Instruction manual

PROFICIENCY IN SURVIVAL CRAFT AND RESCUE BOATS OTHER THAN
FAST RESCUE BOATS
7 4
You survived the wreckage, you were able to stay afloat and stay warm to
prevent hypothermia (or even better climb in your raft and stay dry). Now you
have to be ready to survive at sea for an unknown period of time.
Like on land, the basic survival rules apply. You must first protect yourself from
the elements, then find water, and food. In addition preparing yourself to signal
for help might increase your chances to be found by potential rescuers of passing
ships and crafts.
7.3 Initial action in a survival craft
- Cut or release the painter and move the survival craft a safe distance from
the stricken vessel. In a liferaft, before cutting the painter, pull in a much slack as
possible so that the line may be used as a towing line or for other purpose as
required.
- Liferaft will need to be paddled, allowed to drift down wind or towed by a
motor lifeboat or rescue boat.
- Some liferafts are packed so that on inflation the sea anchor deploys
automatically, so this must be recovered before attempting to paddle or tow the
raft.
- When clear of the ship stream the sea anchor. This will reduce the rate of
wind induced drift, in a liferaft it will increase the stability, and in a boat it will hold
the head ( or stern) into the wind and sea and so minimize the possibility of
broaching-to. It is important to stay as close as possible to the area of the
incident so that the search and rescue operation is given every chance of
success. A liferaft is provided with a spare sea-anchor.
- After making sure that there is no one still in the water, that there are no
useful objects to gather from the water or dangerous objects to avoid, close the
entrances. In a open lifeboat erect the exposure cover and in a liferaft with as
inflatable floor pump it up. When closing raft entrances use slip knots that may be
easily released with cold hands. In warmer climates it may not be necessary to
close both liferaft entrances.
- Maintain includes bailing and sponging out any water in the survival craft,
checking for air leaks in a liferaft.