StatA

Coast Guard, DHS

§ 28.265

an electronic position fixing device capable of providing accurate fixes for
the area in which the vessel operates.

erowe on DSK5CLS3C1PROD with CFR

§ 28.265

Emergency instructions.

(a) Except as provided in paragraphs
(b) and (c) of this section, each vessel
must have emergency instructions
posted in conspicuous locations accessible to the crew.
(b) The instructions identified in
paragraphs (d)(6), (d)(7), (d)(8), and
(d)(9) of this section, may be kept readily available as an alternative to posting.
(c) On a vessel which operates with
less than 4 individuals on board, the
emergency instructions may be kept
readily available as an alternative to
posting.
(d) The emergency instructions required by this section must identify at
least the following information, as appropriate for the vessel:
(1) The survival craft embarkation
stations aboard the vessel and the survival craft to which each individual is
assigned;
(2) The fire and emergency signal and
the abandon ship signal;
(3) If immersion suits are provided,
the location of the suits and illustrated
instructions on the method for donning
the suits;
(4) Procedures for making a distress
call, such as:
(i) Make sure your communication
equipment is on.
(ii) Select 156.8 MHz (VHF channel
16), 2182 kHz, or other distress frequency used in your area of operation.
Note: VHF channel 16 and 2182 kHz on
SSB are for emergency and calling purposes only.
(iii) Press microphone button and
speaking slowly—clearly—calmly say:
‘‘Mayday—Mayday—Mayday’’
(iv) Say: ‘‘This is the M/V (Insert
name of your vessel), (Insert name of
your vessel), (Insert name of your vessel), Over.’’
(v) Release the microphone button
briefly and listen for acknowledgment.
If no one answers, repeat steps in paragraphs (d)(4) (iii) and (iv) of this section.
(vi) If there is still no answer, or if
the Coast Guard or another vessel re-

sponds, say: ‘‘Mayday—This is the M/V
(Insert Name of Your Vessel).’’
(vii) Describe your position using
latitude and longitude coordinates,
LORAN coordinate, or range and bearing from a known point.
(viii) State the nature of the distress.
(ix) Give number of individuals
aboard and the nature of any injuries.
(x) Estimate the present seaworthiness of your vessel.
(xi) Describe your vessel: (Insert
length, color, hull type, trim, masts,
power, and any additional distinguishing features).
(xii) Say: ‘‘I will be listening on
Channel 16/2182 (or other channel monitored).’’
(xiii) End message by saying: ‘‘This is
(insert vessel’s name and call sign).’’
(xiv) If your situation permits, stand
by the radio to await further communication with the Coast Guard or another vessel. If no answer, repeat, then
try another channel.
(5) Essential action that must be
taken in an emergency by each individual, such as:
(i) Making a distress call.
(ii) Closing of hatches, airports, watertight doors, vents, scuppers, and
valves for intake and discharge lines
which penetrate the hull, stopping of
fans and ventilation systems, and operation of all safety equipment.
(iii) Preparing and launching of survival craft and rescue boats.
(iv) Fighting a fire.
(v) Mustering of personnel including—
(A) Seeing that they are properly
dressed and have put on their lifejackets or immersion suits; and
(B) Assembling personnel and directing them to their appointed stations.
(vi) Manning of fire parties assigned
to deal with fires.
(vii) Special duties required for the
operation of fire fighting equipment.
(6) The procedures for rough weather
at sea, crossing hazardous bars, flooding, and anchoring of the vessel, such
as:
(i) Close all watertight and weathertight doors, hatches and airports to
prevent taking water aboard or further
flooding in the vessel.
(ii) Keep bilges dry to prevent loss of
stability due to water in bilges. Use

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erowe on DSK5CLS3C1PROD with CFR

§ 28.270

46 CFR Ch. I (10–1–09 Edition)

power driven bilge pump, hand pump,
and buckets to dewater.
(iii) Align fire pumps to use as bilge
pumps, if possible.
(iv) Check all intake and discharge
lines which penetrate the hull for leakage.
(v) Personnel should remain stationary and evenly distributed.
(vi) Personnel should don lifejackets
and immersion suits if the going becomes very rough, the vessel is about
to cross a hazardous bar, or when otherwise instructed by the master or individual in charge of the vessel.
(7) The procedures for anchoring the
vessel.
(8) The procedures to be used in the
event an individual falls overboard,
such as:
(i) Throw a ring life buoy as close to
the individual as possible;
(ii) Post a lookout to keep the individual in the water in sight;
(iii) Launch the rescue boat and maneuver it to pick up the individual in
the water;
(iv) Have a crewmember put on a lifejacket or immersion suit, attach a
safety line to the crewmember, and
have the crewmember standby to jump
into the water to assist in recovering
the individual in the water if necessary;
(v) If the individual overboard is not
immediately located, notify the Coast
Guard and other vessels in the vicinity;
and
(vi) Continue searching until released
by the Coast Guard.
(9) Procedures for fighting a fire,
such as:
(i) Shut off air supply to the fire—
close hatches, ports, doors, ventilators,
and similar openings.
(ii) Deenergize the electrical systems
supplying the affected space, if possible.
(iii) Immediately use a portable fire
extinguisher or use water for fires in
ordinary combustible materials. Do not
use water on electrical fires.
(iv) If the fire is in a machinery
space, shut off the fuel supply and ventilation system and activate the fixed
extinguishing system, if installed.
(v) Maneuver the vessel to minimize
the effect of wind on the fire.

(vi) If unable to control the fire,
mediately notify the Coast Guard
other vessels in the vicinity.
(vii) Move personnel away from
fire, have them put on lifejackets,
if necessary, prepare to abandon
vessel.

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and
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§ 28.270 Instruction, drills, and safety
orientation.
(a) Drills and instruction. The master
or individual in charge of each vessel
must ensure that drills are conducted
and instruction is given to each individual on board at least once each
month. Instruction may be provided in
conjunction with drills or at other
times and places provided it ensures
that each individual is familiar with
their duties and their responses to at
least the following contingencies:
(1) Abandoning the vessel;
(2) Fighting a fire in different locations on board the vessel;
(3) Recovering an individual from the
water;
(4) Minimizing the effects of unintentional flooding;
(5) Launching survival craft and recovering lifeboats and rescue boats;
(6) Donning immersion suits and
other wearable personal flotation devices;
(7) Donning a fireman’s outfit and a
self-contained breathing apparatus, if
the vessel is so equipped;
(8) Making a voice radio distress call
and using visual distress signals;
(9) Activating the general alarm; and
(10) Reporting inoperative alarm systems and fire detection systems.
(b) Participation in drills. Drills must
be conducted on board the vessel as if
there were an actual emergency and
must include participation by all individuals on board, breaking out and
using emergency equipment, testing of
all alarm and detection systems, donning protective clothing, and donning
immersion suits, if the vessel is so
equipped.
(c) Training. No individual may conduct the drills or provide the instructions required by this section unless
that individual has been trained in the
proper procedures for conducting the
activity.

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