In both situations, the boats had a mechanical breakdown, the seas were relatively flat with 1-2 foot chop and light to moderate winds. We did this using a bridle that was rigged from BOTH stern cleats. We motored at about 5-7 knots and did it safely without any damage.

In our prior sailboats we were towed twice when out outboard motor failed. Several boaters passed us by until a compassionate skipper came to our aid.

For safety equipment and ideas, a good vendor to check out is Land Fall Navigation.

Equipment is one thing for safety, but without practice, practice, practice none of the safety equipment will serve you well when you need it most, that is, when the weather is up, the lighting is bad, and the stress levels are at their highest. Good tactics and practice is far better than expensive stuff.