OPERATIONS – INFLATABLE RESCUE BOAT (IRB)

The following points shall be adhered to for all IRB operations:

1. All IRB operators (including patients/passengers) operating an IRB must wear a type 50 lifejacket (AS4758).
2. Only currently registered IRBs with the Queensland Transport and Main Roads and compliant IRB motors are to be used.
3. All operators and clubs must comply with the SLSQ Powercraft Safety Management Systems.
4. Red and yellow lifejackets type 50 (AS4758) are not permitted to be used for personal use in a private registered craft. They are to be used for lifesaving purposed only.
5. Must have an operational radio in the pocket of the lifejacket while operating the IRB – All patients/passengers (excluding a rescue situation) must be sitting on the pontoons and holding onto the lifelines or available handle, be wearing a type 50 lifejacket (AS4758) at all times.
6. Hold a minimum of a proficient SLSA Bronze Medallion/Cert II and proficient SLSA IRB crew award.
7. IRB’s are not permitted to exceed the maximum weight limit for their vessel. This is an average of six (6) people per vessel.
8. Rescue operations must operate in accordance with Surf Life Saving Australian Training Manual and SLSQ Patrol Operation Manuals.
9. All incidents/injuries are to follow the incident/injury flowchart Incident Reporting
10. Only a proficient SLSA IRB Crew or SLS IRB Driver are permitted in the IRB. This excludes a rescue situation or an approved SLSQ special event application. (Excluding an emergency or rescue situation).
11. Failure to follow relevant policies and procedures may result in further ramifications/penalties for the master of the ship.
12. The powercraft launching area sign must be displayed and a minimum of six (6) witches hats or similar must be used to designate the training area. This includes beach and inland training locations.

The following points shall be adhered to during the operation of all IRB’s for patrol:

1. All IRB operations must have one (1) qualified and proficient driver and one (1) qualified and proficient crewman at all times for patrol operations.
2. All IRB operators operating in an IRB on patrol must wear a yellow patrol wet shirt/patrol shirt and red, yellow cap tied up under their chin, red and yellow type 50 lifejacket (AS4758) and patrol or wetsuit shorts/stinger suit.
3. IRB Patrols must carry an operational radio at all times;
4. The IRB is to be on the water’s edge during the specified patrol hours and fully operational at all times with a qualified driver and crew in close proximity.
5. The IRB driver must avoid unnecessary operations in close proximity to swimmers/surfers and/or crowded areas. Drivers must maintain a speed no greater than 6 knots, if within 30 metres of swimmers/surfers unless it is an emergency situation.
6. The patrol IRB shall remain on the beach until the completion of the day’s patrol and is the last item to be taken off the beach.
7. Where an IRB driver is not available, the IRB must be operational and on patrol and the neighbouring club and State Communications Centre is advised. A substitute IRB Driver should then be sought by the club as soon as possible. The IRB is not operational until the crew arrives.
8. A fully equipped and operational back-up IRB and motor must be readily available at the clubhouse.
9. Must have an operational radio in the pocket of the lifejacket.
10. IRB surveillance patrols shall be conducted regularly during patrol times
11. The designated patrol IRB shall be utilised for patrol purposes only. Additional IRBs are to be set up for different activities such as water safety for junior activities.
12. External parties who are not proficient in the SLSA Bronze Medallion and SLSA IRB crew award (as a minimum) are not permitted in the IRB unless under a rescue situation or approved by the SLSQ special event application.

The following points shall be adhered to during the operation of all IRB’s for training:

1. All new award IRB courses and assessment only pathway IRB courses must follow the SLSQ Training and Assessing Step by Step process for IRBs.
2. For IRB award training for an SLSA IRB crewperson course one experienced qualified and proficient IRB driver must operate the IRB at all times.
3. For IRB award training for an SLSA IRB driver course, one qualified and proficient IRB driver is to act as the IRB crew person for the trainee IRB driver. Two trainee drivers are not permitted to operate the IRB for award training
4. All IRB operators operating an IRB for IRB award training must wear a training cap/club cap tied up under their chin, type 50 lifejacket (AS4758), suitable length shorts/stinger suits or wetsuit. Operators must wear a long sleeve high visibility garment in any of the five SLSA approved colours.
5. Must have an operational radio in the pocket of the lifejacket.
6. No junior activities, SRC’s or Bronze Medallion holders are to be utilised as IRB patients for training under any circumstances. Only members who hold the IRB crew award or a listed as a candidate for the IRB crew persons course can be utilised as a patient.
7. All IRB patients for award training, skills maintenance, patrol, competition and competition training must wear a type 50 lifejacket (AS4758) with an SLSA approved helmets in club caps colours or high visibility colours.
8. A qualified IRB trainer must be on the beach and present at all IRB training sessions.
9. That no IRB award training can be conducted for a member while a member is signed onto patrol under any circumstances.
10. Members who wish to take part in IRB training for an IRB award must not be logged onto patrol, SurfCom/LIMSOC is advised with the training activity signed on, an additional IRB/s is set up in the allocated training area, relevant paperwork (risk assessment) must be completed and an IRB trainer must be present and on the beach at the time of training. The IRB Endorsed Facilitator and EDC must be notified of any additional training as per the IRB step by step process.
11. It is noted that the minimum patrol requirements for a patrol must be met at all times.
12. That a member’s name must be on a registered course in Surfguard for new IRB course prior to the commencement of the course. If a member’s name is not entered in Surfguard for an IRB course they are not permitted to take part in the course under any circumstances.
13. That if a member does not complete an IRB assessment for a new award and the course is completed, before the member is permitted in the IRB for any additional training, the member must be put on a new assessment request form in Surfguard with a new assessment date.

The following points shall be adhered to during the operation of all IRB’s for water safety:

1. All IRB operators operating an IRB as water safety for junior activities, club activities, surf sports or external events must wear an orange wet shirt, an orange cap tied up under their chin and type 50 lifejacket (AS4758) as well as shorts which can be stinger suits, patrol shorts or similar.
2. The water safety boat cannot double up as the duty boat. The water safety boat is the designated rescue boat and additional IRBs will need to be set up for other purposes.
3. All additional passengers in an IRB must wear a type 50 lifejacket (AS4758) at all times and hold a minimum of a proficient SLSA Bronze Medallion, proficient SLSA IRB crew award and a financial member of the organisation. This excludes an emergency or rescue situation.
4. For external water safety events outside of SLSQ programs, a Special Event Form must be submitted prior to the event to SLSQ within the indicated timeframes. Approval must be given prior to taking part as water safety.
5. External parties who are not proficient in the SLSA Bronze Medallion and SLSA IRB crew award (as a minimum) are not permitted in the IRB unless approved via a special event application.

The following points shall be adhered to during the operation of all IRB’s for Competition and Competition Training:

1. All IRB operators operating an IRB for IRB competition and competition training must wear a club cap tied up under their chin, type 50 lifejacket (AS4758)/type 2 lifejacket, suitable thigh length shorts which can be stinger suits, or Wetsuit Shorts (Training Only) and it is recommended that operators wear a long sleeve high visibility garment.
2. Lifejackets for IRB competition and IRB competition training must also meet the type 50 specifications but may be in alternative colours.
3. For IRB competition training coaches are to sign on and off with SurfCom/Lifesaving Services Coordinator/Lifeguard Supervisor before and after commencing training.
4. The powercraft launching area sign must be displayed and a minimum of six (6) witches hats or similar must be used to designate the training area. This includes beach and inland training locations.
5. All IRB patients must wear a type 50 lifejacket (AS4758)/type 2 lifejacket with an SLSA approved helmets in club caps colours.
6. SLSQ Staff must be notified of any inland waterway training that is conducted and clubs must sign into LIMSOC. This must be done prior to commencing the training session.