• Safety and Procedures Manual
  
  
• Resources
  
  
• Bulletins
  
  
• Policy
  
  
• Stem T' Stern
  
  
• FAQ

POLICY SNIPPETS

Sample policies are listed below, alphabetized by topic. This document is intended to facilitate a "cut and paste" approach to developing Vessel Operations Manuals and Vessel Policies.

 

Authorized Personnel

The following personnel are authorized to operate the boats below: (list of boats and names)

Boat Crew

For Qualified Class II and larger motorboats, crew members will be designated in writing by the Marine Superintendent prior to receiving clearance to act as boat crew for boat operations. The boat crewmember shall support the OIC in operations including but not limited to docking, anchoring, transferring equipment and personnel to ships at sea, watchstanding, and emergency drills. In addition, the small boat crewmember shall be familiar with all emergency procedures and equipment and will aid the OIC during emergency situations.

Boat Operator

Boat operators will be designated in writing by the Marine Superintendent prior to receiving clearance to operate as a Small Boat Operator or OIC. Designations will specify conditions under which the OIC is cleared to operate. For example, Day/Limited, Day/Unlimited, Night/Limited, and Unlimited, power-assisted weight handling, fishing operations, etc. The boat operator is the direct representative of the Marine Superintendent during all boat operations and is directly responsible for the safety of the boat and crew, as well as efficient mission completion. The boat operator is the prime liaison with boat users and manages all field services for the boat and personnel during a mission.

Command and Control

The designated OIC, coxswain, or boat operator has sole command and control of the boat at all times during operations and is primarily concerned with the safety of the boat and all persons embarked aboard. Other personnel may control the vessel under the command of the OIC or boat operator.

Celebrations and Public Displays

Participation in community celebrations and public displays in an official capacity shall be cleared through the Marine Superintendent.

Crew Complement

The following minimum crewing requirements shall be maintained In accordance with the NOAA Small Boat Program operational risk assessment for the following boats: R/V Class III - 2 Boat Operators, 1 Engineer during less than 12 hour operations, and 1 qualified anchor watch for operations greater than 24 hours. R/V Qualified Class II - 1 Operator, 1 Deck Hand/Mate, R/V Class I - 1 Boat operator.

Dive Operations

All diving operations from boats shall be conducted in accordance with NOAA Dive Program requirements. If the boat operator is a diver, there will be a second boat operator aboard.

Introduction

The "LO program" Standard Operating Procedures contains basic policy for standardized operations of LO Program small vessels. These SOPs are intended to supplement NAO 217-103 Management of NOAA Small Boats. All LO program employees and contractors are expected to adhere to the specifications of NAO 217-103 when operating LO program vessels and NAO 209-115 NOAA Employees Aboard Non-NOAA Vessels when contracting services.These SOPs are not intended to cover every contingency which may arise nor every rule of safety and good practice. It is designed to furnish program specific policy guidance to enhance safety and promote operational readiness by addressing general operating procedures for all boat operated by LO program.

Marine Superintendent

The Marine Superintendent manages or conducts the standardization, maintenance, training, scheduling, planning, and coordination activities necessary to ensure that Line Office Program boats are operated and maintained in accordance with standards identified in the NOAA Small Boat Program Operational Risk Assessment. He implements the boat operations standardization program for all Line Office Program boats and personnel. The Marine Superintendent aids in the development and implementation of a curriculum of at-sea and classroom training and periodic seamanship proficiency training and evaluation to promotes safety, operational efficiency, and mission accomplishment. The Marine Superintendent shall report all major boat maintenance and modification, inspection, and crew training needs, to the NOAA Small Boat Program Coordinator for action, guidance, or resolution.

Non-Official Use of Boats

The use of Line Office Program boats for nonessential trips are not authorized. Any operation which could be construed as nonessential is prohibited. Examples of utilization which are nonessential include: 1, Operations by any official OIC, NOAA employee, or associated personnel for the sole purpose of which is the convenience or enjoyment of the persons concerned and which are not essential for the performance of official duties or the accomplishment of bona fide training, 2, Boat operations not scheduled or approved by the Marine Superintendent.

Official Use of Boats

Line Office Program boats shall be used for official purposes only. In determining whether a use is official, all pertinent factors will be considered, including whether the use is essential to the completion of an operation, mission, or other legitimate NOAA function or activity, and is consistent with the purpose for which the boat was acquired. In the absence of the Marine Superintendent, the next higher authority shall determine whether a proposed boat trip is official. Small boat OIC's have the responsibility and authority to deny passage on their boat of any persons, crewmembers or passengers, that they determine to be unofficial.

Passengers

In accordance with NAO 217-103, passengers are persons who have no official function aboard Line Office Program boats, or are not part of the normal crew or scientific complement, or are not paid by NOAA, or not paid by a contracting company to perform a specific duty aboard a boat, or are not employees or cooperators of partner agencies. Members of the media, service organizations, students, and VIPs are considered passengers and may be carried aboard program boats when approved by the Marine Superintendent.

Policy Distribution

A current copy of the Line Office Program SOP shall be placed in the office reception area and be available for viewing by anyone at anytime. Hard copies of this SOP shall be distributed to each employee and to each contractor that might utilize small boats as part of contract work for the Line Office program. In addition, hard copies of this SOP will be distributed to partner activities. Other interested parties may receive a copy upon request. The Operator-in-Charge (OIC) of the vessel is responsible for ensuring that a copy of this manual is onboard the vessel prior to engine start. It is the responsibility of each individual assigned a manual to keep it up to date.

Proficiency

Personnel shall complete an annual proficiency evaluation on each platform to which they are assigned or expected to operate.

Qualification Hierarchy

OIC and Crewmember candidates shall be required to progress through the qualification process and meet the practical skills demonstration criteria [listed elsewhere] before being recommended for designation in any crewmember position. This will normally require qualification in positions of less responsibility before being designated in a OIC, boat operator, or responsible person position. In other words, a candidate would normally be qualified first as a crewmember, mate, or able seaman before obtaining an Operator In Charge (Day, Limited) designation. In any case, criteria listed for positions of lower responsibility must be met prior to designation in a higher position.

Revisions

Revisions to this manual shall consist of a revised page which will be substituted for a corresponding page. New or revised text will be marked by a vertical bar on the left margin adjoining the text. This change symbol indicates the addition of new information, a changed procedure, the correction of an error, or rephrasing of the previous text. Substantial revisions to the SOP will be issued as a completely new edition. Recommendations for revisions or additions to the SOP are welcome and should be forwarded directly to the Marine Superintendant. A review meeting will be conducted as necessary to consider recommended changes. The review meeting requires participation of the Science Coordinators, Field Operations Coordinator, and all small vessel OIC's. The Senior Field Manager has final approval authority for any change recommendations

Survival Training

At least every three years, every person who may participate in boat operations shall successfully complete an approved water survival course.

Trailers

Motorboat Trailers. Based on repeated exposure to salt water, lubrication to the wheel hubs and wheel bearings should be changed at least twice annually. Failure to properly lubricate may cause bearing failure and possible wheel loss resulting in serious injury or property damage. Maintain correct tire pressure and proper torque on lug nuts and wheel bolts. Check lug tightness before each trip. Proper engagement of the hitch ball and trailer coupler is necessary. Latch locks are recommended over cotter pin use. Maintain trailer lights and replace wiring harnesses every two years or after repetitive directional light failures. Safety chains and tie-downs should be used. Crossing of the safety chains under the coupler is recommended. Attaching the safety chain hooks from the bottom of the hitch is also highly recommended. Failure to use bow and stern tie-downs (independently of the winch strap) could allow the boat to shift while traveling, causing loss of control of the tow vehicle. Allow extra time and space for travel, passing, stopping, and turning, especially if your trailer is not equipped with brakes. An experienced mechanic should perform proper brake maintenance, if applicable. The vehicle/trailer operator is the responsible person for this task.

Waiver Requests

The procedures and standards contained in this manual constitute criteria necessary to promote the safe and efficient operation of LO program small vessels. Crewmembers shall not be scheduled for, nor shall they engage in, boating activities unless they satisfy the requirements of this manual. Requests for waivers to these procedures, standards, and requirements may be approved only by the Marine Superintendent or designee. Waivers shall be requested in writing and forwarded through the appropriate supervisors to the Marine Superintendant. A written waiver must be received prior to conducting operations that violate any portion of these SOPs. Waivers are intended to allow boats or crewmembers to perform boating operations when conditions exist that are temporary in nature or that can be corrected in a specific time.