Assisting others in distress

Communicating To Emergency Services

The master is responsible for communicating effectively with passengers and should have the complete authority and do what he/she thinks is necessary to keep the vessel and passengers safe.

Skippers must be able to identify, record and communicate the location of the vessel in need with emergency services and passengers on board. This can be achieved via –

• Information such as GPS, local knowledge, marine charts, compass, or marine radio
• Recording information via ships log, marking a way point on a GPS device, sending coordinates in a text message, sending coordinates in a radio message, or marking the position on a chart
• Communicating via use of mobile telephones, marine radio, verbal (i.e. shouting), EPIRB, use of flares or other signals.

Don’t forget to communicate the end of the emergency to Emergency Services. It can save valuable resources & unwarranted searches. 

Summoning Assistance Form Other Vessels

A mobile phone is almost useless to communicate with the boat that may be closest and first to rescue you as you won’t have their phone number. A marine radio is much better form of communication as many boats in your area may be in a position to hear your request for assistance and can be summoned to offer the necessary help.

Providing Assistance 

Providing assistance to an injured person is not easy on-board a small, recreational boat. Depending on the situation, expert assistance would be more appropriate than what you can provide. Communicating with emergency services and getting them involved should be a high priority in most cases. Having said this, if someone who is first aid trained is on board, their help would be of greater benefit than those who are not. Consider having first aid qualifications not only for yourself, but for those whom you go boating with. Marine first aid courses are available if you’d like to pursue this further.

Maintaining Communication 

Good, clear communication is required to manage communication with rescuers. The better the communication, the likelihood of successful rescue increases. As stated above, there are many tools of communication at your disposal. Our experience would lead us to believe the marine radio and mobile phone communication are brilliant devices in most circumstances when contacting emergency services. Maintaining conversation will enhance the clarity of the situation and this is important as many parties may be involved with the rescue.