MV BLUEFIN QUALITY MANUAL - Australian Maritime College

Australian Maritime College
APPENDIX 3.5
DECK OPERATION - LIFERAFT DRILL WORK
SUMMARY OF LEARNING OBJECTIVES
TRAINING OUTLINE: LIFERAFT DRILL
The exercise is structured to train students in the processes of abandoning a vessel at sea
successfully deploying an inflatable liferaft, and organising the personnel at the Muster
Station to board and depart the ship safely. Following a thorough briefing and exercise
description by the Master, a student will command the liferaft in the exercise and, control
the sequence of events leading to abandonment of the vessel under the watchful eyes of
supervising ship’s crew members who must be prepared to overrule any practice which
they may deem to be unsafe or contrary to recognised procedures.
Only specifically trained personnel who have attained qualifications in survival craft will be
allowed to participate in this exercise.
Prior to liferaft launch and following its recovery, the ship’s boat will be deployed to monitor
the raft and occupants and to maintain UHF/VHF contact with the ship should a student
need transfer as a result of illness or injury.
SUPERVISION AND SUPERVISORS
POSITION DUTY STATION COMMUNICATIONS
MASTER In Command Bridge UHF/VHF
Chief Engineer Assist Mate L/R location UHF
Mate 1/C Deck L/R location UHF
2 nd Mate Coxswain Rescue Boat UHF/VHF
AMC Lecturer Assist Bridge/Deck UHF
POTENTIAL HAZARDS AND PRECAUTIONS TO AVOID THEM
1. Incorrect issue of commands leading to wrong action; supervising personnel MUST
be fully aware and ready to countermand poor or incorrectly made decision.
2. Persons falling overboard through ship’s side door; all liferaft personnel must wear
SOLAS life jackets.
3. Sheltered embarkation area at rescue door; the ship must be stopped in the water
and drifting with the wind on the port side to provide a lee for raft and boat
operations.
4. Long lengths of liferaft synthetic ropes, i.e. painter and bowsing tackle, sea anchor
may sink and foul propeller; ship’s main engine must be “CLUTCHED OUT” prior to
commencement of liferaft launch or recovery.
Append 3.5 - Liferaft.docx 1 of 3
Revised: November 2010