Emergency Situations


  • Importance of keeping a good lookout
  • Discuss rules about collision avoidance
  • Avoiding collisions with logs and debris, other craft

   

  1. Heavy weather sailing
    • Effect of waves, sailing down-wave and downwind
    • PFDs, tethers, EPIRBs
    • Batten down the hatches
    • Reduce sail area early if the wind strength trend is up. See the reefing section on the steps to do this.
    • If there is lightning activity in the area, keep everyone inside the cabin except one person at the helm. Sail to the closest dock and tie up. Keep people inside the cabin and away from the mast if it is keel-stepped. If you are near the BSC docks, return to the outside T-head or slip, secure the boat and disembark to take cover under the pavilion or your car. You must wait 30 minutes after visible lightning before going out again.


  1. Running Aground
    • Describe some of the ways to get unstuck, kedging, heeling etc.
    • Luff the sails or reduce speed to idle and go into neutral
    • Reverse and back out
    • Heel the boat to one side to clear the keel off the bottom
    • Call BoatUS towing service if you are stuck badly
    • Report the incident to the boat manager via direct email and during BRS check-in process.

            

  1. Engine Failure
    • Setting sail or dropping the anchor
    • Docking the boat under sail, only at the BSC outside T-head
    • Steps to take if the engine overheats, impeller damage, hose damage, seacock open?
    • Running out of fuel, bleeding the air out of fuel lines
    • Prop fouled
    • Battery drained and engine won’t crank
    • Run out of fuel

      

  1. Crew Falling Ill
    • Locate the first aid kit
    • Determine the nature of the problem, sea-sickness, heat exhaustion/stroke
    • Administer CPR if necessary
    • Keep the person cool/warm etc.      
    • Head for the closest safe place to dock the boat if serious, otherwise head back to BSC to drop the person off
    • Call 911 if a serious injury or condition exists