Rescue plans

Whilst the rescue vessel(s) are steaming towards the casualty area, the crew should start preparing for the rescue of the survivors. Whilst it is difficult to envisage every possible action one could take, the following should be considered when drawing up the plan. The weather and sea state in the…

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Search and rescue

It is of great importance that all rescue operations are properly coordinated and with the new Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), the prime responsibility for coordination falls on the shoulders of shore base authorities, ie the Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC). At sea the ship with the best communications…

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Anchoring

When a ship is anchored, there are two things to consider, namely the nature of the sea bed and the depth of water. It is not the weight of the anchor that holds the vessel in place but rather the horizontal pull of the anchor along the sea bed. Anchors…

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Methods of stopping a vessel

One can stop a vessel by one of the following methods: Inertia stop. Stopping the engine(s) and coasting to a standstill with the friction of sea and air overcoming the ship’s inertia. The total distance run will depend on the type of vessel, the initial speed, the displacement, the trim…

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Emergency procedures and boat handling: Stopping a vessel

Factors affecting the acceleration / deceleration of a vessel Before discussing methods of stopping a vessel, we should look at the factors that affect the acceleration and deceleration of a vessel . They are the following: Inertia. Here we are talking about the amount of energy required to move an…

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New dangers

Definition. A newly discovered hazard to navigation not yet shown on the charts or included in sailing directions, nor sufficiently promulgated by notices to mariners, is termed a New Danger. The term covers naturally occurring obstructions such as sandbanks, or rocks or man-made dangers such as wrecks. Marking. Cardinal or…

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