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Step 9Notes
These procedures should be practised - apart from the safety benefit, it's fun!
The original flag on my marker pole was lost. I had substituted fluorescent flagging tape, but it became obvious that that was far too small. Probably, a rigid mark or balloon about 30cm across would be better than a flag.
Code flag "O" is really supposed to be flown on a vessel that has lost someone overboard, not on a marker pole (which is why the flag has a cover on it when not in use). One should probably also
hoist shapes and lights for "restricted in ability to manoeuvre" when effecting a rescue, but many boaters don't know the code and besides, you don't have time.
For night use, the marker pole needs a light at the top of the pole, not just sitting in th water.
The sling and tackle procedure needs to be worked out beforehand, making sure of clearances, winch location etc.
Calling 911 on a cellphone or calling on VHF channel 16 is probably pointless, and worse, will prevent a crew member from taking part in the rescue by tying them up on the radio. Emergency services will want to know a lot of details about the vessel description, number of people aboard etc. etc. and may take hours to come to your assistance in any case. Of course, if you can't find the victim in the water, then you need to call. Don't call 911 (land-based emergency services) - make a Mayday call on VHF 16 or call the coastguard (*16 on some cell networks). All vessels hearing a Mayday must respond - it does not require emergency service intervention. However, in coastal waters the coastguard will probably take over and direct operations - they have experience, well-sited radio antennas, and can relay messages between vessels out-of-sight of each other. If you do make a Mayday call, and then recover the victim, you must cancel the call ("mayday feenee").
It is hard to see something in the water from any distance - I have lost various hats, towels etc. overboard over the years. Some undoubtedly sank quickly, but others I lost sight of and then could not find. A person in the water is easier to see, but in bad weather may quickly become hard to find. A PFD will hold a victims' head further above water and make them easier to see, quite apart from any help in keeping them afloat. While green camouflage PFDs are available for hunters and may be legal in some jurisdictions, orange is generally a better colour if you actually want to be rescued.
Note on drills:
Pick a reasonable place to do a drill - not a commercial traffic lane or crowded anchorage. If in sight of shore or of other vessels, it may be wise to make an announcement on VHF 16 saying that it is a drill and not the real thing, otherwise well-meaning individuals may try to help, or call emergency services thinking that someone is in real danger. However, this is not a reason to avoid doing drills - picking up a hat or pole is no substitute for picking up a real person, and a proper lifesized weighted dummy would also look like a real victim from a distance.
Practise with a heaving line, too.
The original flag on my marker pole was lost. I had substituted fluorescent flagging tape, but it became obvious that that was far too small. Probably, a rigid mark or balloon about 30cm across would be better than a flag.
Code flag "O" is really supposed to be flown on a vessel that has lost someone overboard, not on a marker pole (which is why the flag has a cover on it when not in use). One should probably also
hoist shapes and lights for "restricted in ability to manoeuvre" when effecting a rescue, but many boaters don't know the code and besides, you don't have time.
For night use, the marker pole needs a light at the top of the pole, not just sitting in th water.
The sling and tackle procedure needs to be worked out beforehand, making sure of clearances, winch location etc.
Calling 911 on a cellphone or calling on VHF channel 16 is probably pointless, and worse, will prevent a crew member from taking part in the rescue by tying them up on the radio. Emergency services will want to know a lot of details about the vessel description, number of people aboard etc. etc. and may take hours to come to your assistance in any case. Of course, if you can't find the victim in the water, then you need to call. Don't call 911 (land-based emergency services) - make a Mayday call on VHF 16 or call the coastguard (*16 on some cell networks). All vessels hearing a Mayday must respond - it does not require emergency service intervention. However, in coastal waters the coastguard will probably take over and direct operations - they have experience, well-sited radio antennas, and can relay messages between vessels out-of-sight of each other. If you do make a Mayday call, and then recover the victim, you must cancel the call ("mayday feenee").
It is hard to see something in the water from any distance - I have lost various hats, towels etc. overboard over the years. Some undoubtedly sank quickly, but others I lost sight of and then could not find. A person in the water is easier to see, but in bad weather may quickly become hard to find. A PFD will hold a victims' head further above water and make them easier to see, quite apart from any help in keeping them afloat. While green camouflage PFDs are available for hunters and may be legal in some jurisdictions, orange is generally a better colour if you actually want to be rescued.
Note on drills:
Pick a reasonable place to do a drill - not a commercial traffic lane or crowded anchorage. If in sight of shore or of other vessels, it may be wise to make an announcement on VHF 16 saying that it is a drill and not the real thing, otherwise well-meaning individuals may try to help, or call emergency services thinking that someone is in real danger. However, this is not a reason to avoid doing drills - picking up a hat or pole is no substitute for picking up a real person, and a proper lifesized weighted dummy would also look like a real victim from a distance.
Practise with a heaving line, too.
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