Man Overboard!

I have been on a high technology safety kick at Suite101 with a focus on man overboard devices. Topics comprise man overboard alarms, personal locator beacons (PLB), the MOB Guardian System and engine kill switches There is growing interest in this field and new ideas are arriving everyday. Your own crew situation will dictate the most effective solution available for your vessel. Single-handed sailors have requirements that vary from a boat carrying multiple occupants or crew.

Single-handed sailors should consider the use of an engine kill switch or a MOB alarm that has this feature and a PLB. Self rescue is possible if the boat does not run out of reach and a PLB will actively broadcast your position information to search and rescue authorities.

Crewed vessels are well served with using a man overboard alarm system. Operators need to consider the effect of wind and tide on a person in the water with GPS based track-back programs. Carriage of an EPIRB would provide many additional safety benefits to all aboard.

The equipment runs the gamut of radio frequency, global positioning system, and sonar technology that often combines it in single systems.

Man Overboard Alarms use radio frequency or sonar technology to activate an alarm if someone goes over the rail. Some models also provide track-back navigation information to the person in the water and kill the engine.

Personal Locator Beacons (PLB) are the personally worn versions of the emergency position indicating radio beacons (EPIRB) that broadcast a coded radio signal to overhead SARSAT-COSPAS search and rescue satellites on the 406 MHz frequency. Information transmitted by the PLB includes a unique identifier tied to a data base and can also provide GPS coordinates in some models.

MOB Guardian System is a hybrid that takes the best of man overboard alarms, personal locater beacons, and emergency position indicting beacons. These technologies are joined in a holistic system that tracks a ship's position with the Iridium satellite network, providing an active data link to search and rescue authorities and sounds an alarm if there is a man overboard emergency.

Engine Kill Switches do just that. They operate with a mechanical lanyard or a wireless equivalent that shuts down the boat engine if operator is thrown off the boat or has a fall. These devices are important to single-handed sailor safety. Uncontrolled boats can circle back and hit an operator in the water.

Tags: MOB, Man Overboard, Boating Safety, Crew Safety

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A Close Call - Exercise Good Winter Boat Care

We had a close call with a 28-foot sport boat last night. Snow buried the vessel and its bilge pump was inoperative. About four feet of snow have hit Valdez Harbor within as many days, placing a great deal of weigh on the unshoveled vessel. The aft through-hull fittings were underwater and luckily, they didn't provide additional problems for the boat.

The boat was listing to one side and had a couple feet of water in its engine compartment. Snow was removed evenly from the boat to prevent it from rolling and a pump was placed onboard to dewater the vessel. The boat's owner was able to get onboard this morning and pickup after the incident.

This is a case that further demonstrates the importance of good winter boat care, especially for vessels stored in water for the winter season.

Tags: Winter Boat Care, Boating Safety, In Water Boat Storage

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Undeniably Double Trouble

We had a sport fishing charter boat sink in the small boat harbor this last week. The vessel Double Trouble seems aptly named now. After insuring there was no risk from oil pollution by placing an adsorbent boom around the boat, harbor personnel removed the vessel from the water.

An investigation revealed the failure of a flexible bilge pump hose connected to a thru hull fitting located a couple inches above the waterline at the stern of the vessel. Once the weight of a recent snowfall forced the boat lower in the water, the broken hose allowed water to enter the boat.

More information on damage control and the maintenance of thru-hull fittings is in the article titled Thru-hull Fitting Emergencies. A few hints include:

• Install thru-hull fittings made of corrosion resistant material
• Use a quality marine sealant during installation
• Replace existing hose clamps with new corrosion resistant clamps annually.
• Use two clamps at a time on the thru-hull fitting.
• Inspect thru-hull fittings every few months.

Tags: Boating Safety, Vessel Maintenance, Damage Control

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BoatU.S. Releases an Online VHF Radio Tutorial

Marine VHF radios are an important item to have in your boating safety toolbox. BoatU.S. just issued this press release announcing the availability of online training in VHF use. I would suggest that regular passengers on your boat take the course and learn to use the radio in case the regular skipper isn't able.

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BOATU.S. FOUNDATION'S ONLINE VHF RADIO TUTORIAL DEBUTS

By broadcasting your exact Mayday location with the simple push of one button, new Digital Selective Calling (DSC) VHF radios give recreational boaters and the U.S. Coast Guard enhanced search and rescue capabilities. But do you know enough about this new marine radio system to help save a life - possibly your own?

To help boaters understand the latest advances in marine radio communication, the BoatU.S. Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water has launched a free online marine DSC VHF radio tutorial for anyone interested in the new technology. Funded by a grant from the U.S. Coast Guard, the online tutorial, "Can You Hear Me?" is designed to educate boaters on all of the basics of DSC VHF radios. By understanding how these radios work, boaters will be able to take advantage of the latest innovations in search and rescue technology.

The 35-minute, narrated web-based program covers all of the basics and even allows viewers to try various radio buttons and sounds on their computers to simulate how a DSC VHF radio would operate. Topics covered include emergency signaling, how to install a DSC VHF radio and an overview of the U.S. Coast Guard's "Rescue 21" program. The tutorial is located at http://www.BoatUS.com/MMSI

No special computer program is needed to view the seven-part tutorial and it's compatible with both PC and Mac formats. A viewer can stop the tutorial at any point and return to the same spot later on. For those familiar with some of the topics, the tutorial lets boaters skip around from chapter to chapter.

While the majority of fixed-mount VHF radios available today have the DSC feature, most boaters have not registered their radio in order to get the unique calling number - much like a telephone phone number - called an Maritime Mobile Service Identity or MMSI number. The tutorial also covers this process, which is free through BoatU.S. Equally important is connecting the radio to a GPS so that vessel location is broadcast with a distress call.

Tags: Boating Safety, Marine VHF Radios, Digital Selective Calling (DSC)

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Mooring to Floats and Piers

We had a boat get loose last night and one of the many reasons this happened was because of this cleat. The harbor is constantly talking to boaters that try to install their own cleats. Our newer floats avoid using them as much as possible.

To work properly, a cleat needs to be bolted clear through a main structural member of the finger float. A couple of small lag bolts won't protect your boat in a big wind.

Mooring to floats depends on using adequate lines and fenders. Extra lines are inexpensive and can save your boat in bad weather. I've posted an article at Suite101 that goes into more detail. Hold on to your hat!

Tags: boating, boating safety

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*CG Cell Phone Service Ends

Valuable Safety Service Cancelled for Most of the United States

In Alaska and many other parts of the United States, boaters could dial *CG to reach the Coast Guard in case of emergency. BoatU.S. Magazine reports in their November 2006 issue that cell service providers have dropped due this service in part to inconsistent availability and application of the system.

Alaska will remain the only state that retain *CG as a method of contacting their Search and Rescue Center. As noted in this article on Boater Emergency Communications, the preferred method to contact the Coast Guard in an emergency is by using a marine VHF radio.

The Coast Guard actively maintains a radio communications system based on these radios. Installed marine radios allow nearby boaters monitor VHF Channel 16 and assist in an emergency. Future Coast Guard communication projects will include provisions to track distress calls made by radio. Boaters may be able to still dial 911, provided they're in an area covered by cellular service.

Tags: Boating Safety

New NASBLA President is From Alaska

Jeff Johnson, Boating Law Administrator for the Alaska Office of Boating Safety was just elected as President of the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA). NASBLA is a national organization deeply involved with promoting boating safety and helps set standards for training across the country.

I have known Jeff for many years, first meeting him in 1999 during the struggle to adopt a state boating safety law in Alaska. Our state was the last in the nation to advance this important legislation. Jeff was at the forefront of this successful effort. Jeff has worked within the Alaska Department of Natural Resources since 1981 and was the first park ranger assigned to Kachemak Bay State Park.

Jeff has worked with the Alaska Association of Harbormasters and Port Administrators, the Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary, and Alaska harbormasters for about eight years now. Just a few of the successful efforts developed by Jeff include:

• Alaska State Boater's Handbook
• Cold Water Immersion Education Materials
• Alaska Water Wise Boating Safety Course
• Expansion of the Kid's Don't Float Program
• Alaska Float Plan

Congratulations to Jeff Johnson for his election as President of NASBLA. His dedication to boating safety has benefited Alaska and he will greatly contribute to efforts nationally.

Tags: Boating, Boating Safety, NASBLA, Alaska

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Boat Fire Safety

Yesterday morning we had two boats destroyed by fire in the marina. The likely cause was an electrical heater place on one of the boats in preparation for winter storage.

We were lucky the fire department responded so quickly, two boats were burning and third was starting to smolder. We yarded the boats immediately with concerns for sinking and environmental damage. Both owners had insurance which helped with the loss.

Boat owners need to be careful in winterizing their vessels. I see trouble every year with boat in storage. Most problems are caused by heating issues like oil stoves, electric space heaters and heat lamp. Talk to your harbormaster or boatyard manager about fire safety standards for their facility. I have an article posted on boat winterizing and upland storage that might be helpful.

Tags: boating safety, boat fires, fire safety

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Boating Articles at Suite101

During the last month, I have been writing a number of articles related to boating and boating safety at suite101. Topics discussed include trailering, safety equipment, radio usage, and vessel operations. An index of articles is now available that outlines the topics covered to date.

I have several ideas for future topics. These include cold-water immersion, maritime terminology, GPS navigation, clean boating, and vessel maintenance. The 101 site gives me a good chance to establish a broad reference library of boating articles for its readers. Please contact me with ideas that I can add to the site. I would welcome guest articles for the site. Contact me at boatingsailing@suite101.com with your comments and ideas.

Tags: Boating, Boating Safety, Clean Boating, Vessel Care

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Boating & Sailing @ Suite101

I have started writing a series of articles for the Boating & Sailing section of Suite101. The site will explore the topics of safe vessel use, boating emergencies, clean boating practices, and vessel maintenance. Boating represents a major growth industry worldwide and more people join our ranks daily.

I will identify relevant issues and items of interest for recreational boaters, then explore concrete ways to address these issues. Our industry is dependent on boaters who enjoy the boating experience and take the necessary steps to protect our natural environment.

Involved in boating safety and environmental protection, both as a Harbormaster and a member of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary, I see the need to address both issues in more detail. I welcome you to join the discussion at Suite101.

Tags: Boating, Boating Safety, Suite101