Retrieving the IRB

Returning to shore

The IRB Crewperson’s duties when returning to shore are:

Give the ‘Powercraft wishes to return to shore’ signal when requested by the IRB Driver. This will allow for a member of the patrol to scan the water for people, craft or debris and direct the IRB away from obstacles that cannot be seen beyond the crest of the wave. Extreme care should be exercised to avoid surfers who may emerge through the back of a wave without warning
Direct the passage of the IRB by hand signals supplemented by voice signals where the IRB Driver does not have a clear view of the prevailing conditions.
When indicated that the IRB can return to shore, on the approach should be positioned towards the stern of the IRB to get the weight in the IRB towards the transom and be in the seated crewing position for beaching (driving the IRB up on to the beach) ensuring that three points of contact are maintained at all times
On the instruction of the IRB Driver to exit the IRB and hold it square on to the beach so that any following wave will push the IRB further up the beach.

The IRB Drivers duties when returning to shore are:

Decide when to return to shore
Radio back to the beach to advise the IRB is returning to shore and/or instruct the IRB Crewperson to give the ‘Powercraft wishes to return to shore signal.
Ensure that the IRB is positioned between waves and not on the crest of the wave in front.
When indicated that the IRB can return to shore, on the approach should be positioned towards the stern of the IRB to get the weight in the IRB towards the transom.
Try to time beaching with the run of the wave or surge up the beach to minimise the risk of an abrupt stop.
Instruct the IRB Crewperson when to exit the IRB. The IRB Driver may exit at the same time.

When six people are available each person holds a lifting handle and lifts the IRB above the prevailing water line and leave in a draining position
When four people are available each person holds a lifting handle (two people use the bow lifting handles and two people use the fore lifting handles), and lifts the IRB above the prevailing water line and leave in a draining position
When two people are available both use the lifting handles at the bow, lift the IRB and drag the IRB up the beach above the prevailing water line and leave in a draining position
One or two hands may be used when lifting
It is important that handlers face towards direction of travel with bodies close to hull to lower occurrence of manual handling injuries
In some areas it may be applicable for the IRB to be lifted back onto a beach trailer, to move it above the prevailing water line to minimise manual handling.