28.3.1.1 A primary and secondary means of communication must be available to assemble crew and helpers for launching the boat on service.
request for launch e.g. for crew to either assemble and prepare for launch, or to launch immediately, etc.
.
28.3.1.3 Each member of the shore and boat crew is to be assigned specific roles prior to a launch.
28.3.1.4 Authorisation to assemble is not to be treated as an order to launch the Rescue Boat. The decision to launch the Rescue Boat lies with the Launching Authority and must be made with due consideration of the following points, for which an operational procedure must be in place:
• The minimum number of adequately trained, fit crew to safely operate the Rescue Boat in the conditions to be encountered has been assembled. Once authorised to launch by the Launching Authority, the Helmsman shall have the final decision whether to launch or not
• The minimum number of adequately trained, fit shore crew to safely launch the Rescue Boat in the conditions to be encountered has been assembled • The launch site has been selected from the list of nominated sites available.
Alternative launch sites are to be drawn up in advance as a result of local knowledge and liaison with Local Authorities, and training at the selected site is to have been undertaken
• The prevailing and forecast weather/sea conditions are within the operational limits of the Rescue Boat, both at the launch site and area of passage to and from the casualty. Operating a boat above its stated operating limit will place crew and boat at increased risk and should only be considered in exceptional circumstances, and should be a joint decision by the Coordinating Authority, the Launching Authority and the Helmsman who should all be in agreement. The Helmsman has the final decision.
Conditions affecting the operation of the boat may include sea state, air temperature, the likely service duration, distance of casualty from launch site, visibility, and daylight hours remaining
28.3.1.5 The points in Para 28.3.1.4 should always be fully considered and fully adhered to, other than in exceptional circumstances where there is direct knowledge of immediate danger to life and where any delay would substantially increase the risk of life being lost. In some organisations, the Launching Authority may be the duty Helmsman or the Duty Officer.
28.3.1.6 The following must be addressed during training: • Identification of operational limits
• Possible consequences of operating beyond operational limits • Appropriate action to be taken to reduce risks to crew and survivors
• All assembled crew and shore crew to wear appropriate, serviceable PPE for launching and operating the Rescue Boat in the conditions to be encountered
• All equipment required for launching, operating and recovering the Rescue Boat in the conditions to be encountered is to be serviceable, properly located and stowed
• The boat is to be fully fuelled, or have sufficient quantity of fuel in the boat fuel tanks to successfully complete the service
• All boat and essential equipment batteries to be fully charged, or sufficiently charged to successfully complete the service
• All applicable service connections to the boat to be disconnected
28.3.1.7 A procedure is to be in place to ensure that serviceable PPE is always available for crew to operate the Rescue Boat and that unserviceable PPE cannot be picked up in error.
28.3.1.8 The serviceability of PPE is to be checked following each time it is used, or at the start of each shift, and returned to its dedicated stowage.
28.3.1.9 A procedure is to be in place to ensure that all appropriate Rescue Boat equipment is available and properly stowed and secured ready for use.
28.3.1.10 A procedure is to be in place to ensure that only fuel of the correct specification, free from contaminants and correctly mixed, where appropriate, is put into the fuel tanks of the Rescue Boat. All Portable fuel tanks, including flexible tanks (on board and in the boat house) should be appropriately marked to reflect fuel type/mixture held.
28.3.1.11 Fuel procedures are to take account of national legislation, including the Road
Traffic Act and the Health and Safety at Work Act.
28.3.1.12 The number of crew onboard the Rescue Boat, when launched, is to be communicated to the Co-ordinating Authority. The Rescue Boat Organisation is to maintain an up-to-date crew list which is to be available to the Launching Authority or Duty Officer at all times when the Rescue Boat is on service or training.
28.3.2 Transit to Launch Site
28.3.2.1 The Rescue Boat Organisation is to develop and adhere to a safe launch procedure.
28.3.2.2 As far as practicable, a nominated person from the shore crew is to ensure that the route from the boat stowage to the launch site is clear and remains clear of
Police) may also be considered necessary as it is recognised that the Rescue Boat Organisation may not possess the necessary authority to enforce such a requirement.
28.3.2.3 Locations that are likely to be congested and difficult to keep clear will require visual/audible warnings such as signs, signals, sirens, flashing lights between the boat stowage facility, and the launch site. Route and contingency planning, with involvement from Local Authorities, may assist in speeding progress to the launch site.
28.3.2.4 Due consideration should be given to the location of the boat stowage facility to minimise launching delays.
28.3.2.5 The Rescue Boat Organisation is to ensure that all personnel are made aware of their obligations to comply with the relevant Road Traffic Regulations.
28.3.2.6 The boat and shore crew must have a working knowledge of the launch site (in and out of the water) and transit areas to the launch site.
28.3.2.7 A nominated person is to be responsible for the transit of the Rescue Boat and launching equipment from stowage to the launch site. Where this person is not the Helmsman, there should be a specified instant from which the Helmsman shall assume command of the launching operation on completion of transit until the boat is completely clear of the launching equipment. The launching equipment should then pass to the responsibility of one shore crew member for the preparations for recovery of the boat.
28.3.3 Launching
28.3.3.1 The operation of launching equipment is to be subject to local risk assessment. 28.3.3.2 The crew are to be made aware through training of any inherent instability in
the boat as a result of the launch and recovery method. Suitable practices to avoid potential difficulties are to be adopted.
28.4 Rescue Boat Under Way