Safety Equipment and Emergency Procedures
Required equipment concepts
Know what safety equipment is carried, where it is stowed, and how it is used. Lifejackets must fit the wearer and be accessible; in NSW they must be worn in specified situations such as at night, on open water, alone, or in adverse conditions, and by children. Understand the difference between a lifejacket (turns an unconscious wearer face-up) and a buoyancy aid. Know fire extinguisher types and locations, torch, bucket, bailer, and the requirement to carry an appropriate anchor and line. Learn the meaning of EPIRB and PLB and when to activate them.
Emergency procedures
Man overboard: shout, throw buoyancy, keep the person in sight, approach into wind and sea, and recover at the lowest point. Fire: stop the engine if safe, shut off fuel, use the extinguisher at the base of the fire, and move upwind. Distress: use VHF Channel 16 or the marine distress signals, and know the difference between MAYDAY, PAN PAN and SECURITE. Capsize and swamping: stay with the vessel, don lifejackets, and signal for help.
Traps
Questions often mix up MAYDAY (grave and imminent danger) with PAN PAN (urgency). Another trap is assuming a fire extinguisher should be aimed at flames rather than the base of the fire, or that you should leave the vessel immediately in every emergency.
Rule of thumb
Brief your crew on lifejacket location and how to call for help before departure, and practise a man-overboard drill at low speed.