Introduction to Emergency Operations and Safety at Sea

There are different manoeuvring methods you can use when there is an emergency at sea. This course teaches you the appropriate strategies and search patterns to apply during a crisis. We explain the theory behind the safe operation of vessels in different weather conditions. You will develop your skills to understand the key principles and practices necessary in emergency cases. This course comprises two modules alongside various topics broken down with accompanying illustrations to give you a comprehensive understanding of the anchoring manoeuvres in different conditions such as calm, deep or windy or a current with the wind abeam. We teach you about the recommended cable lengths needed for anchoring and its dependence on the nature of the sea bed and the strength of the wind and current.

This course then explains the IAMSAR Manual, which provides guidelines for common aviation and maritime approaches to organise and provide search and rescue (SAR). You will learn about fulfilling obligations accepted under the International Conventions. Learn how to search a large area when survivor location is uncertain and the search patterns recommended by the manual. We introduce you to berthing and unberthing manoeuvres under different conditions. We also discuss berthing with the help of different numbers of tugs and how you can approach them.

Furthermore, this course explores several recommended man-overboard manoeuvres. We describe when to use the most appropriate one in the prevailing circumstances, and outline the immediate and delayed actions recommended for a person missing in varied occurrences. This course explains emergency steering as a system used during the failure of the primary steering system. We clarify the emergency steering operation and the periodic checks required. You will also learn about auxiliary steering procedures, their arrangements, emergency operations and regulations, drills and testing carried out at sea. We illustrate the effects of the pivot point and transverse propeller thrust and function necessary for vessel handling. This free online course will be of great interest to anyone interested in understanding how to carry out emergency operations and safety at sea.