[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 46, Volume 1]
[Revised as of Octobery 1, 2004]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 46CFR28.265]

[Page 339-340]
 
                           TITLE 46--SHIPPING
 
         CHAPTER I--COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
 
PART 28_REQUIREMENTS FOR COMMERCIAL FISHING INDUSTRY VESSELS
--Table of Contents
 
 Subpart C_Requirements for Documented Vessels That Operate Beyond the 
 Boundary Lines or With More Than 16 Individuals On Board, or for Fish 
              Tender Vessels Engaged in the Aleutian Trade
 
Sec. 28.265  Emergency instructions.

    (a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, 
each vessel must have emergency instructions posted in conspicuous 
locations accessible to the crew.
    (b) The instructions identified in paragraphs (d)(6), (d)(7), 
(d)(8), and (d)(9) of this section, may be kept readily available as an 
alternative to posting.
    (c) On a vessel which operates with less than 4 individuals on 
board, the emergency instructions may be kept readily available as an 
alternative to posting.
    (d) The emergency instructions required by this section must 
identify at least the following information, as appropriate for the 
vessel:
    (1) The survival craft embarkation stations aboard the vessel and 
the survival craft to which each individual is assigned;
    (2) The fire and emergency signal and the abandon ship signal;
    (3) If immersion suits are provided, the location of the suits and 
illustrated instructions on the method for donning the suits;
    (4) Procedures for making a distress call, such as:
    (i) Make sure your communication equipment is on.
    (ii) Select 156.8 MHz (VHF channel 16), 2182 kHz, or other distress 
frequency used in your area of operation. Note: VHF channel 16 and 2182 
kHz on SSB are for emergency and calling purposes only.
    (iii) Press microphone button and speaking slowly--clearly--calmly 
say:

``Mayday--Mayday--Mayday''
    (iv) Say: ``This is the M/V (Insert name of your vessel), (Insert 
name of your vessel), (Insert name of your vessel), Over.''
    (v) Release the microphone button briefly and listen for 
acknowledgment. If no one answers, repeat steps in paragraphs (d)(4) 
(iii) and (iv) of this section.
    (vi) If there is still no answer, or if the Coast Guard or another 
vessel responds, say: ``Mayday--This is the M/V (Insert Name of Your 
Vessel).''
    (vii) Describe your position using latitude and longitude 
coordinates, LORAN coordinate, or range and bearing from a known point.
    (viii) State the nature of the distress.
    (ix) Give number of individuals aboard and the nature of any 
injuries.
    (x) Estimate the present seaworthiness of your vessel.
    (xi) Describe your vessel: (Insert length, color, hull type, trim, 
masts, power, and any additional distinguishing features).
    (xii) Say: ``I will be listening on Channel 16/2182 (or other 
channel monitored).''
    (xiii) End message by saying: ``This is (insert vessel's name and 
call sign).''
    (xiv) If your situation permits, stand by the radio to await further 
communication with the Coast Guard or another vessel. If no answer, 
repeat, then try another channel.
    (5) Essential action that must be taken in an emergency by each 
individual, such as:
    (i) Making a distress call.
    (ii) Closing of hatches, airports, watertight doors, vents, 
scuppers, and valves for intake and discharge lines which penetrate the 
hull, stopping of fans and ventilation systems, and operation of all 
safety equipment.
    (iii) Preparing and launching of survival craft and rescue boats.
    (iv) Fighting a fire.
    (v) Mustering of personnel including--
    (A) Seeing that they are properly dressed and have put on their 
lifejackets or immersion suits; and
    (B) Assembling personnel and directing them to their appointed 
stations.
    (vi) Manning of fire parties assigned to deal with fires.
    (vii) Special duties required for the operation of fire fighting 
equipment.
    (6) The procedures for rough weather at sea, crossing hazardous 
bars, flooding, and anchoring of the vessel, such as:
    (i) Close all watertight and weathertight doors, hatches and 
airports to

[[Page 340]]

prevent taking water aboard or further flooding in the vessel.
    (ii) Keep bilges dry to prevent loss of stability due to water in 
bilges. Use power driven bilge pump, hand pump, and buckets to dewater.
    (iii) Align fire pumps to use as bilge pumps, if possible.
    (iv) Check all intake and discharge lines which penetrate the hull 
for leakage.
    (v) Personnel should remain stationary and evenly distributed.
    (vi) Personnel should don lifejackets and immersion suits if the 
going becomes very rough, the vessel is about to cross a hazardous bar, 
or when otherwise instructed by the master or individual in charge of 
the vessel.
    (7) The procedures for anchoring the vessel.
    (8) The procedures to be used in the event an individual falls 
overboard, such as:
    (i) Throw a ring life buoy as close to the individual as possible;
    (ii) Post a lookout to keep the individual in the water in sight;
    (iii) Launch the rescue boat and maneuver it to pick up the 
individual in the water;
    (iv) Have a crewmember put on a lifejacket or immersion suit, attach 
a safety line to the crewmember, and have the crewmember standby to jump 
into the water to assist in recovering the individual in the water if 
necessary;
    (v) If the individual overboard is not immediately located, notify 
the Coast Guard and other vessels in the vicinity; and
    (vi) Continue searching until released by the Coast Guard.
    (9) Procedures for fighting a fire, such as:
    (i) Shut off air supply to the fire--close hatches, ports, doors, 
ventilators, and similar openings.
    (ii) Deenergize the electrical systems supplying the affected space, 
if possible.
    (iii) Immediately use a portable fire extinguisher or use water for 
fires in ordinary combustible materials. Do not use water on electrical 
fires.
    (iv) If the fire is in a machinery space, shut off the fuel supply 
and ventilation system and activate the fixed extinguishing system, if 
installed.
    (v) Maneuver the vessel to minimize the effect of wind on the fire.
    (vi) If unable to control the fire, immediately notify the Coast 
Guard and other vessels in the vicinity.
    (vii) Move personnel away from the fire, have them put on 
lifejackets, and if necessary, prepare to abandon the vessel.