Manoverboard !!

PROCEDURESFOR FISHERMEN

This material was financied byOSPESCA - AECID - XUNTA DE GALICIAwithin the framework of the fishing support plan incentral america (PAPCA).

Illustration and design : www.bunkergraphics.com

PROCEDURES FOR FISHERMEN

Man overboard!!

"To all the fishermen andfisherwomen of Central America"

INTRODUCTION

Whether your boat is large or small, thisbooklet is a useful basic guide on prevention,and, if necessary, response to a “Manoverboard” situation.

Its objective is to analyse the principals ofhow to proceed in the event of this type ofemergency, in such a way that readers canthen develop these principles and adapt themfor use onboard their own boats, where theequipment and circumstances may vary.

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FACING REALITY.SOME USEFUL QUESTIONS FOR THEMEN AND WOMEN OF THE SEA.

As the person in charge of a boat, couldyou face the reality of a tragedy at sea? Could you return to land and tell a familythat one of its members has lost their lifeat sea? Would you be sure of actions or would yoube full of doubts about how you reacted inthe “Man overboard” situation?

Would you start to ask yourself: Could I have done more? Should I have reacted differently? Why didn´t I have that lifesaving equipmentaboard that could have prevented a death?

Many lives are lost at sea due to thermalshock and subsequent drowning, or due toa loss of consciousness caused byhypothermia.You could reduce these risks by wearing thefollowing:

CLOTHING WITH EFFECTIVEPROTECTION.

Waterproof protection onthe outside and severalthin layers on theinside give moreprotection thano n e t h i c klayer of protection.The use of a suitablework life jacket isobligatory.The life jacket musthave reflective stripsand a light to facilitatelocalisation at night,and a coloured markand a mirror to helplocalisation duringthe day.

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PREVENTION

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PROTECTED DECKS

The decks of many fishing boats are designedto be protected against bad weather, whichprovides a safer work area for the fishermen;however, this makes it more difficult to rescuea person who has fallen overboard.When working on deck, be aware of all potentialdangers. Never stand on unstable surfaces,or hold on to tackle that is going to belaunched overboard.In the event of bad weather or in dangerouswork situations, where there is a risk of beingthrown overboard, the use of a safety ropeshould be considered.

PRACTICE FREQUENTLY

The “Man overboard” exercises should bepracticed frequently: Practice leads to safety.

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IF YOU SEE SOMEONE FALLOVERBOARD...

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?With good visibility:

Raise the alarm by shouting: Man overboard!To alert the entire crew.Throw the lifebuoy overboard immediately,with its smoke signal and light.Note the boatís position.It will be important if you lose sight of theperson in the water.

If it is safe to do so and depending on howfar the fishing tackle has been let out, youshould start to change direction as quicklyas possible.In most circumstances and weatherconditions, a person should be collected onthe boatís windward side. This prevents theboat from hitting the person.Have a rope ready to throw to the personin the water in case it is difficult tomanoeuvre the boat close to them.

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With low visibility or if you do not know wherethey fell:

Raise the alarm immediately by shouting:Man overboard!Throw the lifebuoy overboard immediatelywith its smoke signal and light. Note theboatís position.

With low visibility or when the sea and theweather conditions are adverse, the“Williamson Turn” is the best way to go backtowards the person overboard in theopposite direction, and it will set the boaton the previous route with the bow towardsthe person overboard: Put the rudder overfull to starboard and add 60o to the initialcourse. When this course is reached (initial+ 60o), put the rudder over full to port. Whenthe compass shows initial course + 180o, theboat is sailing along the reciprocal route,and the person overboard should appear onthe bow.In the event of bad weather, the reciprocalroute may place the boat with the sea onthe bow or the wing; in this case, once theperson overboard is in sight, it may be moreappropriate to approach bow to the sea.

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“Williamson Turn”

105 (45+60)

225 (45+180)

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SUBSEQUENT ACTIONS:

Give 6 short whistles to alert the crew andboats nearby.Radio a “PAN PAN PAN” message on channel16 and via the Global Maritime DistressSafety System (GMDSS).Raise the O flag (Oscar) of the InternationalCode of Signals, which means: “Man overboard”.

Inform the closest Rescue CoordinationCentre.

WHAT SHOULD THE MAN IN THE WATER DO?

If you fall overboard or you are swept offthe deck by the sea, the actions listed belowwill help you to survive until you are rescued:

Fully tighten your clothing around you neck,ankles and wrists to reduce the entry andexit of water, thus reducing the loss of heatand the appearance of hypothermia.To prevent the loss of heat do not attemptto swim after the boat.If you are wearing a lifejacket and it isequipped with a personal radio-beacon, checkthat it works correctly.

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If the sea is rough, turn your back to thewaves, which will help you keep you mouthand nose out of the water.Look to see if the lifebuoy is close to. Ifyou can reach it, put it over your headand pass it under your arms so it restsin your armpits.Remain calm. Keep your legs benttogether, restricting your movements tostop the flow of cold water under yourclothing.

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It is essential to conserve as muchstrength as posible, as you will need itwhen you are rescued from the boat.If you are wearing a lifejacket, rememberto activate the light, mainly at night. Usethe whistle to attract the attention ofthose searching for you.In the day, activate your coloured markand used the sign mirror to attractattention.If the water is very cold and the lifejacketdoes not fully inflate, you can increasefloatability by inflating it, by blowing intothe corresponding tube.Whatever your situation, try to conserveyour body heat. The cold is the greatestthreat for your survival.

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RESCUE MANOEUVRE

Manoeuvre whilst you tow a lifebuoy, so thatyou surround the man in the water. Themanoeuvre is an effective way for the manto grab hold of the lifebuoy. Never launchthe lifebuoy directly on the person in thewater, you could injure them.

A conscious person can be rescued from thewater using an individual-rung ladder, a netor any system with which they can be lifted.

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An inflatable boat or a life raft is anotheroption for rescue.A rescuer should only jump into the water asa last resort, always with a lifejacket andjoined to the boat by a safety rope .All the fishing boat´s crew carrying out therescue should wear a lifejacket.