Passenger/Crew Orientation


A very tragic story, and it never should have happened! Anyway, thanks for the course and all the neat info — I have it in my 'Favorite Places' file, and I'm going there now!

Janice

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Janice,

I think your story is a very significant and important issue and would like to publish it so others will possibly learn from this tragic mistake.

Capt. Matt

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Capt Matt,

Yes, you may use that story at your site — if it helps even one person to realize that it is imperative to teach the crew the basics, it will be worth it. A mere 5 minutes or so at the beginning of each trip would do it — a mini-briefing, of sorts. The following is some of what I think the captain should cover, at least briefly:

    1. Go over where the life jackets are located so that if the captain gives the order for everyone to don them, people aren't wasting precious time tripping over each and tearing things apart trying to find them! It's amazing how many boats have them tucked away somewhere out of sight, and the majority of guests/crew have no idea where to find them.

    By the way, the part of the USCG requirement concerning PFD's states that they must be readily accessible. That does not mean in the storage compartment in the V-berth under two cases of your favorite beverage.

    2. Point out the fire extinguisher locations and instruct passengers/crew how to use them.

    3. Conduct a demonstration on how to use the VHF radio. Discuss which channel in your area is the emergency channel, and how to pinpoint your location on the GPS (if you have one), in order to give it to the emergency personnel.

    4. If something goes wrong and the captain hasn't ordered you to do anything, GET OUT OF THE WAY! It's amazing how many people just stand there dumfounded in the middle of chaos - it drives me nuts! We lost an engine in a 30 knot wind on the Charles River on the 4th of July where there were literally thousands of boats anchored and rafted all around us, and within seconds we were in extreme danger of a collision. We were trying to retrieve a tow line from a fellow boater, and my landlubber brother sat in a chair right in the middle of the back deck (we were on a 32-footer with about 10 people on board,

    The copyright of the article Passenger/Crew Orientation in Boating - Power & Sail is owned by Capt. Matt. Permission to republish Passenger/Crew Orientation in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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