![\"A](\"https:\/\/fish-news.com\/cfn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/Mattera-SH.jpg\")
A qualified Coast Guard-approved marine drill instructor, Fred Mattera of Point Judith, RI is the owner\/president of North East Safety Training Co. (NESTCo), which conducts fishing vessel drills and inspections and basic safety training workshops.
A commercial fisherman for 40 years, Mattera is a member of the Commercial Fishing Safety Advisory Committee to the Coast Guard, and, since 1998, has been president of the Point Club, a fishing vessel mutual insurance group. He also has served on the board of directors for Sunderland Marine Mutual Insurance Co., the principal underwriter for the Point Club and more than 2,000 US fishing vessels, since 1998.<\/p><\/div>\n
We needed to devise and articulate a Monthly Solo <\/b>Operator Drills <\/b>protocol. \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n
His response was, \u201cFred, I just fish by myself.\u00a0 Why do I have to do emergency drills?\u00a0 No one else is even on the vessel.\u201d<\/p>\n
The simple answer:\u00a0 In fact, solo operators of fishing vessels have even more reasons to do their own emergency drills.<\/p>\n
Unlike vessels with crews, when you go single-handed there is only one person available to fight a fire, stop flooding, make a Mayday call, and\/or rescue yourself from the water.\u00a0 That\u2019s you.<\/p>\n
Solo operators will be better prepared by pre-planning and pre-staging their safety and survival equipment and by practicing how to do the many-needed onboard crisis tasks by themselves.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
SOLO MAN OVERBOARD DRILL:<\/b><\/p>\n
Man overboard events on solo-operated vessels often end up as casualties.<\/p>\n
So it is especially important for solo-operators to practice self-recovery.<\/p>\n
\u2022 \u00a0Have something you can grab from the water to help you climb onboard by yourself.\u00a0 Try boarding your vessel at the dock or mooring \u2013 this will help in creating creative ways for self-rescue that work for your vessel.\u00a0 Consider mounting a permanent ladder where it doesn\u2019t interfere with your gear, or mount a line over the rail within reach of the water that will release a rope ladder when tugged, (Plano makes these ladders).<\/p>\n
\u2022 \u00a0Have a knife in a sheath on your person and place another strategically down the rails to the stern.<\/p>\n
\u2022 \u00a0We never expect to go overboard until that split second before falling.\u00a0 Then it\u2019s too late to put on a PFD, so wear your PFD at all times.\u00a0 Try on and inspect numerous types of PFD\u2019s that are suitable for your working conditions.\u00a0 I prefer auto-inflate in case you hit your head; the Hammer auto-inflate models are activated in 4\u201d of water.\u00a0 Check your PFD monthly for excessive wear-and-tear and partially top off the bladder with the mouth inflator for possible leaks.<\/p>\n
\u2022 \u00a0Consider buying an electronic MOB device that will shut off your engine once you enter the water.\u00a0 This will provide an opportunity to catch up to your vessel.\u00a0 Do monthly checks to operate and deploy the MOB device.<\/p>\n
\u2022 \u00a0Review how you would recover a crewman from another vessel who is a MOB victim.\u00a0 Practice throwing the life ring and using a life sling for retrieval, and master the skill of how to hoist a victim onboard.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
SOLO FLOODING DRILL:<\/b><\/p>\n
Reviewing your gear and procedures will greatly aid in a flooding emergency.<\/p>\n
\u2022 \u00a0Check the seals, gaskets, and dogs on watertight doors and hatches.<\/p>\n
\u2022 \u00a0Check all underwater hoses and plumbing for leaks, and have double hose clamps.<\/p>\n
\u2022 \u00a0Check that the seacock is functioning properly.<\/p>\n
\u2022 \u00a0Check that bilge pumps are functioning properly.<\/p>\n
\u2022 \u00a0Check that all high water alarms are functioning and that all suctions and strainers function.<\/p>\n
\u2022 \u00a0Assemble a flood kit \u2013 including wooden wedges, cone plugs, hatchet (trimming and hammering) flashlight, screwdrivers, hose clamps, duct tape, bicycle innertubes cut and split, wire ties, dive gloves, knife, etc.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
SOLO FIRE DRILL:<\/b><\/p>\n
A fire drill by the solo operator can be more of a hands-on practice.<\/p>\n
\u2022 \u00a0Review location of fire extinguishers and their use (PASS: P, pull pin; A, Aim; S, Squeeze; and S, Sweep).<\/p>\n
\u2022 \u00a0Operate fuel shut-offs, electrical panel shut-offs, and PTO shutoffs (find them in the dark), and be sure all gauges are in the charge mode.<\/p>\n
\u2022 \u00a0Look for sources and locations of potential fires, including:\u00a0 hydraulics and hoses; dry exhaust (create a window to view condition of exhaust wrap and the plywood for charcoaling); main engine; fuel racks and fuel lines leaking; frayed or chafed wiring; plus battery connections and electrical panel.<\/p>\n
\u2022 \u00a0Do a \u201cboundary check\u201d for any safety equipment (that is beyond reach or has been removed) or any flammable material that should be moved.<\/p>\n
\u2022 \u00a0Locate vents and practice securing them with non-flammable material (foulweather gear works well).<\/p>\n
\u2022 \u00a0If you have smoke and fire alarms onboard, do a test.<\/p>\n
\u2022 \u00a0Most importantly, be sure that your immersion suit is in the pilothouse and readily available and, if your EPIRB is mounted on the cabintop, consider moving it to the back outside wall of the pilothouse for quick access.<\/p>\n
\u2022 \u00a0Review procedures for fighting a fire, including making a 1-2 minute Mayday call (if time permits), before attacking the fire.\u00a0 My theory is that your life is most important \u2013 we can replace the boat; we can\u2019t replace you.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
SOLO ABANDON SHIP DRILL:<\/b><\/p>\n
\u2022 \u00a0Mayday call.\u00a0 Practice saying repeatedly the five critical parts of a Mayday:\u00a0 Name, Position, Nature of Distress, and POB (People Onboard and Vessel Description)<\/p>\n
\u2022 \u00a0EPIRB.\u00a0 Take the EPIRB out of its shell, test it monthly and know how to manually activate it.\u00a0 Make sure battery hasn\u2019t expired and the hydro-release mechanism is current.\u00a0 It is most importantly that your NOAA decal date is current and the UIN number matches the UIN number on the EPIRB unit.<\/p>\n
\u2022 \u00a0Flares.\u00a0 Know their location and check their expiration dates, plus review and practice activating all flares.<\/p>\n
\u2022 \u00a0Immersion suit.\u00a0 Be sure your immersion suit is readily available and practice donning the suit in 60 seconds or less.\u00a0 Inspect the suit for tears or open seams, keep zippers waxed and strobe lights functioning.<\/p>\n
\u2022 \u00a0Life raft.\u00a0 Review your life raft launch procedure, be sure the hydro-release mechanism is current and the painter is shackled into the red square weaklink.\u00a0 Make sure quick-release and or pelican hook function properly.<\/p>\n
\u2022 \u00a0Ditch kit.\u00a0 Consider packing a ditch kit that is readily available in the pilothouse with extra water, energy bars, flashlight, medication if needed, matches, twine, duct tape, knife, plastic bags, handheld VHF, etc.).<\/p>\n
\u2022 \u00a0Secure the vessel.\u00a0 Remember to close all doors and hatches upon leaving the vessel.<\/p>\n
By performing these various drills, the solo operator may often find that reconfiguring the placement of safety equipment for ease of access makes sense.\u00a0 You don\u2019t know this until you have run the drill a few times.<\/p>\n
Finally, keep in mind that the solo operator faces many unique challenges in an emergency at sea.<\/p>\n
Obviously, with no other crew to share duties with, it is even more important for you as a solo operator to practice and be prepared.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
![\"CFN_8_15-cover\"](\"https:\/\/fish-news.com\/cfn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/CFN_8_15-cover-243x300.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
To read the rest of the August issue of\u00a0Commercial Fisheries News –\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>please\u00a0choose from the\u00a0following options<\/i>:\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Buy a Single PRINT edition of CFN that is delivered by MAIL.\u00a0PRINT EDITION<\/a> Quickly enjoy ONLINE access with our flip-book.\u00a0ONLINE EDITION<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0[add_to_cart=7058]<\/strong> (Read online flip-book immediately with access key and download a copy for yourself. \u00a0Not sure?\u00a0SAMPLE HERE<\/a>)<\/em><\/p>\n
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n