Man Overboard

Question 1

What reporting systems are available for ocean passages?

Answer 1

AMVER - Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue System
Worldwide voluntary ship reporting system operated by the United States Coast Guard. It quickly provides SAR authorities, on demand, accurate information on the positions and characteristics of vessels near a reported distress.

Question 2

IAMSAR Volumes

Answer 2

• Volume I: Organisation and Management
• Volume II: Mission Co-ordination
• Volume III: Mobile Facilities - Provide guidance and standard procedures for the coordination and conduct of SAR operations involving these mobile facilities. It has useful action cards for different types of SAR emergencies.

Question 3

Legal obligations when responding to a distress

Answer 3

As per SOLAS and UNCLOS, ships have an obligation to assist persons in distress at sea, regardless of their nationality, status or the circumstances in which they are found. He is required to proceed at all available speed and to inform the vessel in distress and the RCC accordingly.

If the ship receiving the distress alert is unable to assist or, due to the particular circumstances of the incident, considers it unreasonable or unnecessary to proceed to provide assistance, the Master should enter into the log-book the reason for failing to proceed to the assistance of those in distress and inform the RCC accordingly.

Question 4

Williamson, Anderson and Loren Turns

Answer 4

Williamson:
- Helm hard over until 60 degrees from course
- Helm hard over in opposite direction until 20 degrees short of opposite course
- Helm to mid ship
Pros: accurate, straight approach, good in restricted visibility
Cons: Takes you away from target, longer to do

Anderson:
- Helm hard over in direction of casualty
- After deviating by 250 degrees, helm back to midships
Pros: Small distance, fast, simple
Cons: Approach not straight, less accurate

Loren:
- Head to wind at full speed
- Begin circle. Reduce to slow when wind is abeam
- When wind crosses stern to opposite corner, increase to half speed
- Continue circling as long as calm water is needed
- Slow down or stop to launch and recover rescue boat on the leeward side

Question 5

Duties of the OSC

Answer 5

• Co-ordinate operations of all SAR facilities on scene
• Receive the search action plan from RCC or plan the search or rescue operation if no plan is available
• Co-ordinate on scene communications
• Monitor the performance of other participating facilities
• Ensure operations are conducted safely
• Make periodic SITREPs to the RCC
• Maintain a detailed record of operations
• Advise the RCC to release facilities no longer required
• Report the number and names of survivors, and on which facility to the RCC
• Request additional RCC assistance when necessary

Question 6

Search patterns:

Answer 6

Sector Search (witnessed MOB)
- Datum at centre
- Alter course 120 degrees when reaching the radius - normally between 2-5nm

Expanding square (recent MOB)
- Datum at centre
- Expand leg length by 1 every third leg

Parallel track search - multiple ships

Creeping Line - use with aircraft

Question 7

How would you determine sweep width?

Answer 7

Table in IAMSAR vol III
Size of the object vs the range of visibility

Question 8

Large Scale Rescue Operation - Actions

Answer 8

• Contact RCC and establish role and requirements
• Record all events/actions
• Risk assessment
  
  • Safe to embark onboard?
  • Maximum allowed onboard considering LSA equipment
  • Aim to standby while it continues on its journey, until authorities arrive
  • Keep RCC informed
• Brief all crew
• Equipment required assembled
  
  • Embarkation ladders
  • Rescue boat
  • Life jackets
  • Line throwing apparatus
  • Life buoys
  • First aid equipment
  • Food/water
  • TPAs/blankets
• Correct PPE worn
• Reduce access inside the vessel
• Establish areas to house migrants

Embarkation:
- Conduct rescue in a calm manner, display appropriate authority
- One point of entry
- Search as they come onboard
- Record number
- Treat humanely - medical care
- Marshall away from point of embarkation
- Security and safety of crew/ship paramount
- Establish watch system
- Enforce strict policies for smoking etc
- Consider any infectious diseases etc
- Establish with RCC point of drop off