Ropax Barge "Quandamooka" Emergency Procedures

Rescue Boat Over view

The Quandamooka is fitted with a 3.2M (4 person) aluminium dinghy which is located on the port aft main vehicle deck.

The rescue boat is fitted with a 15hP two stroke Yamaha out board for propulsion.

The fuel for the outboard is premixed in a 10L outboard fuel cell which is checked & topped up as required whenever the unit is used or when monthly drills are conducted.

The rescue boat is secured in it's cradle on the main deck and held down with cargo straps.

Launching of the rescue boat is carried out by raising the boat out of it's cradle, slewing it out board & lowering the boat to the water on the port side via the dedicated davit crane designed for this purpose.

There are bow & stern mooring ropes attached to allow the crew to control the boat once it is raised out of the cradle, slewed out board & lowered into the water.

The davit crane has a manually operated winch (crank handle type) to raise or lower the boat.

There are three tested, lifting slings fixed to the boat with a lifting point that a quick release hook is attached to, to assist with the quick & easy  launch & recovery of the boat

A ladder specifically made to allow the crew to embark/disembark the boat safety is placed in position at the rescue door adjacent to the launch area. 

The rescue boat is to be launched with no persons on board, while the ship is stationary. Once the boat has been lowered into the water the quick release hook will be released before a crewmember embarks the boat.

Weather, Sea state conditions, and the ships performance should be taken into consideration before launching this boat to ensure the safety of the crew is retained.

It would not be considered safe to launch this vessel if any of the above conditions were an issue.

Crew definitions: Crew 1 = Deckhand, Crew 2 = Ships Engineer,  Crew 3 = Mate

Rescue Boat Launch Procedure

• Master to create a lee with the ship for the boat to be launched safely.
• All crew are to confirm internal communications with the master priot to launching.
• Check all safety equipment is on board. (including oars)
• Check bungs are inserted.
• Check and prime fuel to the out board motor.
• Start outboard engine briefly and stop.
• Release securing cargo straps.
• Crew 1: Control the bow line until the boat is slewed out board & lowered into the water.
• Crew 2: Control the stern with the stern line. 
• Crew 3: Raise the rescue boat up out of the cradle with the davit winch, slew the boat out board & lower into the water. 
• Crew 3: Once the boat is fully lowered, trip the quick release hook & obtain the stern line from crew 2.
• Crew 2: Embark the boat, lower the outboard motor & start the engine ready to depart. Check ahead/astern propulsion.
• Crew 1: Embark the boat if required.

Rescue Boat Recovery Procedure

• Master to create & maintain a lee with the ship for the boat & inform VTS.
• All crew are to confirm internal radio communications with the master priot to RB recovery.
• Crew 2: Pass the bow & stern line to the crew on board the ship. Stop the outboard engine, raise & lock in position before disembarking.
• Crew 1: Receive & secure the bow & stern lines before passing the quick release hook to be attached.
• Crew 3: Commence raising the boat with the davit once crew 2 is safely on board. Slew in board & lower into the cradle.
• Crew 2: Inform the master.
• Crew 1 & 2: control the bow & stern lines until the boat is lowered into the cradle.
• Secure the boat down with the cargo straps & inform the master.
• Master: Date/time of the boat launch/recovery & any defects recorded in the ships log and VTS notified.

Man Over Board (MOB)overview

The Quandamooka has a vehicle ramp at the bow of the vessel (as the first preference) which can be lowered down enough to allow the crew to recover a person from the water should a Man Over Board (MOB) alert be initiated.

Utilising the bow ramp will be dependant on weather conditions & sea state at the time. Utilising the bow ramp method for a MOB recovery shall be determined by the master to ensure the safety of his crew and ship are preserved before execution of this method.

There are also rescue doors fitted in the bulwarks on the Port & Starboard main vehicle deck to allow recovery through these should the bow ramp method not be able to be utilised safely.

The third option would be to utilise the boat for a recovery, but this method would also be at the master's descretion to ensure the safety of his crew depending on the weather & sea state at the time.

Drills are carried out by all masters and crew monthly and logged on the Transit data web on completion of the drill.

A safety DVD is played to the passengers on every voyage with a brief description on what they are required to do in the event of a MOB. ( Maintain visual contact, Point in the direction of the MOB, Raise the alarm by shouting "Man Over Board / Man Over Board / Man Over Board" )

The master shall make an approach of the MOB from down wind if possible when adopting the bow ramp recovery procedure and/or through the rescue doors (P&S).

When recovering a MOB using the bow ramp, the MOB is to be directed & recovered from the side of the ramp.

On hearing the MOB alarm the crew will carry out the following MOB procedures as determined to be safe by the master. 

All crew will be wearing a PFD when carrying out this task.

MOB: Bow Ramp Recovery Procedure

• All crew are to confirm internal radio communications.
• Master shall notify all vessels in the vicinity & VTS of the MOB and if assistance is required.
• Master shall note the course and turn the vessel onto the reciprocal course or head in the direction of the person in the water.
• Crew 2: Obtain the first Aid kit & proceed to the bow main deck and assist crew 3 to don the fall arrest recovery harness.
• Crew 1: Proceed to the bow focsle to guide the master in towards the MOB, giving direction, distance & vessel speed once in close proximity to the MOB. 
• Crew 3: Proceed to the bow, place the boat hook in the vicinity of the recovery area. 
• Master: Lower the bow ramp to the horizontal position. Then lower the ramp toes into the water once all way has been taken off.
• Crew 1: Descend onto the bow ramp with a life ring ready to throw to the MOB to assist with the recovery to the side of the ramp.
• Crew 2: Proceed down onto the main deck from the focsle to assist in guiding the master in towards the MOB on the final approach & assist crew 3 with recovery of MOB. 
• Crew 1: Raise the bow ramp to the horizontal position once the MOB has been recovered fromthe water onto the bow ramp.
• Apply first aid as required, alert shore emergency services and proceed to the nearest mainland facility.
• Notify Authorities & log all information.