Support / Safety Craft (SSC) & Rescue Boats (restricted to non-tidal / coastal locations) (RBR) are available for industrial, commercial and leisure duties. Specialist craft available for ‘blue-light’ call-out assistance.
Two-man teams include Coxswain and Able Bowman. A three-man team would include the former plus either an additional DEFRA Module 3 (Concept of Flood Operations guidelines) Rescue swimmer or medical first responder with full pre-hospital care kit including automatic external defibrillator and oxygen.
A ‘Utility / Service Craft (USC) operated by a single coxswain are also available for crew transfers and general ‘run-about’ duties.
Utility / Service and Support / Safety Craft / Rescue Boat Services (Restricted)
Vessels available
- x3 Rigid Raider Mk1 Beach Assault Craft – 5 metres
- Zodiac Mil-Pro ‘Grand Raid’ Inflatable – 5 metres
- Bombard C3 Commando Inflatable – 3.8 metres
- Northcraft heavy-duty Rigid Inflatable – 5 metres
- Zodiac Tender Inflatable – 2.8 metres
- Jeanneau 360 Newmatic Rigiflex 3.6 metres
- Aluminium heavy-duty work boat 4 metres
Utility / Service Craft. (USC)
Description
These vessels are not contracted to undertake a lifesaving role due to their basic level of equipment aboard, the lower level of required qualifications to crew the vessel and the main factor that these craft are operated by a sole crewmember, the Coxswain.
They are ideal however for crew transfers, surveys, gaining access, events, security, and a range of other roles. All the BMM craft can undertake this role with the choice of vessel being dependent upon the role it is intended to provide.
Crew qualification USC
- RYA Inland Waterways Helmsman
- RYA Powerboat Level 2
- DEFRA Module 1
- RYA First Aid at Work.
Availability restrictions
- This craft can only be deployed if the contractors / client’s Team(s) have received DEFRA Module 1) training and alternative rescue plan in place.
Support / Safety craft (SSC)
Description
As with the USC above, any of the vessels could be used in the Support / Safety Craft role. This is the type of operation best suited to canal-based commercial operations as it allows a certain amount of flexibility within its role and, unlike a ‘Rescue Boat’ that must sit on station and not be used for any other purpose, the SSC set-up can be used for USC roles as well as providing medical support, search, rescue, and recovery roles.
Like a ‘Rescue Boat’ since there is a ‘safety’ role, there is a two-man crew which enables the vessel to be held in position whilst the crew deal with other matters.
The crew qualifications are higher:
Crew qualification SSC
-
RYA Inland Waterways Helmsman
-
RYA Powerboat Level 2
-
DEFRA Module 1 (Annex ‘H’)
-
RYA First Aid at Work – Crew and IPOS / FPOS / FREC 3 Medical First Responder qualification – Coxswain
Equipment carried
(changes as the element of ‘Rescue’ cover increases).
- Man-Over-Board (MOB) recovery equipment
- Spinal Board
- Medical Kit (Category ‘C’ Medical Stores and crew mini kit)
- Defibrillator
- Survival Bag
- Immersion Suit
- Torch / Scene Lighting
- VHF Radio.
Availability restrictions
This craft can only be deployed if the contractors / client’s Team(s) have received DEFRA Module 1) training and have shore-based rescue equipment and procedures in place. The SSC can assist / lead a rescue and is able to recover a casualty to the pre-arranged RV to hand over the Emergency Medical Services. (EMS).
Rescue Boat (Restricted) RBR
Non-tidal / coastal safety / rescue boat
Deployable to non-tidal, non-coastal locations. Crew attired in full Aquatic PPE to Mod 3) specification.
A ‘Rescue Boat’ is a dedicated vessel and crew with a higher level of training and equipment both aboard and in the support vehicle. A two-man crew of Coxswain and Able-Bowman are qualified as below: A ‘dedicated’ safety / rescue Craft that cannot be utilised in any other role. Generally this type of operation is undertaken by the Zodiac Grand Raid or the Bombard C3 Commando.
Crew qualification RBR
- DEFRA Module 2) Water Rescue First Responder / 3) Technician
- RYA Inland Waterways Helmsman
- RYA Powerboat Level 2
- IPOS / FPOS / FREC 3 Medical First Responder qualification
Equipment carried (changes as the element of ‘Rescue’ cover increases).
- Man-Over-Board (MOB) recovery equipment
- Spinal Board
- Medical Kit (Category ‘C’ Medical Stores and crew mini kit)
- Defibrillator
- Survival Bag
- Immersion Suit
- Torch / Scene Lighting
- VHF Radio
- Full Medical Bag including medical oxygen.
Advice from the MCA was that vessels on Category ‘A’, ‘B’ and non-linked bodies of water are not required to be MCA Coded.
Availability restrictions
This craft can only be deployed if the contractors / client’s Team(s) have received DEFRA Module 1) training and have shore-based rescue equipment and procedures in place. The RBR on site to deliver a rescue service and can recover a casualty to the pre-arranged RV to hand over the Emergency Medical Services. (EMS).