Emergency Manual

[Foswick]

When we have guests on our boat, there is a non-neglible chance that they could find themselves in command of the vessel for a time, in an emergency. For the most part, even in ideal conditions, help is at LEAST a half-hour away. This isn't a huge concern, but like I said, the chances are not negligible.

I decided to create two books: the Red Book and the Green Book.

The Red Book will be more like flash cards and cover just the basics like, how to stop/start the boat, how to drop the sails, where to find the med kit, signaling, radio, etc.

The Green Book will be more intended as just light reading for anyone curious - things like operating the head, how to operate the heater, where to find non-emergency stuff on the boat, a little sailing primer (which line does what). This is more for extended guests who just want to know more about the boat.

Mostly, I want to focus on the Red Book. Like I said, I'm thinking something like clearly-indexed flash cards, or similar - just covering a handful of the most important/urgent situations. Basically, the intent is to give the person the information they need to buy themselves more time to act. So, quick information, just the essentials.

Surely this has been done before and I don't need to reinvent this. I used to have a one-sheet thingy by the radio, but it wasn't great.

Anyone already have something great?

 

[Terry Cox]

Yes, but not great. Some years ago I prepared a small spiral bound notebook that contains a detailed description and proper operation of the many complex P42 boat systems. Unsure whether it helps me much as I solo sail most all the time. However, we do have guests aboard from time to time, so it might help in those situations if something were to happen to the skipper.

What a guest must do in an emergency in the event of a MOB, e.g., drop sails, coastguard contact, were not covered in this little book, but perhaps that might help. Must give it some thought. Good thread, Foswick. Should spark some thoughtful dialogue.

 

[MFD]

I have thought about doing something similar for many years but never got around to it.
At one point I had a written list of topics I would read off when we left the dock with new guests.
Oddly enough, I think one of the most important items on that list was being sure to appoint somebody as the person in command in the event that I myself fell overboard. I always do that. Ensure the chain of command is 100% clear if that happens so they can focus on rescuing me!

If you go to charter agencies, sometimes they will have their boat manual/instruction kits for each boat online.
An example: https://sanjuansailing.com/charter-detail/sail/stargazer/content/stargazer_owners_notes.pdf
Obviously for emergency only instructions, a lot of the stuff they have listed can be left out.

It is probably pretty easy for us as boat owners to miss something on the emergency operations list since we are operating the boat all the time. Maybe those kind of instruction docs will help jog the mind to include all the topics.

I like the idea of 3x5 cards, might work well.

 

[MFD]

Too bad there is a no way on the forum here to jointly make a list.
Things I can recall from my regular spiel before we leave the dock...
I am going to re-create my written list again, can't remember how/why it ever got deleted, although a hard copy is probably buried in the boat paperwork somewhere.
I also used to have a paper checklist of things to inspect before leaving the dock.

The spiel...
If somebody falls overboard, the first person who sees them calls them out and keeps their eyes on them no matter what. This is much more important than you might realize. Think about a person's head bobbing in the water - that is all. Think about it at night.
If I fall overboard, XYZ is in charge.
Here is the life sling. It is just velcro to open the top, and it has a rope attached, see...
Here are throwable PFDs which can be very useful. Anybody want one for padding on the cockpit seats?
Here are extra PFDs, they can be thrown too.
If somebody does fall oveboard, the first order of business on the boat is to get the sails down.
The radio is your best friend, here is where the radio is and basics on operating it. If you don't know how to do anything else, see that red button? Lift the lid and hold it own for 10 seconds, it will automatically send out an emergency signal with our location. It even says 'hold for 10 seconds' right there..
You can use your cel phone in our area if you are afraid of the radio. If you call 911, explain you are on the water and you need to be patched through to the coast guard.
It is better for somebody to use the radio to alert others than not use the radio and realize later we wish we had.
In this locker are things like flares, air horns, emergency strobe lights, etc., and the first aid kit.

You (person in charge, or if they already know, then somebody else, ideally the person who looks like they will be the most intimidated by having to start the engine) will start the engine. Everybody watch, it is pretty easy.

Then onwards to the quality of life items:
If you have never used a marine toilet before, let me or ABC/XYZ know before you go and we will show you.
etc.


I never did write down our man overboard instructions for what seems to work best, but that would be good.

Other items I never did, but probably should, or possibly could be noted as located in the emergency booklet.
- battery switches and key DC circuit breakers (navigation lights).
- what else?

EDIT: Checking the bilge.

 

[MFD]

I also have labels around on things, and probably could use a few more.
Things like "Do not use key to shutoff engine, push and hold the black rubber button. AFTER engine is off, turn off key."
I have one of those cheap office labeling printers (p-touch?). Works okay for this kind of thing and you can buy UV resistant label tape. I use that for clutch labels and stuff too.

 

[Foswick]

I started to work on this a bit. Even things like radio operations can be really simplified. For example, there is no reason to talk about "pan-pan". The instructions can just assume that, if a person needs to use the radio and there is nobody left on board and conscious who knows what they are doing, they can go ahead and call "mayday". But, at the same time, I can't assume they even know/remember where the radio is. Fortunately, all they really need to do is press the "Distress" button.

But there are other things that might be good to know that might not be obvious - such as where the manual bilge pump is.

Also trying to think of an easy way to explain how to take sails down. It isn't hard to do, but it is kind of hard to describe in just a few words. Diagrams/pictures will help.

I also think about the med kit. We have a really comprehensive med kit. (I used to be an EMT and a wilderness medic.) But, probably 3/4 of what's in there isn't of much use to most people, since you need to know how to use it.

Again, this isn't something I worry a lot about, but I do think about how terrible it would be for a guest to find themselves in that situation. In all likelihood, the situation would probably not be that serious, but it would definitely feel serious if they had absolutely no idea what to do.

I used to be really good about giving guests a little briefing, but I've gotten lax about it.

 

[garymalmgren]

Yes. I have one in my car.
If I keel over while diving , the passenger will open the glovebox, pull out the book and know what to do.

gary

 

[kappykaplan]

If I keel over while diving, the passenger will open the glovebox,

???

 

[jssailem]

I agree with the need for some form of guidance. I went out on Tuesday with the grandkids. Our first sail together. I took a sailing buddy with me just in case. My Grandson showed curiosity about our preparations. So we attached the lifesling together then talked about its use and demonstration of how it is used. I think I’ll use that technique again with guests rather than just leaving the life sling exposed on the pulpit. With the grand daughter it was being the best lookout should someone go overboard. We also practiced there action upon hearing me shout duck. This blended into an introduction to the boom and how it can hit you or sweep you off the boat.

I like the card idea. You’ll want them strung together as individual 3x5 cards can get lost. Perhaps a larger laminated checklist page like used by pilots would be more useful.

Short simple direct information. Labels on important items would be helpful even if they distract from the nautical decor of the boat.

 

[garymalmgren]

Driving! Well spotted Kappy

Gary

 

[MFD]

Keel over...
Not a submarine for diving though.

 

[Captain Larry-DH]

Not what you

snip
Anyone already have something great?

Not what you have in mind - but instructions for guests on conserving water:

Water Conservation on (Vessel Name)​

Washing Hands
Don’t turn the faucet on full blast unless necessary

• Wet hands, shut off water
• Lather with soap
• Rinse, don’t let water run longer than needed

Flushing Toilet
ONLY TOILET PAPER AND HUMAN WASTE IN THE TOILET. ANYTHING ELSE WILL DAMAGE THE TOILET PUMP. (There is a waste basket under the counter).
There are two switches – use the bottom switch only. One side of the switch pumps flush water in, the other side flushes out.

Men should always sit (#1 and #2) on a boat.

ALL – We have very small “waste water” holding tanks. Try to minimize the amount of flush water, if possible. Here’s how:

• Pee into a dry bowl, then flush.
• For solids: Before you “go” pump in some water – just enough to fill the lower part of the bowl. When finished, flush. Add water if needed.
  If paper sticks to the side of the bowl above waterline, do NOT fill the bowl all the way – instead use a minimal amount of water from the sink to rinse the side – there is a cup only for this purpose under the sink where the toilet paper roll is.

 

[Gene Neill]

"Do not use key to shutoff engine, push and hold the black rubber button. AFTER engine is off, turn off key."

I'm only familiar with outboards. What is the reason for this?

 

[MFD]

I'm only familiar with outboards. What is the reason for this?

No spark plug with a diesel and often a mechanical fuel pump.
There is usually either a mechanical knob attached with a cable, or a push button with an electric solenoid, that stops the fuel to stop the engine.
Shutting off with the key has the possibility of damaging the alternator, at least my (Yanmar 4JH4AE) manual warns about that.

 

[JoeWhite]

My US SAIL bareboat chartering certification course instruction for MOB is to use figure 8 maneuvering with sails up. That is to sail towards the victim.
Recently I was on a 43 foot cut-away full keel vessel their MOB maneuver was to start the engine and drop the sails. Why not use figure 8? Is it no as easily manuverable?

 

[BigEasy]

I'm only familiar with outboards. What is the reason for this?

Supposedly, turning off a diesel using the key instead of the dedicated “kill” switch will damage the diodes in the alternator. This is somewhat controversial, some say it is factual, some say tat it doesn’t matter. Just to be cautious….i use the kill switch only.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Absolutely unnecessary and useless.

Why?

It's because of whenever I hear this story: "We explained how to use the head, and very time someone went to use it, they asked all over again!"

That said, I did write one up a few years ago (two pages) and will leave it with the manuals if I ever sell the boat.

 

[Foswick]

I like the card idea. You’ll want them strung together as individual 3x5 cards can get lost. Perhaps a larger laminated checklist page like used by pilots would be more useful.

Short simple direct information. Labels on important items would be helpful even if they distract from the nautical decor of the boat.

Yes, exactly!

Interestingly, I'm finding this to be harder than it seems it should be. Just a simple thing like dropping the sails is kind of hard to describe. I can show someone in about 30 seconds, but it's hard to describe. And, a simple instruction like "Turn the radio on" is not that simple. First, they need to understand this is the VHF radio and not local hits from the 60s, 70s and 80s. And, calling it the "VHF" isn't very useful either. So, you need to say not only where the radio is, but also how do you turn it on.

The trick, for me, is making sure not to assume too much, but while also keeping the instructions REALLY short and clear. I'm sure it hasn't escaped notice that brevity is not my strong suit.

 

[Foswick]

Not what you have in mind - but instructions for guests on conserving water:

Right, not for the "Red" book, but that is good "Green" book stuff.

 

[Foswick]

Absolutely unnecessary and useless.

Why?

It's because of whenever I hear this story: "We explained how to use the head, and very time someone went to use it, they asked all over again!"

So, why does this suggest that this would be unnecessary and useless? It seems you are making the argument for its usefulness.

In any case, the more important item here is what I am calling the "Red" book - the premise being they cannot ask for a refresher because there is no one to ask. You highlight the exact reason that such a guide would be useful - because even if you brief people, they likely won't remember in an emergency.