Onboard SafetyGrade II

Safety is the most important factor onboard

Safe Conduct

• You are the one most able to take care of yourself. Don’t rely on someone else to worry about you.

• As a PO or leadhand you also need to watch out for the trainees as they are less familiar with onboard rules, what is considered safe conduct and most importantly, what is a good idea vs. a bad one.

‘Back in the Day’• You will often hear people talk of how things

were done ‘back in the day’. Often these stories are exciting and sound like a lot of fun. They also typically describe conduct and situations a lot different, and much less safe than how we do things now.– Ideas on what is safe have changed a lot over the

years, and people expect nothing less than perfection these days

– Safety equipment has gotten better and smaller, so now there is no excuse to not use it

– Value of life has changed. Injuries and losses are no longer accepted like they once were

‘Back in the Day’

• Despite saying we are a ‘Sail-training vessel’ we are really still a cargo ship:– The cargo we carry is people

• Just like sailors ‘back in the day’ would never do anything to jeopardize their cargo, we cannot either– If all of our trainees and crew do not make it

home safe and sound then we are failing in our jobs, and failing as professional mariners

Shenanigans

• We are all here to have fun.• This fun cannot be at the expense of

safety. Make sure that any fooling around or horseplay does not get too serious

• Make sure it is not being done in situations that are already potentially more hazardous.

Tidiness• Keeping the ship tidy is an important part of

safety. – Being able to move quickly without risk of tripping– Being able to properly execute normal operations,

thereby preventing emergencies– Being able to access safety and survival equipment

easily– Being able to monitor conditions easily

• The PO’s mess is an alternate escape route from down below. The deck and ladder need to be tidy and accessible.

Possible EmergenciesThe emergencies you have a direct role in:

• Man Overboard • Fire

• Abandon Ship• Knockdown

• Flooding• Injuries

The emergencies you don’t have a direct* role in:• Rig Failure

• Steering Failure• Engine Failure

• Grounding• Collision

*You are still important in these situations. Stay calm and make yourself available to give help where needed

Muster Stations

• These correspond with the liferafts.– Red at the Port liferaft– White at the Starboard liferaft– Blue at the Stern liferaft

• If told to go to your muster station, get your trainees there, keep them calm, and hand out lifejackets– DO A HEADCOUNT OF YOUR WATCH

Muster Stations

• If your normal station is unusable due to fire or flooding, then you will need to use an alternate.– The important things are to do a headcount,

get lifejackets on everyone and to stay calm.

Man Overboard• People have occasionally fallen in on a nice day while

fooling around– This can still be dangerous because of low water temperature or

potential injuries so we take these incidents just as seriously as one in more adverse conditions

– Ultimately though, recovery in these situations is a case of when, not if

• Conversely, if someone falls in at night or in heavy weather there is a very real chance we will not be able to recover them– This is why prevention is so important– This is also why quick action with a lifering and raising the alarm

are imperative if there is to be any chance of recovery while they are still alive

Man Overboard• The 3 most important things to do if someone

falls in the water are:1. Throw them a lifering, or lifejacket, or both2. Get a spotter on them, with arm extended and

pointing at the person in the water3. Press the MOB button on the GPS and turn on the

General Alarm

• You need to be sure you can do all 3 of these things quickly and properly in case your Watch Officer goes into the water.

Man Overboard

• Once the officers are on deck the recovery will depend on the situation. – Get the trainees below if they are not on

watch– The PO’s role is usually related to sail

handling and general assistance. Standby for instructions

Man Overboard• Prevention

– Don’t let your trainees fool around on deck, don’t let them sit outboard of the lifelines

– Make sure your trainees have their harnesses and are clipping in during heavy weather

– Make sure your trainees use the buddy system, that they walk on the windward side, and that they don’t come on deck at night without telling the watch officer who is on watch

– Be careful when moving about, especially at night or in heavy weather

Fire

• Fires onboard are extremely dangerous.– We cannot just get off the boat– The confined areas can lead to quick buildup

of smoke, heat and poisonous gases

• On our vessels fires will most likely happen in the galley, forepeak or engine room

Fire

• Some basic principles to remember if you discover a fire:– Raise the alarm before attempting to tackle a fire

• As a PO you will likely not be responsible for fighting a fire, make sure you do a good job of letting the officers know and then get trainees out of the area and to their muster stations

• The one place this does not apply is galley fires. These usually start small and if acted upon immediately you should be able to extinguish it

– Keep low as you evacuate, and keep the trainees low• The heat and smoke will be much more severe the higher

you stand in the compartment

Fire Tetrahedron

• A fire needs 4 things to burn:– Fuel– Heat– Oxygen– Chemical Reaction (the actual act of burning)

• Remove any aspect of this tetrahedron and you will extinguish the fire

Raising the Alarm

• As well as yelling “Fire in the _________” you need to make sure you find an officer and explain the situation– Where– How big– What is burning– Who is endangered/trapped– Any other info you can pass along

Types of Fires

• Each type of fire requires a different extinguishing agent– It is very important that you use a proper

extinguishing agent, otherwise the fire can get worse, not better.

Types of Fires• Type A: Flammable Solids

(wood, paper, cardboard, clothing…)

• Type B: Flammable Liquids (grease, fuel, oily water…)

• Type C: Electrical (A or B with added electricity)

• Type D: Flammable Metals (magnesium, lithium, sodium…)

Extinguisher Use

• Each extinguisher will say what type of fires it is good for.

• It might be the full symbol, or it might just be the letters.

• Make sure you have the right extinguisher for the fire you are fighting.

Extinguisher Use

• Use the PASS method when using a fire extinguisher:P – Pull the pinA – Aim at the base of the fireS – Squeeze the triggerS – Sweep back and forth over

the base

Extinguisher Use• Try to avoid passing near a fire to get

an extinguisher– We have many onboard

• Ensure the extinguisher you have is good for the type of fire you are fighting

• Test the extinguisher before approaching the fire– Squeeze the trigger for a quick burst

• Use the PASS method• When the extinguisher is finished lay it on its

side so it is not mistaken for a full one

Water

• Water is useful as a fire fighting tool because it is plentiful and free– Firehoses and buckets can both be used

• Its uses include:– Type A & B fires– Boundary cooling (keeping bulkheads or the

deck cool to prevent fire from spreading)– Creating a safe area to allow people to

evacuate or move around near the fire

Water

• But water has limitations:– It cannot be used on Class C fires, and

extreme care is required with Class B fires• Why?

– You can quickly flood a compartment with a firehose (1m3 of water weighs 1000kg). This creates stability problems

Smothering

• Smothering a fire, especially if it is small, is usually the best method of extinguishing

• This can be done by:– Using a fire blanket– Using a powder such as baking powder– Shutting vents and hatches so the fire uses all

of its oxygen– Placing a lid over a pot or pan

Galley Fire

• Try to smother it. – DO NOT use water if it is a grease fire

• If it is not immediately under control get someone on deck to turn off the propane while you use an extinguisher on it.

• Get any trainees on deck quickly, through alternate exits if required.

Forepeak Fire

• This will probably be in the paint locker (located at the bottom, Starboard side on both ships). The response will be the same for any fire:– Get trainees away from the forepeak– Shut the hatch– Tell the officers

Engine Room Fire

• There is not much you can do as a PO for this

• Make sure you know where engine room vents are so you can shut them if asked to

• Get the trainees to the muster stations

Flooding

• This can be as a result of grounding, collision or some other reason

• Make sure watertight doors are shut, tell an officer, and get trainees to their muster stations– At this point do a head count

• If it is serious you will be told to put on your lifejackets. Help the trainees with theirs, muster at your station and keep everyone calm

Knockdown• This is when the ship heels suddenly and

severely due to extreme winds• There are 3 things that are important to deal

properly with a knockdown:– Get the sails down – Keep hatches and ventilators shut– Ensure no-one goes overboard

• If you are down below you need to get on deck quickly, but don’t come through a hatch that has water coming over it– On Playfair you will likely need to go through the

wardroom or PO’s mess

Abandon Ship• If the order to abandon ship is given you need to

keep trainees calm, that is your main job– The order to Abandon will only come from the Captain. We

will always try to stay with the ship as long as possible. As the saying goes we will ‘step up to get into the liferafts’

• Before doing anything else take a muster of your watch and make sure they are all wearing lifejackets properly

• Make sure you know the basics of launching a liferaft, in case your watch officer is not around

• Launch the raft and bring it to amidships for boarding if possible. If it is not possible then just launch the raft and have people jump into the water, then get into the raft

Abandon Ship

• In very serious situations the ship could potentially sink before we have a chance to muster and launch liferafts.

• The liferafts will deploy automatically– Make your way to the nearest raft, board it

and then help gather the other people in the water

– The EPIRB is also able to deploy automatically, so keep people calm and wait for rescue

How to launch a Liferaft

• If you find yourself having to launch a liferaft without your WO, follow the directions on the canister.

• Each one is a little different in detail, but the general idea is as follows on the next slide:

How to launch a Liferaft

• 1. Don lifejackets• 2. Remove lashing• 3. Get raft into water• 4. Pull painter until it inflates• 5. Ensure raft is upright• 6. Get in raft, helps others into

it• 7. Cut painter• 8. Paddle away from sinking

vessel – Go a few hundred yards, try to

gather with other rafts.

Rig Failure

• This can be minor:– Parted lines, torn sails etc.

• Or major:– Broken spars and other structural problems

• As a PO make sure you get your trainees out of the danger area as quickly as possible.– Any trainees aloft need to come down quickly.

Rig Failure• Prevention

– Always keep an eye on the rig, especially when you are aloft. If you see anything that is out of place or looks damaged tell the Bosun or XO.

– Even minor issues will eventually become major, so try to catch everything as early as possible. This includes:

• Unmaused shackles• Chafe on spars, lines or wire rope• Bare spots on wood which will allow rot to begin• Loose nuts• Broken blocks, including if sheaves are not turning, cheeks

are cracked, etc.

Steering Failure

• This can be either a failure of the steering gear or the rudder.

• If you are on the wheel and the steering will no longer answer then tell your WO or any other officer as soon as possible.

Steering Failure

• Prevention:– Always stow things in the afterpeak neatly.

Make sure that nothing will interfere with the steering gear.

– Keep in mind that if the ship is not moving quickly then it will take longer for the steering to answer. Despite this, don’t hesitate to mention it if you feel something is wrong.

Engine Failure

• This can be failure of the actual engine, or any part of the drive train.

• The solution could be one of many different options, depending on circumstances.

• Stand by to do whatever might be requested of you, which could include anchoring, setting sail or preparing to dock.

Grounding/Collision

• After grounding or a collision it is important to inspect below to ensure that no water is coming in– Someone will be directed to do this, so

standby to assist– Ensure all watertight doors are shut

Medical Issues

Seasickness• This is one of the most common problems

onboard, and you will have seasick trainees every course.– Make sure they stay warm, drink water and try to eat

some dry food such as crackers. – It should pass within 18 hours

• If a trainee is seasick for a longer period then more serious problems can occur:– Dehydration– Hypthermia

• Let your WO know if a trainee is not getting over their seasickness

InjuryMild

• Always put gloves on right away if the person is bleeding

• If it is a minor cut, use the daykit then make sure the XO or Captain knows about it

• If it needs more than just a bandaid bring the person aft to be looked at – Don’t draw attention to them, making someone feel

embarrassed about an injury does not help the situation

InjurySevere

• Inform an officer quickly• Do not try to move them, wait for the Captain or

an officer• Always put gloves on right away if the person is

bleeding• Remove trainees and other unnecessary people

from the area– They will make the injured person uncomfortable, and

might go into shock themselves

Shock• If someone has witnessed an injury or other

traumatic event, they might go into shock• Anyone who looks upset or confused might be

suffering from this. Other indicators include:– Pale or sweaty skin– Shivering

• Have them sit down, give them a jacket or blanket and a glass of water. Inform an officer and make sure someone stays with them

Hypothermia• Hypothermia is very

serious and can lead to death.

• It is always colder on the water, and if you are wet you will lose your body heat up to 28 times more rapidly.

Mild Moderate Severe

-Shivering-Numbness -Cold body temperature

-Lack of coordination-Confused or unusual behaviour-Impaired judgment

-Person stops shivering, stops complaining about cold-Slow or stopped breathing-Unconciousness

Heat-related Emergencies• There are many emergencies related to high

heat, high humidity and too much sun.– Make sure your trainees stay hydrated, stay cool and

wear sunscreen.• Watch for warning signs of heat-related

problems such as:– Reddish or pale skin– Exhaustion– Dizziness and weakness– Nausea and vomiting (very serious by this point)– Progressive loss of consciousness, seizures

Prevention

Safety Aloft

• Always wear a harness, make sure your trainees do as well. – Clip in, the harness is useless if you don’t

• Don’t let people fool around aloft• Make sure your trainees know where to

clip in, and what not to clip to

Safety Aloft

• Most accidents involving the rigging occur with crew (not trainees), and are due to people being overconfident.

• As a PO you are reaching a stage where you are developing confidence while aloft, and so you should be, but be careful not to overdo it.

Safety while Swimming

• Don’t let horseplay get out of hand• Don’t swim too far from the boat without

permission from the captain– With wind and currents it is easy to find

yourself a long way from the ship• If you are the designated spotter, take this

role seriously, keep an eye on everyone

Safety Ashore

• Often you will be leading your watch ashore, either on shore leave or hiking– Keep them from situations that could be

harmful– If someone is injured and you feel they need

serious help, do not hesitate to call an ambulance. Send a trainee back to the boat as well to inform the officers

Further Prevention• Keep lines coiled and hung

– If they are all over the deck then they could trail and get wrapped around the propeller, denying us the use of the engine

– They can also become tripping hazards– Fouled lines means we cannot douse or manoeuvre properly

• Keep the decks and down below tidy and clear– This will prevent tripping, and also allow rapid movement when

necessary to deal with other situations• Keep ventilators clear

– They need to be able to be shut quickly in the event of a fire or rough weather

• Always pay attention