Marine Casualties
Collision
Collisions must be avoided - as rule 16 of the International Collision Regulations states - every vessel, which is directed to keep out of the way of another vessel, must take early and substantial action to stay clear.
Collision Imminent
Whatever action you take, it should be to prevent contact, however if collision is unavoidable you should reduce damage to ‘sensitive’ areas of both vessels.
Reduction of damage can be achieved by:-
- Taking speed off the vessel (full astern, etc).
- Attempting to avoid by turning the vessel (a glancing blow rather
than a direct contact). A bow to bow situation or bow to quarter situation will be far less damaging that the bow cutting directly into the other vessel's hull, particularly near the engine room compartment.
Actions to take after collision
§ sound emergency muster alarm – (7 short, 1 long)
§ stop the vessel
§ transmit distress or urgency signal on the radio (if necessary)
§ evacuate passengers and crew to emergency stations
§ ensure all people are accounted for and check for injuries
§ ensure the safety of the vessel and all on-board - Master's
responsibility
§ determine the extent of damage
§ sound tank/s
§ inspect bilges or sound if enclosed
§ observe for any oil, or fuel spills in the water around the vessel.
If damage has occurred take damage control measures:- (refer to ‘foundering’ section)
§ prepare lifesaving equipment
§ prepare to abandon (if situation deteriorates).
With situation controlled:
contact the other vessel and give whatever assistance is necessary (without endangering your vessel) to ensure the safety of life of the people from both vessels
produce documents and exchange particulars adequate to identify the vessel and details of ownership
stay by the other vessel until no further help is needed
notify the authorities at the earliest opportunity but within 48 hours of the incident occurring (Check your State/Territory’s’ Legislation as to the exact length of time for reporting and who to report to)
log details of event in the vessel log book or record book as soon as possible after the event
attend to any injured person
undertake an on-board inquiry and detail information
if required show the appropriate signals
undertake repairs
If assistance from other vessels is non-existent and the vessel looks like foundering with a coastline nearby, consider ‘beaching’ the vessel.
REMEMBER:- if the collision between the two vessels has resulted in the vessel piercing the other and becoming wedged, the striking vessel should refrain from going astern immediately, as this may result in one or both vessels' sinking. If abandonment of either vessel is essential, transferring to the stable vessel, while wedged, may be easier than by doing so via water.
Groundings & Founder
Grounding of a vessel can be an intentional situation or occur accidentally.
There are three different types of grounding; e.g. beaching, stranding, or grounding.
Beaching
A vessel may be beached for many reasons, maybe to save it from foundering in deep water or to flood her, at a recoverable location, in the event of an uncontrolled fire, or simply to carry out underwater repairs, inspections, or cleaning of a foul bottom.
Points to consider (during beaching):
select the beaching site carefully (if the time permits, consider the type of bottom, how level is it, obstructions/obstacles present)
check details of tide (tidal heights, direction, tide times)
beach the vessel at 90o to the beach line (level ground)
beach approximately 1-2 hours after high water (to ensure sufficient water to refloat). If unable to beach around this time period. Ballast the vessel to its maximum draft by whatever reversible means needed to refloat it
stop engines prior to making contact (cooling water intake protection)
once vessel has grounded, lay out anchors (fore and aft depending on weather conditions)
if vessel is moving on bottom, add extra weights, if deep keel vessel, consider shoring up (prevent vessel lying into the sea for refloating purposes).
Refloating:
§ attempt to refloat as soon as vessel reaches flotation draft, remove ballast if it was added - maintain an even trim
§ bleed cooling systems
§ use anchors to kedge the vessel.
Stranding or Grounding
Stranding is the accidental grounding of a vessel on a beach or shoreline while grounding is the accidental contact with the sea bed other than the shoreline.
Actions to take (accidental stranding or grounding):
§ sound the alarm to muster the crew/p