IRB Emergencies
During IRB emergencies or troubleshooting good communication is vital. It is essential that the IRB Driver and IRB Crewperson communicate with each other and where appropriate notify the patrol captain of the situation so that necessary actions can be taken.
Sea- Anchor
There are a number of circumstances where the IRB crew may need to leave the IRB for safety reasons, particularly if these occur in the surf zone.
These may include:
- The IRB Driver falling out of the IRB
- The motor failing
- The IRB becoming inundated with water
In these situations, the IRB Crewperson or IRB Driver can act as a sea-anchor by exiting the IRB feet first over the bow with the bow rope to hold the nose of the IRB into the prevailing surf.
If at any time the safety of the IRB crew is compromised, they should ensure the safety of any patient and get everyone clear to avoid any impact with the vessel.
Manoeuvring an IRB with Disabled motor
In the event of a break-down where the IRB is undrivable, the IRB Driver or IRB Crewperson should radio back to the beach or signal ‘assistance required’. If possible, attempt to return to shore either using the on-board paddles or surfing the IRB to shore.
If surf conditions permit, the IRB Crewperson may need to act as a sea-anchor while the IRB Driver assess the problem. If the IRB is un-drivable, turn the IRB around so that the stern is facing the oncoming waves with the bow facing towards the beach. The IRB can then be manoeuvred towards the beach by either:
Paddling the IRB
To effectively paddle the IRB Driver and IRB Crewperson will have to sit on the buoyancy tubes and will need to communicate effectively to achieve optimum effectiveness with their paddling.
The paddles can also be used to steer the IRB towards shore once in the break
Surfing the IRB
Surfing the IRB by the IRB Driver and IRB Crewperson exiting the IRB and each holding onto opposite stern buoyancy tube ropes and using their bodies as sea rudders and steer the IRB towards shore.
When returning the IRB to shore the IRB will manoeuvre more freely on the waves if the motor is in neutral and not in running gear.
If the IRB is about to go over a wave or capsize the IRB Driver and IRB Crewperson should let go of the vessel.
Extreme care should be taken when the water is highly populated to avoid injury to swimmers. It is recommended that surfing an IRB should not be attempted and instead the IRB crew should aim to paddle the IRB away from break zone and radio or signal for assistance.
IRB Driver Overboard
If a circumstance arises where the IRB Driver has fallen out of the IRB, the IRB Crewperson should immediately stop the motor using the kill/ toggle switch. Depending on the situation, the IRB Crewperson may:
- Wait until the IRB Driver returns to the IRB and assist them to re-enter the IRB.
- Paddle the IRB to a position of safety
- If in the surf zone:
- Consider exiting the IRB over the bow with the bow rope to hold the nose of the IRB into the prevailing surf and act as a sea-anchor or
- Alternatively, dive out of the IRB and get clear to avoid any impact with the vessel
In order to re-board the IRB, the following technique may be used:
- Hold a lifting handle on the side of the IRB
- Straighten both arms, driving themselves as deep into the water as possible (straight down).
- Using the momentum generated and the lifeline rope or a handle, they propel themselves headfirst over the side buoyancy tube and into the IRB.
- Once onto the buoyancy tube they can use a foot strap to lever into the IRB
Capsized IRB
The most common causes of IRB capsize are:
- loss of motor power as the IRB is about to take on a wave
- motor failure within the break zone
- taking on a wave too fast
- taking on a wave at an angle less than 1 o’clock
- misjudging an oncoming wave and allowing insufficient time to turn and run
- allowing a wave to catch up with the incoming IRB
- incorrect crewing position
- IRB Crewperson falling onto the port (drivers) side buoyancy tube while going over a wave
If an IRB capsize is imminent and the motor is still running, the IRB Driver should endeavour to switch off the motor.
When capsized, the IRB Driver and IRB Crewperson should:
- Immediately check if the other crew are ok and retrieve any patients if required. If anyone is injured, radio or signal for assistance and secure the injured person until help arrives
Attempt to re-right the IRB by:
- The IRB crew moving to opposite buoyancy tubes with the person at re-righting rope pocket (look for the indicator arrow) passing the rope across the keelson to the other person
- From the opposite buoyancy tube to re-righting rope pocket, one crew should climb onto the keelson using the re-righting rope for assistance.
- This person then moves to the opposite side to assist the other crew to climb onto the keelson
- The crew should then stand on the port (drivers) side buoyancy tube and holding onto the re-righting rope in one hand, they should lean back using their body weight and the waves/white water to assist re-righting the IRB. It is recommended that crew put their other arm around their fellow crew to re-right the I.R.B.
- Care should be taken to ensure that the IRB does not land on top of them
- If the IRB crew are unable to re-right the IRB with this technique, they may need to rock the IRB back and forth to gain momentum
- If surf conditions permit, the IRB Driver should reboard the IRB and attempt to re-start the motor, while the IRB Crewperson holds the IRB steady facing the oncoming surf by holding the bow rope handle. If required radio or signal for assistance.
Abandon IRB
If the IRB Crewperson and/or IRB Driver has to abandon the IRB they should:
- Ensure that members of the public are clear of the area
- Collect any equipment available for support (e.g., rescue tube, whistle, EPIRB or PLB, radio, torch) where possible
- Safely exit the IRB feet first, being mindful of water depth and the location of the motor
- Follow all other safety instructions
- Check that all patients and crew are accounted for and uninjured
- As required, activate any distress signals and radio or signal for assistance
- Stay together while waiting for assistance
- If it is safe to do so the IRB can be reboarded and surfed back to shore
In the event of a break-down or abandonment, the IRB Driver or IRB Crewperson should signal ‘assistance required’ and, if possible, attempt to return to shore either using the on-board paddles or surfing the IRB to shore
Fire
In the unlikely event of a fire on an operational IRB, if it is safe for the IRB Driver or IRB Crewperson to do so, the following drill is performed:
- stop the motor
- abandon the IRB, preferably with rescue tube
- ensure that any swimmers in the area are removed from danger
- Signal for assistance
Troubleshooting Motor Faults
For many IRB Drivers, the most appropriate option when experiencing motor performance issues is to replace or swap the motor of concern with another and report the issues. Alternatively, troubleshooting may be required to rectify any issues and return the IRB to service.
Cavitation and Ventilation
Cavitation and ventilation cause the loss of effective thrust or power when operating. It may even appear that the motor is in neutral, as turning the throttle does not translate to normal IRB acceleration as would be expected.
Cavitation or ventilation occur when there is a disturbance in the water that creates an air pocket. This means that the propeller is pushing against air instead of water, resulting in the lack of forward movement. It may be caused by heavily aerated water (white-wash), by waves that have recently broken, build-up of weed on the propeller guard, turning sharply while accelerating, motor tilt that may be set incorrectly, or damage to the propeller or propeller guard.
These effects can be prevented by:
- reducing acceleration and/or speed when turning
- avoiding highly aerated water where possible (recently broken waves)
- performing regular maintenance on the propeller and propeller guard
- correctly adjusting the motor tilt
Disabled Motor
There are several reasons why a motor may become disabled or impaired. Indications of weed/debris on the propeller include:
- different motor tune (noise)
- loss of speed
- sudden stop
- reduced responsiveness (steering)
Solutions may include:
Tilting the motor or shaking the motor with the tiller
This technique can be used to clear weed or debris from the motor. The IRB Driver should go into neutral, tilt the motor so that the propeller safety guard clears the water and then return the motor into the driving position.
This manoeuvre will generally allow the weed/debris to fall clear of the propeller safety guard. The IRB Driver may need to repeat this process to ensure all weed or debris is clear.
Alternatively, the driver may shake the motor vigorously to try and release the weed.
Putting motor into reverse
To remove weed by using reverse, the IRB Driver should throttle off, place the gear lever into neutral, then place the gear lever into reverse. Maintaining a consistent throttle control on and off, and then move the gear lever back into neutral. Move the tiller arm in the opposite direction to avoid the weed then move the gear lever into the forward position. This manoeuvre can take a few seconds and should be practised; otherwise the IRB could get into a situation where it is caught by an oncoming wave.
Clearing guard by hand
To remove the weed or debris by hand the motor must be stopped/dead. Caution is advised when completing this task due to the propeller:
- Use a scooping action around the propeller to remove the debris
- If something is severely tangled further resources may be required such as a knife
- Avoid doing this in the surf zone wherever possible