NOAA Small Boat Policy

1
NOAA Small Boat Policy

• Boats, Operators, and Operations

2
(No Transcript)
3
LESSON 2 NOAA Small Boat Policy

• What is NOAAs Small Boat Policy?
• Where did it come from?
• Have you read it?

4
Learning Objectives

• To familiarize NOAA Small Boat Operators (SBOs)
  with
• Documents from which the policy is derived
• Its background and purpose
• What it has to say about boats, boat operators
  and boat operations

5
Policy Documents

• NAO 217-103 Management of NOAA Small Boats, as
  amended 03/07/03
• NAO 209-125, NOAA Small Boat Safety Program, as
  proposed as of 4/11/07
• NOAA Small Boat Standards and Procedures Manual
  (The NOAA Manual)

6
Policy Documents

• NAO 217-103 is the current policy
• NAO 209-125 would supercede 103
• This presentation is based on NAO 217-103 and the
  NOAA Manual

7
Scope, Roles, and Responsibilities

• Applies to all NOAA personnel operating or
  managing a NOAA small boat
• Non-NOAA personnel operating or managing a NOAA
  boat
• Everyone aboard (scientists, passengers,
  students, contractors, reporters, etc.)

8
Director OMAO
Small Boat Safety Board
(SBSB)
Small Boat Safety Program Coordinator
Line Office Safety Boating Officer
(LOSBO)
Information Flow
Program Director
Vessel Operations Coordinator
(VOC)
Operator in Charge (OIC)
Small Boat Operator (SBO)
Crew Mission
Personnel
9
(No Transcript)
10
SBSP Website

• For assistance in understanding, discussing, and
  implementing the policy see
• www.sbp.noaa.gov

11
Background

• Boats take people to an environment in which they
  cannot survive on their own
• NOAA boat operations involve additional and
  unique risks

12
Background

• NOAA Small Boat Operators have had good success
  throughout the years, but they have also had
  serious mishaps
• To promote success and reduce mishaps, NOAA
  mandated the creation of policies and procedures
  for a Small Boat Safety Program in 2002

13
Purpose

• To
• Reduce mishaps and environmental damage
• Promote mission success
• Comply with applicable regulations
• Reduce personal and institutional liability

14
Purpose

• Adherence to a uniform and standardized boat
  operations policy is a proven method to achieve
  these goals

15
Purpose

• NOAAs Small Boat Safety Policy is still under
  construction
• Comments of SBOs and Crewmembers are not only a
  required part of the policy, but essential to its
  success

16
NOAA Small Boats, Operators, and Operations

• NOAA small boats should only be used for official
  purposes
• They are not to be used for transportation of
  non-mission critical passengers unless
• There is some good reason to do so (i.e., it is
  in the interest of the Government)
• An emergency requires it

17
Boat Classes

• Class A less that 16 feet in length overall
• Class I 16 to lt26 feet
• Class II 26 to lt40 feet
• Class III 40 to 65 feet
• Small Research Vessel (SRV) greater than 65
  feet, but less that 300 gross tons

18
Boat Management

• Buying Boats
• Altering boats
• Stability

19
Boat Management

• Stability
• Must be assessed following an alteration
• Is essential for determining safe operation
• If stability is not properly assessed by
  qualified personnel during or after an
  alteration, contact the NOAA Small Boat Engineer
  before operating an altered boat

20
Boat Management

• Repairs
• Inspections of boats Classes, ASBE, SBEX,
  Trailers
• Do not operate order

21
ASBE Annual Small Boat Evaluation

• Performed annually on Class A, I, and II
• Performed by the VOC or designee
• Performed IAW 217-103, Appendix A and
• Appropriate Checklist and Outline for that
  class of boat

22
SBEX Small Boat Examination

• Performed by a certified marine surveyor, USCG
  Marine Inspector, OEM certified technician, or
  qualified NOAA employee with guidance from the
  VOC
• Performed every 2 years for Class II
• Every 3 years for Class I
• Not required for Class A.

23
Boat Equipment

• Derived from USCG and SOLAS (NAO 217-103 USCG
  only), and
• NOAA policy

24
Types of Equipment

• Emergency equipment
• Communication and navigation equipment
• Other equipment

25
PFDs and Thermal PPE Class A and I

• Everyone aboard must wear an approved Personal
  Use PFD (like a Type III)
• In cold water (59 F monthly average), or where
  risk of hypothermia exists, an approved thermal
  protective PFD must be readily available (like a
  float coat, anti-exposure suit, or immersion
  suit)
• Carry required throwable devices

26
PFDs and Thermal PPE Class II, III, and SRVs

• PFDs Same as Class A and I with exceptions
  Type I for all aboard
• Immersion suits in cold water or hypothermia
  risk training required before getting underway
  requirement for training can be waived for
  observers if a suitable survival craft is carried
• Observe Storage and Labeling requirements
• Must have a light and whistle
• Carry required throwable devices

27
Coms, Nav, and Other Equipment

• Communications and Navigation equipment NOAA
  Manual, Appendix K
• Other Equipment may be required locally

28
Boat Manuals

• SBOM (VOM)
• SSBP (VP)
• OEM

29
NOAA Boat Identification

• Requires the identification and registration of
  all NOAA small boats
• Generally painted white or bare aluminum (with
  obvious exceptions)
• NOAA emblem and ID number should be prominent
• Guidance can be found
• In the NOAA Manual, Section 14
• At sbp.noaa.gov

30
NOAA Small Boats, Operators, and Operations

• NOAA small boats should only be operated by
  authorized SBOs (or other authorized personnel)

31
Training Requirements

• Class A, I, and II boats
• USCG Auxiliary Boating Skills and Seamanship (or
  equivalent)
• NOAA Component training (what we are now doing)
• PQS (NOAA Manual proposal)
• CPR and First Aid

32
Training Requirements

• Class III and SRV
• Appropriate USCG License or Uniformed Services
  OOD
• NOAA Component
• PQS (NOAA Manual proposal)
• CPR and First Aid

33
NOAA Manual Training Requirements

• The NOAA Manual expands the training requirements
  to include
• Supervised time on board
• Completion of a Qualification Checklist
• Documentation of training
• Delinquency if records are not maintained
• SBOs, with the VOC, need to make sure their
  records are current and properly maintained

34
Boat Crew Training

• The NOAA Manual recognizes the need for
  crewmember training in
• Small boat seamanship
• Small boat equipment operations (like winches and
  A-frames)

35
Safe Manning

• The NOAA Manual (Section 5) addresses safe
  manning levels for
• The classes of boats
• Number of passengers on board
• Length of operation

36
Succession to Command

• NOAA Manual Section 5 requires that the
  succession to command is defined if the OIC is
  incapacitated
• The OIC makes this clear during the mission
  pre-brief

37
Watch Standing

• NOAA Manual Section 7 specifies
• Watch standing duration and minimum rest period
  for SBOs and crew members
• The OIC shall make every effort to avoid
  situations requiring that anyone be on duty in
  excess of 12 hours in one day.

38
NOAA Small Boats, Operators and Operations

• The policy requires that any NOAA small boat
  operation
• Adheres to high standards of seamanship and
  conduct
• Commences with a mission pre-brief that includes
  an operational risk assessment
• Follows a float plan that includes a
  communications plan and emergency contact
  procedures
• Checks the weather prior to departure and
  monitors it while underway

39
NOAA Manual Provisions

• The NOAA Manual provides further guidance and
  additional requirements regarding
• A timely mission pre-brief
• Proper start-up, shut-down, and post operation
  procedures IAW a written checklist
• Float plans and overdue vessels

40
Accident Reporting

• Requirements for reporting accidents are found
  in
• NAO 217-103, Section 8
• The NOAA Manual, Section 10
• Sbp.noaa.gov/resources/incident_reporting.html
• Reportable accidents include obvious serious
  accidents (e.g. a serious injury), environmental
  damage, and equipment failure
• Minor incidents and close calls should also be
  reported

41
Investigations

• Accident investigations are required if the cause
  is not clearly evident
• A major purpose of accident investigations and
  mishap reporting is to distribute lessons learned
  among other SBOs
• The identities of those involved will remain
  anonymous in this distribution process

42
Additional Provisions

• IAW common uniform small boat policies, the NOAA
  Manual addresses additional topics
• Emergency procedures (Section 9)
• Hazardous materials (Section 11)

43
Summary and Conclusion

• Uniform, standardized boat operation policies
  have been proven to be effective
• They cannot succeed without the participation and
  guidance of the boat operators themselves
• Any questions?

44
(No Transcript)