Safety Boat Requirements

Phil M · 17 June 2015, 17:01

I've been asked if I can do safety boat duties in our local marina this Friday as there is an air show on (red arrows included - should be good!). Can anybody tell me if I need any qualifications to do this or any special insurance? I have boat insurance from Westfield which includes cover for picking people out of the water (divers usually) and have my PBL2. The boat is in excellent order so no concerns over reliability. It will almost certainly be a case of pottering around the harbor for a few hours enjoying the display with no incidents.

I will not be expecting any payment if I do this so no commercial concerns. A nice evening with an air show and a few hours closer to running the engine in is reward enough!

Can anybody advise?

Phil M

paintman · 17 June 2015, 17:44

Check with your insurance company.

Poly · 17 June 2015, 17:59

I'd be asking the person organising it to confirm that THEIR insurance covers you. it could involve towing, that isn't ideal for breaking in a new engine. I also think you need to approach it assuming the worst will happen, and I get annoyed at event organisers who assume anyone with a boat is appropriate to provide safety cover.

treerat · 17 June 2015, 18:21

I enjoy safety covers but always need to know what role the organiser actually wants you to do.

Are you there as public safety? Picking anyone up that falls in off the side, Are you playing gate keeper, keeping an area free? Are you the rescue boat for all craft?

Knowing what you are going to be doing will help. Check that the event insurance will cover you for the 3rd party liabilities - and once happy, enjoy....

Phil M · 17 June 2015, 20:24

Turns out the task is to collect parachute jumpers from the harbor (the red devils). We wait at the edge until they land then go collect. I've asked for clarification that they understand what time of boat I have and that it has a big blender on the back, but will assume I need to organise my own insurance. I'll give westfield a call tomorrow to confirm. My current insurance covers injury to divers in the water. Just need to check it covers sky divers too!

I believe this not to be a public safety, gatekeeper or rescue role, however would obviously render assistance if required.

I really hope this is a go'er as it sounds like a really interesting night!

Phil M

TonyC · 17 June 2015, 21:49

I've done parachutist recovery a number of times for the The Black Knights (Royal Artillery).

You need to get to them pretty quickly, due to the weight of the kit they're wearing (especially if they're flying flags below them), otherwise it's a normal recovery.

Also, if they've been using flares, watch out for sharp bits on their legs (from the flare cannisters)

Phil M · 17 June 2015, 23:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonyC

I've done parachutist recovery a number of times for the The Black Knights (Royal Artillery).

You need to get to them pretty quickly, due to the weight of the kit they're wearing (especially if they're flying flags below them), otherwise it's a normal recovery.

Also, if they've been using flares, watch out for sharp bits on their legs (from the flare cannisters)

Thanks for the tips.

Rokraider · 18 June 2015, 10:18

I would make sure that the event organisers have you covered on their liabilty insurance and establish who will be responsible in the event of a mishap, ie damage to goods or people. I have not rescued a parachutist from water. Do they stay attached to the parachute once in the water? will it be trailing in the water behind them as a kite surfers might. Potential for all sorts of problems. Interesting point about the smoke cannisters being strapped to their legs.

Phil M · 18 June 2015, 11:38

Having spoken to the event organiser and my insurance, I've decided not to. Shame really but it sounds like they haven't considered the insurance from that point of view at all. Apparently the other boats probably don't have any insurance at all.

Thanks all for the advice anyway.

I have decided though to see what I'd need to do to set myself up as a safety boat (non-commercial though) so I could help out at these events and be self sufficient from the point of view of insurance. There are a few charity events and sporting events around these parts that require boat cover.

Phil M

Low Flyer · 20 June 2015, 07:05

Did you see the news ?

Sent from my iPad using RIB Net

ShinyShoe · 20 June 2015, 07:11

Quick linky: Red Devils in Whitehaven Airshow mid-air parachute drama - BBC News

treerat · 20 June 2015, 07:15

[QUOTE=ShinyShoe;682830]Quick linky: Red Devils in Whitehaven Airshow mid-air parachute drama - BBC News

Oh heck - how brown is fear......