Hoffman Estates Fire Department Boat Operations Guidelines 2022 PDF

HOFFMAN ESTATES FIRE DEPARTMENT STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINES SOG Category & Identification Number: EFFECTIVE DATE: EQUIPMENT GUIDELINES - 020 January 1, 2022 NIMS COMPLIANT SOG Tit...

HOFFMAN ESTATES FIRE DEPARTMENT STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINES SOG Category & Identification Number: EFFECTIVE DATE: EQUIPMENT GUIDELINES - 020 January 1, 2022 NIMS COMPLIANT SOG Title: HEFD Boat Operations Revision: 3 APPROVED BY: NUMBER OF PAGES: Re-evaluation Date: Alan Wax January 1, 2026 Fire Chief 4 PURPOSE To provide an understanding of the needs to complete the safe trailering, launching, operation and retrieval of the HEFD Rescue Boat during emergency response and incident mitigation. POLICY It is the policy of this Department that all members will operate in a safe and efficient manner, as spelled out by these Standard Operating Guidelines. BOAT OPERATIONS SAFETY The boat should be considered a tool to be used in a safe manner. The following guidelines shall be used to improve safety. It is recognized that some special situations call for the use of the boat in higher risk levels. 1. All personnel shall wear proper floatation devices at all times in the boat, in the water or while on land working within 10’ of the water’s edge. 2. The attached towing, launching, motor operation and retrieval procedures shall be followed. 3. The boat operator shall attach the engine stop lanyard to his or her person prior to starting the engine and any time the boat is underway. 4. The boat operator shall not get underway until all equipment is secure and passengers are seated. 5. Do not utilize a motor on a boat within 200’ of a diver in the water, paddles shall be used. 6. When the use of paddles is indicated or when the boat is at anchor with a diver in the water, the motor shall be raised out of the water. 1 7. Any boats operating at night shall have proper lighting on board as it pertains to the individual situation. 8. All Illinois Department of Natural Resources boating rules and regulations shall be followed. Note: “Side Scan Sonar” for target location and identification should be completed by a trained DRT member. The electric trolling motor may be used for short water trips and pinpoint re-location conditions permitting. PROCEDURE Shift Personnel, including non-divers For “Drow 2” boat response, the procedure is as follows: Attach the boat trailer to the available tow vehicle: Vehicles:  Dive 24  Utility 22  Car 8 Attaching the trailer: 1. Raise the front of the trailer with the tongue jack. 2. Back the tow vehicle until the coupler is over the hitch ball (always have a back-up person to back any vehicle). 3. Lower the trailer until coupler completely covers the hitch ball using the tongue jack. 4. Lock the coupler into place. 5. Insure trailer is locked on the tow ball by raising the front of the trailer (slightly) using the tongue jack. 6. To stow the tongue jack, crank the tongue jack up, until it stops. Pull the pivot release pin, and pivot the tongue jack into the traveling position. 7. Cross the safety chains under the tongue and attach them to the tow vehicle. 8. Connect the trailer wiring harness to the tow vehicle. 9. Check trailer lights for proper operation 10. Check boat tie downs, the winch strap for tightness, and the transom saver. Load the Designated SCUBA Equipment: Load the designated SCUBA Equipment from the response storage rack into the tow vehicle if towing with any vehicle other than Dive 24. 2 Pre-launching and Launching: Pre- Launching (parking area): 1. Check to make sure both drain plugs are in place and secure. 2. Remove stern tie downs. 3. Remove the transom saver from the motor and trailer. 4. Complete the pre-starting check list. (Check fuel supply, check fuel supply hose, open fuel tank vent). 5. Load and store equipment needed for the operation you have been assigned. Do not over load boat. Launching (launch site) 1. Don your PFD. 2. Disconnect the wiring harness from the tow vehicle. 3. Back the watercraft into the water(far enough that motor can be safely lowered and started) 4. Set the vehicle’s parking brake. 5. Disconnect the bow winch strap. 6. Push the watercraft off of the trailer. Boat Motor Starting and Operating Procedures: Pre-Starting: 1. Check fuel level. 2. Assure fuel tank vent on filler cap is open Starting Procedure: 1. Release the tilt lock lever and lower the motor into the water making sure the cooling water intake valve is submerged. Return lever to the locked position. The motor can be locked into two positions. The first position is for shallow water and the full down position is for normal operation. 2. Squeeze the fuel line primer bulb until it feels firm. 3. Set the lanyard stop switch to “RUN” position and attach the lanyard to the operator. 4. Set the tiller handle grip to the neutral position. 5. Push the starter button and crank the engine. Release button when the motor starts. Do not operate starter motor continuously for longer than 10 seconds at one time. If the engine fails to start in 10 seconds, wait 30 seconds and try again. 6. Check for a steady stream of water flowing out of the water pump indicator pump hole. Gear Shifting: 1. Allow the engine to warm up at idle speed for 3 minutes. 2. Make sure all equipment is secured and everyone is seated. 3. Reduce engine speed to idle. 4. Shift engine in to desired gear with a quick motion. 5. After shifting into desired gear advance the throttle handle to increase speed. 3 Stopping: 1. Reduce engine speed to idle and shift into neutral position. 2. Push the engine stop button located at the end of the throttle control. 3. Remove the lanyard from the operator and set the switch to the stop position. Anchoring: 1. Select an area to anchor with plenty of room. Ideally, it should be a well-protected area with adequate water depth and a sandy or muddy bottom. 2. Head slowly into the wind or current to a position upwind or up current of where you actually want to end up. 3. When you are at that position, stop the boat and slowly lower an anchor over each side of the bow to the bottom. Do not anchor from the stern as this can cause the boat to swamp and sink. 4. Slowly back the boat away downwind or down current. Let out about seven to ten times as much anchor line as the depth of the water, depending on the wind strength and wave size. Tie off the line around a bow cleat, and pull on the anchor line to make sure the anchor is set. 5. After anchoring, take visual sightings of onshore objects (triangulate) or buoys in the water to help you know where your boat is positioned. While at anchor, re-check these sightings frequently to make sure the anchor is not dragging. Retrieving the boat: 1. If not still in the water, back the trailer into the water so that approximately two-thirds of the bunks are submerged in the water. Set the parking brake of the towing vehicle, and put it in park. 2. Move the boat onto the trailer far enough to attach the winch line to the bow eye of the boat. Finish pulling the boat onto the trailer by cranking the winch. Do not load a boat using engine power because this can cause damage. 3. Shut off the engine and raise the engine. 4. Pull the boat out of the water. 5. While still at the ramp area, remove and dispose of all weeds from the boat and trailer. Remove all drain plugs to release bilge water. 6. Secure the boat on the trailer and the gear within the boat 7. Attach the stern tie downs. 8. Attach the transom saver to the trailer and secure to the motor. 9. Connect the trailer wiring harness to the tow vehicle. REFERENCES End of Document 4