84 BASIC POWERBOATING. SAFETY & RESCUE FOR SAILING INSTRUCTORS On-the-Water Key Points
E Assess the situation: boats at risk; available rescue resources; proximity to a safe shore location; and rescue options.
E Communicate with shore- base resources, and on-water rescue resources, and make appropriate call to Coast Guard if within its coverage.
E Approach boat(s) at risk and advise them of intended action, and begin the rescue.
E If conditions allow, tow or “shepherd” the boat(s) to the safe shore location.
E If conditions prevent this, anchor the distressed boat, record its position, and transfer the boaters to the rescue boat for transport to shore.
E If return to shore is not possible, anchor the boats and wait until weather passes. Record and communicate the “last known” position in case communication is lost.
Additional Rescue Resources. Are there other on-water rescue resources immediately available? If not, how long will it take before they arrive? Are they suitable for the type of conditions and rescue?
Experience Level. Boats operated by inexperienced boaters are more likely to get into trouble and will have more problems coping with hazardous weather conditions.
RESCUE OPTIONS
The first priority is the safety of everyone, including you, the instructor. Be guided by the concept: People First—Equipment Second.
Before a Squall or Weather Strikes. Monitor current information to determine intensity and track of approaching weather. Be conservative and take early action before the situation deteriorates into a higher risk scenario.
During a Squall or Hazardous Weather. Rescue options will depend on the severity of the weather, the number of boats to be rescued, and the availability of on-water rescue resources. If the weather hasn’t become overpowering or hazardous, then the rescue option of getting boat(s) to a shore base may still be feasible. The decision of whether to tow or “shepherd” the boat(s) will be guided by what is the safest and most expedient method. It is most important to reassure the sailors, so that fear and panic don’t take over.
Rescuing Multiple Boats. E If conditions permit, a fleet of boats can be “shepherded” to a safe shore location using a follow-the-leader method with a safety boat in the lead, another following behind, and a boat positioned to leeward to rescue any boat that gets into trouble and drifts downwind. Another option is to tow the boats.
E If conditions don’t allow a return of the boats to the shore base, then shepherd or tow the boats to a designated central location or cluster locations. These locations may be identified by another safety boat on station or by anchoring one of the boats. If there are additional safety boats, they can be used to shepherd boats either by towing or leading them to the locations.
E Anchor the boats and wait until weather abates. Boats may be tied to an anchored safety boat(s) or anchored individually.
E Bring people aboard the safety boat(s) if it is safer than leaving them aboard their boats. Or if conditions permit, transport the boaters on the safety boat(s) to the shore base and recover the boats later.
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