comdtinst m16114.32c - U.S. Coast Guard

Part 2 – Operations and Missions
Chapter 3 – Standards of Boat Operations
The Coxswain is ultimately responsible for verbally assigning lookouts
and ensuring that visibility limitations are taken into account during
operations.
H.3. Underway
Emergencies/
Mishap Reports
H.3.a. Person in
Water (PIW)
Emergencies occur even onboard the best-maintained platforms and
despite practices of proper seamanship.
A mishap involving a PIW can be classified one of two ways:
(01) Fall:
A PIW as a result of a fall is an event where an individual enters
the water unexpected or unexplained (e.g. slipping, losing
balance, falling, etc.) off a moving structure (e.g. Ship, boat, paint
float etc.) or fixed structure (e.g. pier, jetty, etc.) into the water.
(02) Ejection:
A PIW as a result of an ejection is a situation where the
individual enters the water due to inertial force on a moving
platform (e.g. turning fast causing member to be propelled out of
the boat or ship, catching the chine and propelling the member off
the boat or ship, catching a wave and propelling member outward
of the vessel, etc.)
In cases where the person intentionally entered the water due to safety
concerns or other reasons, then it is neither a fall nor an ejection mishap.
Such an incident should be classified a mishap only if it meets other
mishap thresholds.
If in doubt whether a mishap is a fall or an ejection, classify the mishap
as an ejection.
H.3.b. Crew
Preparedness
Well-trained crews are the best able to respond in a timely fashion,
thereby maximizing the potential for successful resolution. Frequent
underway casualty control drills increase the preparation level of the
crew.
Specific casualty control actions for emergencies onboard boats, and
required post emergency checks to ensure vessel integrity are contained
in the specific boat type operator’s handbooks and in this Manual Part 5,
Readiness and Standardization. Area/District Boat Managers shall
outline, in writing, emergency procedures and follow-up actions for all
assigned non-standard boats.
H.3.c. Crew
As soon as practicable after the declaration of an emergency onboard the
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