Emergency Lists

[davsails]

Lists are a great idea because the writer (probably the skipper) will be reviewing and remembering those procedures all the better if anything does happen..The crew that reads it will be a bonus.

[Freesail99]

I thought a couple of sample list would have been a good idea to post. I know for one, I be interested in seeing them.

[chucklesR]

Free Sail, that is probably the best idea I've seen here on sailnet.
I will work mine up prettier and post them, list and detail. While each skipper will of course write for his own vessel comparative analysis is and will be useful.

Kudo's.

[Plumper]

I have my TacPac in a Word document and I am happy to post it or email it to anyone. While it is specific to my boat, it is still a reasonable template for others.

[sailingdog]

A friend of mine did that, and stopped worrying about the water leak for about a few minutes.. When he checked again, it was still rising and well above the floorboards... then he realized that the taste test didn't mean a whole lot on the Great Lakes...they're fresh water too... started looking for a leak and found a loose transducer plug.

So take advice, but be aware that the situation may require you to change how to interpret the information.

Originally Posted by Valiente

And a good one, Billy. I've heard that "taste the water" advice before...it's easy to forget that a completely emptied water tank might put the boards awash, but won't drop the waterline a millimetre... (in fact, it might stiffen up the boat a bit and clean out those hard to reach spots!)

[Freesail99]

Here is a list I came across.

PRE-DEPARTURE CHECKLIST -

Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs)
At least one Coast Guard approved device per passenger and a minimum of two on board.
An additional throwable device is required if the vessel is more than 16 feet long.
Explain the location and use of all PFDs to passengers and crew that may be new to the vessel.

Sound Producing Devices (Whistle)
Must have a horn capable of producing a four-second blast audible for at least 1/2 mile.
If a portable air horn, have a spare can of air or an alternate device.

Lights and Shapes
All navigation lights as required.
Instrumental lights working.
If you intend to engage in an activity that requires a day shape, have the required shapes.
Flashlight on-board.

Distress Signals
Accessible flares, day signals, etc., stored in a dry location.
Carry signals at all times even if not required by the Coast Guard.
Inform the crew and passengers of their location and their use.

Tools and Spares
Basic tool box on-board.
Box of spares aboard, e.g., fuel filter, light bulbs, head parts, through hull plugs, etc.

Ventilation
On any powered vessel or auxiliary powered sailboat, or vessels using LPG for cooking or heat, check that all interior spaces are well ventilated before departure.
If fuel smells are detected before ventilating, check after running the blowers for several minutes before starting.
If odor persists, stop and look for the source of the leak.

Fire Extinguishers
Accessible fire extinguisher. Do you have at least those required by the U.S.C.G.?
Check to be sure mounts are secure and functional before departure.
Take the time to point out locations to passengers and crew.

Fuel and Oil
Are your tanks topped-off?
If not, have enough fuel to provide a reasonable margin of safety for your return.
Check the engine oil and coolant level.

Bilges
Check to be sure bilges are reasonably dry and that pumps are not running excessively.
Clean up any spilled oil or waste in bilges so as to prevent overboard discharge.

Battery Care
If you have a dual charging system, is the selector switch in the proper position?
Is the power on to the entire vessel?
Spare batteries for accessories such as a handheld radio, flashlight, portable navigational aid, etc.
If they are rechargeable, are they charged?

Weather Forecast
Did you check the weather forecast?
Radio on board to receive weather updates.

Docking and Anchoring
At least one anchor set up and bent-on to your anchor line.
Two or three extra docklines in case of unusual conditions dockside.
Visually inspect the lines you use for chafe or wear.
At least two fenders on-board for docking or towing if required.

Documentation
Have the ship's papers, radio license, fishing permit, etc. on board.
Have the chart or charts for the area you intend to cruise in, regardless of your level of local knowledge

[rennisaint]

I still can't believe some of you guys say, in an emergency a checklist is useless. When I used to run simulators for the shuttle (ok it was as a counselor for space academy, but we took it very seriously and we ran the exact same equipment, documentation, etc. as the real guys), if $hit hit the fan you'd be doing whatever gut reaction it was to correct with one hand and one eye, and scanning the SOP book with the other hand and eye, and telling ground control (or in the case of sailboats the admiral) to figure out what the hell just happened (but always in a calm collected manner).

So, saying SOP's are useless in an emergency is BS. Yes you need to be taking corrective action, but only until you can find the SOP for that situation, then you let the calm rational person who wrote that SOP take over.

An example, your sailing at night and your crewmate is taking a leak off the stern and slips and falls in. First, you throw the MoB stick etc., then you hit the MoB on the GPS, then get her turned around to try to find him. If you lost sight of him (likely) you grab the SOP book and radio, call a mayday, and find your list, start at the top and with one eye, run through it, while continuing the search with the other. If you didn't have a list, what if you forgot to grab the radio and call a mayday, or you thought, oh, I'll find him, it's not an emergency I don't need to call in a mayday yet. Your brain really doesn't function that well when your body is throwing chemicals into it and you're hyperventilating, so don't trust it. Sailors are pretty much on their own as far as safety goes, and so are shuttle pilots. So if NASA says when you are falling to earth in a brick with wings that are essentially for show and you only have about 45 seconds before you form an expensive crater that you really need to look at a checklist, I think you've got time on sailboat going 5 knots.

Caveat Umptor: When we ran fire drills or single SRB failure drills, we got to the checklists about the time we had completed the second to last item on the list.

[hellosailor]

"So, saying SOP's are useless in an emergency is BS."
Kinda depends on whether you are the type who CAN run a checklist, or the much more common type who runs around in circles and says "Whaddawedo? Whaddawedo? Help! Help!"

[sailingdog]

If you're the kind that runs around screaming Whaddawedo?... then I hope you're not singlehanding or even sailing as half of a couple...you'll need three or four competent crew to take care of you...and you really shouldn't be captain.

Originally Posted by hellosailor

"So, saying SOP's are useless in an emergency is BS."
Kinda depends on whether you are the type who CAN run a checklist, or the much more common type who runs around in circles and says "Whaddawedo? Whaddawedo? Help! Help!"

[aruggiero]

Originally Posted by Plumper

I have my TacPac in a Word document and I am happy to post it or email it to anyone. While it is specific to my boat, it is still a reasonable template for others.

I would love to have a copy of this - we are newbees to saltwater and trying to make sure we have all the procedures down is very important to us.