Handling an FRB in heavy weather, and righting it
1The lesson in plain words
Control speed and heading to avoid slamming, surfing and broaching. Keep the crew braced and know the boat's capsize procedure.
Head seas
In non-breaking head seas, a slight angle off the bow can reduce slamming. Adjust speed to each wave. Use enough power to climb; ease before the crest to limit leaping and slamming. Avoid breaking crests where possible. For steep or unavoidable breaking waves, use the heading and controlled speed taught for this FRB; do not apply one fixed angle or let them strike the boat's side. Warn the crew before hard impacts. Heavy spray is normal; airborne slams injure crews and damage the boat.
Following and beam seas
In following seas, adjust course and speed to avoid surfing down a steep wave face. The bow can bury and the boat can broach, turning uncontrollably beam-on, side-on to the sea. Stay on the back of a suitable wave only while safe; do not accelerate simply to match wave speed. Avoid lying beam-on to breaking seas. If you must cross, wait for a quieter interval and turn smoothly at a controlled speed without slamming.
Crew and boat
Crew sit low or brace, with knees bent, holding on. The coxswain warns before each big wave and before turns. Keep weight low and trimmed as the maker advises; in head seas, weight aft helps the bow rise. Check the crew after any hard landing.
If it capsizes
The engine stops automatically or through the kill cord. Stay with the boat; keep everyone clear of the propulsion unit and righting path. Follow this boat's trained righting procedure; some systems need activation. Keep clear as it rolls upright. Account for everyone and recover the crew. Clear water and complete the maker's post-capsize checks. Before restarting, select neutral; check people and lines are clear of propulsion. Reset an emergency stop if fitted and tripped, then restart as instructed. Report to the ship.
2Key data
- Non-breaking head seas
- Slight angle off the bow; adjust speed and ease before the crest
- Following seas
- Control speed; avoid surfing, bow burial and broaching
- Beam seas
- Do not lie beam-on to breaking waves
- After capsize
- Trained righting; crew clear; maker checks before restart
3Key points
- 1
In non-breaking head seas, use a slight angle and ease off before the crest to limit leaping and slamming.
- 2
In following seas control speed to avoid surfing and broaching; stay on a suitable wave back only while safe.
- 3
Avoid lying beam-on to breaking seas; cross in a quieter interval at a controlled speed.
- 4
Capsize: trained righting; crew and lines clear; maker checks, neutral and stop reset if needed before restart.
4Frequent mistakes
Wrong: Keep full power over every crest to get there faster.
Right: In non-breaking head seas, ease before the crest to limit slamming. For steep or breaking waves, use this FRB's trained heading and speed.
Wrong: Run down the face of a following wave for extra speed.
Right: Adjust speed and course to avoid surfing, bow burial and broaching. Stay on a suitable wave back only while safe; do not accelerate simply to match wave speed.
Wrong: After a capsize, swim for the ship.
Right: Stay with the boat, keeping clear of propulsion and its righting path. Use the trained righting procedure and the maker's checks before any restart.
5Practice case & exam keys
Returning to the ship with a following sea of 2.5 m, your FRB starts surfing down the face of each wave and the bow buries at the bottom.
Show the answer
Reduce speed to avoid surfing and bow burial while maintaining steering control. Adjust course as needed; stay on a suitable wave back only while safe. Keep weight as the maker advises and warn the crew to brace. If you must cross the sea, wait for a quieter interval and turn smoothly at a controlled speed. Tell the ship your estimated arrival time so it can prepare for recovery.
Exam keys
- Non-breaking head seas: slight angle and throttle control to limit slamming; steep/breaking waves: boat-specific training.
- Following seas: control speed; avoid surfing, bow burial and broaching; wave-back position only while safe.
- Avoid lying beam-on to breaking seas; cross in a quieter interval under control.
- Capsize: trained righting with crew clear; account for all; maker checks; neutral; people/lines clear of propulsion; stop reset if needed; restart; report.
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