Nearest vessel to a yacht on the rocks near Cape Koamaru
You are the skipper of the 24 m trawler Aorere, steaming south off Cape Koamaru in the Marlborough Sounds at 0410. The wind is northwest 25 knots, visibility is moderate in rain, and it is dark. You have four crew, a floodlight, VHF with DSC, and no tender. You hear 'MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY' from the 12 m yacht Tāwhiri, which has struck rocks and is taking water. Two people are aboard; they have no liferaft and are preparing to abandon into the dinghy. Their reported position is 2.5 nautical miles from you. Maritime Radio acknowledges the mayday and then calls you by name: 'Aorere, Aorere, this is Maritime Radio. You are the nearest vessel. Are you able to assist?' Another launch is 6 nautical miles away and offers to help; a rescue helicopter is 20 minutes away. The yacht reports water rising above the floorboards.
1. How do you answer Maritime Radio, and what information should you give before proceeding?
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I would answer promptly and positively, but with the limits of my vessel stated. A useful reply is:
Maritime Radio, Aorere. Received mayday from Tāwhiri. I am 2.5 nautical miles from the reported position and proceeding. My speed is 9 knots, ETA about 17 minutes. Four crew, floodlight, VHF, no tender. I can take survivors aboard. Request the yacht's latest position and whether they have lifejackets and a handheld VHF. Over.
Before proceeding I would confirm the position, the number of persons, whether they are in the water or still aboard, and whether the helicopter has a winch. I would ask the other launch to stand by as a second rescue platform rather than have both vessels blindly converge on the rocks. I would inform my crew, prepare throwing lines, lifebuoys, blankets and first-aid gear, and keep Channel 16 watch. I would not say 'we can rescue them' unless I had assessed the sea and the rocks; I would say what I can offer.
2. You are asked to take over as On-Scene Coordinator. What does that involve, and how do you manage the radio traffic?
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As On-Scene Coordinator I coordinate the assets on scene; I do not own the rescue. Until RCCNZ or a Coastguard vessel arrives, I would:
- Tell Maritime Radio clearly: 'Aorere is on scene and assuming On-Scene Coordinator.' Ask for a working channel, usually Channel 06, for on-scene traffic, while keeping a listening watch on 16.
- Establish who is present: the yacht, the second launch, the helicopter, any Coastguard vessel. Assign the second launch a useful role, such as standing by to windward as a lookout and recovery platform, rather than allowing it to crowd the casualty.
- Set priorities: people first, then the vessel. Ask the yacht whether they are in the water, how many, and whether they have lifejackets. Log times, positions, wind and sea state.
- Control the radio: short, addressed messages; no long conversations; no one transmits over the helicopter or the coast station. If another vessel interferes, call it on the working channel, not on 16.
- Hand over formally when RCCNZ or a senior Coastguard asset arrives, giving a situation report: persons accounted for, injuries, vessel condition, assets on scene and actions taken.
3. Conditions deteriorate and the yacht's crew are in the water. Decide whether to enter the rocks or wait for the Coastguard RIB and helicopter, and explain the radio calls.
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I would not drive a 24 m steel trawler into breaking water over rocks at night in 25 knots without a tender. The risk of adding two more casualties is too high. I would approach as close as is safe, from the leeward side if possible, use the floodlight to illuminate the people, and put throwing lines and lifebuoys within reach. If I can recover them without risking the vessel or crew, I will; if not, I will stand by and guide the helicopter or Coastguard RIB.
On the radio I would tell Maritime Radio: 'Aorere. Two persons in the water off Tāwhiri, position [give it], lifejackets unknown. I am standing by but cannot close the rocks. Request immediate helicopter winch and Coastguard RIB.' I would not send a new MAYDAY RELAY while the existing mayday is being handled; that would add confusion. If the coast station lost contact and no one was coordinating, a MAYDAY RELAY would become appropriate. I would keep the working channel clear, give the helicopter wind and sea state, and report when each person is recovered.