Advertisement

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

• 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.

Advertisement

Email Newsletters and Special Offers

Sign up for Cruising World emails to receive the latest news on cruising, sailing skills, and safety on the water as well as special offers from Cruising World’s partners.

By signing up you agree to receive communications from Cruising World and select partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy. You may opt out of email messages/withdraw consent at any time.

More Uncategorized

Advertisement