SAR Seamanship Reference Manual - Canadian Coast Guard

SAR Seamanship
Reference Manual

©Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, represented by
the Minister of Public Works and Government Services, 2000.
Cat. No.: FS23-392/2000E
ISBN 0-660-18352-8
First Edition – November 2000
Available through your local book seller or by mail from
Canadian Government Publishing
Public Works and Government Services Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0S9
Telephone: (819) 956-4800
Fax: (819) 994-1498
Orders only: 1-800-635-7943
Internet: http://publications.pwgsc.gc.ca
Also available on the CCG Web site:
http://www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca
Produced by:
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Canadian Coast Guard
Search and Rescue
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0E6
Disponible en français

SAR Seamanship Reference Manual
Foreword
This SAR Seamanship Reference Manual is published under the authority of the Manager,
Search and Rescue, of the Canadian Coast Guard. Funds associated for the development of
this manual were provided by a generous contribution from the National SAR Secretariat’s
New SAR Initiatives Fund program. Without this financial contribution, the publication of
this manual would not have been possible.
Purpose
To be able to perform safely and effectively, a rescue mission involves a huge amount of
operational knowledge. Most of that knowledge is already available. However, in the
context of small vessels, it is dispersed under a number of specialised and individually
prepared courses or, under bits of documented information. In addition, the background
and theory that sustains SAR operational knowledge is in many cases developed for larger
ships involved in offshore rescue. Although the information is helpful, it does not always
reflect the reality of small boat operations. A prime example would be first aid where all
courses are developed around a movement free stable ground, which is quite different from
a small bouncing boat deck.
Another issue is standardisation. Search and Rescue is essentially a humanitarian activity with
the prime purpose of saving lives. In most cases, it involves the participation of number of dedicated
people that may not have the same background. In order to make operations more efficient,
it is paramount to have people executing operational tasks the same way. Therefore, this
manual is aiming at introducing and standardising small boat operations for SAR. In fact, the
purpose is to bring together under one manual all known best operational procedures and practices
that usually apply to small boat involved in a SAR mission.
This manual targets two main groups of small boat rescuers. One is the Canadian Coast
Guard Auxiliary and the other one is the Canadian Coast Guard Inshore Rescue Boat
Program. However, other organized response units such a local Fire Department can
certainly benefit from this manual. We hope that it will incorporate and standardise the
current best practices employed within the Canadian Coast Guard operations community.
It is intended to be the primary reference for the above noted two targeted groups, mainly
for shore based boat operations and seamanship training.
The standardised methods and procedures presented in this Manual can apply to all boat
operations and crew training and, Commanding Officers, Officers in Charge or Coxswains
are encouraged to ensure that personnel tasked with boat crew responsibilities are trained
or familiar in all methods and procedures in the Manual.
As the scope of this knowledge is quite vast, it will be under continuous review and will be
updated as necessary. In addition, errors, omissions or suggestions should be forwarded to:
Manager, Search and Rescue, Canadian Coast Guard
Department of Fisheries and Oceans
200 Kent Street, Station 5041
Ottawa, Ontario, CANADA K1A 0E6

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Table of contents
Abbreviations and acronyms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .vi
Chapter 1: Maritime SAR in Canada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-1
Who is involved? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-3
How is maritime SAR delivered in Canada? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-5
Vessels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-6
Rescue co-ordination and alerting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-8
Canadian Coast Guard program effectiveness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-15
Unnecessary use of the SAR system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-15
Partnership and team approach to search and rescue . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-15
Who should be called first . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-17
Chapter 2: Human factors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-1
Why spend time discussing human factors? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-3
Profile of a good SAR team . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-3
Image and attitude . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-19
Critical-incident stress management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-24
Chapter 3: Personal safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-1
General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-3
Protection in cold water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-3
Personal safety equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-7
Chapter 4: Vessel safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-1
Checklists and inspection of equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-3
Maintenance and repairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-11
SAR equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-36
Trailering a boat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-38
On board emergencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-42
Chapter 5: Seamanship and terminology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-1
Boat terminology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-4
Types of boats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-10
Boat Motions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-24
Ropes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-24
Knots, bends, hitches and related items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-29
Wire rope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-37
Working with ropes, lines and wires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-42
Chapter 6: Navigation safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-1
Collision regulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-3
Lookout procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-7
Aids to navigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-16

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Chapter 7: Navigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-1
Navigating with charts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-3
Electronic navigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-19
Chapter 8: Waves and weather . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-1
Wave theory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-3
Understanding weather . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-14
Chapter 9: Boat handling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-1
General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-5
The art of boat handling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-5
Environmental forces acting on a boat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-6
Propulsion and steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-9
Boat handling characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-17
Types of hull . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-21
Basic boat handling techniques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-28
Advanced boat handling techniques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-38
Heavy weather boat handling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-45
Chapter 10: Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-1
General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-5
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-5
Forces in towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-6
Towing equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-10
Approaching a vessel in need of towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-17
Use of bridles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-26
Stern tow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-28
Towing speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-29
Towing alongside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-31
Entering a marina with a vessel in tow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-33
Docking the alongside tow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-34
Heavy weather towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-35
Towing in current . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-36
Towing aircraft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-37
Person overboard operations with a tow astern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-38
Tandem towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-40
Sinking tow and a tow on fire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-42
Towing precautions checklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-44
Chapter 11: SAR operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-1
Awareness and initial actions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-7
SAR stages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-7
Emergency phases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-8
Awareness stage: Methods for communicating distress . . . . . . . . . . . .11-9
Initial action stage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-13
Timing of an SAR mission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-14

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SAR communications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-14
Planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-16
Basic search planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-17
Search patterns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-21
Conducting a search . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-30
Rescue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-36
Grounded vessels and damage control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-43
Rescue of capsized vessels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-52
Removing/delivering persons from/to shore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-62
Removing/delivering persons from/to other vessels . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-65
Aircraft rescue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-70
Rescue operations with DND planes and helicopter . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-72
Recovering submerged victims . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-76
Mission conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-78
Chapter 12: Emergency care and transportation of maritime casualties . . . .12-1
Medical emergencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-5
Water extrication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-9
Hypothermia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-11
Cold water near drowning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-12
Diving related injuries (SCUBA, etc.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-19
Multi-casualty situations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-26
Spinal injuries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-33
Care of rescue craft survivors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-38
External assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-41
Transportation of casualty in Fast Rescue Craft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-42
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . R-1

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PEOPLE INVOLVED
Acknowledgements
This manual would not have been possible
without the co-operation of several individuals
involved in Search and Rescue, many of
whom are mentioned in the following list.
Étienne Beaulé, First aid and technical
writing consultant
Allen Bilodeau, Project manager
Mathieu Vachon, Project manager
Team SAR Ottawa
Ron Miller
Mike Voigt
Steve Daoust
François Vézina
Johanne Clouâtre
Brian Leblanc
Neil Peet
Kathy Needham
REVIEW AND CONSULTATION
Canadian Coast Guard
Kevin Tomsett
Dave Dahlgren
Greg Sladics
Herman Goulet
Charles Lever
Stephen Sheppard
Howard Kearley
Mike Taber
Deborah Bowes-Lyon
Mark Gagnon
Gaétan Gamelin
Pierre Bossé
Pierre Domingue
Chris Moller
Geoff Sanders
Bill Mather
Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary
Harry Strong
Garry Masson
Ed Bruce
Rick Tolonen
Rudolph Mulack
Ted Smith
Guy Poirier
Jim Gram
Murray Miner
Cal Peyton
Ed Fulawka
Hubert Charlebois
Duff Dwyer
Don Limoges
Jack Kennedy
Don Mertes
Marvyn Huffman
Jim Presgrave
Robert Petitpas
Sylvio Lagacé
Gilbert Léger

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Jeanne Drolet
Jean Péloquin
Marie-France Lavoie
Bill Fullerton
Richard Wedge
Lois Drummond
Bruce Falkins
Inshore Rescue Boat (Program)
OTHER THANKS
The Gordon Creative Group
Point-virgule, inc. (French editing)
Maureen McMahon
(revised English edition)
Mario Boucher
(Institut Maurice-Lamontagne)
Mike Cass
Liz Brayshaw
Jen Schnarr
Danielle Dillon
Amy Birchall
Andrew Boyd
Casey Wilson
Tina Sweet
Darryl McKenzie
Marie Tremblay
Sophie-Émanuelle Genest
Nathalie Desjardins
John Johnstone
Scott Davis
Tim Church
Heather Goodwind
David Latremouille
Aaron Macknight
Chris Evers
Steven Shea
Dan Latremouille
Dana Sweeney
Steven Dickie
Gavin Moore
David Willis

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Abbreviations and Acronyms
NOTE: The abbreviations are listed alphabetically in the first column, with the French
equivalent in brackets. Bold characters indicate that the abbreviation is the same in both
languages.
AMVER
CASARA (ACRSA)
CCG (GCC)
CCGS (NGCC)
CCGA (GCAC)
CF (FC)
CGRS (SRGC)
COSPAS
CSA (LMMC)
CSS
DF
DFO (MPO)
DND (MDN)
DMB
DSC (ASN)
ECAREG Canada
ELT
EPIRB (RLS)
ETA (HPA)
FRC (ERS)
F/V (B/P)
GMDSS (SMDSM)
GPS
IMO (OMI)
Inmarsat
IRB (ESC)
kt (nd)
LKP
m
MCTS (SCTM)
MARB
Medevac
MSI
MRSC
M/V (N/M)
NM (MN)
NSS (SNRS)
OBS (BSN)
OSC
Automated Mutual Assistance Vessel Rescue System
Civil Air Search and Rescue Association
Canadian Coast Guard
Canadian Coast Guard Ship
Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary
Canadian Forces
Coast Guard Radio Station
Russian for: Space system search for distressed vessels
Canada Shipping Act
Co-ordinator surface search
Direction finder
Department of Fisheries and Oceans
Department of National Defence
Data marker buoy
Digital selective calling
Eastern Canada Traffic Zone Regulations
Emergency locator transmitter
Emergency position-indicating radio beacon
Estimated time of arrival
Fast rescue craft
Fishing vessel
Global Maritime Distress and Safety System
Global Positioning System
International Maritime Organisation
International Mobile Satellite Organisation
Inshore rescue boat
Knot (nautical mile per hour)
Last known position
Metre
Marine Communications and Traffic Services Centre
Maritime assistance request broadcast
Medical evacuation
Maritime safety information
Maritime rescue sub-centre
Merchant vessel or motor vessel
Nautical mile
National Search and Rescue Secretariat
Office of Boating Safety
On-scene co-ordinator

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PIW
PLB
POB
RCC
SAR
SARSAT
SART
SERABEC
SITREP
SKAD
SLDMB
SMC
SOLAS
SRR
SRU
S/V (B/V)
UTC
VTS (STM)
VHF
Person in water
Personal locator beacon
Persons on board
Rescue co-ordination centre
Search and Rescue
Search and Rescue Satellite-Aided Tracking
Search and rescue (radar) transponder
Sauvetage et recherche aériens du Québec
Situation Report
Survival kit air droppable
Self-locating datum maker buoy
Search and rescue mission co-ordinator
International Convention of the Safety of Life at Sea
Search and rescue region
Search and rescue unit
Sailing vessel
Co-ordinated universal time
Vessel traffic services
Very high frequency (30 to 300 MHz)

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