SABOT Standardized Auxiliary Boat Operations Training Ninth District

SABOT Standardized Auxiliary Boat Operations Training Ninth District - Eastern Region COMO. Lew Wargo, Sr. CQEC-9 ER 01 APR 2015 EQUIPPING YOU FACILITY

SABOT Equipping Your Facility

EQUIPPING YOUR FACILITY • There are some general considerations for a member when equipping a vessel as an operational facility including the cost impact on the member. The following is a general list of things to consider:

PATROL SIGNS The size varies with the length of the facility. FACILITY LENGTH 14’ – 24’ 20’ – 30’ Over 30’ SIZE #1 #2 #3 DIMENSIONS 48” X 10” 60” X 12. 5” 72” X 15. 5”

PATROL SIGNS Consider how and where you will display and mount them when in use: a. Using shock cord secured to “J” hooks b. VELCRO to the side of cabin or hull c. Cable tied to railing d. Secured on hard boards that are clamped to railing.

ENSIGNS US Flag & Patrol Ensigns are both required. Size depends on facility length: LENGTH 14’ – 18’ - 24’ - 30’ – 36’ Over 36’ US ENSIGN 12” X 24” 16” X 24” 20” X 30” 24” X 36” 30” X 48” PATROL ENSIGN 9” X 15. 5” size #5 12” X 21” size #4 15” X 24” size #3 24” X 36” size #2 30” X 48” size #1

FENDERS Bigger is always better but, you have space to store them. Consider both the tube and ball types. Both have advantages in different situations. The larger the fender the more its cost. Remember, you not only have to protect your vessel at a mooring but also Have a sufficient number and size for doing an alongside tow.

BINOCULARS Consider the power and size needed for your area. The Cost varies greatly with the size, Quality and features. Be sure to have a lanyard on the binoculars to hold them around the neck of the user. This prevents them from being dropped and damaged.

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS The type, size and location of your fire extinguisher varies with the size of the facility. Remember the smaller type #1 will only last for about 6 or 7 seconds! Should be inspected periodically! Dry chemical is most common, CO 2 is effective but there is a danger of freezing when touching the cone. Mount where it is immediately accessible and in different locations where they can be quickly grabbed.

LINES There are many different kinds of lines to choose from. The size (diameter) of lines will vary depending on use. Don’t use lines stronger than your fittings or you may Damage your boat under extreme loads. The material that the line is made with may also vary with use.

NYLON LINE This is the most commonly used due to its strength and elasticity (shock absorbing quality). It does cost more than most other types. Excellent as a towline, mooring Line and anchor line.

POLYPROPYLENE This type of line is popular due to its much lower cost and the fact that it floats. It does have some disadvantages: • Much weaker than nylon of the same size • Little elasticity (Shock absorbing quality) • Gets stiff with prolonged exposure to sun • Does not return to it’s original length if stretched • Melt/fuses under heavy loads.

DACRON Dacron is nearly as strong as nylon but it doesn’t stretch as much (reducing shock absorbing qualities). Commonly used in rigging on sailboats. • It doesn’t float. • It is more costly than nylon

DOCK LINES These should be dedicated lines. Consider the strength and elasticity of these lines. You want these lines to be strong and able to absorb shock if a storm strikes your mooring. You may want to consider doubling some in heavy weather conditions.

TOWLINES The towline must be strong enough to handle any size vessel you might tow and be able to absorb the shock loads you could encounter. It should have an eye spliced into the end used on the towed vessel. The length will vary on your AOR and weather conditions. The “Tow Rig” is as weak as the weakest link in the rig. (A 1 ton shackle on a ¾” line limits the tow to 1 ton!) It should not double as your anchor line!

ALONGSIDE TOWLINES These should be a dedicated set of four (4) lines. You may want to consider a second set for towing boats with small cleats. They should be have elasticity and be strong enough to secure any other vessel you may tow alongside. • Should about as long as your vessel • Should have an eye spliced into one end

HEAVING LINES Consider a light cotton or polypropylene 70’ to 100’ long. Cotton clothes line works well but should be wetted to lube for ease of use. Polypropylene also works well as it floats. • The end should have a soft weight on the end for throwing (not so hard as to cause damage or injury).

ANCHOR LINE This line should have shock absorbing qualities and be strong enough to hold your vessel in heavy seas. The length should be enough to provide a scope of 7 or even 10 to 1 for use in your AOR. Consider a second line in the event you need to deploy a second anchor or lose the first.

BRIDLES These lines are required to attach a towline to another vessel that has two bow cleats (one on each side). (You may want to consider a second bridle of a smaller size for use on small boats. If you use a bridle on the stern of your vessel to center a stern tow you should have another bridle for use on the towed vessel.

MISC. LINES You may want to consider having several sets of short small lines with an eye splice on each end for use in adjusting your larger line to match small cleats on another boat. (You would dip the eye to attach to your larger lines. )

TOW RIGS There are several ways to connect a tow rig to the stern of your vessel. The most commonly used on Auxiliary facilities are: • “Y” bridle • “V” bridle • Adjustable “Y” bridle • Single leg

“Y” BRIDLE Used to keep the tow centered on your stern. Each leg should not exceed 30 degrees. May be used on both ends of the towline. Bridle should be of the same type and size as the towline. Bridle may be spliced to the towline or attached with a a shackle, ring or other strong fitting. Be sure of the Fitting’s strength!

“Y” BRIDLE

“V” BRIDLE With a “V” bridle there is no towline used. The bridle extends to the towed vessel. It is good for a short tow length. Commonly used for tows in smaller rivers. Requires twice as much towline to make up the bridle. If the bridle it too long it will tend to twist.

“V” BRIDLE

ADJUSTABLE “Y” BRIDLE This is used similar to the “Y” bridle except the bridle is longer and the length of towline is adjusted by adjusting the length of the bridle. This can also be used with a second bridle (not adjustable) on the towed vessel. The amount of adjustment is limited by bridle length.

ADJUSTABLE “Y” BRIDLE

SINGLE LEG TOW RIG Requires a center tow bitt or a device to keep the tow centered behind the tow boat (and off the outboard engines if so equipped). This is the easiest to lengthen or shorten but all strain is in one place. (The device in the following diagram can also be used to keep towline off engines. )

SINGLE LEG TOW

VHF-FM RADIO All facilities must have two-way communications with their station or a shore based unit that can will communicate with the operational command. The VHF-FM is required in most areas except remote inland waters where there is no VHF-FM coverage. In these locations another system must be used. The radio should have enough range to reach the shore station. Cell phones are a very poor substitute.

VHF-FM RADIO Consider a second portable VHF-FM to loan to disabled vessels while towing and for your crew’s use when away from your facility. Due to limited range of portables they are not suitable as primary radio. A second 25 watt VHF-FM is a nice luxury to have as it gives you aback-up and the ability to work 2 channels simultaneously.

GPS – CHART PLOTTERS It is not a requirement to have a GPS onboard but, for SAR and accurate navigation it is essential. The features available vary greatly as does the cost of these units. You should be able to enter waypoints, destinations and determine your latitude and longitude. The owner has to balance features, size and cost.

HAILERS Another very useful piece of equipment to have but is not a requirement. Portable hailers are useful for talking to other vessels and especially for giving instructions to a vessel in a stern tow. Permanently installed units can be purchased that also incorporate horn features including various sound signals. Cost may be a factor.

FIRST AID KIT A first aid kit is a required item but there is no required Type. Consider making your own consisting of: a. c. e. g. i. 1” band-aids b. Antiseptic Aspirin d. Tweezers Scissors f. Ant-acids 2” & 4” Roller gauze h. Compresses Chemical ice pack

BOAT HOOKS Boat hooks are a requirement. You can make your own or buy a commercial one. Many have an adjustable length. (Consider one fore and aft. ) Can be used to attach a “Skiff hook” to a tow. The number and size depends on the facility size.

SKIFF HOOK A skiff hook is required to provide the ability to attach a towline to the towing eye on smaller vessels. Due to the loads that could be encountered, consider buying a Commercial one for the reliability. The skiff hook Attaches to the end of a pole and releases when snapped onto the towing eye.

PFDs Every facility must have one PFD for every POB, plus at least two extra. The PFDs worn by an Auxiliary crew must be impact rated for 50 MPH or more if the Facility is capable of 35 MPH or greater. Spare PFDs do Not need to meet this requirement. Recommend Type III foam filled vs inflatable for durability and cost. Spare PFDs must be CG approved.

PPE • All crew PFDs must have PPE attached with 42” lanyard: – Orange PFD with reflective tape – Personal Marker Light – Emergency Radio Beacon – Signal Mirror – Whistle – Knife

TYPE IV PFD One is required but recommend having two. One to throw to MOB and a second with a Line attached to retrieve the PIW.

CHARTS Charts are required for your AOR. NOAA charts can be downloaded from the internet at: http: //www. charts. noaa. gov/PDFs. shtml NOAA charts in booklet form, each chart is broken down into 8 1/2” X 11” pages (about 16 pages per chart) at: http: //www. nauticalcharts. noaa. gov/staff. Booklet. Chart. html

NAVIGATION TOOLS Consider the following items: Dividers Pencils and eraser Protractor Parallel Rule SAR Plotter