Get the latest news, tips and special offers
HOME | WEATHER | ENEWSLETTER | CALENDAR | CLASSIFIEDS | ADVERTISE | CONTESTS | FORUMS | LOGBOOKS | MEMBER PHOTOS | MEMBER VIDEOS
How To    < Voyaging   

When Your Boat Gets the Mayday Call

A rescuer’s checklist arranged by priority. A supplement to the Special Report in our September 2009 issue

Aug 19, 2009
By R.J.Rubadeau (More articles by this author)
• Name of vessel?
• Location: latitude and longitude, visual landmarks, buoys, etc.?
• Last known position?
• Number of people aboard?
• Are all crew wearing PFDs?
• Any injuries or medical issues among crew?
• Present location of all crew?
• Nature of the emergency (flooding, fire, weather, grounding, etc.)?
• Will the ship's radio continue to operate?
• Is a handheld radio available and working?
• Visual description of vessel?
• Is a life raft or dinghy available for evacuation?
• Description of life raft/dinghy?
• Description of available provisions (water, food, other)?
• Description of ship's available and at hand signaling devices?
• Description of any personal signaling devices available and at hand?
• Give other vessels and rescue services a chance to communicate with you.
• Description of foul-weather gear/clothing (color, hoods, etc.)?
• Estimate the time to an abandon-ship scenario.
• Relay the estimated of time for you (or others) to arrive on the scene.
• Advise the crew to stay in visual contact with all members.
• Advise crew to maintain constant radio contact.
• Obtain additional information on the nature of the emergency.
• Offer possible suggestions or solutions.
• Brainstorm rescue procedures and operations.
• Obtain an on-site assessment of sea and wind conditions.
• Use flares and strobes to ensure the quickest visual contact.
• Firmly direct the distressed vessel's transfer of crew.
 
 
Cruiser Comments 0 Comments
Now you're in the public comment zone. What follows is not Cruising World stuff; it comes from other people and we don't vouch for it. A reminder: By using this Web site you agree to accept our Terms and Conditions. Click here to read the Privacy policy

View all comments

Post a comment
Not a member? Sign up here

Already a member? Log in below

Username: 
Password: 
 
 
FREE Special Offer
Receive a FREE issue of Cruising World and a FREE Gear Bag!
Simply fill out this form to receive a complimentary issue of Cruising World! If you like it, pay just $28 for 11 more issues (12 in all) Your FREE Gift!
and receive your gear bag FREE with payment. If it's not for you, write "cancel" on the invoice you receive, return it, and owe nothing. The FREE issue is yours to keep!
Name:
Address:
City:
State:
Zip:
Email*:
*Required. Only used for communications about your subscription.