RISK MANAGEMENT
Maritime Safety Authority
In the delivery of the CanSail Charitable Trust's Sail Training programmes, STV Fox II operates under the regulations and certificate structure of the Maritime Safety Authority. These are the same regulations that govern all ferry services in New Zealand, including the inter-island ferries and the Diamond Harbour ferry.
Risk Management Guidelines
CanSail does not have a Risk Assessment and Management form because its operation is governed by law, under the MSA regulations. You would not ask the inter-island ferry company for a RAM form for a school trip.
However, for your information and reassurance, the following guidelines offer an outline of the ordinary safety procedures taken on board Fox II. These guidelines do not include detailed emergency procedures but note the main points of which your party will be informed during the safety briefing.
At all times the MSA regulations govern the operation of Fox II. Nothing that follows supercedes these regulations.
Arrival: your group is met on the wharf by CanSail crew. Your staff and adult helpers must assist the crew in ensuring that the children remain away from the wharf edge.
Before embarking, your party is:
- advised of the correct clothing required for the weather conditions;
- reminded of the need for sun block;
- checked to ensure hair is safely tied back and jewellery taped or removed; and
- fitted correctly with a lifejacket
- given a 20-minute safety briefing.
Safety Briefing: before the ship leaves the wharf, your party receives a safety briefing. This includes but is not limited to the following topics:
- listen and follow crew's instructions at all times;
- sail setting;
- handling of lines and pulleys;
- booms;
- safe sitting and standing areas;
- no-go zones: main and aft cabin soles; below decks; wheel-house;
- moving about the ship: one hand for the ship, one hand for you;
- feet on the deck, not on the rails;
- location of safety equipment: life-rings, other flotation devices, ship's bell;
- man overboard drill: look and point - shout for help - cast life-rings - stay low and silent if not involved in spotting;
- fire drill: likely location of the fire (engine room or galley) - retreat to safest point on deck away from fire - crew operates fire extinguishers;
- abandon ship: decision made by skipper - evacuate only at the last minute - don't jump in, step off - remain together in huddle in water centred around flotation devices.
In the event of an emergency, the crew contacts Lyttelton Port Traffic Control on VHF Channel 16.
Please note, your party is briefed on only those aspects of the emergency drills which they, as opposed to the crew, need to know, as on a commercial ferry or aircraft.
Bags: before your party embarks, all bags and other carry-on items are handed on board and stored below decks via the forward hatch. No participant may embark carrying a bag or other carry-on item.
Embarkation: participants embark one at a time, using the gangplank or ladder provided. CanSail crew are immediately on hand to assist.
Casting off: all participants must remain seated while the crew casts off from the wharf, and stows mooring lines and fenders.
Sailing: when sailing, your party is divided into three watches - foredeck, midships and stern - for the management of sails and helming. Each watch is lead by at least one CanSail crew member who instructs and monitors the particpants in the safe execution of the sailing skills required.
Anchoring: no participant may stand or sit forward of the forward hatch when the anchor is dropped or raised. The anchor is turned off at all times other than when being raised.
Hatches: there are a number of hatches on deck. These remain locked during sailing. When anchored or alongside, the forward hatch may be raised and remain open to allow access to bags. No participant should attempt to raise or lower the forward hatch. It is extremely heavy.
Below Decks: no participant is permitted below via either a hatch or the wheel-house without the express permission of the skipper.
Ladders: in the event that embarkation is by ladder or that a particpant is given permission to go below, he/she must climb down the ladder backwards, i.e.: facing the wall.
Coming Alongside: all participants must remain seated while the ship comes alongside the wharf and the crew ties up.
Unloading Bags: once the skipper is satisfied that the ship is moored safely and has made his farewells, your party assists in unloading the bags in the manner of a chain gang. The bags are deposited on the wharf well away from the edge.
Disembarkation: once the bags are unloaded, your party disembarks one at a time, using the gangplank or ladder. CanSail crew are immediately on hand to assist. Your staff and adult helpers must assist the crew in ensuring that the children remain away from the wharf edge.
Lifejackets: once disembarked, participants remove their lifejackets and place them in piles in the centre of the wharf with the zips and clicks done up. Again, your staff and adult helpers must assist the crew in ensuring that the children remain away from the wharf edge and depart the wharf safely.
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