2.2. Preservation of passengers and crew

Question 1

(a) Describe the steps and procedure to be taken when a vessel is in distress as a result of grounding, collision, fire or foundering

Answer 1

1) Sound General Alarm.
2) Muster all passengers and crew.
3) Plot position of vessel.
4) Transmit a Mayday call on Vhf 16 and all DSC Frequencies.
5) Ascertain extent of damage and immediate actions to be
taken.
6) Check latest weather reports and tidal/ current data to
ascertain set and rate of drift.
7) Check depth of surrounding water and proximity to
navigational hazards.
8) Only abandon ship if you have to, the vessel presents a larger target and may be safe to remain on even if aground or damaged by fire.

Question 2

(b) Describe the procedures to ensure survival following abandoning ship

Answer 2

When ordered to abandon ship all personnel should dress as warmly as possible, and assist in loading water, additional dry clothing and extra food (non-protein) if possible.

The senior most fit survivor must assume command. Decisions and actions to take will include but not be limited to:
 Distribution of survivors.
 Joining of all rafts to make a better target for aerial searches. All liferafts should be launched if possible to increase the amount of water and food available to survivors.
 Remaining near to the location if possible.
 Allocation of duties, lookouts and routines.
 Keeping morale and order in the raft amongst personnel.

Priorities:
 Ensure all personnel have taken sea-sickness tablets as soon as possible.
 Protection – bail out water, close entrances, deploy sea-anchors, check for leaks, inflate floors and canopy if possible. Apply first aid to injured personnel. Ensure everybody has a bowel movement and urinates.
 Location - Prepare EPIRBS, SARTS and pyrotechnics and post lookouts.
 Ration Water – normally no water should be given in the first 24 hours, after that issue no more than a half a litre a day. Prepare rain catchment area to collect extra rain water.
 Ration Food – Try to eat carbohydrates as proteins dehydrate you.
 Ensure all personnel are aware of their duties should another vessel or aircraft be sighted.

Precautions:

1. In cold climates protect hands, face and ears from frostbite. Do not massage frostbite, rather stretch limbs and move extremities to circulate blood. Frostbite can be identified from tell-tale white patches on the skin, warm the affected area with the palm of a hand and cover with cotton wool if possible. Keep weather cover closed with a small opening for ventilation.
2. In warm climates minimise sweating, prevent sunburn and ensure floor of raft is dry before sundown. During the day rig the canopy to maximise through draft and close at night to leave a small opening for ventilation.

Question 3

(c) Describe recognised distress procedures when communicating with another station

Answer 3

In the GMDSS framework, there are different Sea Areas to allot the working equipment in the respective area. They are as follows:
AREA. RANGE. EQUIPMENT

A1. 20 to 50. MV+HF+DSC
A2. 50 to 400 M. VHF + MF
A3. 70°N to 70° S. VHF + MF + One INMARSAT
A4. Above 70° N or S. HF + MF + VHF

Medium Frequencies:300 KHz to 3 MHz

High Frequencies:3 MHz to 30 MHz

Very High Frequencies:30 MHz to 300 MHz

Channel 16, which is set at 156.800 MHz, is for Distress, Urgency and Safety communication. Channel 70, set at 156.525 MHz, if for routine VHF DSC (Digital Selective Calling) watch.

Vhf 16: Mayday, Mayday, Mayday
This is < Ships name 3 times>

		Mayday
		This is < Ship name and call sign >
		Position
		Nature of Distress
		Assistance Required
		Other Information
		Over

Once communication has been established, the following information should be verified:
	Name of Ship.
	Call Sign.
	MMSI Number.
	Nature of Distress or Emergency.
	Type of Assistance Required.
	Any Other Information that may Assist.

elements of GMDSS are as follows:

INMARSAT:It is a Satellite operated system that includes ship earth station terminals – Inmarsat B, C and F77. It provides telex, telephone and data transfer services between ship-to-ship, ship to shore, and shore to ship along with a priority telex and telephone service connected to shore rescue centres.

NAVTEX:NAVTEXis an internationally adopted automated system which is used to distribute MSI-maritime safety information, and includes weather forecasts and warnings, navigational warnings, search and rescue notices and other similar safety information.

Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB):EPIRB is an equipment to help determine the position of survivors during a SAR operation. It is a secondary means of distress alerting.

Search and Rescue Locating Equipment:Primarily the Search and Rescue Radar Transponder. This is used to home Search and Rescue units to the position of distress which transmits upon interrogation.

Digital Selective Calling (DSC):This is a calling service between ship to ship, ship to shore or vice versa for safety and distress information mainly on high or medium frequency and VHF maritime radio.

(ALRS) Volume 5: GMDSS

NP285 or ALRS Vol. 5 is the publication with extensive information in theory as well as practical use for all things pertaining to the GMDSS. Correction for this is found in Section 6 of the weekly Notices To Mariners (TNM). Its contents covers as follows:

Distress Communication And False Alert

Operation Procedure For Use Of DSC Equipment

Search And Rescue Transponder

Extract From ITU Radio Regulations

VHFDSC List Of Coast Stations For Sea Area A1

MF DSC List Of Coast Stations For Sea Area A2

HF DSC List Of Coast Stations For Sea Area A3

INMARSAT

Maritime Safety Information (MSI)

SafetyNet

NAVTEX

Distress, Search And Rescue

Question 4

(d) Explain the use of distress equipment rocket apparatus to facilitate contact between ship and shore

Answer 4

 Read the Manufacturers instructions on the side of the canister.
 Ensure the line is attached to a strong point on the ships structure or a messenger line.
 Fire rocket slightly down wind and towards the rescue craft to gain the best distance.
 Four carried onboard as per SOLAS, with 275 metres of line with at least 230 metres capable of being thrown after firing.

Question 5

(e) Explain various methods for rescuing of passengers and crew by helicopter, other vessels and rocket apparatus

Answer 5

Helicopter:

a) In the Water
- Helicopter will lower a basket to casualty.
- Diver will jump into the water and assist the casualty into either a basket or strop.
b) Onboard a Vessel
- Helicopter will lower a basket or strop to casualty, and hover.
- Helicopter will winch a man down to assist with above operation and hover.
- Helicopter will land on the vessel if time, space and conditions permit.

Other Vessels:

a) Own or other vessel may launch a rescue boat to transfer personnel.
b) Two vessels may come alongside depending on manoeuvrability, either stopped or underway.
c) If casualties are in the water the vessel may attempt to come close to the casualties and rig scramble nets or grab-lines to aid casualty recovery.