Guidelines

Conducting research at sea is inherently dangerous. It is imperative that each individual be safety conscious at all times. Any situation or condition that might constitute a safety hazard shall be corrected at once either by the scientific party, if within their purview, or by reporting the condition to the watch officer on the bridge for further action.

 

Each person should learn the locations and uses of all life rings, life jackets, and safety clothing. Work vests should be worn when working outside lifelines and bulwarks or on weather decks in heavy weather and hard hats and safety shoes when working with heavy or wire borne weights. Shower clogs, sandals, or bare feet will not be permitted on the working deck when operations are in progress.

Stand clear of all wires, ropes and blocks that are under load or are moving; do not let yourself get caught between a moving object and a stationary part of the ship. Be aware of all activities going on while on deck. Be careful when passing through doorways and hatches. Keep fingers away from the knife edges of watertight doors. All doors and hatches must be secured either open on their hooks or completely closed and dogged. Doors shall never be allowed to swing freely with the roll of the ship.

 

Swimming/diving is not permitted from the ship at any time unless it is part of the requirement of the science mission and has been approved by the Manager of Marine Operations.

 

Permission must be requested from the Watch Officer each time before working aloft. The ship's motion makes working aloft hazardous, and radio/navigation equipment emitting RF and microwave energy is dangerous to human health. The ship can provide safety belts, which should be used whenever possible. Do not go up the masts unless you have a specific job to do and obtain prior authorization. NOTE: Workvests must be worn when working near the edge of the ship or when equipment is being deployed or recovered. Hardhats must be worn in designated HARD HAT AREAS.

 

Ship's tools are available to all personnel while at sea. They may be obtained by contacting the ship's Engineers or Watch Officer. Return all tools immediately after use. Consult the ship's crew if you wish to use a piece of equipment with which you are not familiar. Protect the ship from damage when handling gear.

Prohibited Items

The following are not permitted on board the R/V THOMAS G. THOMPSON:

1. Alcoholic beverages
2. Narcotics and other controlled substances
3. Pets
4. Firearms and non-folding sheath knives.

Should someone purchase an alcoholic beverage, firearm or sheath knife in a foreign country, the item must be given into the custody of the Master until the purchaser debarks the vessel.

 

A separate written policy on drugs and alcohol will be furnished to every prospective member of the scientific party prior to planned cruise dates. These must be signed and returned before permission will be granted to sail with the ship.

Reporting Injuries

All injuries must be reported. The Master will insure that an "Accident-Injury or Occupational Illness Report Form" (UW-EH&S-1) is completed and forwarded promptly to Marine Operations. The Chief Scientist will assist in the preparation of the form when members of the scientific party are involved.

 

Medical Facilities

The Master and several members of the crew have first aid training. The ship has a sick bay and a medical locker under the control of the Master. The locker is stocked with common use items as recommended by the University of Washington medical authority and Medical Advisory Services, Inc.

 

It is the responsibility of the Chief Scientist to determine if any member of the scientific party has any medical problem that would require special medications, precautions, or limitations. This information must be made available to the Master prior to sailing even if a Medical History form has been filed.

 

Special medications are not normally stocked in the ship's medicine chest, and it is the responsibility of the individual scientists to provide these medicines. The Chief Scientist is discouraged from including personnel who have medical problems that cannot be supported easily in a shipboard environment. In the case of a medical emergency, the Master has the final responsibility and authority for courses of action, evacuation or cruise termination.

Fire & Boat Drills

The Coast Guard requires the ship to have a monthly fire and boat drill. For Fire drill, muster in the main lab, bring your survival suit and wear your life jacket. Muster on the fantail for Abandon ship drill, like fire drills, bring your survival suit and wear your life jacket. Wear long pants, a long sleeve shirt and a hat for all drills. Alarms are sounded on both the General alarm system and the Ship's whistle.

• The alarm for Fire is one continuous bell or whistle blast lasting at least one minute.

• The Abandon ship alarm is a series (6 or more) short bells or whistle blasts followed by a prolonged bell or whistle blast.

 

Members of the scientific party who are on watch may be excused from attending drills only if an interruption will jeopardize ongoing observations. The Master will, in any event, insure that all members of the entire complement are accounted for at each drill.

Heavy Weather

When the captain decides that heavy weather procedures are warranted, warning signs will be posted as reminders that no one is allowed outside without permission from the bridge. If it is absolutely necessary that you go outside, obtain permission from the bridge, wear a workvest or life jacket and have a partner to monitor your activity. When you have finished your outside business notify the bridge that you are safely back inside.

General Safety

There are a many ways to bump your head, stub your toes or smash your fingers on a ship. Pay attention to what you are doing at all times.

 

Be very careful with heavy watertight doors. It is easy to lose control when passing through and be sure you properly dog the door shut once you have passed through.

 

Make sure all your equipment is secured before the ship leaves the dock. It doesn't take very long to find out what you forgot to tie down so double check everything. Expensive equipment can be damaged beyond your ability to repair it in a matter of seconds. For the success of your scientific cruise ensure that you take the extra time to SECURE EVERYTHING properly.

 

Get permission from the bridge before putting ANYTHING over the side.

 

Smoking is NOT permitted in the interior of the ship. Smoking is allowed outside on the weather decks and in the staging bay.