Orientation, Emergency Instructions, and Drills

Ready-Made Drills

The following drills, which contain all the items required by law, have been devised to help fishermen and other mariners conduct their own emergency drills. Running time for each is about 20 minutes. Both novice and experienced drill leaders may discover ideas and critical points to look for while conducting and evaluating drills. Conduct these drills once a month and you will be in compliance with the federal onboard drill regulations.

Skippers will find it convenient to use these prepared drills. Each drill can be downloaded as a printable PDF file. Mark the check boxes to document the crew's effectiveness and note areas for improvement. If you choose to develop your own drills be sure they cover all 11 of the required drill items.

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Person Overboard  (Download this Drill)
Scenario

While hauling gear during sloppy weather, a deck hand is washed overboard by a large wave or falls overboard while dipping a 5-gallon bucket over the side. The crewmember is wearing a flotation suit equipped with a light and whistle. Other boats are visible in the area.

Before Drill

Be sure the crew is familiar with the vessel’s person overboard recovery plan, including:

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1. How the skipper plans to pull a person back on board.

2. What equipment is required.

3. Skipper’s requirements for wearing flotation while on deck.

4. Rules for being on deck in rough weather or at night.

 

Setting Up the Drill

This drill is best run while underway with no gear in the water, and with the person overboard represented by an inflated buoy with a personal marker light attached.

Initiating the Drill

The drill leader chooses a “victim” and informs that crewmember about the overboard incident. The drill
leader then throws a buoy overboard and advises another crewmember of the person overboard. The “victim” does not participate in the drill directly, but observes the crew’s reactions to the scenario
and helps keep track of the following critical points. This nonparticipant can also be your safety backup.

Critical Points to Look for During Drill

1. Alarms/Communication

   • Does person discovering the emergency initiate the alarm?

   • Does person discovering the emergency tell the wheelhouse which side of the vessel the victim fell off?

   • Does person on watch alert all crewmembers? How?

   • Are Coast Guard and other vessels made aware of the problem?

   • Does entire crew recognize the Man Overboard signal?

   • How soon is entire crew aware of the emergency?

   • Are any crewmembers unaware of the emergency due to an inoperative signal or lack of communication?

   • Is communication to the wheelhouse sufficient to bring the vessel to the victim?

   • Does crew communicate with each other?

   • Is simulated distress signal called off after the victim is rescued?

2. Response

   • Do crewmembers react in accordance with their Emergency Assignments?

   • Do crewmembers readily do unassigned, but needed jobs (cross-training)?

   • Does crew work together as a team?

   • Do crewmembers anticipate or react to events?

   • Does person discovering the emergency throw a marker?

   • Does person discovering the emergency continually keep the victim in sight and point?

   • Does person on watch use electronic position fixing devices to mark the position of the person overboard?

   • Does person on watch initiate a proper maneuver?

   • How long does it take to rig the recovery device?

   • Is crew in place, including a rescue swimmer in an immersion suit with a safety line, by the time the vessel is back alongside the victim?

   • Is recovery device and vessel’s hauling equipment used effectively?

   • Do any crewmembers endanger themselves by leaning perilously over the side to recover the victim?

   • Does crew recognize hypothermia and know appropriate treatment for the victim?

   • Is medical help sought for treatment of hypothermia, if needed?

   • Is crew aware of considerations in recovering survival craft?

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Fire On Board  (Download this Drill)
Scenario

A fire is caused by a faulty diesel stove, clothing placed too close to an electrical heater, frayed insulation on electrical wiring against a bulkhead, an oversized light bulb in a bunk light, or other appropriate cause.

 

Setting Up the Drill

This drill is best run while underway, at the beginning of a trip, and with no gear in the water. Fire can be simulated by strobe lights or a red rag. Tape can be used to block off passages due to “smoke.” This drill can easily evolve into an abandon ship drill.

Initiating the Drill

Tell a crewmember that there is smoke and/or flames coming out of the stove/state room/bulkhead. When the crewmember is clear on how to correctly report the fire, the drill begins. Keep the drill moving by telling the crew how effectively they are controlling the fire as the drill proceeds. The fire can spread or
be extinguished, depending on their efforts.

Critical Points to Look for During Drill

1. Alarms/Communication

   • Does person discovering the fire immediately sound the alarm?

   • Does person on watch alert all crewmembers? How?

   • Are Coast Guard and other vessels made aware of the problem?

   • Does entire crew recognize the fire signal?

   • How soon is entire crew aware of the emergency?

   • Are any crewmembers unaware of the emergency due to an inoperative signal or lack of communication?

   • Does crew report information such as fire source and size, smoke smell and density, and number of persons involved?

   • Is communication to the wheelhouse sufficient to allow operator to maneuver vessel to minimize the effect of wind on the fire?

   • Does crew communicate with each other?

   • Do crewmembers account for others?

   • Is simulated distress signal called off once fire is under control?

2. Response

   • Do crewmembers react in accordance with their Emergency Assignments?

   • Do crewmembers do unassigned but needed jobs (cross-training)?

   • Does crew work together as a team?

   • Do crewmembers anticipate or react to events?

   • Does operator maneuver the vessel to minimize effect of wind on the fire?

   • Is operator safely able to leave the wheel, if necessary, to inspect the affected area?

   • If help is not available, does operator close doors and seal openings to isolate the fire?

   • Are areas near the fire that are vented or have operating machinery or fans closed or secured?

   • Are electricity and fuel sources to the affected space secured?

   • Do crewmembers go around, rather than pass through, smoke-filled spaces when evacuating the affected area?

   • When evacuating affected areas, do crewmembers remove portable extinguishers, immersion suits and other survival equipment, and hazardous items?

   • If an installed fire suppression system is used, is it only activated on word from the skipper, and only after vents, doors, and hatches are secured and all persons evacuated?

   • Do fire fighters don Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (if the vessel is so equipped) or fight fire by staying low?

   • Are fire fighters always backed up?

   • Is an appropriate extinguishing agent used?

   • Do crewmembers act as if they are familiar with extinguisher advantages, disadvantages, and range?

   • Is fire or deck hose brought to the scene and pumps placed in line?

   • Do crewmembers act as if they are aware of the hazards of toxic smoke and gases?

   • Are fire boundaries checked periodically to prevent the fire from spreading?

   • If the fire is not controlled, are initial preparations made to abandon ship?

   • If water is used to control the fire, are provisions made to dewater the vessel?

   • How is it determined that the fire has been extinguished?

   • Once the fire is out, is a re-flash watch set and the affected areas overhauled?

   • Could fire-fighting equipment and alarms be more effectively located?

   • Were fire hazards noted that could be eliminated?

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Flooding  (Download this Drill)
Scenario

The vessel is running from the fishing grounds with a deck load of fish and gear. Wind and seas are rising and are off your quarter.

Before Drill

Make sure the crew is familiar with the vessel’s plumbing system, through-hull fittings, pumps, and equipment available for damage control.

Setting Up the Drill

This drill can be run any time and can evolve into an abandon ship drill. The drill leader will inform the crew of the location of the “flooding” and the level of the water.

Initiating the Drill 

The drill leader tells crewmembers that the vessel seems to be getting sluggish, and asks them to check lazarettes, holds, and the engine room. The drill leader then informs the crew of the location and extent of the problem. Keep the drill moving by telling the crew the level of flooding. Let them know how effectively they are controlling the problem as the drill proceeds.

Critical Points to Look for During Drill

1. Alarms/Communication

   • Does the person discovering the emergency initiate the alarm?

   • Does crew report information such as location, extent, and cause of flooding?

   • Does person on watch alert all crewmembers? How?

   • Are Coast Guard and other vessels made aware of the problem?

   • Does entire crew recognize the general and high water (flooding) alarms?

   • How soon is the entire crew aware of the emergency?

   • Are any crewmembers unaware of the emergency due to an inoperative signal or lack of communication?

   • Is communication to the wheelhouse sufficient to maneuver the vessel to lessen risk of capsizing?

   • Does crew communicate with each other?

   • Do crewmembers account for others?

   • Is simulated distress signal called off once the flooding is under control?

2. Response

   • Do crewmembers react in accordance with their Emergency Assignments?

   • Do crewmembers readily do unassigned but needed jobs (cross-training)?

   • Does crew work together as a team?

   • Do crewmembers anticipate or react to events?

   • Does person on watch initiate appropriate maneuvers to lessen risk of capsizing: Reduce speed? Head into seas? Minimize roll?

   • Is person on watch safely able to leave the wheel, if necessary, to inspect the flooded area?

   • What actions are taken to improve stability?

   • Fish/gear tossed?

   • Freeing ports cleared?

   • Free surface effect minimized?

   • Blocks lowered?

   • Cross-flooding minimized?

   • Stability plan used?

   • Is watertight integrity maintained by closing all watertight doors, hatches, etc.?

   • Are through-hull fittings, shaft housings, and other penetrations checked for leakage?

   • Is everyone familiar with operation of the vessel’s pumps?

   • Are tarps, plugs, blankets, etc., used to slow leaks?

   • Are extra pumps (hand and power) and buckets used to dewater?

   • If gas pumps are used below decks, are carbon monoxide/carbon dioxide problems considered?

   • Are there problems with the vessel’s pumps?

   • Do crewmembers prepare survival equipment (life rafts, immersion suits, EPIRBs, extra clothing, water, food, flares, log, first aid kit, etc.) in case of sudden loss?

   • Is a flooding control kit available with many of the tools and patching equipment you would want in one spot?

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Abandon Ship  (Download this Drill)
Scenario

Despite the crew’s best efforts to control the fire or the flooding, the situation gets out of control and the drill leader gives the order to abandon ship.

 

Setting Up the Drill

This drill can be added to the end of a fire or flooding drill to save time and make the drills more challenging. To prevent the fire or flooding drill from being cut short, the drill leader should tell the crew not to abandon ship until the order is given.

The crew will only simulate launching life rafts, activating EPIRBs, and abandoning the vessel. However, immersion suits should be donned and appropriate survival equipment brought to the abandon ship station.

Initiating the Drill

When the fire or flooding drill has been concluded, the abandon ship signal will be sounded over the ship’s
alarm system.

Critical Points to Look for During Drill

1. Alarms/Communication

   • Does person on watch alert all crewmembers? How?

   • Are Coast Guard and other vessels made aware of the problem?

   • Does entire crew recognize the abandon ship signal?

   • How soon is entire crew aware of the emergency?

   • Are any crewmembers unaware of the emergency due to an inoperative signal or lack of communication?

   • Does the crew communicate with each other?

   • Are all crewmembers accounted for?

   • Are signals used or simulated before abandoning ship to attract nearby assistance?

   • Are all crewmembers able to make an adequate MAYDAY call and find the vessel’s position?

2. Response

   • Do crewmembers react in accordance with their Emergency Assignments?

   • Do crewmembers readily do unassigned but needed jobs (cross-training)?

   • Does crew work together as a team?

   • Do crewmembers anticipate or react to events?

   • Do crewmembers know their abandon ship station?

   • Do obstructions block escape routes or access to survival equipment?

   • Is life raft painter always secured (simulated) once life raft is released?

   • Do all hands have an immersion suit of a size that fits appropriately even with deck clothing on?

   • Do all crewmembers completely don their immersion suits in 60 seconds?

   • Does crew use a buddy system in donning suits and launching rafts?

   • Does crew simulate tossing throwable flotation (buoys, etc.) overboard?

   • Does crew gather an EPIRB, extra clothing, water, food, flares, log, and any other survival equipment, and are these items protected from washing overboard?

   • Are watertight doors and hatches closed, if there is time, before abandoning vessel?

   • Do crewmembers simulate entering the water properly wearing immersion suits?

   • Can all crewmembers describe how and when to launch a life raft and entry procedures?

   • Is crew aware of procedures for recovering a life raft?

   • Are all crewmembers aware of immersion suit features, proper care and stowage?

   • Can all crewmembers describe how to operate and test EPIRBs?

   • Is the EPIRB tested and logged at the end of the drill?

   • If flares are lit, is a Security given on channel 16?

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Monthly Solo Operator Drills
“I just fish by myself! Why do I have to do emergency drills? No one else is even on the vessel.” In fact, solo operators of fishing vessels have even more reason to do their own emergency drills. Unlike vessels with crews, there is only one person available to fight fires, stop flooding, make a distress call, and rescue themselves from the water and that's YOU! With so much to do, and with your own life at stake, it takes practice to develop automatic muscle memory for the proper steps to take in an emergency. Solo operators will be better prepared by preplanning and pre-staging their safety and survival equipment and by practicing how to do the many needed tasks by themselves.

Solo Man Overboard (MOB) Drill
Man overboard events on solo-operated vessels often end up as casualties. It is especially important for solo operators to practice self-recovery and the recovery of victims from other vessels.

• Have something you can grab from the water to help you climb on board by yourself. Try boarding your vessel from water level while it is moored. Think of creative ways for self-rescue that work for your vessel. Before the MOB occurs mount a permanent ladder where it does not interfere with gear, or mount a line over the rail within reach of the water that will release a rope ladder when tugged.

• Most people don’t expect to go overboard until the split second before falling. Then it’s too late to put on a PFD (personal flotation device). Wearable PFDs are available and some have eliminated snagging hazards. Inspect the PFD for condition, fit, and operation. Inspection is especially important for inflatable PFDs.

• Monthly, operate or deploy the MOB rescue device. Check for operability, wear, or decay.

• Buy and check monthly an electronic MOB device that will shut off your engine once you enter the water. This gives you a chance to catch up to your vessel. Other MOB alarms will alert other vessels in the area.

• Increase your odds by dragging a buoy tied to a floating line behind the vessel. Loops in the line will make it easier to hold onto and climb up the line.

• Review how you could recover a crewmember from another vessel who is a MOB victim or in a survival craft. Practice throwing the life ring or rescue throw bag for reaching the victim, test the sling for securing the victim, and check blocks, winches, or hydraulics used to assist in bringing a victim on board.

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Solo Flooding Drill
Reviewing your gear and procedures will greatly aid in a flooding emergency.

• Check the seals on all watertight doors and portholes for cracks, gap, paint.

• Check all doubled hose clamps on all underwater hoses.

• Hang conical, wooden plugs near through-hull fittings to control flooding if needed.

• Test the vessel’s dewatering pumps monthly. Do they work?

• Test your bilge alarm monthly. Does it work?

• Assemble a flooding control kit or review the contents and condition of your kit.

• Check all possible sources of flooding and look for watertight integrity.

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Solo Fire Drill
A fire drill by the operator can be more of a hands-on practice.

• Position the vessel so the wind will not fan the simulated fire and set the autopilot.

• Remove the fire extinguisher from the bracket for practice in releasing.

• Note how the extinguisher operates but do not twist off the safety pin. Feel its weight and what hand it would be more comfortable in. Inspect the extinguisher gauge, if provided, the overall condition, and if fire extinguisher is the correct class, size, and agent.

• Operate fuel shut-off valves and breakers for electrical fires. Find them in the dark.

• Look for sources and locations of potential fires on your vessel, and do a “boundary check” around the outside of the space to look for hazards and survival equipment that would need to be secured or removed.

• Close doors, hatches, portholes, and other access to the “affected” space. What works for stuffing into vents to simulate shutting off supply of oxygen?

• Test all fire and smoke alarms.

• Look for frayed wires, ensure fuel lines are tight, and eliminate other fire hazards.

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Solo Abandon Ship Drill
The operator can add the distress call to the fire or flooding drill.

• Practice saying aloud the first 5 critical parts of a MADAY without keying the radio.

• Test the general alarm.

• Release the EPIRB from its cradle to get familiar with its use. Check the date on the battery and hydrostatic release. Make sure the registration has not expired and that the alphanumeric code on the registration sticker is the same as the code on your EPIRB. Ensure the EPIRB is free to deploy and not under an overhang. Test EPIRB and log the test date monthly. Reinstall it correctly.

• Pyrotechnics. Check expiration dates on flares and smokes. Read directions and practice the hand motions for igniting them. You may need to use them in the dark, so you’ll need muscle memory for the task.

• Test your DSC radio by using the text feature with another mariner with a DSC-equipped radio with whom you have shared your MMSI number. But, be sure not to send out an emergency notice. Make sure your DSC-equipped radio is connected to your GPS and that you have programmed it with your MMSI.

• Don immersion suit or PFD in 60 seconds or less. Try to better your previous time.

• Inspect your immersion suit or PFD and check light and battery date.

• Note alternative escape routes and make sure none are blocked.

• If you have a survival craft, release the strap manually and ensure the strap can be released by hand and the life raft repack and hydrostatic release are installed correctly and not expired. Ensure craft is free to self deploy without entanglement on rigging or gear.

• Determine how you would launch survival craft while keeping your balance.

• Check operability of other equipment you would want to take off the vessel (flares, logbook, handheld radio, strobe light, additional flotation, water, food, etc.) that you have placed in an accessible abandon ship kit or bucket.

• Close all doors and hatches when leaving the vessel.

 

The solo operator faces many challenges in an emergency at sea. With no other crew to share duties with, it is even more important to practice and be prepared.