a post mentioned to simply pluck the crew from the boat by helicopter....
Usually not a good plan, with the wild motion of the boat and rigging, mast , stays, shrouds, etc, that can capture any harnesses, bodies, and lines run from the helo . Plus, trying to
work with a very unstable platform of a boat in rough seas. The helo is now like a
fish on a hook, and will become unstable and not be able to remain airborne . The hoist cable would have to be released and free.
If not cut free :
Now you have a major problem with rescue personal crew, the victim, the harness and cable, and the helo itself with all of those now wrapped around rigging or bodies bashed into the decks of the vessel. Good chance of losing the helo, and the helo crew, as well as the person being rescued with the harness and hoist lines fouled.
The poster is correct, that the helo will have the people who need rescuing, get into the
water or a life raft. Then, swim away from the boat so the helo can hover, and have the rescue diver , hook em up, and haul em up.
it would be the same type of plan for a rescue boat . Get the people away from the sinking vessel.
As to a fire on board, I have often suggested to sailing club students as to fires on board a boat and you are the rescuing vessel.
DO NOT GET ON BOARD TO FIGHT THE FIRE !!. THE BOAT OWNER MAY DEMAND THAT YOU HELP HIM SAVE HIS FLAMING BOAT. NEGATIVE. DO NOT RUN INTO A BURNING BOAT FIRE..
HAVE THE PEOPLE ON BOARD THE VESSEL ,THAT IS ON FIRE, GET INTO THEIR LIFE JACKETS, AND LIFE BOAT IF AVAILABLE. SWIM TO YOUR RESCUE BOAT.
YOU STAND OFF, UP
WIND OUT OF ANY SMOKE FROM THE BURNING VESSEL AND HAVE THEM SWIM OR PADDLE TO YOUR VESSEL. HAUL THEM ABOARD YOUR VESSEL
IN STRONG WINDS, A LIFE BOAT WILL BE QUICKLY BLOWN DOWN
WIND, OR DOWN
CURRENT, SO MAY BE THE PEOPLE IN THE WATER. ONCE AWAY FROM THE SMOKE AND FLAMES, YOU CAN PICK THEM UP.
NOTIFY THE APPROPRIATE AUTHORITY FOR THE AREA, and TREAT ANY INJURIES WITH FIRST AID, GET THEM WARMED UP, INSIDE AND OUT .
FOLLOW ANY ORDERS BY THE RESCUE AUTHORITY .
PUT OUT A
SECURITY CALL AS TO THE POSITION OF THE VESSEL, AND POSSIBLE HAZZARD TO
NAVIGATION. HAVE THE U.S.C.G OR APPROPRIATE AUTHORITY DO THE SAME.
IF IN U.S. WATERS, USUALLY USCG AIR ASSETS, AS WELL AS U.S.C.G VESSEL, and OTHER VESSELS WILL RESPOND. HARBOR DEPARTMENTS IF IN CLOSE PROXIMITY WILL ALSO RESPOND.
Just FYI, those were the procedures that we advised our members to to follow that would
work pretty much in both situations. Keep everyone safe, including you , your boat and your crew who are trying to save the lives of the vessel that is on fire. Your primary mission is SAVING LIVES, not fighting fires.
Lot more to fire fighting, on board your vessel but that is a whole other conversation .