Safety precautions - little people

[Stigomery]

So my wife is getting rather concerned about my upcoming boating adventures with the kids... She read the MOB article in Powerboat and RIB mag and now wants to train the family.

I agree with this in principle, however, I would not expect (or want) my 6 year old or 8 year old to take the helm, re start the engine, and perform MOB drills if dad ends up in the water and they're on their own.

So, what is the recommended common sense drill for this where young kids are involved (the, "when I were a lad we didn't have life jackets, phones, kill chords, etc." argument doesn't seem to cut it with the Mrs ;-)

Worst case scenario in my mind is weather turns nasty, dad falls overboard, knocked unconscious, kill chord slips and doesn't cut engine... (If we all end up in the drink that's an entirely different game)

Since I have the VHF on my life jacket it's useless to them. My suggestion is: drill them well in the cutting of engine procedure, dropping anchor, and get a PLB which they can be instructed in the use of. Mobile phone will always be in the boat and they will be drilled in the coastguard call procedure...

Does anyone have any further suggestions/advice?

They're both already familiar with using tiller engines and driving boats... But I wouldn't want them to in an emergency situation as described.

[Max...]

It's a tricky one - with a 21st century health and safety hat on I would say the following:

You need another adult in the boat!

Or another VHF radio and kids old enough and responsible enough to operate it and/or helm the boat to effect a rescue.

Goes without saying that you as Captain have the responsibility not to put people in danger and must therefore exercise extreme caution re' weather/conditions etc.

[takes off hat]

But a bit of adventure is a good thing - and I must confess that I have exactly the same boating set-up (son is 12 although we have been out alone since he was 8 or so) so we are all guilty of taking "risks"...

[cardo]

Think you can get Handhelds with integrated DSC and GPS, possibly a backup in the boat that just needs a button pressing in case of emergency

[Stigomery]

Originally Posted by cardo

Think you can get Handhelds with integrated DSC and GPS, possibly a backup in the boat that just needs a button pressing in case of emergency

So I guess there is one of my decisions... PLB vs VHF with DSC & GPS

I already have a VHF with DSC & GPS that could be left in the boat (I normally wear it on my jacket) but in a panic I think the kids would be better with a phone and PLB - less to think about/more familiar with phone - and it leaves me in control of the VHF as the likelihood of my being knocked out from falling overboard off a SIB is minimal.

[willk]

Where is most of this family boating likely to occur?

[Stigomery]

Originally Posted by willk

Where is most of this family boating likely to occur?

I'd say 60% East coast - Kings Lynn to the Thames; 10% inland waters; 20% South West, Devon/Cornwall; 10% Scotland/N.Ireland

Never more than 2-3 miles off shore.

[SteveHall]

Just don't forget to keep having fun on the water!

[jeffstevens763@g]

Do the RYA do courses boat wareness basic boat handling kind of thing to make her happy.

Cheers

[Stigomery]

There is no making my wife happy ;-)

...it's not about me, it's about them if there is no me...

[HDAV]

Originally Posted by jeffstevens763@g

Do the RYA do courses boat wareness basic boat handling kind of thing to make her happy.

Cheers

Have you done PB2? There is a PB1 one day course rarely run as most do pb2

Get her on a PB2+ vhf course

[Poly]

Originally Posted by Stigomery

She read the MOB article in Powerboat and RIB mag and now wants to train the family.

I think there is some reasonable logic there. RYA will teach 8 yr old under supervision, but 6 is probably too young. However I think you have pull start - can they manage this? However first step is probably to get Mrs Stig's confidence up.

I agree with this in principle, however, I would not expect (or want) my 6 year old or 8 year old to take the helm, re start the engine, and perform MOB drills if dad ends up in the water and they're on their own.

I think i'd be happy with my 8 yr old this summer (but not last year). I'd be happy for my 12 yr old.

However until they were old enough their briefing has been:

(1) If the kill cord has not worked - pull it, or put engine in neutral.
(2) Press and hold red button on VHF [before we had a fixed set they knew to hold button and shout mayday several times - I didn't bother briefing them in proper process].
(3) Find the throw rope that usually lives under the seat, clip the end to the boat.
(4) Throw it as far towards me as they can - they enjoy practicing this.

However I think its much more likely that one of them or Mrs P slips over, than me going MOB at speed. So I think it is more important that they understand how they can help when there is still an adult on board. e.g. pointing at the casualty, staying calm, knowing where to sit when casualty coming back on board etc.

[treerat]

From 6 years old I've been having mine on the helm regularly, by 10 they could pick up a bottle of coke from the water!

They know that if I'm not on board and there is an issue they puch the red button and wait, teh older of the two knows how to pull the flares and the younger one knows how to use the manual fog horn. It really does make a noise and most of my boating is in populated areas - some one will investigate.

They are both competent at throwing out the anchor and killing the engine.

More importantly I'd be happy for the 11 year old to get the boat home, under control and although may not be able to come alongside nicely, she'll be close enough for help to be there.

The 7 year old? He'd point us in the right direction and hope however by the end of this season, he'll be able to get us home too.

I find little and often, keep reminding them of the boat basics and take time coaching them on steering, then throttle, then both - if nothing else it's worth a giggle and the bouys in the sound make great markers for them.

[jeffstevens763@g]

RYA courses powerboat level 1&2 for children from 8 years upward worth doing.

[ShinyShoe]

We have kids as young as 8 doing RYA Honda Challenge. But I agree 6 is too young to be thinking of them controlling a throttle to get back to you. Them hitting the red button on a DSC seems very do-able. A PLB is a little more complicated to operate (deploy aerial, slide switch, hold in button, hold it upright) and doesn't have the reassurance of a response?

I'd have the PLB on you and the DSC on the boat...

Think about things like can they give a position? A PLB sorts that but it has a long lag time. So they dial 999 from a mobile and say "Daddy has fallen in the water" and the CG says do you know where you are... you've trained them well and they say "No but I'm activating the PLB" and there will be a very nervous wait while they get a pos. Hitting the red button would be much quicker, plus increases the chance of a passing boat coming alongside and putting things right for you...

8 year old should be able to be tough MOB but would I want them to use it in anger...? I guess it depends where I am and if I'd rather wait an extra 15 mins for an ILB to get me or if I'm waiting an hour for a chopper to come and rescue me.

Worth remembering the situation that MustRIB found himself in was quite different to the situation you are likely to be in with kids on board.

The Mrs should be able to do MOB but if not should be trained to use whatever comms you have and give position info.

[Iron Dials]

Hi Stigomery

I've thought long and hard about this.
We started ribbing last year with 9 and 11 yr olds.

By the end of the season, after slow and steady discussions about how to deal with me being the MOB, both could restart engine, assess wind direction, use 1200 rpm limit, circle around, into wind(ish), get near and cut engine. Driver between mob and engine. Same routine every time.

One is much more natural than the other but both can do it.
We practice with a fender, just a couple of goes each max in an outing, before we do something else.
Its good fun and develops their abilities from an early age.

I also carry plb (ever the pessimist ) and this year we have dsc so thats the next piece of the puzzle.

I'd say 8 is as young as I'd expect to grasp the full concept but we all know our own kids best.
Get them working as a team.
Having a plan is the most important thing, maybe even write it down and laminate it for them.

As said here already, getting some basic training for your wife is the simplest way to enhance your safety.

Our new season starts in a few weeks so it will be interesting to see how much they remember. .....

I discussed this with my Dad recently and he was amazed, considering we never considered MOB never wore lifejackets, although we did own some, let me off in a tiny sib with tiny outboard in a fast river etc etc.

[steco1958]

Originally Posted by Poly

I think there is some reasonable logic there. RYA will teach 8 yr old under supervision, but 6 is probably too young. However I think you have pull start - can they manage this? However first step is probably to get Mrs Stig's confidence up.

I think i'd be happy with my 8 yr old this summer (but not last year). I'd be happy for my 12 yr old.

However until they were old enough their briefing has been:

(1) If the kill cord has not worked - pull it, or put engine in neutral.
(2) Press and hold red button on VHF [before we had a fixed set they knew to hold button and shout mayday several times - I didn't bother briefing them in proper process].
(3) Find the throw rope that usually lives under the seat, clip the end to the boat.
(4) Throw it as far towards me as they can - they enjoy practicing this.

However I think its much more likely that one of them or Mrs P slips over, than me going MOB at speed. So I think it is more important that they understand how they can help when there is still an adult on board. e.g. pointing at the casualty, staying calm, knowing where to sit when casualty coming back on board etc.

Absolutely agree on this Poly, sometimes, doing the basic safety briefing and rope throwing is better than the cruising.

Get the Kids, and the wife, involved as early as possible, it then becomes a "family" boat, not another of daddy's toys

[treerat]

Originally Posted by steco1958

Get the Kids, and the wife, involved as early as possible, it then becomes a "family" boat, not another of daddy's toys

Which then means you just HAVE to buy a bigger one so you all fit comfortable

[dave3235]

Originally Posted by treerat

Which then means you just HAVE to buy a bigger one so you all fit comfortable

Hi

Do you have a ladder to get back in because that isn't very easy.

[treerat]

Originally Posted by dave3235

Hi

Do you have a ladder to get back in because that isn't very easy.

yes - on the back of the transom

[dave3235]

Originally Posted by treerat

yes - on the back of the transom

Hi

Yeh sorry that was aimed at STIGOMERY.