FRC / FRB (Fast Rescue Craft / Boat) – Coxswain & Boatman

Purpose

Fast Rescue Craft / Boat course is designed as per IMO guidelines. It is to train personnel to operate FRC/FRB, which is mandatory for deployment in offshore field as per IOGP and on RO-RO passenger vessels as per IMO.

Rig Contingency Plans will describe the actions, relevant for the type of vessel and equipment used, to take in the event of a calamity on board a vessel. One of the topics covered is the emergency procedure/ plan of rescue and treatment of casualties, including the use of FRB’s.

The emergency procedure will describe initial actions to take by the Master, FRB coxswain and crew before, during and after launching a FRB. Another topic will be the rescue, treatment of and transfer to safety of casualties after recovery. Crew needs to be trained accordingly and the procedure/plan will be revised when there are changes in legislation or best practices.

Target Audience Fast Rescue Craft

Marine crew working in offshore fields and those taking up jobs on RO-RO passenger ferry.

Course Content Fast Rescue Craft

The Course Consists of 3 different Modules prevalent in FRC training for offshore industry:

a) Proficiency in FRB – IMO Module

b) FRC Coxswain – OPITO Module

c) FRC Boatman – OPITO Module

A) Proficiency in Fast Rescue Boat / Craft  – (IMO Module)

The Training Module consists of: 

1. Construction and outfit of fast rescue boats and individual items of their equipment
   • Construction and outfit of fast rescue boats
   • Individual items of equipment
2. Particular characteristics and facilities of fast rescue boats
3. Navigational and safety equipment available in a fast rescue boat
   • Boat equipment
   • Navigation equipment
   • Safety equipment
   • Emergency equipment
4. Safety precautions during launch and recovery of a fast rescue boat
   •   Launching arrangements
   • Launching and recovery
   • Launching and recovery in rough seas
   • Drills in launching and recovery of fast rescue boats
5. How to handle a fast rescue boat in prevailing and adverse weather and sea conditions
   • Clearing the ship’s side and coming along side
   • Manoeuvring at slow speed
   • Manoeuvring at fast speed
   • Boat handling in adverse weather
   • Towing
   • Pacing and transfer
   • Helicopter operations
   • Drills in boat handling
   • Drills in towing
   • Drills in pacing and transfer
6. Procedure for righting a capsized fast rescue boat
   • Capsize and righting
   • Drills in righting a capsized boat
7. Search patterns and environmental factors affecting their execution
   • Initial information and action
   • Search pattern
   • Rescuing survivors from sea
   • Casualty care
   • Drills in search and rescue
8. Assessment of the readiness of fast rescue boats and related equipment for immediate use
   • Boat readiness
   • Equipment readiness
9. Knowledge of the maintenance, emergency repairs, normal inflation and deflation of buoyancy compartments of inflated fast rescue boats.
10. Method of starting and operating a fast rescue boat engine and its accessories
    • Inboard motor engines
    • Outboard motor engines
    • Water jet propulsion
    • Drills in engine operations 

B) FRC Coxswain 

Theory:

1. The roles and responsibilities of the FRC coxswain in ERRV activities
2. The effects and possible reduction of Whole Body Shock and Vibration and measures for reducing the risk to FRC crew
3. Basic Rules of the Road (IRPCS)
4. Rescue processes from TEMPSC, liferafts, helicopters, personnel descending devices and rope access systems to the FRC
5. The hazards of accessing installations by FRC in an emergency
6. The requirement for installation specific risk assessments
7. The personal locator beacons and emergency location beacons that may be encountered when responding to an emergency and how they can be deactivated.
8. The principles behind the use of direction finding equipment
9. How direction finding equipment can be used to locate casualties

Practical:
10. Leadership and team working capabilities
11. Facilitation capabilities
12. Pre-launch and re-launch checks on the FRC
13. How emergency equipment should be used when needed
14. Establishing and maintain communications
15. Directing the FRC crew in all activities
16. Confirming the FRC is ready for launch and start the engines
17. FRC handling techniques required for safe launching and release
18. Handling both jet and outboard FRC’s in confined spaces
19. Handling both jet and outboard FRC’s in open waters
20. Acting appropriately during and after a capsize and during the righting
21. Casualty location using basic SAR techniques
22. Casualty assessment prior to rescue and safe approach techniques in both jet and outboard FRC’s
23. Directing the crew for casualty recovery
24. Towing another vessel of equivalent size to the FRC
25. Transferring casualties to the ERRV
26. Retrieving the FRC on to the ERRV

C) FRC Boatman

Theory:
1. The types of FRC and DC currently in use
2. The types of casualty recovery and handling equipment on an FRC and DC
3. The propulsion systems, launch and crewing arrangements on FRC and DC
4. The hazards of launch and recovery of a RC
5. Rescue processes from TEMPSC, liferafts, helicopters, personal descending devices and rope access systems to the FRC
6. The actions taken to recover casualties using an assisted method
7. The Personal Locator Beacons and Emergency Location Beacons that may be encountered when responding to an emergency and how they can be deactivated.
8. The actions to take in the event of capsize of the RC

Practical:
9. Responding to directions from the coxswain
10. Using basic radio procedures and hand signals for onboard communications
11. Releasing the securing arrangements for the RC
12. Releasing the RC from the lowering system and bow line
13. Locating any casualties
14. Assessing the casualties prior to rescue
15. Recovering the casualties using the horizontal recovery system
16. Recovering the casualties using the vertical method
17. Transferring the casualties to the ERRV including the use of casualty handling devices
18. Basic RC low speed handling skills
19. Basic RC high speed handling skills
20. Basic RC skills in coming alongside
21. The setting up of a towline
22. Retrieving the RC to the ERRV