Operating a vessel is a huge responsibility.
Every voyage requires the vessel operator (captain) to have the requisite knowledge to safely operate the vessel, which includes bringing the vessel and its guests back to port safe and sound.
Putting a plan in place in the event the vessel encounters problems while at sea are at the top of the list for every captain.
Unfortunately, there are far too many examples offered by the USCG of captains that skip this step and the headlines read, “The U.S. Coast Guard today announced that it has suspended its search for motor vessel Knucklehead which was reported overdue by family”.
The aftermath of this statement usually includes some media coverage on how to avoid being involved in an unsuccessful rescue at sea.
Of course, the first step to not becoming a statistic is to put measures in place that make your maritime mishap at sea into a rescue, vice a search and rescue.
Let’s take a look at measures that you can put in place to help improve your chances of being rescued at sea and explore what requirements need to be met to warrant the USCG to commit resources to come get you.
What are my responsibilities as the captain?
Prior to each voyage it’s the captain’s responsibility to ensure all passengers onboard leave “bread crumbs” ashore with a responsible person to help locate them.
What are bread crumbs? In nautical terms, bread crumbs are clues that may help save your life and are entered into a document called a float plan?
A float plan is a living document (or in some cases a comprehensive conversation with a close friend or relative) created by the boater (or passenger) that encompasses detailed information about the boating trip.
It’s living, because if your plans change you need to update those ashore who are keeping track of your whereabouts.
A float plan includes vital information about yourself, the vessel, and its passengers and should be left with a competent friend, family member, trusted agency, or if applicable, with the boating club or marina you’re associated with.
By design, if the designated person or agency does not hear from you by the chosen time, they will notify the appropriate authorities.
Having a detailed float plan can make the difference between a successful rescue operation or a complicated and very expensive search and rescue mission.
Past lessons learned have shown that the USCG and other rescue agencies rely heavily on the details in your float plan to help locate you in the event of an emergency.
The more details you provide, the higher the probability you will return home safely, so make sure to include plenty of details. So, what components make up a quality float plan?
A quality float plan should include all passenger information, your route and other pertinent details about your travel plans.
More specifically, your float plan should include your registration number, the vessels length, a photo, the passenger count, engine type and horsepower.
If you towed your boat to a boat ramp include details on your vehicle, such as the license plate number, color of your car and the make of trailer.
It may also be helpful to include boat insurance information (if covered) in the event you need assistance from them.
So now that we have the components that make up a float plan let’s take a closer look at each part.
Passenger Information.
Whether you are traveling alone or bringing passengers, your float plan should contain background information on each person. List each person’s name, address, contact phone number, emergency contact information, and any known allergies or medical conditions.
Route and Travel Plans.
Include a brief itinerary of your voyage so your designated representative knows when they can expect you back.
If your voyage is extended ensure you check in periodically.
At a minimum, your float plan should include your departure date, expected duration, the estimated return date, and details of your planned travel route.
How to Fill Out a Float Plan.
There’s a plethora of resources to help you develop a custom float plan.
You can create your own, download a copy from an agency such as the USCG at uscgboating.org/recreational-boaters/floating-plan.php or obtain one from a local boating or yacht club.
Once you complete your float plan, do not submit it to the USCG or any other emergency responder. Instead, distribute it either digitally or by hard copy to your friends, family or marina staff if applicable.
Ensure you give them instructions on who to contact (with phone numbers) and when to do so if they have not heard from you by a designated time.
Other Pre-Trip Considerations to help make your voyage safer.
Before departing, check the weather, verify you have all onboard safety equipment such as your VHF radio and personal flotation devices.
Inspect your first aid kit and ensure it’s stocked with all the basics. Next, you should take a few more pre-trip steps that may help reduce the likelihood of ruining your boating trip.
Here are a few items you may want to look at. Examine your boat for damage or leaks, verify your fuel and fluid levels, ensure your batteries are charged, pack a small tool kit, test controls such as the throttle, verify fire extinguishers are charged and visually inspect any other safety equipment including flares and their expiration dates.
If trailering your boat, check tire pressure, inspect tires for excessive wear, ensure you know the status of wheel bearing operation, check all trailer lights for functionality, locate the registration, visually inspect the trailer electrical plug and finally, ensure you have the correct tow ball and receiver installed and locking devices as applicable.
So, in spite of your best efforts, you got the easy part done, talking about the float plan but failed to let anyone know where you and your guests will be while out fishing in the Gulf of Mexico.
Of course, Murphy (the leader of the Murphy’s Law Gang) comes to visit and bad things happen.
Now is the time we are thankful for the heroes who stand watch 24 hours a day 365 days a year, the USCG and all of the first responders that help support this incredible team.
So, what’s the first thing the Coast Guard does when alerted that someone or something is lost at sea?
Will the USCG always come and get me and how much does it cost?
When a call for assistance is received by the USCG, a determination is made by the on-watch Search and Rescue Mission Coordinator as to whether the emergency is a case of “distress.”
Distress is defined as grave or imminent danger, requiring immediate response or threatens a craft or person.
The Coast Guard will always render assistance to persons and property that are in genuine distress, so long as the resources for the rescue are available and the assistance can itself be rendered safely. The USCG Auxiliary is also authorized to perform most of the duties of the regular Coast Guard, so the scope of assistance provided by the Coast Guard may also be provided by the USCG Auxiliary.
Additionally, other local first responder organizations may help a vessel in distress and support the USCG mission.
The USCG does not currently charge for services rendered for a legitimate distress call, the taxpayers pay that bill.
The mean cost for a one-day simple at sea operation without the use of C-130 planes and helicopters starts at about $42,000 an increase with additional time and resources.
The USCG often receives calls from mariners for non-distress assistance, but they generally will not provide assistance in non-distress cases if alternative assistance is available.
These cases are usually referred to a commercial assistance towing company through a “Marine Assistance Request Broadcast,” issued by the USCG on VHF Channel 16.
In my Nautical Knowledge “101” Boating Education Class we discuss all of the pros of a membership with a commercial towing company to avoid a huge unplanned bill that will certainly ruin your boating day in the event of a non-emergency distress scenario.
Oh no, you need help right now.
The USCG’s initial step is to talk with the reporting source (maybe a concerned significant other or relative) and essentially gather as much information as possible about the particular case (oh, that’s right, you’re a manly man or not a girly-girl and operate your vessel on the premise nobody needs to help you, ever, so nobody knows where you are at).
The USCG wants to know details like where and when the boaters likely got in trouble, when they left port, where they intended to go and where else they may have gone and what their plan “B” was (plan what?).
They also want to know what type of boat they were in and what survival gear they have.
Sounds a lot like the stuff included in a float plan, no? The USCG will then determine all the possible scenarios about the incident to help piece together a rescue or search and rescue plan. To help accomplish this task the USCG uses a system called the Search and Rescue Optimal Planning System (SAROPS).
SAROPS is being used here in Florida to help coordinate and determine the optimal plan to search for mariners lost at sea that have left no “bread crumbs” to help locate them.
SAROPS is a computer-generated system that uses inputs such as current, wind, wave and swell directions to name a few to generate multiple solutions to start looking for the lost mariner.
Personally, I prefer the float plan rescue method not the needle in the haystack search and rescue method generated by SAROPS.
So, the question remains, float plan or no float plan?
As the saying goes, the answer is a no brainer, before leaving on any boat voyage leave a float plan with a reliable person or organization.
Unfortunately, despite all of our technology and best efforts, not everyone who is lost at sea is found. Please don’t end up a USCG statistic.
Captain Jack R. Sanzalone is a 30-year submarine veteran and licensed USCG Master Captain and Assessor with 41 years of experience.
He is the owner of Boat Tutors and The Captain School Orange Beach, Al and teaches both basic and advanced boating education.
You can contact Captain Jack at: jack@boattutors.com or by visiting his website at www.boattutors.com
