Crisis Response - Responding To A Marine Emergency

Dealing with a crisis at sea can be a precarious balancing act and knowing how to effectively manage potential situations is important.

By learning the protocol for marine emergencies, you are putting yourself in an effective position to deal with a crisis. If you don't know the protocol for marine emergencies, and neglect to exploit the support system around you, you may be endangering your passengers and yourself. On the flipside overreacting to a situation can unnecessarily tie up Search & Rescue (SAR) resources, and jeopardize the lives of others.

The Protocol

Accurately Assess Your Situation And Take Appropriate Action

When you find yourself in a crisis you must quickly assess your situation prior to taking any action.

If you or any of your passengers are in immediate danger (danger to life and limb) you must immediately contact the Coast Guard on VHF Channel 16 and relay your location and situation.

If you or your passengers are not in immediate danger, but might soon find yourselves in immediate danger you must immediately call the Coast Guard on VHF Channel 16. Some examples of situations that can quickly develop into something more serious are:

• Both your main engine and kicker (auxiliary motor) have stopped working and strong currents are pulling you towards a hazardous rock-bed two miles away.

• There is a person overboard in waters with strong winds and currents. You're in a sailboat with a small kicker (auxiliary motor) that can't move you fast enough against the wind and current to lift your passenger out of the water. It will take you a while to swing your boat around and work your way against the wind to make a rescue.
• You are 20 miles out when your motor dies and a heavy storm warning is issued for the area.

If there is a problem and you and your passengers are not in immediate danger call a commercial service company to assist you with your situation.

Reasoning Behind The Protocol

It is very important to accurately assess your situation. A mistake in judgment might put your life, and the lives of your passengers, in danger. However, if you contact the Coast Guard and call in an emergency when there is no immediate danger, you tie up vital Search And Rescue resources and direct them way from other, potentially more serious incidents.