Department of Natural Resources Policy -
Safe Vessel Operation Policy
Policy Number: 95:07
Effective Date: January 1, 1996 (Reviewed: May 2003)
See signed policy - Adobe Acrobat file
I. Purpose
It is the intent of this policy to identify safe boating operational procedures and equipment requirements for the protection of Department employees who utilize vessels during their work assignments.A. The safe operation of vessels by Department personnel is of utmost importance given the great number of employees who use vessels during their work assignments.
B. Proper safety equipment and training are of critical importance to safe vessel operations.
C. While there are many different uses of vessels within the Department and many different work tasks being performed while personnel are on vessels, there are fundamental safety requirements which must be understood and adhered to by Department employees.
D. It is important that the Department provide a good example for the safe operation of its vessels.
II. Policy
It is the policy of the Department of Natural Resources that:A. Personal Flotation Devices (PFD’s)
- Department vessels shall be equipped with and/or carry United States Coast Guard (USCG) or Department approved PFD’s in the number required by the USCG including life rafts or launchable lifeboats.
- Employees and others shall wear a USCG approved Type I, II, III or V or Department approved inflatable PFD while on deck, outside of an enclosed cabin and/or while operating/working aboard an open vessel.
B. Anti-exposure Coveralls
- Department units shall provide sufficient quantities of anti-exposure coveralls for use by employees during certain water and air temperatures as identified below.
- Employees may wear USCG or Department approved anti-exposure coveralls when the water temperature is less than 59° fahrenheit unless the air temperature is sufficient that wearing the coveralls would be impractical or unsafe. Supervisory personnel shall use their discretion to determine when cold weather conditions would require the wearing of anti-exposure coveralls.
C. Safety Equipment
- A lanyard type kill-switch shall be installed on vessels whenever it is feasible. Operators of such vessels shall utilize the kill-switch device when the nature of work permits and most particularly when operating the vessel at high speeds.
- Permanently mounted steps or a boarding ladder is recommended for vessels, particularly those 30 feet or less in length, to enable an operator or crew to self-rescue in an overboard situation.
- Fire extinguishers or fire suppressant systems shall be installed or provided for Department vessels in accordance with USCG requirements or recommendations.
- Appropriate communications equipment should be provided to Department vessels.
- Other safety equipment as required by State and federal laws and regulations shall be provided for the safe operation of Department vessels.
D. Boating Safety Courses Training
- Non-USCG licensed employees who operate any Department vessel must successfully complete a boating safety course or pass an equivalency exam.
- In addition, employees who operate Department vessels shall receive training in survival procedures and use of safety equipment including PFD’s, anti-exposure coveralls, fire fighting, basic first aid and radio operations. Training logs shall be maintained by supervisors.
E. Cold Weather Operations
- When the water temperature is less than 59° fahrenheit, more than one employee should be aboard during the operation of a vessel; however, it is recognized that there are emergencies and other circumstances when an employee must operate a vessel without a mate.
III. Procedures
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
PROCEDURES FOR SAFE VESSEL OPERATION
A Task force of Department employees with experience and responsibility
for working on the water, operating vessels and risk management, developed
the following procedures for safe vessel operation.A. Personal Flotation Devices (PFD)
It is critical that all DNR personnel wear a United States Coast Guard (USCG) approved PFD or one of the various inflatable PFD’s while working on or aboard vessels. The USCG ratings for PFD’s are well understood and such PFD’s are easily obtained.
With respect to the inflatable PFD’s, some types are not USCG approved (the USCG has not yet approved them) but many DNR personnel have been wearing them with satisfactory results. Examples are the Stearns “hip huggers” or S.O.S. – PAK (Stearns Overboard Survivor-PAP) that are worn on a belt and inflate automatically upon immersion or can be activated by lanyard. These devices are designed to be worn and inflate in front of the person. Another example is the SUSPENDERS, which is a vest-like apparel similar in appearance to suspenders. Both models are CO² activated either manually or automatically and with an oral inflate back up. Both of these PFD’s are very appropriate when personnel are doing physical work on vessels.
Every DNR vessel should be equipped with the appropriate number of PFD’s in accordance with the number of personnel who would be aboard the vessel while underway.
B. Anti-Exposure Coveralls
Anti-exposure coveralls are similar to jump suits; and when worn can be USCG approved PFD’s depending on type and manufacturer. They reduce exposure to the elements and will delay effects of hypothermia when one is overboard. They are not immersion suits (gumby suits) which are designed for intentional, abandon ship situations in cold water and provide hypothermia protection for a longer period of time.
Anti-exposure suits should be worn when the water temperature is less than 59° Fahrenheit. Since these are work suits, there will be times when the air temperature is such that wearing these coveralls will become very uncomfortable (and even unsafe), especially when personnel are engaged in extreme physical exertion. Some discretion is recommended on the part of supervisors under those conditions.
It is not recommended that anti-exposure coveralls be acquired for every person who would ever use or be onboard a DNR vessel. Rather, each unit should obtain enough suits to assure that when vessels are utilized within the described water temperature parameter, all personnel aboard a vessel can be provided with one to wear.
There are two manufacturers: Stearns and Mustang. The Department currently utilizes both. Catalogs and price lists are available. In addition, there may be available surplus suits, which while not Coast Guard approved, may be suitable.
C. Safety Equipment
It is realized that many DNR vessels were not equipped with kill-switches or boarding ladders when purchased; and, that to retrofit them may not be possible or may be too costly. The Department should thoroughly review its boat fleet with a goal toward retrofitting for kill-switches and ladders. Other USCG required fire and safety equipment should be provided to Department vessels.
The issue of communication equipment is also important. Not all vessels need a marine radio or a cellular telephone. The necessity of such equipment depends on vessel use. There have been several suggestions that cellular telephones are not efficient and practical. We are well aware of the sensitive nature of this issue, and it is recommended that each unit evaluate the need for marine radios or cellular telephones to be made available to vessel operators particularly during foul weather, cold weather or isolated conditions.
D. Boating Safety Courses and Training
The Natural Resources Police administers the DNR safe boating course and under the law issues the Boater Education Certificate. All DNR personnel operating vessels who have not passed the DNR course or received a certification should receive and pass the DNR course or an equivalent one offered by the Coast Guard Auxiliary or the Power Squadron.
All units with vessels should work together to offer a standardized training program that covers PFD’s, man overboard drills, anti-exposure coveralls, firefighting, CPR, basic first aid and radio operations. The Task Force will work with the various units and provide recommendations regarding such training.
E. Cold Weather Operations
By necessity, there are DNR personnel who often work alone on the water. When possible and certainly in cold or foul weather conditions, DNR personnel should not be alone in vessels. Where this cannot be avoided, the other safety items we recommend are all the more critical in importance.
Posted February 3, 2004