Distress at Sea.docx

Distress at Sea by Safety & Education Officer Jim Rich

In a life-threatening situation such as: • Fire • Explosion • Sinking • Pirate Hijacking • Severe medical condition • Person overboard Follow MAYDAY procedures. In non-life-threatening situations: • Engines won’t start • Rigging breaks

• Someone is ill but not in imminent life and death situation

Send PAN-PAN call instead.

MAYDAY

• Activate Epirb • Tune VHF radio to channel 16 • Push Red “DSC” (Digital Select Calling) button if available. When properly registered with MMSI number (Maritime Mobile Service Idendity), it will notify coastguard and other boats in area. ON LINE: Jamestown Distributors and search for “What is Digital Selective Calling for VHF Radios?” • Press talk button and say: 1. MAYDAY! MAYDAY! MAYDAY! 2. This is [your name] on the [vessel name x 3] 3. (Release microphone button for a moment; then press again) 4. MAYDAY! The vessel [vessel name] is located [current position, speed and bearing] 5. We are a [motor boat, etc. with length and color] experiencing [distress situation] and are in need

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of immediate assistance. 6. There are [number of people] on board with [injuries or additional information] 7. (If applicable) We are getting our life raft and ditch bag ready to deploy. 8. This is [vessel name] Over! 9. (Let go of talk button. Repeat call after 15 seconds if no response.) 10. While waiting, put on life jackets, prepare ditch bag and life raft. 11. Listen if asked by coast guard to switch channels. PAN-PAN 1 . PAN-PAN. PAN-PAN. PAN-PAN. 2. (Provide vessel’s name) 3. (State your position)

4. (Give nature of problem) 5. (State intended action) 6. “Over” (Release talk button) 7. (Wait for instructions) 8. (Repeat in a few minutes if no response)

EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT

EPIRB

Model: Global Fix Pro V4, category 1 Price: $459 Store: West Marine

LIFE RAFT

Model: Revere offshore Commander 2 4 person offshore 3 year service intervals Price: $1699 + $240 shipping - $1909 Store: Defender (order on line)

LIFE JACKET

Model: Type 1 Comfort Deluxe w/whistle Price: $99 Store: West Marine

FIRE BLANKET

Model: JJ Care 40” x 40” fire suppression blanket Price: $13.89 (on Amazon)

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DITCH BAG RECOMMENDATIONS

1. ACR Rapid Ditch Express $59.99 at West Marine 2. EPIRB (Bring one from boat) 3. SOS Electronic Visual Distress (Model C-1002) Replaces Flares Run time: 2 hours, additional 6 hours at ½ power $299 from Sirius Signal 4. First Aid Kit Waterproof medical kit from West Marine

5. Nylon Rope 6. Signal Horn 7. Chapstick

8. Sunscreen SPF 100 9. Razor Blade Knife 10. Flashlight 11. Garmin GPS MAP 78 SC $280 at West Marine 12. ICOM VHF Handheld Radio (model M93D) Floating radio with GPS and DSC $249 at West Marine 13. AA Lithium Batteries

14. Signal Flag 15. Dramamine 16. Water 17. Toilet Paper

Price: Priceless!

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