SABOT Standardized Auxiliary Boat Operations Training Ninth District - Eastern Region COMO. Lew Wargo, Sr. DSO-OP/CQEC 15 April 2014 BOAT HANDLING

SABOT Boat Handling

REFERENCES Boat Crew Seamanship Manual, COMDTINST M (series) Chapters Auxiliary Boat Crew Qualification Guide, COMDTINST M (series) SABOT Job Aid (Section B)

BOAT CHARACTERISTICS A. Type of Propulsion: (IN, O/B, I/O, etc.) B. Number of engines C. Type of hull (Displacement vs planning) D. Trim tabs E. Vessel loading F. Operation of electronics G. Maximum and economic speeds

BOAT LIMITATIONS A. Maximum sea conditions B. Restricted Visibility (Need for RADAR) C. Maximum range at various speeds D. Fuel on Board E. Crew Requirement (Is minimum okay?) F. Maximum load capacity

UNIQUE HANDLING FEATURES A. Wind effects (High cabin or fly-bridge) B. Deep draft more effected by current C. Right or left hand propeller D. Type of throttle and shift controls E. Any obstructions on boat F. What is the effect of trim tabs

FORCES ACTING ON BOAT A.Wind B.Seas C.Current B.Propulsion

CLOSE QUARTERS Examples of “Close Quarter Maneuvers: A. Docking B. Recovery of objects C. Maneuvering close to another boat D. Stopping E. Backing

OPERATION OF CONTROLS A.Amount of helm, full left and full right B.Any binding C.Separate or combined shift & throttle D.Any detent (forward, neutral, & reverse)

OPERATION OF CONTROLS E.Amount of force to shift F.Is neutral easy to find G.Do controls stay put or creep H.Is there a KILL switch

LEAVE A MARGIN OF ERROR A.Save 10% to 20% of power for emergencies B.Fuel (1/4 out, 1/4 on scene, 1/4 back, 1/4 reserve for emergencies) C.Crew fatigue D.Know the limits of boat and crew

OPERATING IN HEAVY SEAS A.Slow down B.Know the limits of the boat C.Know the limits of the crew D.Reach crew fatigue limits quicker

TRAFFIC DENSITY A.Use no high speeds in high density areas B.Adjust speed for conditions C.Lack of knowledge from other boaters D.Set the example

VISIBILITY A.Slow down if you can’t see B.Be able to stop in 1/2 the distance you can see C.RADAR and GPS are required if visibility is under 1 mile D.Know your sound signals E.Post extra lookouts

SHOAL WATERS A.Slow in or near shoal waters B.Refer to charts and chart plotter C.Know your draft D.Raise lower units on I/O and O/B E.If in question, Stay out F.Use the proper facility for the job

MANEUVERING INFORM CREW BEFORE QUICKLY CHANGING SPEED OR DIRECTION All crew must pay close attention to throttle and helm changes. Crew should firmly hold onto the vessel during maneuvers ONE HAND FOR YOU – ONE HAND FOR THE BOAT

MANEUVERING CHARACTERISTICS SINGLE R/H SCREW – BACKING A.Apply full right rudder B.Quick burst astern C.Reduce power & steer w/rudder D.Increase power gradually if needed

MANEUVERING CHARACTERISTICS SINGLE R/H SCREW – BACKING E.If stern swings to port give shot of forward F.Stop and repeat if needed G.Trim tab effect and use

MANEUVERING CHARACTERISTICS TWIN SCREW – BACKING A.Apply power evenly on both screws B.Increase power slightly on opposite engine to turn (Increase power on port to back to starboard, or on starboard to back to port) C.Don’t overpower D.Effects of Trim tabs

MANEUVERING CHARACTERISTICS O/B & I/O - BACKING A.Steer with the helm B.Don’t overpower C.Trim Tab effect

MANEUVERING CHARACTERISTICS TURNING A.Normally use helm B.Use of twin engines

MANEUVERING CHARACTERISTICS HEAVY WEATHER TURN (CAN BE HARD ON TRANSMISSION) A.Put helm hard over (port turn) B.Bring port engine to neutral C.Pause then shift to reverse D.Give short burst of speed on port engine

MANEUVERING CHARACTERISTICS HEAVY WEATHER TURN E.Bring port engine to neutral F.Pause G.Return port engine to forward H.PRACTICE IN CALM SEAS AT LOW SPEED

STATION KEEPING A.Determine set and drift (Direction & speed) B.Determine safe maneuvering zone (Define zone by distance, position, & aspect) C.Determine optimum position (Define) D.Determine Danger Zone (define)

STATION KEEPING E.Get and keep the big picture F.Any obstructions (rocks, anchor line, etc.) G.Assign crew to watch obstructions and traffic in the area H.Avoid outriggers, floating lines, etc.

STATION KEEPING CLOSE ENOUGH TO COMPLETE JOB BUT FAR ENOUGH TO KEEP SAFE A. Use your eye to determine distance B. Use keys references such as your length, width, and points on your boat.

STATION KEEPING C. Position: The angle from the object to your boat or the reciprocal. D. Aspect: Your relative position to the object, Bow to, stern to, etc.

STATION KEEPING Make your vessel open and close on the object at various angles, both leeward and to weather. You only need to compensate for the fore and aft drift rate and to maintain a steady heading when the object is on the bow or stern. The more difficult scenario is opening or closing distance abeam.

STATION KEEPING A.Use reasonable limits and stay within them. B.Remember to account for the pivot point when moving the bow or stern C.Use a combination of control and environmental forces: side force, ahead, astern thrust, rudder force, leeway, current drift

STATION KEEPING Most Auxiliary boats (especially single -screw and some twin-screw) in heavy seas, handle best stern into the prevailing forces rather than bow to. Practice both to determine how your boat handles best. Start in calm seas and work your way up. Heavy seas are different for each boat.

STATION KEEPING A.Practice with a free drifting object subject to the wind. B.Practice with a free drifting object not subject to the wind (PIW dummy) C.Practice with different types of boats D.Practice with an anchored object or boat. (CAUTION: Watch for anchor line and boat swinging with wind or current)

HEAVY WEATHER A.Know the limits of vessel and crew. B.If in doubt, DON’T C.Learn the motions your boat makes w/seas D.Develop techniques to minimize your boat’s motion

HEAVY WEATHER E.Keep crew weight centered on small boats F.Pitching (fore & aft) is easier on crew than rolling side to side. G.Observe before you act. Understand your responsibilities H. Know when to end an evolution

HEAVY WEATHER I. Perform as a team. Team is eyes & ears. J. One hand for the boat and one hand for you! K.Use just enough power to get the entire boat over or through a crest.

HEAVY WEATHER K. Keep a slight bow up angle. L. Keep the boat in the water (prop & rudder) M. Stay calm and don’t panic. N.Don’t go where Angels fear to tread. You do have to come back. We don’t need a second SAR case!

EXERCISE #1 (See JOB AID, Sections B & H) A.2 Facilities, 1 disabled, 1 Response B.D/V vessel on open water drifting C.Response makes approach crossing the “T” (with respect to prevailing forces)

EXERCISE #1 D.Response unit positions itself in optimum position for several minutes and practices holding optimal position using opening and closing maneuvers. E. Change coxswains and repeat above

EXERCISE #2 (See JOB AID Sections B & H) Same as Exercise #1 except: Response boat throws a heaving line to D/V from optimal position. Crews of both vessels lightly hold heaving line while coxswain holds in optimal position. (Crew should keep the heaving line in the water but tend away from the screws)

EXERCISE #3 On an Auxiliary Facility repeatedly get underway and moor using different docks where the wind and/or current effect is different. Change helmsman and repeat until the entire crew has mastered this skill. You may want to keep someone on the dock to assist if necessary (especially with new people).