Peace Corps/ Micronesia, 1991Transcription of Taped Weather Warnings – Page 2
WELCOME …
to the Marine Safety Training. During this training, we will do six things:
1) Enjoy ourselves around the ocean.
2) Learn about safety around the ocean – tides, currents, wind, weather, reefs, etc.
3) Have a good time in boats.
4) Learn about staying safe and sound in boats.
5) Have fun in the water.
6) Learn how to stay alive in survival situations in the ocean.
Sounds tough. And it is.
All of the sessions will be conducted outdoors, either by, in, or on the ocean. Because of this, it is
necessary for you to come to each session prepared to spend some time out in the sun, wind, and
possibly water. This means bring to all of the sessions, adequate supplies of beach gear, defined as:
• Sunscreen
• Water
• Protective clothing (hat, long sleeved shirt, long pants, swimming gear, towel,
whatever you feel you will be comfortable in)
• Dark glasses
• Umbrella or rain gear if it looks like rain.
The sessions, and what you will need to take part in them, will be:
1) Introduction to Marine Safety
2) Up to Your Knees (A Walk On The Reef) – beach gear, plus wear strong shoes,
wading shorts.
3) Where The !@#$% Is It?? – beach gear
4) Over Your Head (Swimming) – beach gear plus swimming gear and towel.
5) On Top Of The Ocean (Boating) – beach gear plus swimming gear and towel.
6) The Boat Goes Over (Capsizing) – beach gear plus swimming gear and towel.
Please bring this manual of handouts with you to all sessions. Before each session, read the
corresponding handout! Read it! No jive! It contains important information.
Obviously, this training is designed to be enjoyable as well as educational, and you would be totally
remiss if you did not do well on both parts … your fun (and your most precious life) might just
depend on it.
Signed, The Training Staff
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WHERE THE !@#$% IS IT …
DEFINITIONS OF SOME TERMS
Latitude and Longitude
Latitude is a measure of how many degrees north or south of the Equator a given point is. San
Francisco is 38 degrees north of the Equator, so we can say that San Francisco is at Latitude 38 North.
The Equator is at 0° Latitude. The North and South Poles are at Latitude 90° North and 90° South
respectively. Latitude is shown on the sides of a chart.
Longitude is a measure of how many degrees east or west of Greenwich, England a given point is.
San Francisco is about 122 degrees west of Greenwich, so we can say that it is at Longitude 122
West.
Greenwich, England is at Longitude 0°. The International Date Line is at Longitude 180° (either East
or West, it’s exactly halfway around the world from Greenwich). Longitude is shown on the top or
bottom of a chart.
Nautical Miles
Nautical miles are used at sea, in contrast to statute miles, which are the miles we are familiar with on
land. A nautical mile is 6,080 feet, or 1.15 statute miles. Add 10% to nautical miles to get regular
miles, you won’t be far wrong.
A degree of latitude is always 60 nautical miles long. Thus, you can use the degrees on the sides of
any chart and convert them to nautical miles.
Knots
Knots is a measure of speed, and it means nautical miles per hour. Wind speed (and boat speed) is
often measured in knots. Again, 1 knot is 1.15 miles per hour (MPH), and adding 10% to a speed in
knots will give a reasonable approximation of the speed in miles per hour. What is 60 knots? About
66 miles per hour. Can’t do math? Consider them the same. If the winds are forecast at 60 knots, the
fact that you can expect winds of 69 mph is not going to change your plans …
Wind Speeds
Certain wind speeds are given special names. Of importance to us are Gale, Storm, and Cyclone
strength winds. Gale force winds are those above 28 knots (32.2 mph). Storm winds are above 56
knots (64.4 mph). Cyclone (typhoon, hurricane) strength is above 66 knots (75.9 mph). You do not
want to be at sea when any of these winds are blowing …
Time
In order to avoid the confusion of a host of local time zones, daylight savings time, and all the rest,
time is often given as “Coordinated Universal Time” (UTC). For our purposes, this is the same as
“Greenwich Mean Time” (GMT), and it is the time in Greenwich, England. It is sometimes called
“Universal Time”. On the radio, it is often referred to as “Zulu” (Z). Thus a time called “1645 Zulu”
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would mean the time when it is 4:45 PM in Greenwich, England, and “18 Zulu Saturday” means 6
PM Saturday in Greenwich.
Note that you may be in a different day than Greenwich. For example, Pohnpei is “GMT plus 11”,
meaning that you add (plus) 11 hours to GMT to find out the local time. So if it is “18 Zulu
Saturday”, we start at 6 PM Saturday and add 11 hours. This takes us around the clock to 5 AM
Sunday …
For the mathematically minded, you can usually find out how many hours to add or subtract from
Zulu to get your local time. Take your longitude. Add 7.5 degrees to it. Divide by 15, and ignore the
decimals in the answer. If you are in “East” longitude, add that number of hours to Universal time to
get local time. In “West” longitude, subtract that number of hours from Universal time to get local
time.
Not mathematical? Tune in to the BBC world news on a shortwave radio, where they announce the
GMT every hour, and look at your watch, then subtract one from the other … or tune into WWV (see
below), where they announce UTC every minute, accurate to 1/100th of a second … Or figure your
island’s time difference from Pohnpei, which is UTC (GMT) plus eleven hours. If you are an hour
earlier than Pohnpei, you would be GMT plus ten hours.
WEATHER
Seasonal wind conditions
The Micronesian area has two seasons, one with trade winds and one without. The trade wind season
usually lasts from December to May. During this time the trade winds blow from the northeast. They
are called trade winds because of their regularity, which allowed the sailing trading ships of the 19th
century to depend on them for their business voyages. Typically, they have a strength of from 10 to
perhaps as high as 25 knots, and they are usually weaker during the night.
During the rest of the year, there are variable fitful winds, usually not as strong as the trade winds.
These winds can blow from any direction.
Squalls
Squalls are small storms which form over the sea. They travel with the prevailing wind. The
approach of a squall is heralded by a sudden increase in the strength of the wind, often with a change
of direction from the wind which was blowing before. This is followed after a short time (10 minutes
to half an hour) by rain which can at times be very intense. During the rain, the winds usually
decrease.
If you are travelling by sailing boat, squalls can be dangerous because their winds can be very strong
(over 30 knots). Because they are short lived, they usually do not have time to create large waves,
and thus they are more of an inconvenience than a danger to people in motor boats.
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TYPHOONS
Typhoon seasons
A typhoon is an area of low barometric (air) pressure with a wind revolving round it which is blowing
in excess of 64 knots. The US Weather Bureau refers to them as “Tropical Cyclones”. In the
Northern Pacific, a tropical cyclone is called a typhoon. In the North Atlantic, Caribbean, and Eastern
US, it is called a hurricane. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is usually called a cyclone. Other areas
have other names. In this handout, for ease of reference, it will be called a typhoon.
Typhoons usually take from three to five days to form, and their life span is usually about a week or
two. Typhoons are powered by the heat of the sun. Because of this, they occur during the local
summer. In the Northern hemisphere, the traditional adage for the season runs
“June, too soon
July, it will try
August, it must
September, remember
October, it’s over.”
However, as the recent occurrence of two typhoons in Pohnpei (6° North Latitude) in December
demonstrates, they can strike outside of their usual season.
Typhoons cause damage in four ways – high winds, high rains, high waves, and high tides. High
winds damage structures, uproot trees, and cause general havoc. High rains cause flooding along
rivers, and weaken the ground holding up trees (and house posts … ). High waves damage boats and
structures on the coast. High tides (which occur near the center of the typhoon and are technically
called “storm sieche”) inundate low lying areas and bring the high waves well inland from the normal
coastline. All in all … not a pretty picture.
Where Typhoons Form and Strike
In the North Pacific, typhoons generally form up in the area of the Eastern Caroline Islands. From
there they usually move, gathering strength, in the direction of Luzon Island in the Philippines. After
reaching China, they either go inland, or they recurve north toward Japan. However, every typhoon is
an individual.
In the Central North Pacific, it is very rare for a typhoon to move east. However … in the typhoon
game, anything’s possible.
STAYING AHEAD OF THE TYPHOON GAME
Signs and Signals
If you do not have access to a radio, there are several signs which may foretell a typhoon.
One is a period of total calm accompanied by large, widely spaced swells. These swells have been
caused by a typhoon which was somewhere over the horizon in the direction from which the swells
are coming. Where it is now cannot be determined from the swells, only where it was. Even this
information is helpful if you know the usual paths of typhoons in your area. Bear in mind, though,
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that typhoon tracks vary, and they have even been known to move in a circle and pass over one area
twice.
Its current direction from you can be determined by the “right hand rule” in the Northern Hemisphere.
Face the wind, and put your right arm out pointing at right angles to the direction you are facing. You
are now pointing at the center of the typhoon. (Use your left hand in the Southern Hemisphere).
When the actual storm nears, the sea will often have a glassy appearance, although the swell will be
larger and larger. Upon closer approach, an immense black cloud will heave over the horizon. Soon,
fitful gusts of wind will blow and the first light rains will arrive. These will be followed by the main
body of the storm itself.
By this point, of course, you have made all of the preparations necessary to live through a period of
intense wind and rain.
Preparation Checklist
Before the typhoon season …
q Talk to your neighbors about what their plans are in case of typhoon. They have
probably lived through many, and if you would like to live through even one,
listen to their advice.
q If you have a transistor radio, make sure you have spare batteries.
q Make sure your house roof is sound. Rafters must be wired to posts.
q Clear away loose items which could cause damage if blown by high winds.
q If you live on the coast of a high island, in case of storm tide warnings, know where
the nearest high ground is. If you live on a low atoll, discuss storm tides with
your neighbors, and cast a hopeful eye on the strongest looking tree in the
neighborhood …
q Collect a small store of tinned food, some water containers, emergency lighting, first
aid kit.
When you hear a typhoon warning or see disturbing weather signs…
q Listen to your radio for further warnings.
q Store loose articles inside.
q Fill up water containers.
If you have to evacuate to high ground
q Turn off electricity or gas if you have them
q Take your first aid kit, water, food, and emergency lighting with you.
When the typhoon comes …
q Stay inside.
q Shelter in the strongest part of the house.
q Protect yourself with mattresses, blankets, get under a table.
q Beware of the calm “eye” of the typhoon. Remain indoors until you are sure that the
typhoon has passed.
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Radios and radio usage
Typhoon warnings are broadcast on the local radio stations. Depending on the area and the speed of
communications, you may receive a lot of warning or none at all. Listen frequently during the
typhoon season if you are in an area of danger.
Shortwaves, Broadcasts and Frequencies
The best information about the location and motion of typhoons often comes from shortwave radio.
In the Mid Pacific area, there are two main sources.
One is radio station WWV, which broadcasts from Hawaii. It is an AM shortwave station, not single
sideband (SSB), so it can be heard on all shortwave receivers. It broadcasts time signals continuously
on frequencies of 2500, 5000, 10000, 15000, and 20000 kilohertz (kHz). These are a ticking noise
each second, followed at the end of each minute by a male voice and a female voice each announcing
the time in the following format … “At the tone, four hours twenty seven minutes Coordinated
Universal Time”.
The other source is the Coast Guard Station in Guam. It broadcasts on single sideband (SSB), so you
need a receiver with a setting that says “SSB” on it. These broadcasts are on 13113.2 kHz and 6056.4
kHz, at 0330, 0930, 1530, and 2130 Zulu. They will probably take some fine tuning to pick up, so
practice before the typhoon. This station has the most detailed information available.
On WWV, at 48 minutes after each hour, weather warnings for the Western Pacific, Eastern Pacific,
and the Tropical South Pacific begin. These warnings are given in the format … “Weather warnings,
Western Pacific, 6 Zulu Wednesday, Tropical Cyclone Selma, one zero North, one six five East,
repeat, one zero North, one six five East, moving southwest one five knots, maximum wind eight five
knots, radius seven five knot winds, North West quadrant, one eight zero miles, elsewhere, one five
zero miles, radius gale , North semicircle, three six zero miles, elsewhere, two five zero miles.”
Let us break this down line by line. They say:
Weather warnings, Western Pacific, 6 Zulu Wednesday – this is the time when the forecast was
issued, so the position of the storm is as of that time.
Tropical Cyclone Selma – the name of the storm
one zero North, one six five East, repeat, one zero North, one six five East – its position
moving southwest one five knots – direction and speed of movement
maximum wind eight five knots – maximum winds
radius seven five knot winds, North West quadrant, one eight zero miles – how far out from the center
of the storm the 75 knot winds extend. In the North West quarter of the storm, they extend out 180
miles.
elsewhere, one five zero miles – in the other three quarters of the storm, they extend out 150 miles
from the center.
radius gale, North semicircle, three six zero miles – gale force winds (above 28 knots) extend out 360
miles in the North half (semicircle) of the storm. (At 60 miles per degree, this would be 6°)
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elsewhere, two five zero miles. – in the other half (south semicircle) they extend out 250 miles.
Plotting the storm
From this we can draw a picture of the storm and where it is headed. Take a piece of paper and rule
some lines on it, equally spaced, and mark them to represent the latitudes and longitudes of your area.
Remember that you measure nautical miles at 60 miles per degree on the side of your chart. Draw in
the location of the islands. Draw in the storm. In the Northern Hemisphere, the winds blow counter
clockwise around the center, so draw in some counter clockwise arrows representing the wind. For
this storm, we would get the following picture …
5° N
10° N
15° N
20° N
Equator
5° S
150°E 155°E 160°E 165°E 170°E 175°E 175°W
International
Dateline
135°E 140°E 145°E
•Pohnpei
•Guam
•Chuuk
•Yap
•Palau
•Majuro
•Kosrae
Now, you have a good idea of where the storm is and where it is predicted to go. (Note that it may in
fact not go there at all.) From this, you can see where you are in relation to the path of the storm.
The most dangerous part of the storm is where the wind is blowing in the same direction as the
motion of the storm itself. In that case, the speed of the storm is added to the speed of the wind. In
the Central Pacific, because the storm is usually moving east, this is usually the north half of the
storm. This is called the “dangerous semicircle”. If this storm continues on its present path, Chuuk
will be in the dangerous semicircle, which is shaded in.
If it looks like you will likely be in that part of the storm when it passes your island, you will need to
take every precaution, as the winds will likely be extremely strong.
FINALLY …
If typhoons killed lots of people, the Pacific would never have become populated. Typhoons are a
fact of life in the Pacific. They are big, nasty storms, which you can survive given the right
precautions.
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AT THE WATER’S EDGE
The reef is one of the most interesting parts of the ocean. All types of creatures live there, and the
colors and the play of light in the water make it into a wonderland.
There are, however, a few things to watch out for when you go on the reef. Among these are …
TIDES
Ruled by the spinning of the moon, the waters of the oceans go up and down in a somewhat regular
pattern. Usually, there are two high tides per day, one of which will be much higher than the other,
and two low tides per day with one lower than the other. The higher of the high tides is called the
“high high tide”, and the lower is called the “low high tide”. The same is true of the low tides, called
high low and low low tides.
The reef is most interesting at low tide, as you can go out nearer the edge and you can see things
which will be several feet underwater at high tide. Care is needed, though. For example, if the tide
comes in after you have walked across a low section of the reef to a islet, you may not be able to get
back.
The tide also affects the strength of the currents flowing through the channels into an atoll. Usually,
the channel is on the downwind side of the atoll, and the waves breaking over the upwind side
continuously add water to the lagoon. This water flows out through the channel, and if the tide is low,
the water will often flow out with considerable force. If you are swimming or boating, it may not be
possible to enter or cross the channel during a period of strong current, which is usually during low
tide.
Tide tables are available from a number of sources, and may be printed in local newspapers as well.
Usually, they are in the form
Time Height
03:55 1.8 feet
10:17 4.1 feet
14:15 0.3 feet
20:43 5.2 feet
To use the tables, first make sure that you are looking at the right day. Then look at the heights to
figure out which are the high tides and which are the low.
Next, determine which is the high high tide, and which is the low low tide. For the day given above,
the low low is at 14:15, and the high high is at 20:43. This would be a good day to go out on the reef
in the afternoon, leaving sometime around noon and coming back around 4 PM.
However, it may not be the best time to go swimming or boating, as tidal currents will be the
strongest in the afternoon, because of the low low tide followed by the high high tide.
Once you have determined when you will go and return, get your gear together. Take your …
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Sunscreen/Hat/Long sleeved shirt …
We knew you knew about these, just checking …
Boots/shoes
The reef is sharp. Sturdy boots , tennis shoes, or diving booties are needed to walk on it. Flip-flops
are an invitation to a cut foot.
Water
Either drink some before you go, or take some, or both.
Flashlight
The reef at night is much more colorful and interesting than in the day. If you go on the reef at night,
take a flashlight.
Whether you go during the day or the night, keep an eye out for the …
BAD GUYS …
Sneaker Waves
Face toward the ocean when you are near the edge. Often, one wave out of a hundred is twice the size
of its brothers (sisters?), and many people have died because they did not see the wave coming.
Don’t turn your back on the ocean for too long.
If a big wave comes and you are caught too far out to run for it, lay down on the reef and hold on to
the coral with your arms, legs, fingers, teeth, and everything you’ve got. Take a very deep breath just
before the wave hits, and hold it tight. The force of the wave will pass over you, and when it retreats,
you can stand up, shaken, perhaps cut, but alive and walking …
Surge Channels
Speaking of walking, watch where you put your feet. Especially on the upwind side of the reef, the
force of the waves often cuts channels up to fifty feet wide for hundreds of feet back into the reef. At
times, the sides and end of the channels may be undercut, with caves and overhangs which may be
covered with only a thin bit of coral. Walk carefully. Other hazards to your walking can be …
Sea Urchins
Some kinds of urchins have long pointed spines which in some cases can penetrate the sole of a shoe.
They look like pincushions, and are no danger at all unless they are handled or stepped on.
Anemones
Anemones look like sunflowers laid out on the bottom of the sea. Many will have tiny striped fish
living among their tentacles. These are called “clown fish”, and they are immune to the stings of the
anemone, which kill other fish. Most anemones are not at all dangerous to humans, but a few can
sting enough to make a burning sensation. Just don’t handle them with bare hands, and all will be
well.
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Cone Shells
Cone shells are lovely shells shaped like an ice cream cone, and are up to perhaps 4” in length. These
nasty little beauties have a hollow dart, called a “radula”, which they can extend from the end of the
shell, stick into someone, and inject a poison. The poison is not lethal in most cases, but it sure can
make you sick. Unless you know what you are handling, don’t pick up cone shaped shells.
Sting Rays
Sting rays lie on sandy bottoms, covered with sand so that only their eyes and tail show. They have a
barbed stinger at the base of their tail, where the tail joins the body. They are not aggressive, and will
usually swim away when approached. If they are stepped on, they will arch their bodies and drive
their stinger into the leg or ankle. The stinger will break off, and although it is not poisoned, it is
covered with a mucus and will usually infect badly and may have to be surgically removed. Not fun.
Shuffle your feet when you walk through sandy areas where they are known to be, both to warn them
of your approach and to prevent stepping on them.
Stonefish
Stonefish are a member of the Scorpionfish family. In common with many members of that family,
they have hollow spines on their back fins which contain a fairly toxic venom. While not at all
aggressive, if stepped on they can cause a painful poisoning. As their name suggests, they are quite
difficult to see, as their natural camouflage makes them look very much like a stone. They are
ambush predators on small fish, which means that they lie very still in wait for their food to swim by
unsuspectingly. This habit makes them even harder to see. Avoid areas where they are known to
reside, wear shoes on the reef, shuffle your feet, and ask someone to point them out to you so that you
can train your eye to recognize them.
Portuguese Man O’War
The Portuguese man o’war is a colony of animals that live together and look like one being. They
have a float which looks a bit like a purplish plastic bag with a ridge down the back, and they trail
long stinging tentacles beneath them in the water. If you see them in the water, get out. Their sting is
extremely painful. Also, don’t play with them if you find them washed up on shore, as often happens.
The stingers can remain active for days after the animal is deposited on the beach.
Eels
Don’t stick your fingers into deep dark holes, and the eels won’t bother you. You weren’t going to do
that anyway, were you? …
And …
All of this talk about the dangers of the reef makes it sound like it is a deadly place to go. It is not; it
is a fascinating and lovely place, where a certain amount of caution is necessary in order to have a
good time. Don’t take marine life from the reef unless you know it is permitted, as in many places it
is prohibited by custom or law. Walk lightly, look and enjoy.
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IF YOU CANT SWIM …
So what?! You can still float using a life vest, and you can easily move around in the water. Here,
for the first time, are the secrets of the ancients revealed …
HOW TO FLOAT USING A LIFE VEST …
1) Put it on.
2) Get in the water.
Not too tough, huh? We knew you could do it. Let’s move on to …
HOW TO SWIM USING A LIFE VEST …
1) Perform steps 1) and 2) above, then either…
2a) Swim with your arms. Lift your arms up out of the water, put them both behind you, lower
them into the water, and pull them strongly toward your waist, or
2b) Do the frog kick. Pull your feet up toward your groin, then extend and spread your legs,
finally bring them back together forcefully in the power stroke that moves you forward.
3) Repeat until you get to your destination.
4) Crawl on shore and collapse.
WHEN YOUR ARMS GET TIRED …
Use your legs.
AND WHEN YOUR LEGS GET TIRED …
The answer to this is left as an exercise for the student.
ADVANCED OPTION …
Swim using your arms and legs at the same time.
WHEN YOU GET TIRED ALL OVER…
Stop and rest.
FURTHER SECRETS? …
That’s it. That’s all. Finish. Finito. No more.
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EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT BOATS
(BUT WERE AFRAID TO ASK)
JARGON, NAUTICAL JARGON …
Stern – the back section of the boat Bow – the front section of the boat
NAMES OF PARTS OF A SMALL BOAT
Transom
Deck
Gunwale (Pronounced "gunnel") – the top edge of the side
Side
Side
Keel Midline – an imaginary line down the middle of the boat
WHAT TO TAKE
Go to sea prepared, and you will likely come back. The following gear should be taken with you on
all trips. Tie everything down! All the best equipment won’t do you any good if it floats away …
Life Vests
This one cannot be emphasized too strongly. Write it in your notebook, tattoo it on your shoulder,
engrave it on your brain.
PCVs (AND TRAINEES) ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE LIFE VESTS WITH THEM AT ALL
TIMES WHEN ON BOATS.!!! VOLUNTEERS (OR TRAINEES) SEEN IN BOATS
WITHOUT LIFE VESTS WILL BE ADMINISTRATIVELY SEPARATED
IMMEDIATELY!!! THERE IS NO RECOURSE OR APPEAL FROM THIS DECISION,
NOR IS THERE ANY LEEWAY IN ITS APPLICATION!!!
Water, Water, and Water
Humans can live without food for up to two months. However, a few days without water can kill.
Grab a jug, take an old bottle and fill it up, a high-tone LL Bean canteen, the container doesn’t matter.
Take water.
Water, and lots of it, is the only acceptable fluid to take. If you have none, take some green coconuts,
as they contain pure water.
Note that beer is not an appropriate substitute. This is not because you shouldn’t drink and drive
(although it is not a good idea to do so). It is because it takes more water to metabolize the alcohol in
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a can of beer than the amount of water which is contained in the can. Thus, there is a net loss of
water involved in drinking a can of beer, as witnessed by the frequent visits to the house of no name
when one is drinking. (Speaking of which, before you get in the boat … )
Ground Tackle …
This is more nautical jargon. It means an anchor and an anchor line, which is the rope you tie to the
anchor that you throw overboard to keep from being blown on the reef …
Paddles
As a rule of thumb, “In the marine environment, what goes around … … stops”. Take an alternate
means of propulsion.
Bailer
The only requirement for a good bailer is that it be large. Bailing out a boat after it has capsized
involves moving a lot of water, and you need a large bucket to do it fast.
Fishing Line and Hooks
Wrapped up in a small package, does not take up much room, might save your life …
A Small Hand Mirror
For signalling the rescuers which you hope to never need.
A Knife
Which you always carry anyway.
Tool Kit
At a minimum, take an adjustable wrench (Crescent wrench), a pair of pliers, a screwdriver, and a
spare spark plug. On many outboards, it takes a special wrench to take out the spark plug. If so, take
that wrench. Take more tools if you have them.
Compass
Although fog is rare in the tropics, darkness and rain squalls are not …
Flashlight
Because no matter how early you leave, one time in three you arrive after dark.
Sun Screen
On the water, you will be getting reflected rays from the water surface as well as direct rays from the
sun. It is easy to get burnt to a crisp, and there is no way to get out of the sun until you arrive.
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Hat, Umbrella
Portable shade, to complement sun screen without replacing it.
Rain Coat
Even if it is not going to rain, there is always spray.
Dry Clothing
Once you arrive, with salt spray on your teeth, a crazed smile on your face, and 11 gallons of sea
water cleverly concealed on or about your person, dry garments can make you into a new individual
… or at least a much more comfortable one.
GETTING IN AND OUT OF BOATS
Small boats tend to tip; so it is important when you step into a small boat, to always step into the
midline of the boat, preferably onto the floor rather than the seat or deck. Do not step on the gunwale.
WHERE TO SIT AND STOW GEAR
Be aware of how the boat is balanced. A boat should sit level in the water. If it is tipped to one side
or the other, shift the weight of either people or gear to bring it back to level.
When the boat is moving, it should rise to meet the waves. If the bow of the boat is buried too deeply,
you risk taking a wave right over the front of the boat. In such a case, move people or gear further
back to the stern.
GASOLINE
Contrary to popular belief, outboard engines do not burn gasoline! They burn a mixture of gasoline
and outboard oil. If you forget this, you will be buying someone a new engine out of your princely
(princessly?) salary. The proper mixture of gasoline and oil is usually listed somewhere on the engine
or fuel can. If in doubt, mix it at 30 volumes of gas to 1 volume of outboard oil (you can use 30
weight automotive oil if necessary). This will likely err on the side of too much oil, and the engine
may run smoky, but it will not fry the engine or your pocketbook. And speaking of smoky,
remember, NO SMOKING BY THE FUEL CAN!!!.
FUEL CONSUMPTION
As a rule of thumb, an outboard will burn about a tenth of a gallon per horsepower per hour. In other
words, a 30 horse engine will burn about 3 gallons an hour, a 15 horse will burn about one and a half
(1.5) gallons per hour.
STANDING UP IN SMALL BOATS
Don’t.
IF YOU HAVE TO …
Stop first if you can.
Transcription of Taped Weather Warnings – Page 16
IN ANY CASE …
Stand and walk on the midline of the boat, and hang on to something – the gunwale, someone’s
shoulder, a rope, anything.
FINALLY, WHEN IN DOUBT …
Ask. Ask how to do things, ask what the names of parts of the boat are, ask “Don’t you think you
might be going a bit fast?”, ask if the driver sees the log ahead in the water, ask … it is the only way
to learn.
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IF THE BOAT GOES OVER …
Boats do capsize at times. With adequate preparation and knowledge, this need not be a tragedy.
BEFORE YOU GO …
1) Water, water, water. Make sure that you have taken water along.
2) Take all the rest of the necessary gear.
3) Tie everything down. All preparations are useless if they float away.
4) Tell someone your “float plan” – when you are leaving, which way you are going, what time
you expect to get there. If communications permit, ask them to check on your arrival after a certain
interval.
IF THE BOAT GOES OVER …
1) Stay calm. Your life expectancy is rarely increased by panic.
2) If the boat sinks, stay together, and get into a huddle position. Swim for shore only if it is
close, otherwise, float calmly, conserve your warmth, and wait to be rescued. If you decide to swim,
check your drift, and go with any current. Swim slowly and STAY TOGETHER!
3) Most boats will float even when full of water. If the boat is floating, stay with the boat. Even
though the shore may look like it is only a short distance away, your best chance is to stay with the
boat if it is floating. This is because:
a) The boat will help to keep you afloat.
b) If you can right it and bail it out, your chances of survival go way up.
c) If you can right it and are unable to bale it out, you can still get inside it and be safer
and warmer than if you are swimming.
d) If you can sit on the boat with any part of your body out of the water, you lessen your
heat loss and improve your odds of living.
e) It is easier for rescuers to see a boat from the air or from the sea than to see a person
swimming.
f) If you swim, you may easily be separated. A group has a better chance of survival
than an individual.
g) Although the shore looks close, there may be a current moving you away from the
coast faster than you can swim …
4) Stay with the boat. This cannot be emphasized enough. Think up 3 more good reasons to add
to those above.
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5) If the boat is upside down, flip the boat so it is upright. This can sometimes be done by
having everyone get up on one side of the bottom of the inverted boat, and sink that side to flip the
boat. Otherwise, take a piece of rope (you do have an anchor rope, yes? … ), tie it to the far side,
stand up on the bottom, and pull the rope until the boat flips over. This procedure is illustrated in the
following exciting live-action drawing …
Rope
Boat
It may be necessary to have two or three people standing on the boat and pulling on the rope in order
to make it flip over.
6) Rock as much water out of the boat as you can. There are two ways to do this, depending on
the design of the boat. Only trial and error can tell you which will work best with a particular boat, so
try both and use whichever works best. You will need to repeat the actions several times. The two
ways are:
a) Get all of the people together in the water at the stern (back end) of the boat. On the
count of three, have them all push the boat away from them as hard as they can. This will force the
boat forward, and the water in the boat will tend to splash out over the stern of the boat.
b) Get all of the people together in the water at the side of the boat, holding on to the
gunwale (the top edge of the side of the boat). On the count of three, have them all push the edge of
the boat down and away from them as hard as they can, then lift the boat back to level. This will roll
the boat sideways, and the water in the boat will tend to pour out over the side of the boat.
7) When you have gotten as much water out of the boat as you can, have everyone hold the boat
as level as possible. Point the bow (front end) of the boat into the waves. Choose one person, who if
possible should be strong, agile, and light. Have them climb over the stern of the boat, sit down
inside, and start bailing the boat out.
8) When the boat is completely bailed out, get everyone back into the boat. This should be done
over the stern. People who have difficulty should be assisted from both ends – pulled in by those in
the boat and pushed up by those in the water. The strongest swimmer should be the last to board the
boat.
9) Dry out the engine. To do this:
a) Remove the engine cover.
Transcription of Taped Weather Warnings – Page 19
b) Find the spark plugs.
c) Pull the wires off of the plugs.
d) If you have a spark plug wrench, take out the plugs
e) Turn the engine over a number of times by pulling the starter cord. This will tend to
empty the water which may have gotten inside.
f) Expose the engine to the sun.
g) After 15 minutes or so, put the plugs back in if you have taken them out,
h) Reconnect the spark plug wires by pushing them back on to the plugs.
i) Try to start the engine. It may be necessary to pull it a large number of times, but
usually, in the end, it will start.
10) If the engine will not start, commence paddling. This historical form of locomotion,
sometimes known as “Swedish Steam” or the “White Ash Breeze”, can actually move a surprisingly
large boat at a good clip. Before you start to paddle, though, determine your drift. Often, land which
is further away will be easier to reach than land which is nearby. In any case, you did tell someone
your float plan, so help will be on its way in a short… what?! … no one knows you’re out here!! …
well … have a nice trip …
Transcription of Taped Weather Warnings – Page 20
OVER YOUR HEAD …
Swimming in a tropical ocean is a marvellous experience … provided, of course, that you stay out of
trouble. There are a few hazards, which can be avoided if you know what you are doing.
HYPOTHERMIA
Curiously, one of the main dangers if you have to spend a long time in tropical waters is … cold.
Even though the water feels warm, it is much colder than the human body, and if a person spends too
long in the water, the core of their body will be cooled down to a point where they cannot live. This
condition is called “hypothermia”.
In a survival situation in the water, therefore, it is of vital importance to conserve the heat in your
body. A few simple rules …
1) Get as much of your body out of the water as possible, any way that you can. Sit on a
capsized boat, or lift the upper part of your body out using a floating fuel tank, or float with your life
vest holding your head out of the water; any way you can keep part of your body clear of the water
will lengthen your survival time.
2) Keep your clothes on. Just as in the air, your clothes will keep you warm. If there is any extra
cloth, wrap it around your neck and head, as the heat loss from the neck and head is very rapid and
high. If there is more cloth, stuff it inside your clothes in the chest and groin area.
3) Move as little as possible. Every time you move, you bring new cold water into contact with
your body. In addition, the motion takes energy, energy which otherwise would help keep you warm.
4) If you are floating, use the H.E.L.P. position. H.E.L.P. is a fancy acronym for “Heat Escape
Lessening Posture”, and it is simple. Put your hands in your armpits and cross your legs, just like you
would if you were cold on shore. Pull your legs up toward your chest. That’s it. Of course, you are
wearing your life vest, so you don’t have to waste heat and energy to keep yourself floating … what!
… no life vest?!? Go to the foot of the survival curve … sorry … doesn’t matter how good a
swimmer you are, the energy you waste staying afloat will shorten your life expectancy …
5) If more than 3 people are floating, you should all float together in a circle and press as much
of the sides of your bodies together as possible, with your arms around each other. This is called the
“huddle” position.
RECOVERY FROM HYPOTHERMIA
The basic rule is, “Nobody is dead unless they are warm and dead”. People have been revived when
to all appearances they were totally cold and dead, with no discernible heartbeat and no breathing.
The rules for bringing someone back from a condition of hypothermia are:
1) If they are not breathing, begin giving them artificial respiration immediately, and continue
until they are warm.
Transcription of Taped Weather Warnings – Page 21
2) Warm them up slowly. If they are warmed too rapidly, the extremities will be warm while the
core of the body (trunk and brain) is still cold. Blood will flow from the core to the warm extremities,
and lack of blood in the core is … let’s just say, not conducive to long life. So …
a) Remove their wet clothing.
b) The best way to warm someone is to put them in a tub of warm (not hot) water, slightly
over body temperature, with their arms and legs out of the tub so that they do not get warmed.
c) If no tub is available but wood and matches are, put the person on several thicknesses
of blankets to keep them off the cold earth, with a thin blanket over them, and build a fire on both
sides of them.
b) If you can’t build a fire and it is a hot sunny day, put them on several thicknesses of
blankets in the sun, with a thin blanket over them to keep wind and direct sun rays off them.
c) In an emergency situation (on a boat at night, for example), the best way to warm a
person is to put them in blankets, and for one or two other people to get in the blankets with them and
heat them up by body warmth.
CURRENTS
Currents can be quite dangerous, especially around the channels into atolls. Let’s take it in two parts
…
How do I know if I’m in a current?
Line up objects on shore to see which way you are drifting. How to do this will be demonstrated
during the swimming part of this training.
What do I do if I’m in a current?
Figure out which way the current is going, and swim with or across the current, never into the current.
Again, this will be a part of your training.
When you are swimming in tropical waters, keep an eye out for the …
BAD GUYS …
Humanoids with Spearguns
Perhaps the most dangerous beings you will encounter in the water, this species is known for its
aggressive behavior and absentmindedness. Dangerous even at a distance, they are totally
unpredictable, and the only protective measure you can take is to swim as far from them as possible.
No kidding, folks … and keep the safety on …
Sharks
What would a tropical ocean be without sharks, at least in fiction? However, in real life, sharks are
not what the movie “Jaws” might lead you to expect.
Transcription of Taped Weather Warnings – Page 22
For starters, tropical sharks are much less dangerous than their cold water counterparts. Food for
most tropical sharks is brightly colored tropical fish in all of its forms. Food for cold water sharks,
however, is often large marine mammals (seals, sea lions, etc.) which don’t exist in the tropics. While
you are not in much danger of being mistaken for a gaudy tropical fish, your chances of being
mistaken for a large marine mammal … well, in the water, that’s what you are …
The best way to understand sharks is to think of them as being like dogs. In fact, the behavior
patterns of the two species are quite similar. Do not be surprised if you see sharks while swimming
on the reef, any more than you would be surprised to see dogs while walking through town. Like
dogs, they are curious about anything new in their environment, and will come to see who you are and
what is going on. Also like dogs, they are wary, and not inclined to bite as their first response.
A few guidelines to keep you out of shark trouble …
1) Don’t spearfish. I say again, don’t spearfish. Spearfishing is the one human activity most
often correlated with shark attacks. Look, if you walked through town taking dog food out of the
dogs’ dishes, you would expect to get bitten. Taking food out of the sharks’ dishes invites the same
response. In part this is because they are agitated and attracted by the dying fish in the water, and in
part it is because they are guarding their turf from competitors. A shark who would just watch you
swim through an area of reef may attack you if you shoot a fish there …
2) Stay out of the water at dawn and dusk. These are the times when the predators of all sizes in
the ocean are most active. In addition, the visibility is bad; you can’t see sharks well, and they can’t
see you well.
3) Stay away from areas where sharks are known to congregate. These areas include channels
and the edges of dropoffs. Ask your friends where the sharks hang out. People who grew up and live
by the sea are often very knowledgeable about the habits of the sea creatures.
4) Don’t swim alone. If you swim with a friend, sharks will be more cautious about approaching
you … and besides, it reduces your chances of being the one who is bitten by 50% …
If a shark approaches …
1) Look the shark in the eye. Like most predators, sharks are used to prey which turns and runs
away. Watch what the shark is doing. They are most graceful creatures, albeit sinister … lovely in
their own right. Most likely, the shark will do what a dog would do … watch you for a while, then
get bored and go away. If you turn and run, a dog will chase you … so will a shark.
2) If the shark continues to stay in the area, you leave. Some species of sharks are territorial,
with their own section of reef. If you wander into a dog’s back yard, it will make you unwelcome.
So will a shark. Swim backwards away from the area, while continuing to look the shark in the eye.
Eventually, it will lose interest and swim away.
3) If the shark comes very close, hit it in the nose with anything but your unprotected skin. Pick
up a rock or a piece of coral if you need to. A shark’s skin is very rough, and it will take your own
skin right off … plus, they have taste organs in their skin, and you might just taste good. A flipper in
the face will often discourage a curious shark.
4) If you can’t discourage the unwanted suitor, get out of the water. Leave without panic or
thrashing around, and be especially careful at the moment when you are just leaving.
Transcription of Taped Weather Warnings – Page 23
Myths about sharks …
1) The myth: sharks have bad eyesight. Fortunately for us, not true, especially the tropical
sharks. They can see quite well enough to distinguish us from a fish, and will often hang in the water
30 or 40 feet away watching what the crazy people are doing … in fact, sharks have two more senses
than the usual human five senses. They have an electric detection sense organ, which they can use to
find fish when the water is murky. They also have a pressure sense organ, which can detect the
thrashing of a dying fish from a long distance … see spearfishing, above …
2) The myth: human blood attracts sharks. The US Navy, understandably interested in the
subject, did a series of tests to find what attracted and repelled sharks. Human blood does not attract
them. The most powerful attractant for sharks turns out to be, reasonably enough, the juices from the
stomach cavity of fish … see spearfishing, above …
3) The myth: sharks attack without warning. In fact, this type of behavior is extremely rare,
especially in tropical sharks. Although they are curious, they are also cautious and wary, and as
underwater photographers soon find out, they are often difficult to approach.
3) The myth: sharks are completely unpredictable. The truth is that they are like any other
species; although they will occasionally do surprising things, they have clearly defined common
patterns of behavior.
A final note …
It says above, don’t spearfish, but the rude reality is that some of you will, so … do yourself a favor.
When you spear a fish, get it out of the water immediately. There are three easy ways to do this.
The best is to spearfish from a canoe. Swim and pull the canoe with you, and put the fish into the
canoe when you spear it. The canoe is always close, and if you need to you can get in the canoe.
Second best is to get a large plastic washbasin about two feet across, and tie a string to it with a small
rock on the end of the string. Tow the basin behind you as you swim along the surface. Drop the line
with the rock to anchor the basin when you see a fish. When it’s speared, put it in the basin and move
up current to a new area. This keeps the blood and juices out of the water around you, as well as
keeping the vibration of the thrashing, dying fish from attracting sharks to your area. However, it’s
hard for an adult to get into a plastic washbasin without sinking it, no matter how much you might
like to …
Finally, you can go ashore and put the fish on the beach.
Good fishing!
Other things to watch out for in the ocean are …
Fire coral
This is a branched coral which causes a burning rash like a nettle. If you don’t know which coral it is,
just don’t touch any of the corals with branches like a deer’s antlers. In fact, that is a good general
rule about the tropical ocean – if you don’t recognize it, don’t touch it. In this case, if you touch it,
don’t worry. It will cause only discomfort.
Transcription of Taped Weather Warnings – Page 24
Stinging Hydroid
This is a feathery looking creature which grows on the coral, and which also causes a burning rash
like a nettle. See the general rule about the tropical ocean above. If you touch it, the rash is not
severe.
Lionfish
A lovely, striped fish which is a member of the Scorpionfish family, the lionfish has poisonous spines.
It is slow moving and not aggressive, and is often found on the roof of undersea caves and holes.
If you are stung, immerse the stung part of your body in water which is as hot as you can stand. The
poison is not fatal, but is very painful.
Barracuda
A much maligned fish, which may or may not attack people. There are no verified barracuda attacks,
however, there are anecdotal reports of attacks. They are reportedly attracted by bright objects, so
you might take off bracelets or flashy necklaces, etc., before you go in the water. Don’t worry about
barracuda.
Last Words …
The ocean sometimes gets a fearful reputation, especially regarding sharks. But look at the kids in the
area. Think about how many kids are in the water every day, and for how many hours, and how very
few of them even get so much as a cut foot. So swim, keep your eyes open, and have a good time.
Transcription of Taped Weather Warnings – Page 25
A FIRST COURSE IN MARINE SAFETY
Trainer’s Introduction
This training is designed to give to the trainees the skills which they will need to stay alive and
uninjured during their time around, on, and in the ocean.
The training is as experiential as it has been possible to make it. In particular, you will note that there
are very few classroom sessions. Even sessions which could be done in the classroom are specified as
being done outdoors. While this imposes greater difficulties on the trainer, it is more than made up by
the actual experience which people will have of being out in the tropical marine environment.
One point of special concern for the trainer is the well-being and safety of the participants during the
training. Every effort must be made to insure that everyone comes through unscathed. Safety
measures are stressed in the individual sessions. However, a general awareness of the dangerous
nature of doing outdoor training with the sun, wind, weather, and ocean as a focus should pervade the
entire training.
Notes of interest to the trainer are placed throughout the sessions. They are boxed and set off in the
following fashion:
Trainer’s note: Trainer’s notes are designed to give the trainer additional information about the
training. The trainer is free to use the information in any way that they see fit.
The selection of the trainer or trainers for almost all sessions should be given particular attention,
especially those sessions involving swimming. The trainer for those sessions should be a strong
swimmer with extensive experience in swimming in the ocean.
Many of the sessions require that the trainees come prepared in some manner, with hats, swimming
gear, sunscreen, reef shoes, etc. Details are specified in the introduction to the handouts. Double
check that the trainees understand what is expected of them in the way of preparation, and check at
the start of each session to see that the preparation instructions have been followed. Other sessions
require preparation by the trainer.
Special care needs to be taken with two groups. These are:
Non-swimmers: People who cannot swim often have an exaggerated fear of the water. It is important
to be very supportive of them, and to introduce them gently to being in the ocean.
Older Trainees: Older Trainees also may need special support, although this cannot be assumed.
They also may have medical problems which may limit their ability to participate in the training.
This training was designed for Peace Corps Micronesia. However, as much as possible, all area
specific references have been restricted to the handouts, so the training can be used in other locations
by substituting appropriate handouts.
A few of the sessions are outdoors, but require the use of flip charts. A shelter of some kind should
be arranged if there is a chance of rain during these parts of the training.
Transcription of Taped Weather Warnings – Page 26
The handouts are collected in one folder, so that the trainees will not lose any of them … or to give
them the opportunity to lose them all at once, I suppose. The handouts are to be brought to all
sessions.
The boating sessions require assistants to help the non-swimmers and weak swimmers. If possible,
these should be chosen from among the trainees. Otherwise, enlist some local assistants who like to
be in the water.
The boating and swimming sessions will require someone to stay on the beach and look after
everyone’s gear. This should not be a trainee, as everyone must participate in all of the sessions to
get full value out of the training.
If the groups are very large, it may be necessary to split the group in two and have two trainers in
order to give the individual attention necessary.
Because of the experiential nature of the training, correction will be immediate and thus there is no
formal evaluation process. For example, the HELP position will be demonstrated. Later, either
people will be able to take up the HELP position when requested, or they will be shown how to do so
at that time.
As with any endeavor of this type, the work done on this training manual depends on the support of
many other people. I would particularly like to thank:
• Rosemary Casey for her inspiration, imagination, and conversation
• Mike Gawel for permission to use his slides of marine life
• the US Taxpayer for financial support
• Ada Jo Mann for getting me into this kind of trouble in the first place
• everyone in Peace Corps Pohnpei for a most gracious welcome
• and my sweetheart Suellen for her support and editorial skills.
Have a great (and a safe) time on the water.
Willis Eschenbach
Liapari Island, Vella Lavella
Solomon Islands
March, 1991
Transcription of Taped Weather Warnings – Page 27
SESSION 1 – INTRODUCTION TO THE TRAINING
Presenter: The trainer for this session does not need water skills.
Session Length: 1 Hour
Resources: List of Questions for Interviews
Manuals containing all handouts
Materials Required: Flip Charts, Marking Pens, Clips to secure flip charts from the
wind
Location/Timing: Anywhere outdoors with a view of the ocean. It is preferable to
do this as the first session in the morning, when the sun is not
too hot.
Objectives: 1) To notify trainees of the dangers of the tropical ocean
and sun.
2) To find out the expectations of everyone in the group
regarding the Marine Safety Training.
3) To find out the experience of everyone in the group
regarding swimming, boating, and the ocean.
Preparation by trainees: Let all of the trainees know in advance that this will be an
outdoor session, and make sure that they have adequate
protection from the sun. This may include water, sunscreen,
hats, dark glasses, umbrellas, and/or long sleeved shirts.
Transcription of Taped Weather Warnings – Page 28
ACTIVITIES
Step 1: (5 minutes) Discuss the fact that the marine environment doesn’t care.
Trainer’s Note: The basic concept to get across to the trainees is that it does not matter if they dress
well, speak clearly, can’t swim, have a good education, care for their parents, went to an expensive
school, have a medical condition … the fact is that if the boat goes over, they will get wet. Many of
the trainees will have come from a protected environment, and it is important for them to realize that
the ocean is no respecter of persons and priorities … and that because of this, everyone, swimmers
and non-swimmers alike, will have to take part in all exercises, including those in the ocean.
One of the most important issues in the tropics is protection from the sun. Let the trainees know that
the tropical sun is not the sun of Minnesota, and that you ignore it at your own peril. This will be
brought home by all of the sessions being done outdoors.
Step 2: (5 minutes) Listing expectations.
Ask the group what they expect from the Marine Safety Training. As each expectation is given, list it
on a flip chart. The trainer should list their own expectations as well.
Trainer’s Note: THIS IS A CRUCIAL PART OF THE TRAINING! It is very important to
establish, at the beginning of the training, what will and will not be covered during the training.
Otherwise, some people will inevitably be disappointed at the end of the training because they didn’t
get what they wanted …
The trainer’s expectations should include that everyone be present and on time for all of the sessions,
and that everyone has a good time. This training is designed to be enjoyable as well as educational,
and should provide a welcome break from classroom sessions as well as an opportunity to enjoy the
ocean.
Step 3: (5 minutes) Clarifying expectations.
Go through the list on the flip chart and let the group know which of the expectations will and will not
be met by the training.
Trainer’s Note: If an expectation will not be met by the training, let the person with that
expectation know:
• What the reason is for the expectation not being met (lack of time, lack of facilities,
outside the subject area, etc.), and
• If there is another way to accomplish that expectation (outside study, other resource
people, library time, etc.)
Save the flip chart of expectations, as it will be used in the final session to determine if the
expectations have been met.
Step 4: (40 minutes) Find out who’s done what.
Transcription of Taped Weather Warnings – Page 29
Trainer’s Note: This part of the session establishes the abilities of the people in the training.
The trainer should take care to identify two groups – strong swimmers, especially those with
lifesaving training, and non-swimmers. The first group will be used in later sessions as training
assistants, and will be detailed to take special care with the non swimmers when they need to go in the
water.
Divide the trainees up into pairs.
Trainer’s Note: For this and other exercises involving pairs, if there are an odd number of
trainees, the trainer should join the exercise to make up the last pair.
For 4 minutes, one of each pair interviews the other to find out the nature of that person’s knowledge
and experience about the water. In particular, we need to know if the person:
• Can swim.
• Has snorkeling/diving experience
• Has lifesaving/water safety experience
• Has experience in small boats
• Has dived/swum in the ocean
• Has been in the tropical ocean
• Has other experience relevant to Marine Safety
Trainer’s Note: A list of these questions should be prepared in advance and posted where
people can refer to it during the interviews. Keep time, give a 1 minute warning.
After 4 minutes, the trainees swap roles, and the other one is interviewed.
At the end of the interviews, have everyone gather together. Go around the group and have each
person introduce their partner (have the partner stand up) and briefly describe the partner’s
experience.
Trainer’s Note: A typical introduction might be “I would like to introduce Sarah Appleton.
Sarah has only swum in the ocean once, last week. However, she has a Red Cross Lifesaver’s
Certificate, and she worked as a lifeguard for one summer at the community pool. This is her first
time in the tropics. She has been a passenger in small boats on lakes in her home town.”
Lead the group in applause after each introduction.
Make written notes of people with and without particular skills.
Step 5: (5 minutes) Pass out the Manuals containing all the handouts, and point out the section called
“At the Water’s Edge”. Ask people to read it before the next Marine Safety session. Then summarize
the remainder of the training, stressing:
1. The need for preparation by the trainees for all sessions.
2. The opportunity for having an enjoyable time at the reef and in the ocean.
3. The need for mutual support and teamwork during the sessions in the water.
Transcription of Taped Weather Warnings – Page 30
SESSION 2 – UP TO YOUR KNEES …
Presenter: The trainer for this session must be familiar with the reef and the
animals and plants found there.
Session Length: 3 Hours
Resources: Handout, “At the Water’s Edge”
List of slides
Materials Required: Slide Projector, Slides of the Bad Guys
Location/Timing: Has to fit with the tides. Also, this is the only session which is
done partly in the classroom, in order to show the slides.
Objectives: 1) To become familiar with the appearance of the animals
found in the reef and surrounding waters.
2) To learn how to read a tide table
3) To learn how to get around on the reef in safety.
Preparation by trainees: Let all of the trainees know that this will be an outdoor session,
and make sure that they have adequate protection from the sun.
This may include sunscreen, hats, dark glasses, umbrellas,
and/or long sleeved shirts. Also, they will need boots or shoes
suitable for reef walking.
Preparation by trainers: Pick a time for the session which fits with the tides. Go through
the slides and familiarize yourself with them. For the reef walk
section, take water and a small first aid kit.
Transcription of Taped Weather Warnings – Page 31
ACTIVITIES
Step 1: (40 minutes) Show the slides of the animals which are found in and around the reef.
Trainer’s Note: Emphasize that the vast majority of plants and animals found in the ocean are
harmless to man. In addition, keep pointing out that virtually all of the dangerous ones are only
dangerous if you disturb them (step on them, put your hand in their hidey holes, etc.)
Step 2: (10 minutes) Go over the tide tables for the day, making sure that people understand the
reason why this date and time was chosen for the reef walk.
Step 3: (2 hours) Go for a walk on the reef.
Trainer’s Note: If you think of yourself as a shepherd with a flock of unruly sheep, you won’t be far
wrong … you need about three sets of eyes for this one. Someone will want to walk off of the edge,
another will decide to pick up a sea urchin. Encourage anyone with knowledge to contribute by
showing other trainees what’s what on the reef.
Keep people together by keeping up a running commentary on the animals, plants, tides, waves, and
all other aspects of the reef. Point out as many of the bad guys as you can find. Also, find harmless
items which people can touch, and have them do so.
Show them the shape of the reef – surge channels, overhangs, coral outcroppings …
If currents are running, point them out. Show how you recognize them.
Comment on the weather. Is it trade wind season? How typical is the weather for the season and the
area?
Step 5: (10 minutes) What did we learn? Move back into the shade, and lead a discussion of the
exercise focused on what was learned. What was surprising? Who had trouble and what was the
trouble? If they were to do it again, what would they do differently?
Transcription of Taped Weather Warnings – Page 32
SESSION 3– INTRODUCTION TO THE AREA …
Presenter: The trainer for this session does not need water skills. They do
need to understand storms and how to plot them.
Session Length: 1 Hour
Resources: Handout, “Chart of the Area.”
Handout, “Where The !@#$%^ Are We”
Materials Required: Flip Charts, Marking Pens, Clips to secure flip charts from the
wind
Location/Timing: Anywhere outdoors with a view of the ocean. It is preferable to
do this as the first session in the morning, when the sun is not
too hot.
Objectives: 1) To learn how to read a chart
2) To understand basic terms relating to weather, wind, and
time.
3) To be able to plot a storm’s position and movement
Preparation by trainees: Bring handouts. Let all of the trainees know that this will be an
outdoor session, and make sure that they have adequate
protection from the sun. This may include sunscreen, hats, dark
glasses, umbrellas, and/or long sleeved shirts.
Preparation by trainers: Write out a description of the following storm on a piece of flip
chart paper. “Weather warnings, Western Pacific, 18 Zulu
Monday, Tropical Cyclone Baker, six North, one five one East,
moving West one one knots, maximum wind one zero zero
knots, radius typhoon, North West quadrant, six zero miles,
elsewhere, two five miles, radius gale, North semicircle, two
five zero miles, elsewhere, one five zero miles.”
Transcription of Taped Weather Warnings – Page 33
ACTIVITIES
Step 1: (5 minutes) Just to get in the mood, play the tape of the Weather Warnings, and have people
read the transcription as the tape is playing.
Trainer’s Note:If the tape cannot be found, tape a new one and transcribe it … 48 minutes after every
hour on WWV, on 2500, 5000, 10000, 15000, and 20000 kHz …
Step 2: (10 minutes) Where the $%^&* are we? …
Have trainees locate 2 handouts, “Chart of the Area”, and “Where The $%^&* Are We”. Discuss the
concept of how to identify the latitude and longitude of a location. Give an exercise to trainees by
asking them to figure out the latitude and longitude of an island on the map, and to identify a point on
the map when they are given a latitude and longitude.
Step 3: (10 minutes) Where the $%^&* is the typhoon? …
Put your description of a storm up on the flip chart stand. Distribute some blank pieces of paper, and
ask trainees to sketch in the storm.
Step 4: (5 minutes) Say when? …
Ask one of the trainees to convert the time of the weather warning to local time. Discuss the time
zones of the islands to which the trainees will be going.
Step 5: (15 minutes) Say where? …
Ask another of the trainees to draw their description of the storm up on the flip chart stand. Have
them explain how they found the location of the storm, and how they measured the miles on their
map. Discuss the dangerous semicircle, and who might be in it.
Step 6: (10 minutes) What else? …
Open question time. What do people not understand? A lot is covered in this session and the related
handouts, and there are bound to be unanswered questions hanging about …
Transcription of Taped Weather Warnings – Page 34
SESSION 4 – OVER YOUR HEAD …
Presenter: The trainer for this session must be a strong swimmer who is
comfortable in the water
Session Length: 2 Hours
Resources: Handout, “Over Your Head”
Handout, “If You Can’t Swim”
Materials Required: Life Vests, H2O
Location/Timing: Someplace along the coast where there is a beach with a current
running along shore.
Objectives: 1) To understand the dangers of the tropical ocean
2) To practice the HELP and huddle positions
3) To learn how to determine which way the current is
flowing.
4) To practice swimming in a current.
Preparation by trainees: Let all of the trainees know that this will be a swimming session,
and make sure that they have adequate protection from the sun.
This may include sunscreen, hats, dark glasses, umbrellas,
and/or long sleeved shirts. They will need swimming clothes
and towels
Preparation by trainers: Select assistants from among the trainees who are strong
swimmers. Brief them on the activities beforehand, not during
the session. Make sure you and the assistants have mask, fins,
and snorkel. Have someone available to watch the gear on
shore.
Transcription of Taped Weather Warnings – Page 35
ACTIVITIES
Step 1: (20 minutes) Take out the handout, and discuss the hazards of swimming in tropical waters.
Step 2: (30 minutes) Let people know what’s coming up.
Trainer’s Note: Explain what the coming exercise will consist of, and tell everyone to stay together.
Point out the assistants, and explain how they will be helping you. Explain that the assistants have
mask and fins in case anyone gets in trouble.
Demonstrate how to put on the life vest, and have everyone put one on.
Demonstrate the HELP and huddle positions where everyone can see them.
Explain how to use a range on shore to determine your drift.
Trainer’s Note: The basic principle is to line up two objects, one nearby and one far away, and notice
how they move when your position changes.
Work with the assistants to show the non-swimmers how to “swim” in a life vest.
Select the buddies.
Trainer’s Note: Everyone must participate in this exercise, even those who cannot swim. Emphasize
again that the ocean does not care if you can swim or not. Explain that this exercise will be done
under the “buddy system”, with strong swimmers paired up with weak or non-swimmers.
Step 3: (10 minutes) Get in the water, swim a short way offshore, just over head depth.
Trainer’s Note: Leave someone on shore to watch the valuables. Help the non-swimmers learn to
move in the water. Make sure everyone is fairly comfortable in the water before moving to the next
activity.
Step 4: (5 minutes) Figure out the drift by lining up two objects on shore and watching them to see
which way you are going.
Trainer’s Note: Make sure that everyone understands how to do this. Ask everyone to decide which
way they are drifting, and on the count of 3, point in that direction. Work with the people who have
pointed the wrong way so they know the procedure.
Step 5: (10 minutes) Have everyone take up the HELP position
Trainer’s Note: Ask your assistants to make sure that people are doing it correctly.
Step 6: (5 minutes) Have everyone take up the huddle position, in groups of three or more. Check
again that it is being done correctly.
Step 7: (5 minutes) Ask people which way they would swim if they had to get back to shore. Then
lead everyone in swimming in the opposite direction, so they can experience swimming against a
current.
Transcription of Taped Weather Warnings – Page 36
Step 8: (10 minutes) Swim back into shore, with the current.
Trainer’s Note: Keep everyone together during the entire exercise.
Step 8: (20 minutes) What did we learn?. Get out, dry off, warm up, and discuss the exercise. What
was learned? How cold did people get? Does everyone understand how to determine if you are
drifting?
Transcription of Taped Weather Warnings – Page 37
SESSION 5 – ON TOP OF THE OCEAN …
Presenter: The trainer for this session needs to be familiar with boats.
Session Length: 1 Hour
Resources: Handout, “Everything You Wanted To Know About Boats”
Materials Required: Water, Life Vests, Boats, Necessary gear
Location/Timing: By the sea, by the sea, by the beautiful sea … this session is
followed immediately by Session 6, and preparation for both is
done before this one.
Objectives: 1) To teach trainees the fundamentals of boats and boating.
2) To show the safety requirements for a boat trip.
3) To give everyone the experience of driving a small boat.
Preparation by trainees: Let all of the trainees know that this will be a boating session,
and make sure that they have adequate protection from the sun.
This may include sunscreen, hats, dark glasses, umbrellas,
and/or long sleeved shirts.
Preparation by trainers: Make sure that the boats to be used have all necessary safety and
other gear. This session requires extensive preparation in
advance. It and the following is are potentially dangerous
sessions, and must be done carefully and professionally.
Well before the session, make sure that the boats to be used will
float when filled with water. Select your assistants from among
the trainees who have strong swimming skills. Take a boat out,
sink it, flip it over, flip it back, dump out the water, bail it out.
Make sure all your assistants can swim and act as advertised …
Prepare all the boats, making sure that:
1) All loose objects in the boats, including floorboards, are
securely tied down.
2) Every boat has a large bailer, secured by a long rope to
the boat.
3) Every boat has all necessary gear in it, again, tied down.
Transcription of Taped Weather Warnings – Page 38
ACTIVITIES
Step 1: (15 minutes) Get out the handout “Everything You Wanted To Know About Boats”, and
discuss each of the sections.
Trainer’s Note: This should be done right by the side of the boat, so that each of the items can be
pointed to and exhibited as it is being discussed.
Step 2: (5 minutes) A short exercise. Ask the trainees, how much gas will you need to take a 25
horse engine on a trip you figure will last 3 hours? About 10 gallons.
Trainer’s Note: Why 10? Figure 7.5 gallons by the rule of thumb, then add some to allow for:
• head winds
• tides against you
• currents
• overloading on the boat
• bad calculation (I learned up to 8 x 7 = 53, and haven’t gone further since … )
Step 3: (40 minutes) Load up the boats, and go for a drive.
Trainer’s Note: Watch how people board the boat, how they sit and move. Gently point out any
errors or potential problems.
Give people who have never driven an outboard boat a chance to actually sit in the driver’s seat and
operate the engine
Trainer’s Note: Watch how people walk around the boat. When novices are driving, sit on the other
side of the engine from them, and hold on to the control handle of the outboard until you are sure that
they know what they are doing.
Transcription of Taped Weather Warnings – Page 39
SESSION 6 – THE BOAT GOES OVER …
Presenter: The trainer for this session needs to be a strong swimmer, with
good knowledge about boats
Session Length: 3 Hours
Resources: Handout, “If The Boat Goes Over”
List of Expectations created in Session 1
Materials Required: Sufficient boats to hold all of the trainees, life vests for all
participants, one extra boat to act as a rescue boat.
Location/Timing: A location with a beach is best, as trainees may end up
swimming to shore. Do this session inside a calm bay or
lagoon. If the sea is rough on the chosen day, postpone the
session. This session is designed to follow immediately after
session 5.
Objectives: 1) To familiarize people with the experience of a boat
capsizing.
2) To learn how to right a boat and bail it out.
3) To learn how to get into a boat from the water.
Preparation by trainees: Let all of the trainees know that this will be an in the water
session, and make sure that they have adequate protection from
the sun. This may include sunscreen, hats, dark glasses,
umbrellas, and/or long sleeved shirts.
Preparation by trainer: See this section of Session 5.
Transcription of Taped Weather Warnings – Page 40
ACTIVITIES
Step 1: (10 minutes) Mental Preparation. Explain to the trainees that they will be going out in a
boat, flipping it over, righting it, and coming back in. Examine the handout “If The Boat Goes Over”,
and discuss the points contained in the handout.
Trainer’s Note: Everyone must participate in this exercise, even those who cannot swim. Emphasize
again that the ocean does not care if you can swim or not. Explain that this exercise will be done
under the “buddy system”, with strong swimmers paired up with weak or non-swimmers. The
exercise will be done in a boat without an outboard, as sinking an outboard does not improve its
longevity.
Step 2: (20 minutes) Physical preparation. Show everyone what has been done to the boats to make
them survive capsizing. Check that everyone has a life vest. Divide the group into strong swimmers
and weak swimmers, and choose buddies.
Trainer’s Note: If there are not enough strong swimmers to go around, either put one strong swimmer
with two weak swimmers, or do the exercise twice. A non-swimmer must be individually
accompanied by a strong swimmer.
Step 3: (2 hours) Put everyone in boats and take them a short distance offshore, just enough to
have water too deep to touch bottom.
Trainer’s Note: If there is more than one boat in the exercise, keep the two boats close together. The
rescue boat should stay close by, ready to assist if anyone is having serious difficulty.
Have the weak and non-swimmers jump overboard and move a short distance away, while the rest of
the trainees capsize the boat. Depending on the type of boat, it may be necessary to remove the plugs
from the bottom or bail some water into the boat, then have everyone sit on one side until the boat
sinks.
Trainer’s Note: It is important to sink the boat in an upright position, as if it flips there is a danger
that someone will be caught underneath, which can be very dangerous if you are wearing a life vest.
Point this danger out to the trainees before you sink the boat.
Once the boat is full of water, bring everyone back together. If the boat is not too wide, flip the boat
so it is upside down by having everyone get on one side and push down until the boat turns over. If
the boat is wide, flip it as described in the handout.
Then, using the techniques described in the handout, empty the water out of the boat and get everyone
back into the boat, strong helping the weak.
Trainer’s Note: There is no great need for hurry in this part, and in fact it can be dangerous to try to
go too fast. Go slowly, make sure that people are watching out for their buddies.
Once you are all back in the boat, determine which way the boat is drifting. Make sure that everyone
understands how to use ranges on shore to determine the drift. Then, using the paddles, paddle with
the drift to the nearest shore.
Transcription of Taped Weather Warnings – Page 41
Trainer’s Note: Depending on the strength of the current, it may be necessary to use the rescue boat
to bring one or all of the other boats back in.
Step 4: (10 minutes) Have everyone dry off and warm up.
Step 5: (15 minutes) What did we learn? Lead a discussion of the exercise focused on what was
learned. What worked well? Who had trouble and what was the trouble? If they were to do it again,
what would they do differently?
Trainer’s Note: It is important that everyone begin to look at the sea with the idea “Expect the best,
plan for the worst”. If you go to sea prepared for the worst, you will never be surprised or unready.
Step 6: (15 minutes) Finish and acknowledgements. Bring out the list of expectations created in
Session 1. Discuss each expectation and whether or not it has been met. (All should be, or you’ll
have some explaining to do …) If people want further information, explain how their needs can be
met on an individual basis.
Acknowledge everyone for their participation. Make special mention of:
• People who assisted in the sessions
• Non swimmers who went swimming
• Boat drivers, training staff
• Anyone else who has done an outstanding job.
• The trainees themselves, who made the training work.
Thanks to everyone, final words, lets go have a beer, the work is over. That’s it. No more.
Transcription of Taped Weather Warnings – Page 42
TRANSCRIPTION OF TAPED WEATHER WARNINGS
FROM STATION WWV ON 10000 KHZ AT 5 PM POHNPEI TIME.
...At The Tone, Six Hours Forty Eight Minutes Coordinated Universal Time …
Weather Warnings, Western Pacific Six Zulu Wednesday
Developing Storm, Four Six North, One Four Six East, Repeat, Four Six North, One Four Six East,
Moving East Northeast Three Five Knots, Radius Storm Four Zero Zero Miles Southwest Semicircle,
Radius Gale Six Zero Zero Miles
Gale, Five Five North, One Seven One East, Repeat, Five Five North, One Seven One East, Moving
Northeast Slowly And Weakening, Radius Gale Seven Fifty Miles Southeast Semicircle
...At The Tone , Six Hours Forty Nine Minutes Coordinated Universal Time …
...At The Tone , Six Hours Forty Nine Minutes Coordinated Universal Time …
Weather Warnings, Eastern Pacific Six Zulu Wednesday
Gale, Three Niner North, One Two Six West, Repeat, Three Niner North, One Two Six West, Moving
Southeast One Five Knots, Radius Gale Four Zero Zero Miles Southwest Semicircle
Repeat, Gale, Three Niner North, One Two Six West, Moving Southeast One Five Knots, Radius
Gale Four Zero Zero Miles Southwest Semicircle
...At The Tone , Six Hours Forty Nine Minutes Coordinated Universal Time …
...At The Tone , Six Hours Forty Nine Minutes Coordinated Universal Time …
Weather Warnings, South Pacific Six Zulu Wednesday
There Are No Warnings, Repeat, There Are No Warnings In The Tropical South Pacific North Of
Two Five South Between One One Zero West And One Six Zero East
Tropical Low, Two Zero South, One Six Zero East, Repeat, Two Zero South, One Six Zero East,
Nearly Stationary, Maximum Winds, Two Five Knots Near Center.
...At The Tone , Six Hours Forty Nine Minutes Coordinated Universal Time …
...At The Tone , Six Hours Forty Nine Minutes Coordinated Universal Time …
North Pacific Weather Continued, Six Zulu Wednesday
Eastern Pacific High, One Zero Three Five Millibars At Three Seven North, One Five Four West;.
One Zero Two Zero Isobar Four Seven North, One Five Two West; Three Zero North, One Three
Five West; Two Five North, One Three Zero West; Two Zero North, One Four Five West; Three Zero
North, One Seven Five West; Four Zero North, One Seven Zero West; Four Seven North, One Five
Two West
...At The Tone , Six Hours Forty Nine Minutes Coordinated Universal Time …
...At The Tone , Six Hours Forty Nine Minutes Coordinated Universal Time …
Transcription of Taped Weather Warnings – Page 43
COMMENTS
A few things to note:
• The two time announcements are given first by a female voice and then by a male
voice.
• The Eastern Pacific is the part from the International Dateline to the US, which always
seems backwards but is actually correct.
• The word “niner” is used to represent the numeral “9”, to distinguish it from the
numeral “5”
• An isobar (which is a line of equal pressure, in this case at 1020 millibars) is given by
a series of latitude/longitude points through which the isobar passes.
• “Radius Storm” or “Radius Gale” means how far out from the center you will find the
storm force or gale force winds.
• Forecasts on WWV are updated every 6 hours, at 0, 6, 12, and 18 Zulu. To stay as
current as possible, listen at the first broadcast after the update, then you will not need to listen for
another 6 hours.
• The stages of growth of a cyclone are “Tropical Disturbance”, followed by “Tropical
Low” or “Tropical Depression” (which mean the same thing), then “Tropical Storm”, and finally
“Tropical Cyclone”.
• “Developing” means the winds are increasing.
• If there is only one storm in an area, the entire warning may be repeated.
• 5 PM Pohnpei time is 6 AM GMT (or Coordinated Universal Time, or Zulu), as
Pohnpei is 11 hours later than Greenwich. This is usually written as GMT+11. In this case, it is the
same day, as 11 hours later than 6 AM is 5 PM the same day. However, if the Greenwich time had
been 6 PM, it would be 5 AM Pohnpei time, the following day, as 6 PM plus 11 hours takes you past
midnight.
Stay tuned and good listening!
