A Common Boating Occurrence
This is one reason why every boater should have a float plan web page.
Complete or update your float plan on this site ... it's # 1 on the list of things to do before leaving port.
First let me say, that your local, state/provincial or Federal rescue professionals are responsible for Marine Search and Rescue (SAR) for your state or province. This means it is the responsibility of the SAR team to co-ordinate a response for each and every search and rescue (SAR) incident.
Every weekend, calls are received from people because loved ones have gone out fishing or sailing and not returned by their stated estimated time of return (ETR). About 90% of these people are quickly found - some in their local pub; some still out fishing and most at home having simply forgotten to log off with their families or friends who they have entrusted to call authorities if the ETR is not met.
It’s not uncommon to receive a phone call from a distressed mother who states that her son went fishing that morning and had not returned home. The weather may be poor and getting worse, and this often presents a very concerning situation for any SAR group.
While working as a Search and Rescue crewman in the extreme cold waters of the Great Lakes, I remember one lady in particular who was understandably frantic about the welfare of her son. The poor lady could not tell us the name or registration number of her son’s vessel, where they were supposed to go fishing, the names of anyone who might be on the vessel, the size, type, make, construction, what safety equipment was on board if any at all, or any details which could have allowed us to begin to formulate a search plan.
The only information she could give, was that she thought he was an average swimmer. Our rescue team were hoping they had their life jackets on and that they had not capsized in the very cold waters of our deep lake. Hypothermia sets in quickly in these waters. By wearing a life jacket, at least they have a chance to be saved if hypothermia results in unconsciousness with the proper life jacket keeping their head above water. Every spring and autumn season, our SARS team came across boaters in the water in an unconsciousness state and if we were able to get to them in time, then there was at least a chance of survival from deadly hypothermia.
To make things worse, her son was due home to go to a family dinner engagement so she was confident that he wouldn’t be late without good reason. As luck would have it and just about when we had finished explaining to her that with such limited information it would be difficult to commence a proper sea search, we could see a vessel coming around the bend where she thought they might of launched being closest to home.
Using a set of binoculars we gave a description of the boys on board and sure enough one of them was her son.
No life jackets by the way.I remember we gave the boat owner the option to walk over to the marina and purchase 4 Coast Guard certified life jackets … one for each of the boys on board or be fined for each of the 4 life jackets that were not on board for each passenger he carried. If he chose not to get the life jackets he realized he would be fined right on the spot and would still need to buy the life jackets … so across to the marina he went, happy to have saved himself a few hundred dollars in fines. This could have resulted in a very deadly situation not having life jackets aboard.
We don’t like to issue fines, we were more of a rescue force then a law enforcement agency, but if a boater does not by now understand the importance of having life jackets on board thereby risking the lives of family and friends… we feel it is inexcusable and well justified to write them a ticket(s). It may bring the point across which may one day save their lives and hopefully they will warn a few friends or other inexperienced boaters along the way.
We have seen far too many grieving family members as a result of "no life jacket related deaths at sea".Although everything turned out fine in this case, it highlights the importance of the float plan ... informing someone, either family, friend or local sea rescue group, of vital boating and operator experience information.
But now, SeaSupport.org has designed a backup option for boaters that make things a little easier for you and for those you entrust on land and a whole lot easier for search and rescuers who must now co-ordinate a response to search for you. Now, thanks to the new age of internet technology, your family or friends on shore can provide search teams with all the information they need to start a rescue plan by simply providing them with a username and password and website address.
That's all that may be needed ... the Coast Guard can login to www.SeaSupport.org and pull up all vitally important information … easily accessible at the click of the mouse.
This online Float plan site for the time being may not replace the information that should be on hand by those you entrust to call SAR in the event of a delayed ETR, but it definitely serves as an invaluable tool for rescue stations across North Amercia to aid in the co-ordination of a search and rescue operation who can now view all the information they need in seconds on their station computer and on some forces, right on their computerized rescue vessel or search aircraft. A worried mother can now convey the message to SAR when making a call to them about a delayed ETR in the following way;
“Good Afternoon, my name is Nancy Clarke … C L A R K E and my telephone number is 305.555.1234, I repeat 305.555.1234 and I am calling about my son Jeff Clarke who has not reported back in time from a fishing trip on Lake Erie. I would like to ad that all the information about him and his boat can be found on his online float plan at www.seasupport.org. The username is the name of his boat ... " dockofthebay" all lower case, no spaces. I repeat dockofthebay, that's d o c k o f t h e b a y. The password is 777111. I repeat 777111. Everything is clearly spelled out there including his charted course, photos of the boat and of him and his family. Is there anything else you need to know from me while you log on to his float plan site?” I will stay on the telephone with you until you have logged onto his float plan. Is there anything else you need to know from me?
Our web team at SeaSupporter.org that uploads all pertinent information about you and your vessel can first create your Float plan web page for you. Then, when you are ready for boating, simply log on with your user name and password and enter your trip plans for the day along with your ERT. A sample site of a float plan can be viewed here.
Your Float plan site will give your loved ones on land the peace of mind knowing that all CORRECT and ACCURATE information can be provided to SAR by simply directing SAR to your online Float plan page.
It’s the best backup system you have and it’s free with your SANA Membership at SeaSupport.org. When someone gives your Float plan site to any SAR group providing they have connection to the net … the more targeted and efficient the search will be and the quicker they can get it into action.
In the end, this means that if it is you out there, the sooner you will get home to your loved ones.
THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT! We can not stress enough how important it is to have a proper fitting Coast Guard approved life jacket on at all times when boating. Test your life jacket to make certain it fits right and that it keeps your head above the water.
Your customized Float Plan web page is included in your SANA MEMBERSHIP at SeaSupport.org and it is the best chance you have of giving correct and accurate information to rescue professionals ... help them to locate you at sea in the event of an emergency.