A REPORT ON

SURVIVAL AT SEA COURSE

AT GUNUNG KERIANG AQUATIC CENTRE KEDAH

ON 4 FEBUARY 2010

Prepared by

R B KENNEDY ENIS

BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN MARINE TECHNOLOGY

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA PERLIS

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

NO TITLE PAGE

Table of Contents i

List of Figures ii

1 Introduction 1

2 Findings 2

3 Recommendations 16

4 Conclusion 17

5 References 17

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LIST OF FIGURES

NO TITLE PAGE

1 Upright Position 3

2 Swimming Training 4

3 HELP Position 4

4 CON Position 5

5 PERSON RAFTING Position 6

6 Free-fall Jumping From Spring Board 7

7 Lift Raft 7

8 Overturn of Life Raft 10

9 “Crocodile Towing” Technique 11

10 Boarding of Lift Raft 11

11 Items of Lift Raft 14

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1.0 Introduction

1.1 Background of Study

On 4 February 2010, my friend and I had the opportunity to undergone a

survival at sea training that conducted by Adventure, Safety and Survival

(ASAS) Outdoors. The training was held at Gunung Keriang aquatic centre

Kedah which was about 40 kilometers from UiTM Perlis campus. This

training was compulsory to every student of programs Bachelor of Marine

Technology to fulfill the academic requirements under a navigation safety

(MAR 580) subjects that taught by Tuan Haji Idrus bin Shaari. The training

methodology was used both theory and practical.

1.2 Objectives

The objectives of this study were:

a. to experience the actual situations of survival at sea, and

b. to view and learn the techniques of survival at sea.

1.3 Problem Statements

The following were several problems faced during the training process:

a. crowding,

b. the equipments was not up-to-date, and

c. the program was not well organized.

1.4 Scope of Study

This study only covers the survival at sea (pool training).

1.5 Significant of Study

As a student, this kind of activity is able to further increase the knowledge of

survival at sea where the students feel the experience with their own.

Consequently, the students can be adapting the survival training into others

situations or environments.

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2.0 Findings

2.1 Pool Safety

2.1.1 Pool safety rules

Following were samples of pool safety rules:

a. Walk, don’t run.

b. Always swim with a buddy.

c. Jump, don’t dive into shallow water.

d. Play safe. Don’t push others into the pool.

e. Always enter from the poolside or diving board. Never dive or

jump into the water from any other structure.

f. Swim only in daylight unless the pool is properly lighted.

g. Prevent anyone who is intoxicated from using the pool.

Recognize the risks associated with drinking alcohol and

swimming and supervising others. Drink responsibly.

h. Directly supervise people using diving boards and slides. Allow

only one person at a time on this equipment.

i. Be Sun Smart and protect yourself from the hazards of the sun.

2.1.2 Pool safety equipments

Following were the samples of safety equipments:

a. Buoy line.

b. Reaching pole.

c. Buoyant throwing assist with a buoyant line attached.

d. Sound signaling device

e. Telephone.

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2.2 SOLAS Life-jacket

2.2.1 SOLAS life-jacket

A SOLAS life-jacket was an approved personal flotation device which

helps to maintain floatation and warmth.

2.2.2 Wearing of SOLAS life-jacket?

Step 1: Approved life-jacket was wearied and checked.

Step 2: The fitted was checked.

Step 3: The life-jacket was pull-up by the instructor to make sure it fits.

2.2.3 Upright when using life jacket in water.

Figure 1: Upright position

2.3 Swimming

2.3.1 Basic swimming

A training of basic swimming has been done to enhance the proper

technique of basic floating, freestyle and backstroke.

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Figure 2: Swimming training

2.4 HELP Position

Figure 3: HELP position

In the HELP position training, it was a survival technique used to conserve

heat in cold water. The HELP position was difficult to do unless wearing a life

jacket. "HELP" stands for Heat Escape Lessening Posture. This posture can

increase the chances of survival by reducing the amount of body surface area

that was directly exposed to cold water. In this position, the chest and knees

were in contact with each other rather than being in contact with cold water.

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2.5 CON Position

The CON position training was a training to create a circle by members of

surviving when stranded at sea. The purposed of this technique was to attract a

helicopter view at sea. The technique of CON position that made by the

students were hand-in-hand of each other’s and leg propel on the water.

Figure 4: CON position

2.6 PERSON RAFTING Position

The purpose of PERSON RAFTING position was to pushing or towing an

injured survivor at sea. It was a technique where the students must work

together to create a person-raft by foot flanked between two conflicting

between each other while flanked hand side with other students.

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Figure 5: PERSON RAFTING position

2.7 Free-fall Jumping From Spring Board (1, 3 and 5 meters)

One of the importance tasks in this training was a free-fall jumping from

spring board. The courage and spirit from each of the students to do the free-

fall jumping was required in this training.

Following were the techniques of free-fall jumping from spring board:

a. Stand on the gunwale and check the water for debris.

b. Check to see if the life jacket is tied and all the straps are secured.

c. Hold your nose and cover your mouth with your left hand.

d. Cross over your left hand with your right hand and hold the life jacket

collar securely.

e. Hold your elbows into your side as much as possible.

f. Keep head and eyes straight ahead. Do not look down.

g. Take one step out using either foot.

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h. Bring your trailing leg up behind your leading leg so that they cross at

the ankles. This will protect you if you should land on any floating

debris.

Figure 6: Free-fall jumping from spring board

2.8 Life Raft

2.8.1 What is a life raft?

Life raft is an emergency raft used in case of serious problems to the

parent vessel, such as sinking.

Figure 7: Lift raft (25 persons)

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2.8.2 Life Raft Requirements

Following are the requirements of life raft under SOLAS convention:

Every life raft shall be so constructed as to be capable of

withstanding exposure for 30 days afloat in all sea conditions.

The life raft shall be so constructed that when it is dropped into

the water from a height of 18 m, the life raft and its equipment

will operate satisfactorily. If the life raft is to be stowed at a

height of more than 18 m above the waterline in the lightest

seagoing condition, it shall be of a type which has been

satisfactorily drop-tested from at least that height.

The floating life raft shall be capable of withstanding repeated

jumps on to it from a height of at least 4.5 m above its floor

both with and without the canopy erected.

The life raft and its fittings shall be so constructed as to enable

it to be towed at a speed of 3 knots in calm water when loaded

with its full complement of persons and equipment and with

one of its sea-anchors streamed.

The life raft shall have a canopy to protect the occupants from

exposure which is automatically set in place when the life raft

is launched and waterborne.

No life raft shall be approved which has a carrying capacity of

less than six persons unless the life raft is to be launched by an

approved launching appliance or is not required to be stowed in

a position providing for easy side-to-side transfer, the total

mass of the life raft, its container and its equipment shall not be

more than 185 kg.

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The life raft shall be fitted with an efficient painter of length

equal to not less than 10 m plus the distance from the stowed

position to the waterline in the lightest seagoing condition or 15

m whichever is the greater.

2.8.3 Launching of Life Raft

Following are the steps for launching of life raft manually:

Step 1: Pull open the hook at the hydrostatic release to release

the tie down straps.

Step 2: Secure the operating cord (painter/lanyard) to the cleat.

Make sure that the operating cord is free of tangles.

Step 3: DO NOT REMOVE the bands around the container.

They will automatically break open when the operating cord is

pulled.

Step 4: With two or more crew members, throw the life raft in

its container overboard

Step 5: With the life raft and container in the water, pull on the

operating cord 10-20). The bands on the container will break

and the life raft will automatically inflate.

Step 6: Leave the operating cord attached to the cleat aboard

the ship.

Step 7: Board the life raft as soon as possible (Figure 10-21).

Step 8: Remove the knife from the pocket on the canopy.

Step 9: Cut the operating cord to free the life raft from the

sinking ship.

Step 10: Read the survival manuals that are found inside the

raft. These will give you complete instructions on what to do

while you are in the life raft.

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2.8.4 Overturn of Life Raft

A capsized raft can be righted (turned right side up) before the inverted

(upside down) canopy fills with seawater, one person can easily right it

using the following procedure:

Swim to the side marked "RIGHT HERE", if it is not marked,

go to the side where the CO2 cylinder is located. Reach up and

grab the righting strap. Start pulling yourself up onto the raft. It

may help to kick your feet out as if swimming, if this does not

work, tries putting your feet or knees into the external lifelines

to help you pull yourself up on the raft. Some rafts may right

while you are climbing onto them. Others are more difficult to

right.

Note: A righting strap is fitted on the underside of the raft to

right the raft if it capsizes or inflates upside down. The righting

strap runs the full width of the oval or round raft.

Stand on the very edge, where the CO2 cylinder is located. Lean

back with all your weight while pulling on the righting strap. If

the canopy is clear of water, the raft will begin to follow you. If

the raft is large, it will land on your head unless you bend your

knees and spring backwards just as the raft begins to free fall.

Figure 8: Overturn of life raft

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2.8.5 Boarding the Lift Raft

Step 1: make a human “crocodile towing” technique and move

in a line of group to lift raft.

Figure 9: “Crocodile towing” technique

Step 2: after reach at the life raft’s boarding location, the most

in-front survivor need to clamp with the life raft.

Figure 10: Boarding of life raft

Step 3: the survivor that in the most behind need to move onto

a life raft by linking the other survivors one-by-one. Then, with

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the help of survivor who are in-front, the survivor who are most

behind just know is pull-up into the life raft.

Steps 4: repeat step 3 until all the survivors up into life raft.

2.8.6 In The Life Raft

After up into the life raft, all survivors shall do as following:

Put off individual life jacket and tight together and throwing

outside the raft.

Check the physical condition of all on board. Give first aid if

necessary. Take seasickness pills if available. The best way to

take these pills is to place them under the tongue and let them

dissolve. There are also suppositories or injections against

seasickness. Vomiting, whether from seasickness or other

causes, increases the danger of dehydration.

Try to salvage all floating equipment - rations; canteens,

thermos jugs, and other containers; clothing; seat cushions;

parachutes; and anything else that will be useful to you. Secure

the salvaged items in or to your raft. Make sure the items have

no sharp edges that can puncture the raft.

If there are other rafts, lash the rafts together so they are about

7.5 meters apart. Be ready to draw them closer together if you

see or hear an aircraft. It is easier for an aircrew to spot rafts

that are close together rather than scattered.

Remember, rescue at sea is a cooperative effort. Use all

available visual or electronic signaling devices to signal and

make contact with rescuers. For example, raise a flag or

reflecting material on an oar as high as possible to attract

attention.

Locate the emergency radio and get it into operation. Operating

instructions are on it. Use the emergency transceiver only when

friendly aircraft are likely to be in the area.

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Have other signaling devices ready for instant use. If you are in

enemy territory, avoid using a signaling device that will alert

the enemy. However, if your situation is desperate, you may

have to signal the enemy for rescue if you are to survive.

Check the raft for inflation, leaks, and points of possible

chafing. Make sure the main buoyancy chambers are firm (well

rounded) but not overly tight. Check inflation regularly. Air

expands with heat; therefore, on hot days, release some air and

add air when the weather cools.

Decontaminate the raft of all fuel. Petroleum will weaken its

surfaces and break down its glued joints.

Throw out the sea anchor, or improvise a drag from the raft's

case, bailing bucket, or a roll of clothing. A sea anchor helps

you stay close to your ditching site, making it easier for

searchers to find you if you have relayed your location.

Without a sea anchor, your raft may drift over 160 kilometers

in a day, making it much harder to find you. You can adjust the

sea anchor to act as a drag to slow down the rate of travel with

the current, or as a means to travel with the current. You make

this adjustment by opening or closing the sea anchor's apex.

When open, the sea anchor acts as a drag that keeps you in the

general area. When closed, it forms a pocket for the current to

strike and propels the raft in the current's direction.

2.8.7 Life Raft Capacity

The lift raft capacity is designed with a safety factor of 50% which

mean for life raft that designed to accommodate 25 persons is actually

can be accommodate for 37 persons.

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2.8.8 Items on Life Raft

Figure 11: Items on life raft

Following are general equipments on life raft:

Paddles

Sea anchor with line

Bailer

Sponge

Bellows/pump

Instructions for survival

Table of life-saving signals

Water bags

Leak stoppers

SOLAS fishing kit

SOLAS/USCG Thermal protective aids (TPA’s)

Drinking cup

Safety tin opener

Repair kit

Rescue quoit & line

Buoyant safety knife

Scissors

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Sunscreen

Survival rations:

SOLAS/USCG Food rations

USCG/SOLAS Drinking water

Following are medical equipments on life raft:

Seasickness pills

Seasickness bags

SOLAS First aid kit

Following are signaling equipments on life raft:

Emergency Positioning Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB)

SOLAS/USCG Hand flares

SOLAS/USCG Signal mirror

SOLAS/USCG Parachute rockets

SOLAS/USCG Smoke signals

Whistle

SOLAS flashlight

Extra batteries & bulb

Note: Do not throw any body liquids (blood, urine, dropping or etc)

into the sea because it can be able to attract a shark.

2.8.9 Management of Survival

Following are the management of survival that should be practice by

survivors if stranded at sea:

a. Position

b. Organize

c. Location

d. Comfort

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Following are the steps of survival management:

a. Appoint a leader.

b. Appoint each members responsibilities.

c. Treat the injured members.

d. Locate all safety equipments.

e. Activate the EPIRB.

3.0 Recommendations

Following are several recommendations for improvement:

3.1 Certificate of attendance

As a recommendation, the students should be awards with a certificate of

attendance where it is as a proof that the students has been attended the course.

This certificate is important in applications of jobs as an additional value to

the student’s resume after their graduate. In principle, this course has giving a

benefit to the students but without a certificate, this course will be futile.

3.2 Upgrade the course’s equipments

The course’s equipments should be upgrade as well as with a latest technology

to prevent misunderstand with the actual equipments that used in maritime

industries now.

3.3 Improve and organize the course’s program

It is recommended that the course’s program should be improve and well

organize by the university and trainers.

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4.0 Conclusion

On the whole, the objectives of this training have been achieved by students. The

students had a taste of their own experiences, as well as, this experience and learning

will be the starting point for students to venture into maritime industries.

The survival at sea training is very important and compulsory for those who involve

in maritime industries. Those people have to practice the techniques of survival at sea

for saving their own life when in emergency such as HELP position, CON position

and etc.

Besides that, the survival training is not complete without the knowledge of survival

management where it is the keys of successful for saving life at sea. Position,

organizing, location and comfort are the basic procedures that survivors have to know

and learn it.

5.0 References

International Maritime Organization, 2008. IAMSAR Manual: Organization and

Management (Volume 1). ICAO Publication Company. Canada.

International Convention on Aviation and Maritime Search and Rescue (IAMSAR),

2008.

D. J. House, 2004. Seamanship Techniques: Shipboard and Marine Operations (Third

Edition). Elsevier Publication Company. United Kingdom.

International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR), 1979.

International Convention on Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) – Life Saving Appliances

Code, 1974.

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