Safety and Emergency Flashcards

What is the recommended order of actions in a 'man overboard' situation under sail offshore?

Answer: Shout alarm, throw lifebuoy/danbuoy, assign spotter, press MOB on GPS, and execute a recovery manoeuvre (reach-tack-reach or figure-of-eight)

The MOB procedure is: shout the alarm, deploy a lifebuoy and danbuoy, assign a dedicated spotter to point at the casualty, press MOB on GPS, and then execute the appropriate recovery manoeuvre to return to the casualty.

What is a 'damage control plan' and why should every offshore yacht have one?

Answer: A pre-prepared plan identifying the location of all through-hull fittings, emergency equipment, and procedures for dealing with flooding, fire, and structural damage

A damage control plan documents the location of seacocks, emergency repair materials, fire extinguishers, and procedures for dealing with emergencies. All crew should be familiar with it before sailing.

When should a yacht deploy its liferaft?

Answer: Only when the vessel is definitely sinking or otherwise uninhabitable — you should 'step up into the liferaft, not down'

The golden rule is to 'step up into the liferaft, not down' — only abandon ship when it is absolutely certain the vessel cannot be saved. A yacht, even damaged, is usually a better survival platform than a liferaft.

What is the immediate treatment for a crew member showing signs of severe hypothermia?

Answer: Remove wet clothing, insulate them horizontally with blankets and a vapour barrier, handle gently (no rubbing), give warm sweet drinks only if conscious, and seek medical advice

Severe hypothermia requires gentle handling (rough movement can cause cardiac arrest), horizontal positioning, passive rewarming with dry insulation and a vapour barrier, warm sweet drinks if conscious, and urgent medical consultation.

What is a 'through-hull fitting' and why are they a critical safety consideration?

Answer: A pipe or valve passing through the hull below the waterline — if one fails, it can cause rapid flooding; all crew should know their locations and how to close or plug them

Through-hull fittings (seacocks, transducers, engine cooling inlets) penetrate the hull below the waterline. A failed fitting can cause rapid, dangerous flooding. All should have functioning seacocks and be accessible with emergency bungs nearby.

What is the purpose of an 'emergency steering' system?

Answer: An alternative means of steering the vessel if the primary rudder or steering system fails, typically using an emergency tiller fitted directly to the rudder stock

An emergency tiller is a lever that fits directly onto the top of the rudder stock, bypassing the wheel steering mechanism. All crew should know its location and how to fit it before setting off offshore.