Several of our most recent blogs have been about emergencies while on board. This blog presents probably the most critical type of emergency and rescue in the form of airlift by a helicopter from your boat to shore. A helicopter is brought in when this is the only way to immediate safety and medical services.
Two events prompt evacuation by helicopter:
Weather so severe that you will perish without removal,
and a medical emergency where time is critical.
First, your VHF radio must be tuned to Channel 16 at high volume. When you make the emergency call for the helicopter, know your position. The helicopter pilot will give instructions as to what your course heading should be, and your speed. Clear your deck of any loose items that could blow into the water or create problems, such as coolers, soda cans, garbage cans, buckets, towels, jackets, etc. Lower all antennas, if possible. If you are on a sailboat, all sails should be lowered and secured.
The only passengers on deck should be the one rescued and those who can help. All others should be below.
Important things, every skipper should know.
1. The helicopter pilot sits in the starboard seat, and the retrieving cable is launched from the starboard side of the helicopter.
2. No spotlights or flares are launched or shined in the direction of the aircraft.
Your boat and the helicopter work better when both are aligned and underway on the same heading. If the boat engine is not working, then the vessel should still be set to the course indicated by the helicopter pilot.
Follow through with all instructions from the helicopter pilot before the helicopter is overhead. Once the aircraft is overhead, be prepared for extreme noise and windy conditions. At this point, the only signals from boat to helicopter will be hand signals because of the noise.
When an item is lowered from the helicopter – a static discharge cable is usally attached to the, stretcher, hook, or equipment – the spinning blades act like a generator and can generate thousands of volts of electricity into the cable. To avoid an electrical shock, let the static discharge cable touch down on the boat or in the water before touching it.
If the helicopter is lowering a person, the person may be lowered directly to the boat. Another way to lower a person or item to the vessel is with a high wire safely flown to the vessel's deck, and then the equipment will be lowered. Never secure a cable to the boat that is directly attached to the helicopter.
If an ill or injured person is being secured into a gurney on deck, the helicopter will move away until the individual is ready to be hoisted up.
In extreme weather where the entire crew needs to be evacuated, know that the boat will be lost. There won't be anyone from the rescue squad that will be bringing the boat back to shore.
Rescue by helicopter is most likely a life and death situation. Remain calm. Listen to the directions of the emergency personnel. Review safety instructions with all visitors to your boat.
Fair winds. Smooth sailing.
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Award-winning author Cheryl Kuba has been at the helm for more than 30 years sailing the Great Lakes, with side trips to the British Virgin Islands and St. Maarten. She has served as past- Commodore of Great Lakes Fleet 21 -Chicago region. 3happycampers.com
©Copyright Cheryl Kuba, 3happycampers.com
To obtain more information about the products and services mentioned in this article, please contact CLR Marine https://www.clrmarine.com/.
