During a boating emergency, things happen fast, and there’s little time to think. A rehearsed plan of action is one of the best ways to handle most situations, including emergencies that threaten crew members. Go over potential scenarios with those who usually go on your boat, and just in case you happen to be the victim, make sure you aren’t the only one who can operate the boat should you become incapacitated. Advanced training will help prepare you and your crew for emergencies of all kinds. Here are key preparation tips.
Maintain Communications
No matter the crisis, one of the keys to achieving the best possible outcome is the ability to call for assistance. Cell phones have a limited range and are usually rendered useless once wet. VHF radios are the usual go-to in an emergency, but they also have range limitations related to antennae height. The advantage is that vessels close to you can more easily hear your mayday call and potentially come to your aid. Hail on channel 16 when broadcasting a mayday. Some VHF radios have automatic identification system (AIS) receivers, allowing others nearby to identify you and determine your location if you have an AIS transmitter.
All fixed-mount VHFs have a DSC distress button that can automatically alert the US Coast Guard and other nearby vessels of your emergency. Make sure it is properly set up ahead of time with an MMSI (Maritime Mobile Service Identity) number to identify your boat. The VHF should also have a GPS source (either internal to the radio or networked with a GPS receiver such as a chart plotter) to identify your boat and show your position should you need to press the VHF DSC distress button in an emergency.
Those who venture out of sight of land or fish in remote locations should have some form of satellite-based emergency beacon, such as an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) device or Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) device that can send a manually activated emergency help-needed signal and transmit prewritten messages, as well as your position. Some even have two-way communication capabilities. EPIRBs are more expensive, but also can be automatically activated by water immersion. They also have longer battery lives than PLBs. Both of these devices must be registered ahead of time with the National Oceangraphic and Atmospheric Adminstration (NOAA) for rescue agencies to effectively identify your vessel.
Injury to a Person
The most common emergency on a boat is an injury to a person or a medical issue such as a heart attack. Saltwater anglers are especially vulnerable to injury because their environment often includes rough seas, hooks, gaffs, knives and powerful, pissed-off fish with sharp teeth, spines and saber-like bills.
To help prevent injuries, avoid or limit the consumption of alcohol, which affects balance and judgment. One or more people on board should have first aid and CPR training to handle common injuries or medical conditions. Have a well-equipped first aid kit that includes a book that can help guide users in diagnosing a problem and starting an appropriate treatment.
During a medical emergency, assess the injury or condition before doing anything. Radio the US Coast Guard or other rescue agency on channel 16 for help before heading to shore in case jostling the victim could cause further injury. Depending on the nature of emergency, the Coast Guard might choose to send a rescue vessel or helicopter to medivac the patient. In the meantime, if they are bleeding, cover the wound with a sterile bandage and apply pressure. If a broken bone is suspected, immobilize the patient and stabilize the injured area.
Man Overboard
Should a crewmember fall overboard in calm conditions, the captain should reduce speed, perform a 180-degree turn to the upwind side of the person in the water and instruct an onboard crewmember to maintain constant visual contact while pointing at the target to give the helmsman a continuous reference to the position. Stop upwind of the person in the water, cut off the engine and drift toward them.
In rougher conditions, the designated spotter can easily lose contact, so the captain should immediately slow down and activate their GPS man overboard button, which is usually labeled MOB, and note the time. Immediately toss two or more throwable floatation devices (that all boats are required to carry) to create a trail and give the person in the water something to hold to help stay afloat.
If contact is lost, perform a Williamson Turn and steer 60 degrees one way, then turn in the opposite direction, 180 degrees off the original course, to put the boat on a reciprocal course. Once turned around, try to locate items tossed overboard, which should lead to the casualty. When the person is spotted, approach slowly upwind. If they can’t be found quickly, radio the Coast Guard on channel 16 with a mayday call and relay the coordinates and time of the incident.
This scenario illustrates the need for everyone to wear life jackets, each of which should also have whistles for signaling. Every boat should have a boarding ladder. Newer wearable, wireless MOB devices for all crew alert skippers of a man overboard and transmit radio signals to help locate them via an AIS receiver.
Read Next: Wireless Man Overboard Systems
Fire on Board
Many fires are started by electrical issues, with wiring harnesses being the most common culprit. Improperly installed batteries represent yet another cause, along with leaky fuel systems. Because you never know what type of fire you’ll be fighting, an all-purpose US Coast Guard-approved ABC fire extinguisher is the best choice. (A is for solid materials, B is for electrical and C is for chemical fires.) Carry more than the minimum required number of extinguishers and know how to operate them before an actual emergency occurs.
Should a fire break out, slow the boat and turn so the fire is on the downwind side of the boat, and then come to a stop. Have someone radio a mayday call for help on channel 16 while another person retrieves an extinguisher, points the nozzle at the base of the fire, and activates the extinguisher, streaming the suppressant left and right. If the fire can’t be contained, don life jackets and abandon ship with your ditch bag, which should include signaling devices, water and medical supplies. Once in the water, move away from the boat in case of an explosion.
To help prevent such a catastrophy, regularly inspect electrical systems for issues like wires chewed by rodents or loosened by vibration. Fix such issues before heading on the water.
Taking on Water
When a boat starts taking on water, the usual suspect is a failed through-hull fitting or a leaking hose such as the one feeding the livewell systems. First, stop the boat if it is moving, activate the bilge pump and try to find the source of the leak. If possible, slow the leak by jamming something in the fissure like a towel or pillow. You might also be able to isolate the leak by cutting the water supply off by turning the lever on a seacock. Use a bucket to help expel the water. If the leak overwhelms your efforts, issue a mayday call to the Coast Guard and other rescure agencies on VHF channel 16. They may be able to supply a powerful pump to buy time. If the boat swamps or capsizes, stay with it to provide a larger target for rescuers to spot.
Accidents can happen anytime. Being prepared is the best defense.
