Proficiency in Fast Rescue Boats (PFRB) Training Course

1. Introduction to Fast Rescue Boats and Regulatory Framework

1.1 Fast Rescue Boat Characteristics

• Fast rescue craft types including (rigid inflatable boats, planing hulls, displacement hulls, catamaran designs)

• Performance specifications including (speed requirements, maneuverability, sea keeping, operational envelope)

• Construction standards including (hull materials, engine specifications, safety systems, equipment arrangements)

• Operational capabilities including (rescue capacity, operational range, weather limitations, endurance)

• Introduction to STCW Code A-VI/2-2 and IMO LSA Code requirements for fast rescue boats

1.2 Regulatory Requirements and Certification

• SOLAS requirements including (construction standards, performance criteria, equipment specifications)

• LSA Code specifications including (approval procedures, testing requirements, maintenance standards)

• STCW competency requirements including (training standards, assessment criteria, certification procedures)

• Flag state regulations including (licensing requirements, operational permits, compliance verification)

• International standards including (ISO standards, classification society rules, type approval procedures)

2. Fast Rescue Boat Systems and Equipment

2.1 Propulsion and Control Systems

• Engine systems including (outboard engines, inboard engines, waterjet propulsion, fuel systems)

• Control systems including (engine controls, steering systems, throttle controls, instrumentation)

• Electrical systems including (battery systems, charging systems, navigation lighting, communication power)

• Hydraulic systems including (steering systems, trim tabs, lifting systems, emergency controls)

• Monitoring systems including (engine monitoring, fuel monitoring, performance monitoring, alarm systems)

2.2 Safety and Navigation Equipment

• Navigation equipment including (GPS systems, radar, chart plotters, compass systems, depth sounders)

• Communication equipment including (VHF radio, satellite communication, emergency beacons, intercom systems)

• Safety equipment including (lifejackets, safety harnesses, first aid equipment, emergency tools)

• Rescue equipment including (rescue nets, stretchers, survival equipment, medical supplies)

• Firefighting equipment including (portable extinguishers, foam systems, emergency breathing apparatus)

3. Advanced Boat Handling and Maneuvering

3.1 High-Speed Operations

• Speed control including (acceleration techniques, deceleration procedures, speed optimization, fuel efficiency)

• Maneuvering techniques including (tight turns, emergency stops, precision positioning, close quarters handling)

• Sea keeping including (wave handling, spray management, stability control, comfort optimization)

• Environmental operations including (wind compensation, current compensation, wave navigation, visibility restrictions)

• Performance optimization including (trim adjustment, load distribution, fuel management, equipment positioning)

3.2 Precision Boat Handling

• Approach techniques including (vessel approach, platform approach, shore approach, helicopter coordination)

• Station keeping including (position holding, dynamic positioning, anchor operations, mooring techniques)

• Close quarters maneuvering including (tight spaces, confined waters, multiple vessel operations, precision control)

• Emergency maneuvering including (collision avoidance, emergency stops, evasive actions, recovery procedures)

• Docking procedures including (pier approach, alongside operations, crew transfer, equipment handling)

4. Rescue Operations and Emergency Response

4.1 Search and Rescue Procedures

• Search planning including (search area determination, pattern selection, resource allocation, coordination procedures)

• Search execution including (search patterns, lookout procedures, detection techniques, communication protocols)

• Victim recovery including (approach techniques, recovery methods, medical assessment, transportation procedures)

• Multiple casualty incidents including (triage procedures, resource management, coordination, prioritization)

• Helicopter operations including (winching support, basket transfers, coordination procedures, safety protocols)

4.2 Emergency Response Coordination

• Incident command including (command structure, role assignment, communication procedures, decision making)

• Resource coordination including (asset allocation, logistics support, personnel management, equipment distribution)

• Communication management including (radio procedures, information relay, status reporting, external coordination)

• Medical emergencies including (first aid procedures, medical evacuation, trauma management, stabilization)

• Environmental hazards including (pollution response, hazardous materials, weather conditions, navigational hazards)

5. Navigation and Weather Operations

5.1 High-Speed Navigation

• Electronic navigation including (GPS navigation, chart plotters, radar navigation, AIS integration)

• Traditional navigation including (compass navigation, dead reckoning, position fixing, pilotage)

• Route planning including (passage planning, weather routing, fuel planning, contingency planning)

• Navigation safety including (collision avoidance, traffic separation, right of way, emergency navigation)

• Night operations including (night vision, lighting systems, navigation procedures, safety considerations)

5.2 Weather and Environmental Operations

• Weather assessment including (forecasting, observation, trend analysis, decision criteria)

• Wave operations including (wave height assessment, breaking waves, surf conditions, stability considerations)

• Wind operations including (wind effects, compensation techniques, operational limitations, safety margins)

• Visibility operations including (fog operations, rain conditions, spray effects, navigation aids)

• Seasonal considerations including (monsoons, storms, ice conditions, regional weather patterns)

6. Crew Coordination and Communication

6.1 Team Management

• Crew roles including (coxswain responsibilities, crew member duties, passenger management, task allocation)

• Leadership principles including (command authority, decision making, delegation, motivation)

• Communication skills including (clear instructions, feedback systems, information sharing, conflict resolution)

• Training coordination including (skill development, competency maintenance, drill execution, performance assessment)

• Stress management including (stress recognition, stress reduction, performance under pressure, fatigue management)

6.2 External Coordination

• SAR coordination including (rescue coordination centers, coast guard, emergency services, medical facilities)

• Vessel coordination including (ship coordination, platform coordination, multiple unit operations, traffic management)

• Aviation coordination including (helicopter operations, aircraft coordination, airspace management, safety protocols)

• Shore coordination including (port operations, beach operations, emergency services, logistics support)

• International coordination including (cross-border operations, language barriers, protocol differences, legal considerations)

7. Maintenance and Technical Operations

7.1 Preventive Maintenance

• Engine maintenance including (service schedules, oil changes, filter replacement, cooling system maintenance)

• Hull maintenance including (hull inspection, cleaning procedures, damage assessment, repair techniques)

• Equipment maintenance including (electronics servicing, safety equipment checks, system testing, calibration)

• Operational checks including (pre-departure checks, post-operation inspections, daily inspections, performance monitoring)

• Documentation including (maintenance logs, service records, defect reporting, compliance tracking)

7.2 Troubleshooting and Emergency Repairs

• Engine problems including (starting problems, overheating, fuel system issues, cooling system failures)

• Control system failures including (steering failures, throttle problems, electrical failures, instrumentation issues)

• Emergency repairs including (temporary repairs, jury rigging, spare parts utilization, field maintenance)

• System redundancy including (backup systems, emergency procedures, alternative methods, contingency planning)

• Recovery procedures including (breakdown recovery, towing operations, emergency assistance, salvage operations)

8. Risk Management and Safety Procedures

8.1 Risk Assessment and Management

• Operational risk assessment including (environmental risks, equipment risks, personnel risks, mission risks)

• Risk mitigation including (preventive measures, protective equipment, emergency procedures, contingency planning)

• Safety protocols including (pre-operation briefings, safety equipment checks, emergency procedures, abort criteria)

• Incident prevention including (hazard identification, safety culture, behavioral safety, continuous improvement)

• Emergency preparedness including (emergency equipment, evacuation procedures, communication systems, training)

8.2 Safety Culture and Performance

• Safety leadership including (safety commitment, role modeling, safety communication, accountability)

• Performance monitoring including (safety metrics, incident analysis, trend monitoring, benchmarking)

• Training and competency including (skill assessment, training needs, competency maintenance, certification)

• Continuous improvement including (lessons learned, best practices, procedure updates, technology adoption)

• Regulatory compliance including (safety regulations, inspection requirements, audit procedures, certification maintenance)

9. HSE in Fast Rescue Boat Operations

• Process safety management including (hazard identification, risk assessment, safety barriers, performance monitoring)

• Occupational health and safety including (personal protective equipment, safe working practices, health surveillance)

• Environmental protection including (marine environment protection, pollution prevention, wildlife conservation)

• Emergency response including (emergency procedures, medical emergencies, evacuation protocols, rescue coordination)

• Safety culture including (safety leadership, behavioral safety, continuous learning, incident reporting)

10. Quality Assurance and Standards

• IMO LSA Code compliance including (construction standards, performance requirements, testing procedures)

• Quality management systems including (quality procedures, document control, records management)

• Certification management including (type approval, survey schedules, compliance verification, maintenance requirements)

• Performance standards including (operational standards, safety standards, environmental standards)

• Continuous improvement including (performance monitoring, feedback systems, technology updates, best practices)

11. Case Studies & Group Discussions

• Regional fast rescue operations from Middle East waters including (high-speed rescues, challenging conditions, coordination challenges)

• Complex rescue scenarios including (multiple casualties, equipment failures, adverse weather, time-critical operations)

• High-speed maneuvering challenges including (precision operations, emergency situations, equipment limitations)

• Coordination challenges including (multi-agency operations, communication failures, resource constraints)

• The importance of proper training in ensuring safe and effective fast rescue boat operations and mission success