Instruction manual

PROFICIENCY IN SURVIVAL CRAFT AND RESCUE BOATS OTHER THAN FAST
RESCUE BOATS
3
You may be able to detect land by the pattern of the waves (refracted) as they
approach land.. By traveling with the waves and parallel to the slightly turbulent area
marked "X" on the illustration, you should reach land.
Fig. 10.2 Wave patterns about an island
Rafting or Beaching Techniques
Once you have found land, you must get ashore safely. To raft ashore, you can
usually use the one-man raft without danger. However, going ashore in a strong surf
is dangerous. Take your time. Select your landing point carefully. Try not to land
when the sun is low and straight in front of you. Try to land on the lee side of an
island or on a point of land jutting out into the water. Keep your eyes open for gaps
in the surf line, and head for them. Avoid coral reefs and rocky cliffs. There are no
coral reefs near the mouths of freshwater streams. Avoid rip currents or strong tidal
currents that may carry you far out to sea. Either signal ashore for help or sail
around and look for a sloping beach where the surf is gentle.
If you have to go through the surf to reach shore, take down the mast. Keep
your clothes and shoes on to avoid severe cuts. Adjust and inflate your life vest. Trail
the sea anchor over the stem using as much line as you have. Use the oars or
paddles and constantly adjust the sea anchor to keep a strain on the anchor line.
These actions will keep the raft pointed toward shore and prevent the sea from
throwing the stern around and capsizing you. Use the oars or paddles to help ride in
on the seaward side of a large wave.
The surf may be irregular and velocity may vary, so modify your procedure as
conditions demand. A good method of getting through the surf is to have half the
men sit on one side of the raft, half on the other, facing away from each other. When
a heavy sea bears down, half should row (pull) toward the sea until the crest passes;
then the other half should row (pull) toward the shore until the next heavy sea comes
along.
Against a strong wind and heavy surf, the raft must have all possible speed to
pass rapidly through the oncoming crest to avoid being turned broadside or thrown
end over end. If possible, avoid meeting a large wave at the moment it breaks.