PST-PERSONAL SURVIVAL TECHNIQUE

INTRODUCTION
Introduction to the course
Aim of the course
Actions to be taken during Emergency
The importance of Survival Training
INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE
The world merchant fleet has grown substantially and
now today there are various types of ships including
specialized carriers plying across the ocean.
No matter how advanced the technology is and how
good design and construction of the ships are, the
condition of the sea will remain unchanged.
INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE
Despite equipping ships with varies navigational and
survival equipment mishaps still occur- capsizing,
collision, explosion,fire,and heavy weather stranding all
their toll of ships and men each year.
Today the question of survival for each individual
person is more essential than ever before and he must
know what to do in an emergency.
INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE
It is misconception then people abandon ship in an
emergency that’s the end.
There are numerous accounts where people were
rescued by ships or reached shore and survived, the
will survive and struggle for it is very essential.
It is true that man is not adapted to life in the water
with lifejackets and protective clothing and with their
knowledge of survival techniques.
AIM OF THE COURSE
In line with international convention on the ‘safety of life
at sea 1974’ and the Convention on Standard of Training,
Certification and Watch keeping 1978,as amended , Dar es
salaam Maritime Institute is conducting this course to
give the seaman the essential knowledge of types and
handling of survival craft, Principles of survival and Rescue
techniques.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN DURING AN
EMERGENCY
The action taken in an emergency upon the prevailing
circumstances.
There is a natural desire to save the ship, cargo and of
course the lives of all the persons onboard. It must be
remembered that time plays an important part in any
emergency.
One must appreciate that a few minutes delay could
end up with a loss of life.
The order to abandon ship" is given by the Master but
one should not wait till the order is given.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN DURING AN
EMERGENCY

One can always make preparation well in advance in

order to avoid last minutes chaos and panic.
So the action taken will largely depend upon the
weather a person has the required knowledge of
survival.
THE IMPORTANCE OF SURVIVAL TRAINING
Safety and survival are primary concern for the every seaman.
It does not matter weather one is employed on a small ship or
big ship.
Reports on causalities give only one conclusion ;that is, in
most cases people lacked the knowledge of survival
techniques.
Some people preferred to remain on the ship… and to give in a
small craft, some may panic while some do not know what to
do at all.
Psychological testing and assessment of survivors and
intensive interviews with their relatives and close associate of
non-survivors reveled that the non-survivors and hardly
expected a mishap to occur and were relatively insecure
THE IMPORTANCE OF SURVIVAL TRAINING
Recent studies seem to indicate that the different
between survivors and non-survivors can often
determined long before an incident occurs.
DEFINITIONS
Embarkation Ladder is the ladder provided at
survival craft embarkation stations to permit safe
access to survival craft after launching.
DEFINITIONS
Float free launching is the method of launching a
survival craft where by the craft is automatically
released form a sinking ship and is ready for use
DEFINITIONS
Thermal Protective Aid (TPA)- is a bag or suit made
of waterproof material with low thermal conductivity.
DEFINITIONS
Immersion suit- is a protective suit, which reduces
the body heat- loss of a person wearing it in cold
water
DEFINITIONS
Rescue boat - is a boat designed to rescue person in
distress to marshal survival craft.
DEFINITIONS
Survival Craft
This is a craft capable of sustaining the lives of
persons in distress from the time of abandoning a
ship.
DEFINITIONS
Inflated Appliances is an appliances, which depend
upon non rigid, gas filled chambers for buoyancy and
kept inflated and ready for use at all times.
DEFINITIONS
Free fall launching is the method of launching a
survival craft whereby the craft with its compliment
of persons and equipment on board is released and
allowed to fall into the sea with out any restraining
apparatus.
OBJECTIVES OF STUDY
A trainee on completion of the course will be able
will be able to :
react in a correct manner during an emergency
to take measures to his own survival
use survival equipment's correctly
To ensure the survival of others
OBJECTIVES OF STUDY
To acquire some knowledge which will enable
him/her to identify and correct defects thereby
prevent emergencies onboard ship.
THE PRINCIPLES OF SURVIVAL AT SEA
Regular training and drills.
Preparedness for any emergency.
 Every one on board should ready and prepare for
any emergency that may take place on the ship
Knowledge of actions to be taken:
1. When called to survival craft
2. When required to abandon ship
3. When in water
4. When aboard a survival craft
5. When required to jump into the sea wearing a life
jacket
1.WHEN CALLED TO SURVIVAL CRAFT
STATIONS
On hearing the emergency signal, collect warm
(woolen) clothing, waterproof clothing and a life
jacket.
Have good drink of water, as you may need it later on
when you are thirsty.
Proceed to your respective survival craft station.
2.WHEN REQUIRED TO ABANDONSHIP
Put on warm clothing, waterproof clothing and
lifejacket, loosen neck wear if any.
Assist loading extra water, provision (not protein foods)
and blankets if time permits.
Assist in the launching of the lifeboats/life raft as
ordered.
Board the craft (lifeboats/life raft) while you are dry, if
possible
3.AVOID UNNECESSARY SWIMMING
If you have to enter to water,
When you have enter a survival craft by jumping from
a height, care must be taken to reduce the risk of
injury when entering the water.
4.WHEN IN THE WATER
You should know how to survive in circumstances
when:
Fire or oil is on the water
In cold condition
In sharks infested waters.
WHEN ABOARD A SURVIVAL CRAFT
Assist getting the survival craft quickly clear of the
vessel, to avoid being sucked in by the wake of a
sinking vessel, or
Not to be burnt away by fire, if the craft involved is
on fire, or the oil around the vessel is burning, move
away.
EMERGENCY SITUATION
TYPES OF EMERGENCY
Collision
Grounding/stranding
Shift of cargo
Engine room fire
Man overboard
Sinking
Sea pirate attack
Oil spillage
PRECAUTION
Stranding
which is also an accident ,of a ship that has gone
aground.
This too can be avoided by safe navigation, keeping
track of the progress of the vessel and an efficient
watch keeping as a whole.
PRECAUTION
Engine room explosions or fires
may be avoided by a good, efficient and proper house
keeping, as well as observing safety rules and
regulations in preventing fires.
PRECAUTION
Shifting of cargo
can be avoided by ensuring that cargoes are properly
stowed and secured when necessary prior to vessels
sailing at sea.
PRECAUTION
Collision
which is an accident involving ships running into each
other, may be avoided by practicing safe navigation
and watch keeping.
MUSTER LIST
Muster list is a list comprising of names of crew on
board ship with their respective obligations and tasks
to be performed during an outbreak of an emergency
such as fire, damage control, man overboard or
abandon ship altogether.
MUSTER STATION
Muster station is a place where the
crew are gathered in an emergency or
drill.
NEED OF THE MUSTER LIST
To specify details of the general emergency alarm
signal
It shows the duties assignment to crew during an
emergency
Location of the muster station
Muster list also shall specify how the order to abandon
ship will be given
LOCATION OF THE MUSTER LIST
Bridge
Engine room
Accommodation
Mess room
Muster station
Alleyways
EMERGENCY SIGNAL
General emergency alarm consists of seven or more
short blasts followed by one long blast.
(……. __ )
Fire Alarm consists of continuously ringing
(…………..)

Man overboard, when a person has fallen overboard, an

emergency signal consisting of three long blast.
(___ ___ ___)
SIGNALS ARE MADE BY
Ships horn / whistle
Siren
Ringing bell
Public address
THE CREW AND EMERGENCY INSTRUCTION
As soon as possible, after joining a ship a crew member
should make sure he is familiar with :
The meaning of emergency signals used onboard that
vessel.
Instructions indicated on the muster list and their
duties.
THE CREW AND EMERGENCY
INSTRUCTION
The location and the use of life saving equipment
The location and use of fire fighting equipment
Escape route and equipment
THE CREW AND EMERGENCY INSTRUCTION

Emergencies involving the sinking of the ship.

The means provided for survival on the ship and the
survival crafts available on the vessel.
ABANDONSHIP-LAST RESORT
It is well fact that the vessel offers the best chance of
survival and that abandoning her should only be
undertaken as a last resort,
i.e. when all other measures have been taken to
control event, but they have failed.
ABANDONSHIP COMPLICATION
Some of the survival craft not being able to be
launched. e.g. life boat can not lowered due to the
breaks/stoppers being jammed
Absences of lighting i.e. darkness
Absence of personnel assigned to certain duties
i.e. a crew assigned to a task may refuse to perform his
task due to fear or panic.
ABANDONSHIP COMPLICATION
PERSONAL PREPARATION FOR ABANDON
SHIP

Put on warm clothing, water proof clothing (close

fitting hat), the life jackets, loosen neckwear if any.
Drink plenty of water
Master’s order to abandon ship
The order to abandon ship comes from the master ,and
given by verbally. The master would give such an
order
after taking into account several option.
CREW DUTIES TO PASSENGERS
On vessel which carry passengers, crew members have
the duty to control and guide passengers.
They also have the obligation of calm them down,
leading them to survival craft when or ……….. to
abandon ship.
 It is normal to board survival craft with women,
children the aged and disabled boarding first ahead of
others.
LIFE SAVING APPLIANCES
1. SURVIVAL CRAFT
Survival craft basically include:
Life boat / rescue boat
Life raft
2.PERSONAL LIVES – SAVING
APPLIANCES
Lifebuoy
Lifejacket
Immersion suits
Thermal protective aids (TPA)
3.RADIO-LIFE SAVING APPLIANCES
To-way VHF radio telephone apparatus
Survival craft emergency position-indicating radio
beacon, EPIRB
Radar Transponder, SART
Public address system on passenger ships

#
VHF RADIO EPIRB SART
4.DISTRESS FLARES
Orange smoke signal
Hand flares
Rocket parachute

5.LINE THROWING APPARATUS

6.ON BOARD COMMUNICATION &

ALARM SYSTEM
PERSONAL LIFE SAVING APPLIANCES
LIFE JACKETS
Life jacket must be equipped with:
i. Light
ii. Reflector
iii. Whistle
STEEPING OFF PROCEDURE LIFE JACKETS
Cover mouth and use the thumb and fore finger of the
same hand to close off the nose.
The free hand is then placed over the life jacket
covering the other arm.
Look down and check the impact area is clear.
Stand upright ,look straight ahead and step off.
LIFE JACKETS

Every crew to be supplied with one life jacket.

Spear life jacket must be stowed in afloat free locker.
Additional life jacket stowed in working
places ,Engine room, Bridge & fore castle.
LIFE JACKETS
A life jacket shall allow the person wearing it to swim
a short distance and to board a survival craft.
Each life jacket shall fitted with a whistle
determinedly secured by a cord
LIFE JACKETS

It allows the wearer to jump from a height of at least

4.5m into the water without injury and without
dislodging or damaging the life jacket.
Passenger ships shall carry

Life jacket for every one on board

Additional life jackets for persons on watch
Life jackets for children equal to 15% of the total
number of passengers the vessel is allowed to carry
LIFE RING
Stowed so that they can easily be thrown overboard.
Half to have a light, at least one side of the ship to
have a buoyant line
DIFFERENT TYPES OF LIFE RING

Ordinary life ring

Life ring with line
Life ring with light = man overboard life buoy
Every lifebuoy shall be marked in block capitals of the
Roman alphabets with the name and Port of Registry
of the Ship
LIFE RING-CARGO SHIPS
Length of the ship Minimum no of life ring
Under 100m 8
100m and under 150m 10
150m and under 200m 12
200m and above 14
Cargo ships shall carry not less than the number of
life ring prescribe above
LIFE RING-PASSENGER SHIPS
Length of the ship Minimum no of life ring
Under 60m 8
60m and under 120m 12
120m and under 180m 18
180m and under 240m 24
240 and above 30
Passenger ships shall carry not less than the
number of life ring prescribe above
THERMAL PROTECTIVE AID (TPA)
These are made of water proof materials having a low
thermal conductivity and when used to enclose a
person, it shall reduce both the convective and
evaporate heat loss from the water’s body.
THERMAL PROTECTIVE AID(TPA)
Cover the whole body of a person wearing a life jacket
with exception of the face.
IMMESION SUITS
These are constructed with waterproof materials to
protect the wearer getting wet and with types of
immersion suits offering a buoyancy just like a
jackets.
IMMESION SUITS
Immersion suits which do not offer buoyancy needs
to be worn with a life jacket on top.
LIFE BOATS
All lifeboats shall have inherent buoyancy or shall be
fitted with inherently buoyant materials ,which shall
not be adversely affected by seawater ,oil or oil
products, sufficient to float the lifeboat with all its
equipment on board when flooded and open to sea.
LIFEBOAT FREEBOARD AND STABILITY
All lifeboats, when loaded with 50% of the number of
persons the lifeboat is permitted to accommodate seated
in their normal position to one side of the center line,
shall have a freeboard, measured from the waterline to
the lower opening through which the lifeboat may
become flooded, of at least 1.5% of the lifeboat’s length or
100mm,whichever is the greater.
LIFEBOAT PROPULSION
Every lifeboat shall be powered by a compression
ignition engine.
Provision shall be made for ahead and astern
propulsion of the lifeboat.
Sufficient fuel shall be provided to run the fully
loaded lifeboat at 6knots for a period of not less than
24 hours.
LIFEBOAT PROPULSION
Water -resistance instructions for starting and
operating the engine shall provided and mounted in a
conspicuous place near the engine starting control
The engine and transmission shall be capable
controlled from the helmsman's position.
The engine and engine installation shall be controlled
capable of running in any position during capsize and
continue to run after the lifeboat returns to the upright
or shall automatically stop on capsizing and be easily
restarted after the life boat returns to the upright.
LIFEBOAT PROPULSION
The speed of lifeboat when proceeding ahead in calm
water, where loaded with its full complement of
persons and equipment ,shall be at least 6 knots and
at least two knots when towing a 25 person life raft
loaded with its full complement of persons and
equipment.
LIFEBOAT MARKINGS
The number of persons for which the lifeboat is
approved shall be clearly marked on it in clear
permanent characters.
The name and port of registry of the ship to which the
lifeboat belongs shall be marked on each side of the
lifeboat’s bow in block capitals of the Roman alphabet.
Means of identifying the ship to which the lifeboat
belongs and the number of the lifeboat shall be marked
in such a way that they are visible from above.
THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF LIFEBOAT
Open
Partially enclosed lifeboats
Totally enclosed with a self contained air support
system
Fire protected/Free fall life boats
LIFEBOAT EQUIPMENTS
Food ration & fresh water
Parachute signal ,red 4 pcs
Hand flares ,red 6 pcs
Smoke signals ,orange 2 pcs
Boat hook 2 pcs
Light buoyant leaving lines 2 pcs
LIFEBOAT EQUIPMENTS
Bailer 1 pc & Jack knife with opener
Sea anchor
Fishing tackle
Whistle
First aid kit & Ant sea sickness tablets
Heliograph
Storm oil 4 liters etc.
LAUNCHING OF LIFEBOATS
Davit
Free fall

Embarkation into lifeboats is effected by use of a ladder, if it were not

possible to board from the embarkation deck prior to the boat being
lowered into the water.
 FREE-FALL LIFEBOAT
A lifeboat arranged for free-fall launching shall be so
constructed that it is capable of rendering protection
against harmful accelerations resulting from being
launched ,when loaded with full its complement of
persons and equipment from at least the maximum
height at which it is designed to be stowed above the
waterline with ship seagoing condition, under
unfavorable conditions of trim of up to 10 degrees and
with the ship listed not less than 20 degrees either way.
Seats should be padded and provide lateral support for
head, torso and thigh.
LIFE BOATS WITH A SELF CONTAINING AIR
SUPPORT SYSTEM
It shall be arranged that, when proceeding with all
entrances and openings closed, the air in the lifeboat
remains safe and breathable and the engine runs
normally for a period of less than 10 minutes.
During this period the atmospheric pressure inside
lifeboat shall never fall below the atmospheric
pressure shall it exceed it by more than 20mbar
LIFE BOATS WITH A SELF CONTAINING AIR
SUPPORT SYSTEM
The system shall have visual indicators to indicate the
pressure of the air supply at all times.
ENCLOSED LIFEBOAT
The enclosure formed by the rigid cover shall also be
arranged that
It protects the occupants against heat and cold;
Access to the life boat is provided by hatches which can
be closed to make the lifeboat watertight;
It is possible to row the lifeboat;
ENCLOSED LIFEBOAT
Hatches are positioned so as to allow launching and
recovery operations to be performed without any
occupant having to leave the enclosure;
Access hatches are capable of being opened and
closed from both inside and outside and are equipped
with means to hold them securely in open positions;
It includes windows or translucent panels on both
sides which admit sufficient daylight to the inside of
the lifeboat with the hatches/openings closed so as to
make artificial light unnecessary;
ENCLOSED LIFEBOAT
It has means of collecting rainwater;
Its exterior is of a highly visible colour and its interior is of a
colour which does not cause discomfort to the occupants;
It shall have railing to provide a secure handhold for person
moving about the exterior of the lifeboat, and aid
embarkation and disembarkation.
Person have access to their seats from an entrance without
having to climb over thwarts or other obstruction and the
occupants are protected from the effects of dangerous sub-
atmospheric pressure, which might be created by the
lifeboat’s engine.
RESCUE BOAT
Rescue boats may be either of rigid or inflated construction
or a combination of both and shall:
Be not less than 3.8m and not more than 8.5m in length;
Be capable of carrying at least 5 seated persons and a
person lying on stretcher.
Rescue boats shall be capable of manouverability at a speed
of at least 6knots and maintaining that speed for a period of
at a least 4 h.
RESCUE BOAT EQUIPMENT
A buoyant bailer;
One buoyant line, not less than 50m I length.
One waterproof electric torch for Morse signaling.
An efficient radar reflector;
One whistle or equivalent sound;
A first kid
Two sponges etc
HOW TO CARRIED ?
PASSEGER SHIPS
Passenger ships shall carry at least one rescue boat on
each side
CARGO SHIPS
Cargo ships shall carry at least one rescue boat on
either side.
LIFE RAFT
There are two main types of life rafts
Inflatable
Rigid
COSTRUCTION OF LIFERAFT
Every life raft be so constructed as to be capable of
withstanding exposure for 30 days afloat in all
conditions.
The life raft shall be so constructed that when it is
dropped in to the water from a height of 18m,liferaft
and equipment will operate satisfactory.
The life raft and its fitting shall be so constructed as to
be towed at a speed 3 knots in calm water when
loaded with its full complement of persons and
equipment and with one of its sea anchors streamed.
MINIMUM CARING CAPACITY OF LIFERAFT
The number of persons which a life raft is permitted to
accommodate shall be equal to the number of persons
having an average mass of 75kg,all wearing lifejackets,
that can be seated with sufficient and head room
without interfering with the operation of any of the life
raft's equipment.
No life raft shall approved which has caring capacity of
less than 6 persons.
STABILITY OF LIFERAFT
Every inflatable life raft shall so constructed that,
when full inflated and floating with the canopy
uppermost, it is stable in a seaway.
Every rigid life raft shall so constructed of such
strength and stability that when it is floating, it is
either self-righting or can readily righted.
STABILITY OF LIFERAFT
The stability of the life raft when in the inverted
position shall be such that can be righted in a
seaway and in calm water by one person.
STABILITY OF LIFERAFT
The stability of the life raft when loaded with its full
complement of persons and equipment shall be such
that it can be towed at speeds of up to three knots in
calm water.
ACCESS INTO LIFERAFT
At least one entrance should be fitted with a semi-
rigid boarding ramp to enable persons to board
the life raft form sea.
ACCESS INTO LIFERAFT
In the case of davit-launched life raft having more
than one entrance, the boarding ramp shall be fitted
at the entrance opposite the browsing lines and
embarkation facilities.
Entrance not provided with boarding ramp shall have
a boarding ladder, the lowest step of shall be suited
not less than 0.4m below the life raft's light waterline.
There shall be means inside the life raft to assist
persons to pull themselves into the life raft form the
ladder.
CONTAINERS FOR INFLATABLE LIFERAFTS
The life raft shall be packed in a container that
is-
 so constructed as to withstand hard wear under
conditions encountered at sea;
CONTAINERS FOR INFLATABLE LIFERAFTS
-of sufficient inherence buoyancy when
packed with the life raft and its
equipment, to pull the painter from within
and to operate the inflation mechanism
should the ship sink, and
as for as practicable watertight except for
drain holes in the container bottom
CONTAINERS FOR INFLATABLE LIFERAFTS
The life raft shall be packed in its container in such
a way as to ensure as for as possible that the
waterborne life raft inflates in an upright position on
breaking free form its container.
The container shall be marked with

 Marker’s name or trade mark

 Serial number
 Name of approving authority and the
number of persons it is permitted to
carry
 “SOLAS A PACK
 “date when last serviced
The container shall be marked with

Length of painter
Maximum permitted height of stowage
above waterline (depending on drop –
test height and length o painter)
Launching instructions
Name of the ship in which it is carried.
MARKING ON INFLATABLE LIFERAFTS
The life rafts shall be marked with
i. Maker’s name or trade mark;
ii. Serial number;
iii. Date of manufacture (month and year);
iv. Name of approving authority;
v. Name and place of servicing station where it was
last serviced;
vi. Number of persons it is permitted to accommodate
over each entrance; and
vii. Name of ship in which it is carried.
CONSTRUCTION OF RIGID LIFERAFTS
The buoyancy of the life raft shall be provide inherently
buoyant material.
The buoyant material shall be fire-retardant or be
protected by a fire- retardant covering.
The floor of the life raft shall prevent the ingress of
water and shall effectively support the occupants out
of the water and insulate them from cold.
LIFERAFT EQUIPMENTS
one buoyant rescue quoits, attached to not less than
30m of buoyant line
Two sponges & Two buoyant paddles
one whistle or equivalent sound signal
4 rocket parachute flares & 6 hand flares
2 buoyant smoke signals
instructions on how to survive
a food ration & fresh water etc.
ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT FOR INFLATABLE
LIFERAFTS

Every inflatable life raft shall be

provided with:
one repair outfit for repairing
punctures in buoyancy compartments
and;
one topping –up pump or bellows
The knives shall be safety knives
MANUAL LAUNCH LIFE RAFT
Check water below
Check that painter is secure
Release raft
Pull painter to full extent
Jerk painter to inflate
PROCEDURE OF BOARDING IN LIFE RAFT
Grab life lines on outside of the raft while waiting to
board.
Fit persons into raft first.
Assist each other with boarding.
Injured into raft last.
Account for crew.
Lookout for and recover other survivors.
Release/cut painter if necessary.
DISTRESS FLARES
Not less than 12 rocket parachute flares hall be carried
and be stowed in Bridge- in a watertight container.
RADIO LIFE-SAVING APPLIANCE
TWO-WAY VHF RADIO TELEPHONE APPARATUS
At least three two –way VHF Radio telephone apparatus
a shall be provided on every ship for communication
between survival craft ,ship and rescue boat.
PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
All passenger ships shall be fitted with a public
address system.
It shall be one complete system consisting of
loudspeaker installation, which enables simultaneous
broadcast of messages to all spaces where
crewmembers and /or passengers are normally present
and to muster stations.
The system shall provide for the broadcast of messages
from the Navigation Bridge and other such places on
board, as the Administration deems necessary.
The pubic address system shall be connected to the
emergency source of power.
LINE THROWING APPLIANCES
Every line throwing appliances shall
Include not less than 4 projectiles each capable of
carrying the line at least 230m in calm water.
Have brief instruction or diagram clearly illustrating
the use of the line throwing appliances.
Be capable of throwing with reasonable accuracy.
EPIRB
EPIRB means-Emergency position indicating radio beacon
EPIRB is an apparatus which, when activated ,would
propagate homing signals to enables aircraft to locate
the distress ship or survival craft.
One emergency position indicating radio beacon shall
be carried on each side of the ship. They shall be so
stowed that they can be rapidly placed in any survival
craft.
EPIRB RESCUE OPERATION
EPIRB RESCUE OPERATION
Ready to be manually and released of being carried by one
person into a survival craft.
Capable of floating free if the sinks and are being
automatically activated when afloat.
Capable of being manually and provided with indication
that signals are being emitted
Derive supply from batteries which should able to operate
the apparatus for a period of 48hrs.
The survival craft EPIRB operates on 121.5 MHz and 406
MHz among which 121.5 MHz is the distress frequency
used by aircraft (including commercial plane) in an
emergency.
The Cospas / Sarsat satellite EPIRB operates on 406MHz
EPIRB RESCUE OPERATION
The Inmarsat and Cospas / Sarasat or satellite EPIRB
are fitted with frequencies that when they are
activated, enables the propagated signals to be pick
up or received by the respective satellites.
This distress signal will then be transmitted to the
Earth Stations or RCC which will then alert Search
and Rescue units.
EPIRB RESCUE OPERATION
EPIRB RESCUE OPERATION
The satellite that received the distress signal of EPIRB
are able to compute the vessels or the survival craft’s
positions and their information is relayed to the Earth
stations.
The Maritime Search and rescue aircraft are fitted with
homing equipment which is able to identify signals
emitted by the EPIRB up to 100 nm.
PROPER USE SURVIVAL CRAFT EPIRB
It is important that users of the survival craft EPIRB
are aware of the serious consequences of their misuse.
They should remember that the apparatus is operated
on 121.5 MHz which is the frequency used by the
aircraft in emergency and that is possible misuse or
accident activation to the apparatus could mask a
genuine alert by an aircraft in trouble.
PROPER USE SURVIVAL CRAFT EPIRB
Further more, the search and rescue services have no
way in telling whether or not the alert signals are
genuine and thus an unnecessary search and rescue
may be launched.
Once the EPIRB is activated, it should not be turn off
until the emergency is over.
RADAR TRANSPONDER(SART)
The radar transponders is an apparatus which
activated by the Electromagnetic waves propagated by
the other ship’s radar.
When this radar waves is received by the
transponder ,it will cause the transponder to be
activated.
RADAR TRANSPONDER(SART)
The transponder will then propagate signals that can
be received by the other ship’s radar.
The signals received will thus appear on the ship’s
radar screen as a prominent echo with 12 “blips” over 8
miles range.
RADAR TRANSPONDER(SART)
This will then indicate the position of the survival
craft.
PROVISION OF TRANSPONDERS
At least 1 radar transponder shall be carried on each
side of the ship.
They shall be stowed in such locations that can be
rapidly placed in any survival craft during
abandonment ,or alternatively ,one radar transponder
shall be stowed in each survival craft.
PROVISION OF TRANSPONDERS
Derive the energy supply from batteries which should
be able to operate the apparatus for a period of 96hrs
when on “standby” mode and 48hrs when being
“activated”.
When in the survival craft the transponders shall be
placed at a position not less than 1m above the water
surface.
DANGERS TO SURVIVAL
Drinking sea water
Fire or oil in water
Sharks
Dehydration
Hypothermia etc
MAN
In eventOVERBOARD
of man falling overboard one must observed
the following;
a) Throw a lifebuoy.
Chances that the person that falls overboard could
swim to the lifebuoy so as to save his life. Lifebuoy is
also use as a guide on the estimated location of the
man overboard .Some lifebuoy is also fitted with
orange smoke.
MAN OVERBOARD
b)Inform the Bridge.
This is to alert the duty officer of the situation so that
further action will be taken.
c)Maintain lookout.
Lookout man shall be posted and communicate with
the bridge on the location of the man overboard.
MAN OVERBOARD
d)Prepare for rescue.
Rescue Party must be ready for immediate rescue,
preparation of rescue boat and first aid party to
standby.
RESCUE OPERATIONS
The rescue of survivors from their survival craft will
most likely be made by a ship of a smaller vessel.
However, in certain cases the recovery of survivors by
helicopter is possible.
HELICOPTER RESCUE
A helicopter may be used to rescue or evacuate
persons in the survival crafts or aboard the distress
ship.
The rescue by helicopter may also be done when the
survivors are in the water.
COURSE OPERATION
ln the course of the operation a helicopter normally
uses a winch cable for hoisting or lowering persons,
the end of the hoisting cable may be provide with
one of the following gears:
A rescue sling
A rescue basket
COURSE OPERATION
A rescue net
A rescue litter
A rescue seat
PRECAUTION
The hoisting cable, together with the rescue gears
(rescue sling, net etc), may contain static electricity
while lowering down from the helicopter thus they
should first be allowed to touch the water or ship
before the survivor is secured to them.
HELCOPTER PICK UP EQUIPMENTS
Rescue Sling
The rescue sling may be a ‘’strop’’ or ‘’harness’’.
It is suited for the purpose of quick pickup of a
person but is unsuitable for unconscious person.
Rescue Basket

The rescue basket does not require any special

measures.
The person to use the basket merely climbs in, fastens
the safety belt, remains seated and holds on.
Rescue Net

Some rescue nets are designed to pick survivors in the

distress ship or in the survival crafts.
The net of this type has a conical shaped “Bird cage”
appearance and is open on one side.
Rescue Net

The person to use the net merely enters from the

opening side, sits in the net, and fasten the seat belt and
hold on.
Other type of rescue nets is designed to pick up
survivors in the water by a sweeping motion.
Rescue Net

During the operation, the survivors are ‘scooped’ from

the water while the helicopter is flying at a low speed
of about 3 to 4 knots.
Rescue Litter

In most of the rescue operations, a rescue litter is

used to pick up an unconscious or injured survivor.
To this litter, bridles are fitted. The bridles can
quickly and safely be hooked on and off from the
hoisting cable.
Rescue Seat

A rescue seat looks like a stockless anchor with flat

flukes or seats.
The person to be hoisted merely sits aside one or two
of the seats and wraps his arms around the shank and
the safety belt, of course, has to be fastened.
This device can be used to hoist two persons
simultaneously.
NOTE: EXTRA
Additional SURVIVAL
equipment's EQUIPMENTS
to take in an abandonment, if
time allows
Firs aid kit
Hand held communications device s (EPIRB,SART).
Extra clothing.
Blankets
Rope
Any item that can aid in survival craft
 FACTORS AFFECTING SURVIVAL TIME
IN WATER
Location, time of year, water temperature
Use of aids-life jackets, life raft etc.
Alcohol
Body position and clothing
Food/nutrition /Energy level
Persons age ,fitness ,body weight & sex
RESCUE METHODS
Fast rescue boat
Survival craft
Another vessel
Helicopter
REMEMBER
Sometimes to survive you to give up things you care
about.
You shouldn't play with things you don’t understand.
REFERENCE TEXT
Consolidated SOLAS 1997
Admiralty Manual of Seamanship
Survival at sea-written by C.H Wright
Life saving appliances code (LSA CODE)

PREPARED BY
JOSIAH MWAKIBUJA