eBooks

The operation of waterborne emergency response, Search & Rescue Units (SRUs) by Hamish G. Mc Donald
Summary

The Author of this book has been involved in boat operations and development over the past thirty five years and during that time he has seen dramatic changes in the theatres and environments of waterborne emergency response. Search and rescue units, particularly the use of planing craft (7-20m) have, as a result, undergone major developments. Unfortunately, over the same time scale, there has been a noticeable diminishment in native longshore activities and associated coastal navigation and seamanship skills in many maritime countries. The combined effects of the development of new concept SRUs and the reduction in indigenous longshore experience, coastal navigation and seamanship skills dictate that organisations with a responsibility for waterborne special operations have to develop extensive training programmes for crewmembers and support staff of the new generation SRUs.

It is essential that all crewmembers of SRUs can demonstrate a high level of both theoretical understanding and practical ability in basic navigation, seamanship and waterborne operations. The author believes that there has been no radical change to these basic skills since people first went to sea in small boats. Modern technology, whether design, construction, navigation or mechanical control of the vehicle which is being used, is only an aid to the basics of navigation, boat handling and seamanship. Nothing as yet can, or in the author’s opinion, will, take the place of sea sense and common sense as the primary prerequisite of any “small boat” handler.

“Be at peace with nature,
Be at peace with your place and tools of work,
Realise your capabilities,
Work to your limitations”.

“This book provides a very comprehensive and probably unique overview of the underpinning information relating to the Environment, Tool s and Skills necessary for emergency response, search and rescue craft operation”. D. Stogdon MBE

 The cost of purchasing an E-version of this book is £5. Print version £12.50.

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