Safety precautions on the water.

Southkorea · 04 July 2018, 04:46

Hi all,

I am new to the site. I'm an expat in South Korea with a 3.3m Sib and a 4.9hp (for the time being). Bought the SIB on the advice of a few members.

Before I head out onto the ocean I want to compile a list of possible scenarios that could go wrong and have them translated and on hand in the event they do.

Please feel free to add any common situations, scenarios that happen on the water or info the coast guard would need.

Things I've thought of thus far:

Motor failure @ lat/long + drift heading.
Motor failure - Being washed towards rocky shore
MOB @ lat/long
heart attack, stroke, injuries, unconscious
Taking on water
Run out of fuel
Capsized

TIA

Yabadabadoo · 04 July 2018, 06:11

Most of your list shouldn't happen as you're either prepared for them with equipment or don't engage in a situation where they're likely to happen, which I'm guessing is the reason you're making a list?

Add punctures, sea sickness, dehydration, heat stroke, hypothermia, navigation error to the list

Sure they'll be more to come!

Ginkgo · 04 July 2018, 06:15

Attack by giant squid

charliee · 04 July 2018, 06:21

Maybe stay at home but don’t forget the dangers of getting to the water. Don’t go too far in a 3.3 with a 5hp motor.
You could add tsunami wave.

Pikey Dave · 04 July 2018, 06:31

Don't t overthink it. Basic boat/safety kit will cover most situations you're likely to encounter.
Anchor & warp
First aid kit
Water
Bailer
VHF (many of these can now give you your position & have basic navigation capabilities)
A well maintained engine
Basic seamanship training
Life jackets
PLB
Water
Food
Appropriate clothing
Not an exhaustive list, I'm sure experienced Sibbers will add to it shortly.

Poly · 04 July 2018, 08:34

I think what the OP is trying to do is have a list of “crisis” in a phrase book in Korean so he can call for help? Initially that seems a sensible idea, although depending how good his Korean is will he understand any response? I assume - because they are intended to be international that Korea still uses MayDay and PanPan?

Obvious missing crisis would be “fire” or other situation where you might abandon ship.

In my experience more likely you will encounter others in trouble that have a problem yourself.

Yabadabadoo · 04 July 2018, 09:01

I wondered if the OP was like me when I first started riding motorcycles, I hoovered up every bad crash story I could get hold of. My lateral thinking was that if I could hear of how the accidents happened I could avoid them

Odd approach looking back but it did help, I've never overtaken on a bend

No short cut to experience

jeffstevens763@g · 04 July 2018, 09:37

look at the weather before you do anything thats the big one to suit your experience and your craft capabilities

Pikey Dave · 04 July 2018, 09:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poly

I think what the OP is trying to do is have a list of “crisis” in a phrase book in Korean so he can call for help? Initially that seems a sensible idea, although depending how good his Korean is will he understand any response? I assume - because they are intended to be international that Korea still uses MayDay and PanPan?

Obvious missing crisis would be “fire” or other situation where you might abandon ship.

In my experience more likely you will encounter others in trouble that have a problem yourself.

But isn't the international language of the sea English? I'm betting that the South Korean coastguard (or it's equivalent) speaks better English than the OPs Korean.

Southkorea · 04 July 2018, 23:58

Hi All,

Thanks for the responses. Like what Poly said, it's just to be prepared in the event something serious goes down, and also, more importantly, to keep the wife happy.

I have some experience offshore as a crew member on large trawlers and in estuaries in South Africa but never as the skipper. I can speak basic Korean but it goes to s**t in tense situations and the same goes for the Coast Guard here, they can speak basic English-they can pass the tests but have little practical use of the language, I don't want to chance it if something goes wrong. Being on the water here is like the Wild West, boats don't use diver below flags or markers, right of way isn't observed and serious accidents on the water here are almost a daily occurrence (Hardly ever seen a Korean use a kill cord round their wrists).

Not trying to over think it but more for a 'just in case' scenario. Fire, heat stroke and hypothermia are good ones. Summer is high 30's and 90+ humidity while winter is below freezing.

hymerbeliever · 05 July 2018, 06:35

You need a knife too: the last thing you want is to have a fishing net wrapped around your prop and be drifting towards North Korea. Remember the USS Pueblo! If your prop uses a pin then spare pins and some pliers and practice how to change it. There’s a sticky on this forum about what do you carry on your sib which has some good tips albeit for those who venture further afield than you’d contemplate with your outboard.

breezeblock · 05 July 2018, 14:57

you worry too much

jonp · 07 July 2018, 06:14

Maybe sell the boat and join a marine rescue group.

Poly · 07 July 2018, 09:48

Crikey, the guy tries to think ahead and do a bit of preparation and you lot criticise him. Yes he probably needs to relax and try it - but I bet you all made your first trip in waters where your native language was normal (the CG may speak English but does the fisherman who might be rescuing him) and/or with loads of others around. We’d all be criticising him if he sets off without thinking about issues or planning ahead. I’m not sure if there is any access to training, so “we” might be the best chance he has.

jonp · 07 July 2018, 23:39

This is the basic safety kit we have to carry by law here. When I stated join a marine rescue group, this was a serious suggestion ( if there is one locally) you can learn so much from such groups especially in your local area. Sorry it posted upside down, can't seem to change it.

ShinyShoe · 08 July 2018, 09:04

It's coz ur Australian... ;-)

willk · 08 July 2018, 09:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShinyShoe

It's coz ur Australian... ;-)

He's not y'know - he's an English nobbur

Anyway - it's all wasted advice. The OP isn't asking about safety equipment or techniques. He's asking for typically encountered emergency scenarios so he can have them translated into Korean for easy reference if he has to call it in to the CG or other vessel.

Southkorea · 09 July 2018, 01:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

He's not y'know - he's an English nobbur

Anyway - it's all wasted advice. The OP isn't asking about safety equipment or techniques. He's asking for typically encountered emergency scenarios so he can have them translated into Korean for easy reference if he has to call it in to the CG or other vessel.

Spot on, my 1st post was badly worded!

Pikey Dave · 09 July 2018, 05:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Southkorea

Spot on, my 1st post was badly worded!

If verbal communication could be a problem, a DSC VHF would help in a "brown stuff hitting the fan" situation. You can choose the type of emergency that you are dealing with from the menu & send the appropriate digital message. e.g. Fire, MOB, medical, piracy etc.

jonp · 09 July 2018, 12:51

A plastic international v sheet and the arm signals used internationally should be known by most people. The flare kit in my earlier post should be pretty common sense for locals to know you are in trouble ( hand smoke and red night flares ).