STCW V4 part1

The sea can be a [blank_start]dangerous[blank_end] place. Even with [blank_start]modern[blank_end] ships and modern technology [blank_start]disasters[blank_end] can still happen. [blank_start]Collision[blank_end], fire and [blank_start]foundering[blank_end] can all lead to abandonment. When human lives are on [blank_start]risk[blank_end] all seafarers owe it to themselves and their colleagues to [blank_start]understand[blank_end] the responsibilities.

This series has been produced to [blank_start]supplement[blank_end] your ships personal [blank_start]survival[blank_end] [blank_start]manuals[blank_end] including the [blank_start]SOLAS[blank_end] Chapter III training manual and [blank_start]STCW[blank_end] requirements. This video looks at survival at sea after abandoning the ship.

It cannot be [blank_start]stress[blank_end] too strongly that your [blank_start]ship[blank_end] is your best [blank_start]lifeboat[blank_end]. Abandonment should only be undertaken as the [blank_start]last[blank_end] resort and ordered from the [blank_start]master[blank_end]. Before abandonment, the ship´s [blank_start]GMDSS[blank_end] distress functions are activated. Generally they will be alerting both by INMARSAT and by [blank_start]DSC[blank_end] on one or more wave bands.

The evacuees must be prepared to [blank_start]spend[blank_end] some time in the survival [blank_start]craft[blank_end]. They should put on extra [blank_start]clothing[blank_end] and [blank_start]head[blank_end] protection before evacuation. They should make every effort to keep [blank_start]dry[blank_end]. Once a survival craft has been launched, the priorities are to keep [blank_start]away[blank_end] from the ship, assemble with [blank_start]other[blank_end] survival craft, and stream the [blank_start]sea[blank_end] [blank_start]anchor[blank_end]

To conserve [blank_start]fluids[blank_end] everyone, without exceptions, must take the [blank_start]seasick[blank_end] [blank_start]pills[blank_end]. If there is more than one survival craft, they should be [blank_start]secured[blank_end] together. This is one of the [blank_start]tasks[blank_end] of the motor powerboats.

There are four principal [blank_start]dangers[blank_end] to be faint. 1. [blank_start]Drowning[blank_end]. This is fatal in [blank_start]minutes[blank_end]. 2. The inability to maintain body [blank_start]temperature[blank_end]. This will be fatal in [blank_start]hours[blank_end]. 3. Lack of [blank_start]water[blank_end], which takes a [blank_start]few[blank_end] [blank_start]days[blank_end] to cause dead. 4. Lack of [blank_start]food[blank_end]. This only becomes a threat to life after [blank_start]several[blank_end] [blank_start]weeks[blank_end].

The [blank_start]priorities[blank_end] them are [blank_start]first[blank_end] to protect themselves against drowning and the exposure. [blank_start]Second[blank_end], to help rescue services locate them, ant [blank_start]third[blank_end] to conserve their [blank_start]water[blank_end] and [blank_start]food[blank_end] supplies. These priorities are summarized to protection, location, water and food. Protection from [blank_start]drowning[blank_end] is provided by the survival craft. So it’s essential is condition is care and the costume watch with regular [blank_start]inspections[blank_end].

Protection from [blank_start]exposure[blank_end] causes different problems in different [blank_start]climates[blank_end]. In hot climates the sun’s [blank_start]heat[blank_end] accelerates the lost of body [blank_start]fluids[blank_end]. This can lead to dehydration and even [blank_start]dead[blank_end] by an increasing body temperature. [blank_start]Heat[blank_end] stroke. In [blank_start]cold[blank_end] climates, life jackets and thermal [blank_start]protective[blank_end] aids should be used to insulate the evacuees and so prevent heat lost.