Fog, Ferry Corridor, and a Medical Emergency
At 09:40 a 9 m commercial tour vessel is returning to harbour with six passengers when visibility drops to about 80 m in fog. The vessel has a GPS/chartplotter, a VHF radio, a magnetic compass, and an AIS receiver, but no radar. The route crosses a busy ferry corridor; a ferry's fog signal is heard fine on the starboard bow and the AIS shows it about 1.2 nautical miles away, closing. One passenger has chest pain, is pale and sweating, and the nearest ambulance is at the harbour 4 nautical miles away. The operator is tempted to hold full speed to save 10 minutes. The vessel's horn works, but the operator has not been sounding signals. Two passengers are on the open foredeck. The tide is flooding at 1.5 knots across the route, setting the vessel toward the ferry lane. The operator holds SVOP and MED A3.
1. Prioritize your actions in the next five minutes, including speed, lookout, sound signals, and avoiding the ferry.
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First, reduce speed to a safe speed for 80 m visibility, the current, and the known traffic, and be ready to stop within the visible distance. Post a dedicated lookout forward and bring the two passengers inside or well aft, clear of the bow. Start fog signals: one prolonged blast at intervals of not more than two minutes while making way. Do not hold full speed for the medical case; the extra 10 minutes is not worth a collision. Use VHF 16 to call the ferry by name or AIS identity and to inform nearby traffic of your position, course, speed, and intentions. AIS and VHF are aids, not collision avoidance. Because the ferry is forward of the starboard beam, avoid turning to port; make an early, substantial turn to starboard if that keeps clear, or reduce to minimum steerageway and let it pass. Allow for the flooding current setting you toward the lane. If unsure, stop or anchor clear of the lane. The medical emergency affects urgency, not the collision regulations.
2. How do you manage the passenger with chest pain without compromising navigation?
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I would keep the vessel under control first and assign one person, a crew member if available or a calm passenger, to stay with the patient. That person should monitor breathing and responsiveness, keep the patient sitting and still, and not give food or drink. I would call the Coast Guard on VHF for medical advice and ask them to arrange an ambulance at the dock. The bridge must remain staffed; the operator should not leave the helm to assess the patient. If a rendezvous with a rescue boat is arranged, it must be at a safe speed and in clear water, not a high-speed run through fog and traffic. I would prepare the dock for a quick transfer and brief the patient's companion. I would log the time symptoms began, vital signs if known, advice received, and the transfer time. The clinical urgency justifies asking for help, not abandoning safe navigation.
3. What do you do if the ferry does not answer and the AIS shows it still closing?
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I would treat the lack of a VHF reply as no agreement and take action under the restricted-visibility rules. Sound five short and rapid blasts as a danger signal if there is doubt. Reduce to minimum steerageway or stop, and avoid crossing ahead of the ferry. Because the ferry is forward of the beam, do not turn to port; a turn to starboard or a reduction in speed should increase separation. I would be ready to anchor clear of the lane, but only if anchoring does not put the vessel in the ferry's path. If collision is imminent, broadcast a mayday with position, vessel description, persons aboard, and nature of danger. I would not assume the ferry has seen the small vessel or heard the VHF call. The key judgment is to give up the schedule and create space, even though the patient needs shore care.