UNDERSTANDING COMMANDS IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS ON

BOARD

A. Giving a command

Giving a command can be done by using imperative sentence. Imperative sentence is

used in two ways;

Imperative Type

Example:
Positive
a.) Go starboard
imperative b.) Be quick

Imperative
Type

Negative Example:
imperative a.) Don't go port side
b.) Don't be slowly

A.1. Positive Imperative

Positive imperative can be given by using this formula:

Verb + N/NP Be + Complement

 go port side  Be sure to check water
pressure
 stop engine  Be aware of the weather
 send the distress message

A.2. Negative Imperative

Positive imperative can be given by using this formula

Do Not+ Verb + N/NP Be + Complement

 Do not go port side  Do not Be doubt
 Do not stop engine  Do not be late
 Do not send the distress
message
B. Types of Emergency Situations on Board

B.1. Some emergency situations that might happen on board ship are; abandoning vessel,

vessel on fire, man overboard, leaking, grounding, etc. Here are some examples of giving

command in the emergency situation (Abandoning vessel);

- Lifeboatmenl Check the

outfit of crew members at
ABANDONING VESSEL
assembly stations and report!

- Put on warm clothing long

trousers, head covering and
report Crew! Follow the
lifeboatmen to the lifeboat
stations and life-raft stations -Outfit of crew is complete.
on the embarkation deck

-Swing out number 1 and 2

lifeboats and report.

- Lower number 1 and 2

lifeboats alongside the -Number 1 and 2 lifeboats
embarkation deck Enter the swung out
lifeboats via the deck Hold on
to your seats while launching
- Throw overboard life-raft
and report!

-Life-raft thrown overboard

 -Enter the life-rafts via the
slides, ladder, nets and
manropes Jump onto the life
raft alongside the vessel.
Clear the entrance of the life
raft. Jump into the water and
enter the life-rafts. Assist
helpless people Sit down in
the life-rafts immediately. - No persons injured
- Report on number of injured
persons! - Let go sea anchor
and report! - Fire rockets for
identification. - Sea anchor is let go
- Connect the life-boats and
rafts with lines and report!

- Life-rafts and lifeboats

connected

FIGHTING FIRE ON BOARD

Of all the disasters that can happen to a vessel at sea, fire is one of the most devastating.
Marine fire incidents are very destructive and have been responsible for the loss of
many lives. Ship fires are second only to shipwrecks when calculating casualties and
total loss.

It can often be a single careless act that endangers the lives of all the crew. That is why
every member of the crew has a part to play in preventing fires. This applies not only to
fire-fighting methods. There are a number of precautions crew members can take on a
day-to-day basis to make the ship a safer place and prevent the break-out of fires. The
main danger spots are machinery, galleys, accommodation and cargo spaces
FIRST PRIORITY PROTECTION

 You should bail out the boat/raft, inflate life-raft floor, rig canopy (boats), close entrances
 Keep the raft/boat dry, prevent reswamping, keep head to wind and cast sea anchor
 Check for leaks and make repairs, collect useful flotsam.
 Apply first aid
 Treat for asphyxia breathing difficulties, (clear airways, commence mouth-to mouth)
 Stop bleeding (apply pad and bandages)
 Treat for shock (keep warm, encourage, relieve pain)
 Treat fractures
 Prevent sea sickness (everyone should take a pill if available)
 Keep clothing on. Wet clothing is much better than no clothes. Insulate yourself from
weather and water as well as you can