NCYC EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLAN

Transcription

1 NCYC EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLAN Note: This document must be carried on board all participating yachts. It is the responsibility of each yacht's master and all crew to be conversant with this Emergency Management Plan. A. RISK ASSESSMENT A list of risks associated with the event, and strategies to alleviate these risks. B. OPERATIONAL PLAN Safety Procedures, rescue/ support craft, qualified personnel in attendance and communications procedures. NCYC Emergency Management Plan 2011 page 1

2 A. RISK ASSESSMENT COLLISION a) With Competitors Strategies to alleviate this risk: Skippers shall attend a rules education seminar for skippers and crew prior to the start of each sailing season. All vessels shall maintain a continuous listening watch on VHP channel16 during races. All vessels competing in NCYC races must carry: 1. an AYF Rule Book; 2. an NCYC Sailing Instruction and courses book with specific shipping warning and procedures; b) With Shipping As well as the strategies to alleviate the risk of collision with competitors, the following strategies are also in place to further alleviate the risk of collision with shipping: Each vessel carries a copy of: 1. International collision regulations; 2. A guide for yachts using Newcastle Harbour (Newcastle Port Corporation and NSW Maritime. The Race Officer checks with Vehicle Traffic Information Centre (VTIC) for latest shipping information prior to the start of the event: 1. Gives skippers the latest available information regarding shipping movements during a race; 2. delays the start of a race where applicable. Skippers of racing yachts are aware that no racing penalties apply for starting an engine to avoid shipping FIRE Strategies to alleviate the risk: Safety Category 4 equipment compliance ensures adequate levels of upkeep of fire fighting equipment such as fire extinguishers, fire blanket and buckets with lanyards Inboard engines must be fitted with metal fuel lines and fuel tanks. NCYC Emergency Management Plan 2011 page 2

3 SINKING Strategies to alleviate the risk: Safety Category 4 equipment compliance ensures adequate levels of upkeep of equipment such as bilge pumps, cockpits and cockpit drains, Ballast and heavy fittings secured, seacocks have plugs attached, buckets with lanyards, stop cocks. MAN OVERBOARD Strategies to alleviate the risk: Safety category equipment compliance ensures Lifelines, toerails, harnesses (AS2227 or equivalent). In the event of a man overboard, PFD's with crotch strap or thigh straps, and Man Overboard retrieval gear. NCYC Emergency Management Plan 2011 page 3

4 B. OPERATIONAL PLAN 1. Aim 2. Scope 3. Definitions 4. Legislation 5. Area Covered 6. Responsibilities 7. Safety Procedures. 8. Rescue craft 9. Qualified personnel in attendance 10. Activation of the Emergency Management Plan 11. Communications Stations and Organisations 12. Possible Emergency Scenarios NCYC Emergency Management Plan 2011 page 4

5 1. Aim The aim of this plan is to provide a framework for fast and effective action in relation to an emergency; and Support for crew members involved in an emergency and their next of kin 2. Scope The Emergency Management Plan covers all yachts involved in the NCYC RACING CALENDAR. The procedures detailed herein shall be followed in event of any incident or emergency. All radio communications shall be in accordance with the Marine Radio Operators Handbook. 3. Definitions Emergency Management Plan EMP Rescue Authority NSW Police Service / NSW Ambulance Service Search and Rescue SAR Communications Authority (Marine Rescue Newcastle) RVCP ph fax VHP Channel'16 VMR220 VHP repeater channel Legislation The Legislation under which this plan has been prepared are the principal Acts of Parliament under which Waterways operates namely the Maritime Services Act 1935, Marine (Boating Safety - Alcohol and Drugs) Act 1991, Navigation Act 1901, the Radio communications Act Area Covered The Area Covered is that designated in the NCYC aquatic license, and from Newcastle Harbour to Redhead and fifteen (15) nautical miles seaward. NCYC Emergency Management Plan 2011 page 5

6 6. Responsibilities 6.1 The Race Officer of the day is the Rescue and coordinating Authority and shall take control of any incident or emergency, contacting Water Police, NSW Maritime, Marine Rescue (Newcastle), Newcastle Port Authority and or ambulance as applicable. If deemed necessary, he/she may then delegate the role of Rescue Authority to the police. In the case of a medical emergency, the NSW Ambulance Service shall be contacted first, followed by the Police. 6.2 Marine Rescue, Newcastle Division VMR220 when contacted by the Race Officer of the day becomes the Communications Authority in the case of emergency. This organisation will then coordinate all communication between all yachts. This station is located at Heritage Cottage, The Terrace, Newcastle and operates on marine and rescue radio frequencies. 6.3 Liaison Officer. Is the NCYC Race Officer for the day. Contact on VHP Channel 16 If unable to raise by radio, Mobile numbers of each duty RO are issued to each skipper. The Liaison Officer in event of an incident shall liaise with the NSW Police Service / the NSW Ambulance Service and Marine Rescue, Newcastle. He/ She shall be on standby and immediately contactable for the duration of the passage of all yachts during the race. If not contactable by radio, and his/ her mobile is temporarily out of range, a voice message should be left and the Deputy Liaison Officer contacted. 6.4 Deputy Liaison Officer. Deputy Liaison Officer reports to the Liaison Officer. The Deputy Liaison Officer is shore based and shall provide relief and support to the Liaison Officer. He/She shall be on standby and immediately contactable for the duration of the passage of all yachts during the race. When delegated by the Liaison Officer or if the Liaison Officer is not contactable, he/she shall assume the responsibility and duties of the Liaison Officer and act in that capacity. The Liaison Officer shall act as the Welfare Officer when required. NCYC Emergency Management Plan 2011 page 6

7 7. Safety Procedures REQUIREMENTS All vessels competing in open water: i. are to have a NSW Maritime Open water "Offshore OK" sticker, and for the duration of races, to carry such safety equipment as covered in this certification. ii. In addition, all vessels competing in open water, with the exception of the Stockton circle, to have an AYF safety category 4 certificate or higher. iii. All Vessels competing in the Stockton Circle will have an AYF safety category 7 certificate or higher as well as the NSW Maritime (Waterways) open water certification. All vessels competing in Newcastle enclosed water: iv. are to have a NSW Maritime OK" sticker, and for the duration of races, to carry such safety equipment as covered in this certification. v. will have an AYF safety category 7 certificate or higher. All vessels of AYF safety category 4 or higher will maintain a continuous listening watch on VHF channel 16 for the duration of races. 8. rescue craft These are not usually required due to the fact that all vessels carry the relevant NSW Maritime stickers having been safety audited and found to satisfy the requirements. The start boat is available to render assistance if required. 9. qualified personnel in attendance This is the Race Officer of the day. All communication is to go through this person. yachts, if necessary, shall be required to provide assistance. Stages of Activation are defined at paragraph 7.4 NCYC Emergency Management Plan 2011 page 7

8 10. Activation of the Emergency Management Plan NOTE! All Distress, Urgency and Safety radio communications shall be made in accordance with procedures laid down in the Marine Radio Operator's Handbook. A yacht's master or the person responsible for the safety of the yacht shall determine the emergency or incident as requiring either an Urgency (PAN PAN) or Distress (MAYDAY) signal. Urgency Signal PAN PAN (spoken three (3) times) Injury to crewmember(s) requiring off yacht assistance. Substantial damage to yacht requiring external intervention. Man Overboard (MOB). Distress Signal MAYDAY (spoken three (3) times) Yacht and/or crew is threatened by grave and imminent danger and needs immediate assistance. EPIRB activation Any yacht making an Urgency or Distress signal shall advise they are competing in the NCYC race and hive name of vessel On receipt of an Urgency or Distress signal the Race Officer/ Liaison Officer shall immediately advise the Water Police who may then assume the role of Rescue Authority, and VMR220 Marine Rescue, Newcastle. A STAGE of Activation will then be determined by the Rescue Authority, NSW Police Service which will be communicated by VMR220 Marine Rescue, Newcastle to the fleet on VHP channel 72 advising what action is underway and which yachts, if necessary, shall be required to provide assistance. Stages of Activation are defined at paragraph 7.4 NCYC Emergency Management Plan 2011 page 8

9 10.3. Nothing in the above prevents a yacht advising the Communication Authority (by any means available, ie mobile phone, relay through other yacht) of any matter that may become more serious. Any yacht hearing another yacht reporting such an incident or emergency shall maintain a close listening watch on the frequency and if required, render assistance or relay signal traffic. A STAGE of Activation will then be determined by the Rescue Authority, NSW Police Service which will be communicated by VMR220 Marine Rescue, Newcastle to the fleet on VHF channel 72 advising what action is underway and which yachts, if necessary, shall be required to provide assistance. Stages of Activation are defined at paragraph STAGES of Activation VMR220 Marine Rescue, Newcastle or the Rescue Authority only shall advise a STAGE of Activation. ALERT An incident has occurred or there is imminent danger of an incident. All yachts shall maintain a close listening watch on the frequency, nominated by the Marine Rescue, Newcastle. STANDBY An incident or emergency has occurred and yachts may be required to render assistance. All yachts shall maintain a close listening watch for instructions on the frequency nominated by Marine Rescue, Newcastle. RESPONSE An incident or emergency is being responded to by emergency services or other assigned yacht. All yachts shall maintain a close listening watch for instructions on the frequency nominated by Marine Rescue, Newcastle, lookout for responding yachts and obey directions from the Rescue Authority. RECOVERY A yacht or her crewmember(s) are being recovered by emergency services or other assigned yachts. All yachts shall maintain a close listening watch for instructions on the frequency nominated by Marine Rescue, Newcastle, look out for responding yachts and obey directions from the Rescue Authority. NCYC Emergency Management Plan 2011 page 9

10 11. Communications Stations & Organisations All radio communications shall be conducted in accordance with procedures laid down in the Marine Radio Operator's Handbook, a copy of which should be held in all vessels, NOTE! Nothing in this Emergency Management Plan limits or prohibits the master of any yacht seeking assistance by any available means in the event of their vessel or crew being in danger Marine Rescue, Newcastle For the NCYC long distance races /events, this organisation will coordinate all communication between all yachts and shore stations This station is located at heritage Cottage, The Terrace, Newcastle and operates on marine and rescue radio frequencies. NCYC Emergency Management Plan 2011 page 10