:Winter Projects: Crew Training: Flooding - Part 1

MAYAN Going Cruising

The following is a bit dry and instructional compared to our normal posts. If crew training and dealing with a sinking vessel aren't interesting, we'd suggest moving along to other posts.

In Part 1 we cover the tasks which need to be done when the boat is found to be flooding. We have also arranged them in order of importance, to best utilized the relatively short time one has before a serious leak can get dangerous.

In Post 2, we will cover various techniques we've learned over the years which can be used to stop flooding. As always, we're constantly looking for new ways of dealing with problems. Please feel free to email your thoughts to SchoonerMAYAN@gmail.com

Having been aboard a few boats which were trying to sink, the MAYAN crew is focused on including training for this eventuality in addition to a host of other training programs including Person Overboard, Fire, and Collision. All of these are in addition to the regular sailing practice and training that we'll be running in the spring. Each of these major training areas will be documented here and a handout will be given to the Crew as they go through the training.

Note: Let us start by saying that these instructions are designed to work best aboard MAYAN. Your crew may or may not find these suggestions useful. We'd recommend writing up your own set of instructions based upon the characteristics of your own boat and crew. More importantly, these instructions are NOT a substitute for attendance at a US Sailing Safety At Sea or US Power Boating class or any other official training. They are solely our own opinions and the way we do things aboard MAYAN.

FLOODING: Part 1

Prioritization of Tasks - It is critical to rank order the tasks by importance, ensuring that the highest priority tasks are attended to as quickly as possible. While this sounds rather obvious, it is surprising how rarely a crew is prepared to triage a problem they face. Below is a prioritized list of actions that need to be taken as soon as it is determined that the boat is flooding. At some point, while working down this list, the problem will be discovered and in almost all cases will be resolved. It is almost always safer to stay aboard MAYAN even if she were partially flooded.

1. Determine the source of the water: While this sounds silly, in our experience some crew will immediately start attempting to operate the radio, launch the life raft, or start pumping rather than organize themselves to identify the source of the water. In a boat that is the size of MAYAN, the source may be difficult to find initially. We identify search areas and crewmembers who are responsible for searching those areas. Four Crew Assigned to the following search areas:
• Engine Room - Because there are numerous thru-hulls and pipes here, it is the highest probability source of a problem including both salt and pressure freshwater leaks. 
• F'o'csul & Head - Possible collision or raw water intake leak, holding tank failure, shower sump failure, pressure fresh water leak. 
• Galley - Sink outflow, pressure fresh water leak. 
• Main Saloon - Manual bilge pump outflow, 12v Electric bilge pump outflow, leaking freshwater tank, leaking freshwater pressure pump
2. Assign Crew to Deal With The Leak: An appropriate sized and skilled team will be assigned to deal with stopping the leak. (This topic will be covered in Flooding: Part 2) Typically, this is no more than three crewmembers as space is typically limited and only one person can be positioned directly at the leak. The other members of the team will be running for parts, tools, supplies of various sorts. Also, some repair techniques require crew to work from the deck or even the water. Appropriate safety equipment and techniques should always be considered.
3. Assign Crew to Pumps and Communications: With the leak identified, the skipper will then assign one crew to the VHF radio to stand by for instructions and NOT send out a message until told to do so. Two crew will be assigned to the pumps:
• Manual Bilge Pump - Located in the main saloon. Suggest a strong crewmember
• Engine Driven Bilge Pump - Located in the engine room along with its clutch control.
• VHF Radio - Note the Longitude and Latitude of MAYAN. Pull the emergency radio procedure Cheat-Sheet from the Log Book. Perform a radio check to see if anyone is within range and responding. Standby the VHF Radio. DO NOT ISSUE A MAYDAY until ordered to do so by the Skipper.
4. Assign Crew to Abandon Ship Team: Only on the orders of the Skipper, execute the following steps:
• VHF Radio Crew - Start MAYDAY calls.
• Grab Bag Crew - Locate the secondary EPIRB, in the master stateroom, and bring it to the Nav-Station. Locate the Grab Bag in the hanging locker aft of the Nav-Station. Place the secondary EPIRB and one handheld VHF into the Grab Bag. Ensure the Grab Bag is sealed. Move it up onto the deck amidships near the Liferaft. Secure it to the mainmast.
• Life Raft Crew - Ensure that the raft is ready for launch. DO NOT LAUNCH without a direct order from the Skipper.
• Deck Crew - Secure MAYAN to the greatest extent possible: sails down, hatches, portholes, sea-cocks closed and wheel lashed.

Practice The Tasks - It is best to practice the tasks and (where possible) have crewmembers cycle through the various tasks to ensure that in the event of a problem, all the available crew can execute all the important tasks. While some crew is better suited to certain jobs, like a large grinder operating the manual bilge pump, flooding typically happens in foul weather and not all crew may be available.

MAYAN will gear up for spring practice which will cover all these tasks.

As always, please feel free to contact us by email at SchoonerMAYAN@gmail.com