Sagacious SOP’s.

In the interest of Seamanship, Safety and Survival at Sea we have developed some standard operating procedures. It is hoped that new crew read through these in prior to coming aboard. Although most days sailing are sunny with a gentle breeze, when things go wrong the consequences can be serious. In the event of an incident or emergency we need decisive actions, rapid response from all crew members and tested procedures. Thus, we have put a considerable amount of thought, testing and training into these documents. We also welcome your input. A discussion now is worthwhile, whereas arguments or indecision on the day could be costly.

Safety briefing.

  • Involve all crew, preferably seated in cockpit, before cast off.
  • Safety policy; Our aim is to take all steps to control risk of injury.
  • Introduce new crew and encourage questions
  • Assign numbers for ‘Number off‘ and practice a couple off times.
  • Point out dangers of a) winches, jammers, ropes sheets, and halyards, boom, slips and falls, collisions, etc. See separate list.
  • Point out safety equipment location and equipment storage plan (on Nav Table).
  • Read out Man overboard SOP in full.
  • Read out other SOP’s if risks are elevated.
  • Boat rules, No alcohol when sailing, toilet function, watch schedule, no weeing off the back.
  • Encourage questions
  • Appoint First Aider
  • Appoint radio operator
  • ‘Number off’

Man Overboard

  1. Alert the Crew. Shout ‘man overboard‘ loudly, all hands on deck.
  2. Helmsman or nearest crew presses MOB button on Chartplotter for 3 seconds or beep sounds. Other crew members throw liferings, deploy flag, and other items that float ie torches, cushions.
  3. Helmsman nominates a ‘spotter‘. Spotters sole job is to point (arm fully extened) to the MOB continuously from a high position until he is retrieved onboard. Also call distance and direction loudly
  4. Account for all crew. Use number off system. Helmsman initiates by shouting “Number off”
  5. Helmsman stops the boat. Heave to, quick stop method.
  6. Furl the jib, lower the spinnaker, secure the boat. Check no ropes can get caught in prop. Helmsman, checks prop clear.
  7. Start engine. All crew members don life jackets.
  8. Turn back to man overboard. Make radio call. PAN, PAN, PAN. Maybe a Mayday if conditions warrant.
  9. Consider lowering mainsail.
  10. Deploy ‘TUFF SLING’ from orange bag on back rail. Have throw line at the ready. Fit hard ladder (locker behind Nav table) onto leeward side.
  11. Once alongside, a) assist up ladder. b) Attach Topping lift (green and black rope from end of boom) to Tuff Sling. Winch aboard.
  12. Account for all crew. Use number off system. Helmsman initiates by shouting “Number off“.
  13. Check medical condition, get out of wet cloths, avoid hypothermia.

Abandon Ship

  1. Only, the person in charge will make the ‘abandon ship’ call.
  2. All crew to put lifejackets on.
  3. Account for all crew. Use number off system. Helmsman initiates by shouting “Number off“
  4. The liferaft is to be readied on the deck in front of the mast.
  5. The liferaft painter is to be tied securely to the mast.
  6. A MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY call is made. Radio Scripts on wall next to radios. Deploy EPIRB.
  7. The crew will remain onboard for as long as possible before stepping up into the liferaft.
  8. The liferaft is to be deployed on the leeward side of the boat. a). Check painter / rope attached to strong point (probably mast). b). Throw canister overboard. 3). Pull painter to inflate raft,
  9. The skipper or PIC will instruct a). A person to connect EPIRB to liferaft, b) Crew to bring grab bag on deck, c) Consider taking other items radios, phones, wallets. d) decides who gets into liferaft first. (Fittest person first, injured next, all other after)
  10. Inflate lifejacket before stepping off the boat. Clip onto liferaft painter. Do not jump into liferaft.
  11. Account for all crew, use number off system. Helmsman initiates by shouting “Number off“.
  12. Cut Painter/tether
  13. Fire one (1) only suitable flare. Save the remainder for when a rescue vessel is in sight. Situational. Iniate 2 only PLB’s at one time.

Starting the Engine.

  1. Prior to leaving dock, responsible crew member does Pre-start. Checks Fuel, oil, fan belts and general appearance.
  2. Helmsman gives instruction to start the engine.
  3. All crew check for lines over the side.
  4. Crew member assigned to starting the engine calls ‘Clear the Prop’.
  5. Helmsman responds ‘Clear’.
  6. Crew member checks engine shutoff is in and starts the engine.
  7. Crew member checks water is pumping, batteries charging.

Broken Mast

  1. Helmsman accounts for all crew. Use number off system. Helmsman initiates by shouting “Number off“.
  2. All crew to put lifejackets on. ‘Clip on’.
  3. Security of boat checked, ie Water ingress,
  4. Do Not Start Motor.
  5. Skipper assesses need to cut mast away. If any part of the mast is in the water it should be cut away.
  6. Sails can be cut away with a sharp knife.
  7. Wire and ropes can be cut away with large wire cutters in locker behind Nav table. Consider removing pins on rigging, or using battery powered grinder.
  8. The value of the mast is not worth an injury or a life.

Rough Weather Stategies

Under development

Loss of Rudder or Steering

Under development