SABOT – TEACHING NOTES
UNIT 1 (BOAT HANDLING)
Use magnetic board and magnet models for classroom demonstrations (Do before units 2 and 5)
TERMINAL PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVE:
1.1 While underway on an Auxiliary facility, without prompting or the use of references,
DEMONSTRATE the principals of boat handling, as they pertain to the type of boat being used, in accordance with the Boat Crew Seamanship Manual, COMDTINST M16114.5 (series), Auxiliary Boat Crew Qualification Guides, COMDTINST M16794.52, Volume II (Crew), (Section D), and COMDTINST M16794.53, Volume III (Coxswain), (Section C), and the SABOT Job Aid.
ENABLING OBJECTIVES:
1.1.1
STATE the effects of wind, waves and current on the vessel throughout the maneuvering zone.
1.1.2
BRIEF the crew on the maneuvering procedures to be used and assign crew tasking.
1.1.3
DEMONSTRATE getting the boat underway from a pier or fixed object, using proper engine and rudder controls and spring line(s) for the environmental conditions encountered.
1.1.4
DEMONSTRATE proper boat handling techniques to safely bring the boat out of a close-quarters situation.
1.1.5
DEMONSTRATE proper boat handling techniques to safely bring the boat about (180 degree turn) in a narrow channel or tight quarters.
1.1.6
DEMONSTRATE station keeping in the vicinity of another vessel for at least 3 minutes, using proper engine and rudder controls for the environmental conditions encountered.
1.1.7
DEMONSTRATE an opening maneuver in the vicinity of another vessel or floating object using proper engine and rudder controls for the environmental conditions encountered.
1.1.8
DEMONSTRATE a closing maneuver in the vicinity of another vessel or floating object, using proper engine and rudder controls for the environmental conditions encountered.
1.1.9
COMMUNICATE proper line handling and fender commands to the crew to safely moor the boat.
1.1.10
DEMONSTRATE mooring the boat to the pier or a fixed object, using proper engine and rudder controls for the environmental conditions encountered.
INSTRUCTOR OUTLINE: (Use Magnetic Board for demonstrations)
1. Knowledge of your boats characteristics and limitations:
a. Type of propulsion
b. Number of engines
c. Equipment and location on the boat
d. Operation of electronics
e. Maximum speed
f. Economical Speed
g. Maximum range at various speeds
h. Fuel on board and maximum capacity
i. minimum crew required
j. Maximum number of passengers
k. Maximum load capacity
2. Tow set-up under different conditions
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3. Any unique features? How does the boat handle in various conditions..
4. Forces acting on the boat:
a. Wind, Seas, Current
b. Propulsion
5. How does the boat handle in close quarters situations:
a. Docking
b. Recovery of objects
c. Maneuvering close to another boat
d. Stopping
e. Backing
6. Operation of controls
a. Amount of helm, full left and right
b. Any binding in controls
c. Rudder indicator
d. Separate or combined shift and throttle controls
e. Any detent or stops between forward, neutral, and reverse
f. How much force to shift
g. Is Neutral easy to find
h. Do controls stay put or do they tend to slide back or creep
i. Is there a kill switch
j. Is the idle speed adjusted okay
7. Leave a margin of Power
8. High Seas: Slow down as wind and seas increase. Know the limits of the boat.
9. Traffic Density: Don‟t use high speed in high traffic density. Set the example for safe operation.
10. Visibility: Slow down if you can „t see. Don‟t only trust electronics; radar and GPS
11. Shoal Waters: Slow down when operating in areas of shoal waters.
12. Keep the crew informed whenever you maneuver (change direction and/or speed). Let crew know when changing speed and direction quickly. This can prevent injury or falls overboard. It is the responsibility to pay close attention and have a firm hand hold at all times when underway.
(All crew members must pay close attention to throttle changes and vessel movements. Firmly hold on to the vessel during these maneuvers)
13. Maneuvering Characteristics (Use of helm and controls):
Single Screw: IN, O/B, and I/O (Right hand vs left hand props)
Backing:
a. Apply full Right Rudder
b. Quick burst of astern power
c. Reduce power & steer with the rudder
d. Increase power gradually if needed
e. If stern swings to port give shot of forward
f. Stop and repeat if needed
Twin Screw: In, O/B, and I/O
Backing:
a. Apply astern power evenly
b. Steer with helm or adjust power to one engine only
Turning:
a. Normally use helm
b. Heavy Weather Turn:
1. Put helm hard over
2. Bring Throttle on engine on inside of turn to
neutral, pause, give a short burst of reverse on
same engine, return to neutral and then forward.
(CAUTION: This can be extremely hard on the
drive train. Backing engine power must be
higher than that available at clutch speed to
prevent stalling.)
(Practice all boat handling techniques in calm, open water and at low speed)
14. Station Keeping:
a. Determine maneuvering zone
b. Determine set and drift
c. Determine Danger zone
e. Determine optimum position
f. Get the big picture
g. Any obstructions? Anchor line, rocks, weed beds, etc.
h. If needed assign crewperson to watch obstructions while
maneuvering.
i. Avoid loose outriggers or hull protrusions, broken pilings, etc.
j. Define maneuvering zone by distance, position, and aspect.
Keep station close enough to complete the mission
a. Use a practiced eye and ranging techniques to determine distance
b. Use keys such as your length, width and points on your boat.
c. Position: The angle from the object to your vessel or the reciprocal.
d. Aspect: Your relative position to the object, Bow to, stern to, etc.
14. Station Keeping (cont‟d)
Make your vessel open and close the distance on the object at various angles, both
leeward and to weather. You only need to compensate for the fore and aft drift
rate and to maintain a steady heading when the target object is on the bow or stern
directly up-drift or down-drift from you. The more difficult scenario is opening
or closing distance abeam:
a. Use a combination of control and environmental forces: side force,
ahead and astern thrust, rudder force, leeway, current drift.
b. Remember to account for pivot point when moving the bow or
stern.
c. Use reasonable limits and stay within them.
(Most Auxiliary boats (especially single screw and many twin-screw) in heavy seas, handle best stern into the prevailing forces rather than bow to.)
a. Practice both to determine how your boat handles best.
Start in clam seas and work up to moderate seas for your boat.
b. Heavy seas are different for each boat.
Practice with a free drifting object subject to wind
Practice with a free drifting object not subject to wind (PIW)
Practice with different types of drifting boats
Practice with an anchored object or boat (Caution: Watch for anchor line and
swings of boat with the wind and current)
(Practicing station keeping on an anchored object helps you to learn where
you can or cannot maneuver. Upstream of a buoy, strong current could
easily carry you down on it. On the other hand, the only safe approach to a disabled vessel, anchored off a lee shore, may be from dead to weather or alongside.)
Practice station keeping on a fixed object: pier, seawall, or breakwater.
15. Rough Weather:
a. Know the limits of your vessel and crew. (Discuss with the crew)
b. If in doubt, DON‟T
c. Learn the motions your boat makes in response to the seas.
d. Learn to develop techniques to minimize vessel motion in all conditions.
e. On small vessels, keep crew weight centered around the helm.
f. Pitching (fore and aft movement) is easier on the crew than rolling (side to
side).
g. Observe before you act, understand your responsibilities.
h. Know when to end an evolution
i. Perform as a team. Team is eyes and ears.
j. Use just enough power to get entire boat safely over or through a crest.
k. Keep a slight bow up angle.
l. Keep the boat in the water.
PRACTICE with EXERCISES 1 and 2
1. STATION KEEPING: EXERCIE #1
See JOB AID, Sections B and H
(Good to practice every time you are out)
REQUIREMENTS:
a. 2 Facilities, 1 to be disabled and 1 for the Response
Unit. If only one vessel is available substitute a
floating object (fender or buoy).
b. D/A vessel on open water drifting and or anchored.
c. Response unit to make approach crossing the "T" with respect to the predominate conditions (usually wind). (NOTE: Most Auxiliary facilities do better stern to the conditions, especially if single screw.)
(NOTE: It is easier on the crew of the response unit
to be pitching fore and aft than rocking port to
starboard
d. Response unit positions itself in optimal position for
several minutes and practices holding position using
opening and closing maneuvers while remaining in optimal position and keeping the stern or bow into the predominate conditions.
)
e. Change coxswains and or reverse boats and repeat.
Practice with a drifting and an anchored boat.
2. STATION KEEPING: EXERCISE #2
See JOB AID, Sections B and H
REQUIREMENTS:
a. 2 Facilities, 1 to be disabled and 1 for the Response
Unit
b. D/A vessel on open water drifting and/or anchored.
c. Response unit to make approach crossing the "T" with
respect to the predominate conditions (usually wind).
(NOTE: Most Auxiliary facilities do better stern to the conditions, especially if single screw.)
d. Response unit throws a heaving line to D/A from
optimal position or slightly upwind. Crews of both
vessels lightly hold line while coxswain holds in
position. Crew should keep the heaving line in the
water but tend away from the screw
. (If the line is
kept out of the water it will pull the two vessels
together.)
Coxswain should be able to hold in
optimum using opening and closing maneuvers.
e. Repeat process. Station keep on both a drifting and an anchored vessel.
f. Change coxswains and repeat.
