Deck Seamanship and Shipboard Safety

(and limits on your power a prelude to ethics)

NS 101 Captain N. A. Reed

Learning Objectives
Know the general dangers associated with shipboard deck evolutions Know the role of officers as safety observers during deck evolutions Know the terms and nomenclature of shipboard deck seamanship equipment fittings and fundamentals of their usage Know the safety precautions relative to small boat operations

Officers Role
A ship is an industrial environment. It is a dangerous place to work, but it can be made safe by proper leadership and planning

Officers Role
Most junior sailors feel that they are immune to danger. You as a leader must ensure they do not find out how wrong they are. The safety officer must not get involved in the processes going on around him, but keep focused on the big picture Allow the BM to do their job, if they cant get it done, get a new BM, do not leave your role as safety officer.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Always wear steel toed boots. Never wear CNT or plastic shoes underway. Whenever personnel are working aloft, wear a hard hat. Eye protection, goggles Hearing protection (explain signs) Loose clothing Flotation devices

Ground tackle, Anchoring and Mooring

Never stand in the bight of a line Pre-brief every evolution Anchor Free falling
Yellow shot warning Red shot danger

When mooring, keep line handlers in safe zone. Also monitor tattletales for possible line break

 Towing, same as mooring only station an ax near by the line to cut it if necessary.

Small Boat Safety

Winch handles - Never leave unattended, they should either be in use or out of the winch. Always wear a hard hat or helmet when lowering small boats. Note that a helmet may act as a parachute if a person hits the water feet first. This can cause bad neck injuries, so use a breakaway chin strap

Rope and Line

Working with wire ropes, you should always wear gloves. With working with line, you should generally not wear gloves Wire rope departure can be as dangerous as synthetic line Beware of natural fiber lines

Synthetic Line Snapback

Acts like a rubber band and will take out anything in its path, legs, feet, hands, heads etc.

General Line Handling

Life lines: Flexible lines rigged between stanchions along the side to prevent falls. Do not lean on them. Life Rails: Permanent rails to prevent falls, do not lean on them either.

Misc. Ship Dangers

Gas Free compartments Electricity, explain difference Aircraft flight deck

Where does it define authority of Naval Officers?

U.S. Navy Regulations: Upon commissioning, the officer is granted the authority and responsibility to perform his/her duties.

Limits on Your Power

Unlawful orders Abusive conduct Contradictory orders NJP vs EMI Denial of privileges

LDI