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I came across this great video (see below) that Yachting Monthly put out. Really great stuff. Most of us have read about these various techniques, but seeing them in action was very valuable to me.
As always, it seemed that the simple solution worked the best. In an emergency situation having all the crew know where emergency equipment is kept would be key if the captain was unable to leave or be relieved on the helm. Often, when equipment fails it is usually at the worst possible time and under stress. Here are some thoughts of mine after watching this video:
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Identify the leak-
In rough weather it may begin as a small leak before leading to a full failure. It was shocking how little time it took for the bilge to fill up from water when they tried the “fancy” plug technique…which they abandoned under perfect conditions. Consider the addition of a bilge water alarm such as this one: Rule Bilge Alarm
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Expose the leak-
The example of the head plumbing was a real eye opener regarding the real life problems of gaining good access to expose the problem. What problems does this present? Are the tools needed to remove cabinetry in a hurry readily available and locations known to crew? Will they have the strength or forethought to know to break down what can be removed? These topics must be included in the safety briefing of new crew.
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Stop the leak-
What was amazing to me was how the firehose like stream of water came to a near complete stop with just putting your hand over it. I would imagine that as stated in the movie stopping the massive flow of water allowed time to think and come up with a plan. Also, with that rate of flow it would not take long to effect the performance of the boat which could negatively impact the operation at hand or lead to an even more dangerous situation. Furthermore, as the water level increases everything will become more difficult. Location of the leak, tools, and access. The end solution may not be what you begin with, but the initial stop seems to be the game changer.
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Maintain Control of Your Fear and That of the Crew-
Most of us have been in some sort of emergency situation before, but many people have done little more than witness events as they happen. The feeling of fear and panic can incapacitate a person to inaction. The importance of having a clear outline of emergency plans and clear effective communication can not be overstated. When fear grips people it can be contagious. Implementing or directing action with clear and and calm demeanor sends a ripple of reassurance in a high stress situation. One of the best ways to make sure that you communicate calmly are to: monitor your breathing and make sure you are not breathing rapidly, take two seconds and think about the sentence you are about to speak to someone else. Say it in your head first and make sure its simple and clear. Lastly, monitor the tone and quality of your voice. A slightly higher pitch, cadence or volume results in your spreading the feeling of fear as opposed to diminishing it.  As captain, it will be your job to ensure that crew act if you are unable to leave the helm.
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