Polynesian Voyaging Society (PVS)

Safety Practices

Uwajima Fisheries High School, home of Ehime MaruIf this incident does not brand SAFETY in your mind, nothing will!

Purpose of Palmyra voyage:Train leaders and crew for 2012 Worldwide Voyage#1 training priority: Safety

This deeply moving safety reminder is with us on every voyage.

Safety is a constant and consistent theme of our leadership.

Hawai’i’s Pwo NavigatorsKalepa Baybayan, Shorty Bertlemann, Nainoa Thompson, ‘Onohi Paishon, Bruce Blankenfeld

PVS Crew Training Manual – safety topics

Over 50 of 300 pages are safety-related.Each section = prevention and response procedures

Captain’s pre-, during and post-voyage safety checklistsEmergency and safety equipment listEscort boat proceduresMan (person) overboardHeavy weather emergenciesCapsizing, swamping, breaking apartFireHealth and physical fitness for preventionPersonal injuries/illnessCollision/hull damage (right-of-way and collision avoidance)Running agroundMedical emergencies and evacuationPreventing seasicknessCrewmember physical exam forms and doctor’s clearance

Safety Gear on PVS VesselsEPIRBsEPIRBs Harnesses, tethers, whistles, strobesHarnesses, tethers, whistles, strobes

Foul weather gearFoul weather gear Pumps, bailers, bucketsPumps, bailers, buckets

Man Overboard Poles and Man Overboard Poles and Recovery GearRecovery Gear

Mirrors, whistles, strobes, Mirrors, whistles, strobes, surface panelssurface panels

Signals (flares, smoke, etc)Signals (flares, smoke, etc) First aid kitsFirst aid kits

Navigation lights (both)Navigation lights (both)Day shapes (escort)Day shapes (escort)

Medical officer with extensive Medical officer with extensive kit (Hokule’a)kit (Hokule’a)

Fire extinguishersFire extinguishers USCG-approved PFDsUSCG-approved PFDs

VHF, HF, cell phonesVHF, HF, cell phones Radar and reflectorsRadar and reflectors

Storm sails, sea anchorStorm sails, sea anchor Anchors, chain and rode, linesAnchors, chain and rode, lines

Damage control kit (bungs, etc)Damage control kit (bungs, etc) Tools, spare wooden partsTools, spare wooden parts

Throw rings and linesThrow rings and lines Life raft (escort boat)Life raft (escort boat)

The Buddy System

Crewmembers are required to have a fid and a knife, many buy additional safety gear.

1

23 1 foredeck and manu

(jibs and spinnakers) 2 catwalk 3 lua (bath and toilet)

safety rail

Harnesses required:- outside safety rail- on order (channels, weather, etc.)

1. Above: foredeck (‘olelo) and manu – harness required

2. Far left: catwalk – harness required

3. Hatches – cargo bilges require pumping each watch

3-Hatches

2catwalk

1- foredeck (‘olelo)

1- manu

Do we make mistakes?

Sure we do – but we try to keep safety our #1 priority

Electrical Systems Affect Safety

VHF base station and handheld radios to communicate with each other, other vessels, ports, etc.

HF (single sideband) to communicate with Hawai’i, Guam, etc.

Cell phones when close to shore.

Radio Communications: both canoe and escort boat

Laptop computer + Satellite phone =

Email service for weather forecasts, website updates, admin and logistics

Escort boat has radar.Hokule’a uses radar reflector.

Electronic Communications:

both canoe and escort boat

Weather Forecasts• Emails from Hans Rosendal, 35-year Nat’l Weather Svc veteran - amazing accuracy.

• Nainoa follows computer models and NOAA products and warns of dangers by email or HF radio contacts.

Health Issues

Since 1978, PVS has not, and will not, voyage without an escort vessel.

Escort’s first priority is SAFETY, especially man overboard situations.

Escort vessels come with their own safety concerns.

Towing – we hate it! We’re only happy when sailing, but:

• into/out of harbors/marinas/channels

• strict schedule demands plus adverse/no wind

• away from danger (weather/reef/lee shore)

When responsible for two canoes, used Vessel Tracking System.

Will use on World-Wide Voyage.

Safe approaches and entries/exits.

Documentationof voyages -compare GPS tonavigators’ deadreckoning positions

Human ViolenceAnd

Lawlessness

Higher Powersand the

Mana of Hokule’a