McMillan stands on the wharf, directing us to “form a raft.” Swimming in a survival suit is like being enshrouded in an orange peel. You’re artificially buoyant, and in ice water curiously warm. Following McMillan’s instructions, those here for Fishing Vessel Drill Conductor Training form a raft, aligning bodies head to foot, linking arms around the legs of the crewman beside himself. The goal is to form a large orange target – which will increase the visibility of even a 2-man crew, and the chances of rescue. This configuration allows able-bodied crew to support an injured person. McMillan informs us that for the Downeast Maine region, Med-Flight requests are relayed through USCG Station Boston – aircraft is dispatched from Cape Cod. Awareness of logistics helps crew make informed decisions during the Assessment Phase of emergency response. “In survival, visualize a positive outcome,” said McMillan. Rather than thinking your immersion suit might give you two hours in the water, you need to think differently. “So,” asks McMillan, “How long are we going to last in the water?” Matt Bernier, a sternman on Phil Torrey’s lobster boat, MASTER SIMON, pipes right up, “As long as we need to.” McMillan’s job is to teach in-water survival skills, not swimming. To prevent fatigue, he instructs us to float on our backs to conserve energy. “The worst survival time falls within 2-3 minutes of the initial immersion,” said McMillan. Another vulnerable point is right when rescuers are in sight. You figure you’ve made it. Adrenaline kicks in, potentially leading to mistakes that complicate or prevent rescue. While instinct might cause survivors to swim towards rescuers, that energy is needed, whether to grab a life ring or hang onto an airlift cable. “We are not meant to survive in 38 degree water,” said McMillan. “Part of avoiding hypothermia from cold Maine water is to keep out of it.” There are ways to avoid unnecessary exposure even while surrounded by 38 degree water in an immersion suit. If possible, lower yourself into the water – don’t jump. If your one option is jumping into the raft – do it. Tenting hands over mouth and nose protects the area McMillan calls “the magic circle” – airways can become blocked by wave spray. In the classroom, McMillan stressed there’s a “doomsday implication” with certain words. Yelling FIRE creates panic. The way a situation is presented to crew and the resulting action, means survival or tragedy. It’s best to bring attention to the situation, following with a command such as, “get the fire extinguisher.” McMillan’s focus is to create confidence in commercial fishing boat crew members, which is key during emergency situations. “The first words out of your mouth set the tone for the situation,” said McMillan. The word immersion is less threatening than the images conjured up when we hear the word survival – it’s a charged word. McMillan refers to “survival suits” – as immersion suits. “Panic is a self-inflicted wound,” states McMillan. In emergency situations, those involved need to dominate their environment rather than be overcome by it. Vessel plans of their boats drawn up by fishermen in the classroom diagrammed emergency equipment and identified abandon-ship stations. Firefighting procedure, man-overboard situations, Mayday and visual distress signals were reviewed. McMillan divided the group into crews and presented each team with an emergency situation to resolve.
Survival is not simply about action, it’s a mind-set. John McMillan’s philosophy is echoed by the bumper sticker plastered onto the tailgate of his truck: “Attitude Makes A Difference.” Positive attitude, an awareness of environmental challenges, the captain’s knowledge of the crew, himself, and any limitations while adhering to a plan, allows crew to eliminate factors threatening survival. Ask John McMillan what got the ball rolling as far as fishing vessel safety legislation goes, and his answer dovetails with others in his field. “The sinking of the Northern Edge really got all this going.” There was one survivor from a 6-man crew after the Northern Edge, a 75-ft. scalloper, went down in a gale off Nantucket in December of 2004. After the Northern Edge incident, the priority for commercial fishing vessel safety throttled into high gear. None of the current safety requirements fell from the sky or were put into place to create revenue. A lot of accidents and boat losses happened within the industry. These loses led to the establishment of training and safety programs. In a study conducted (1999 - 2000) by the National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health, 103 lobstermen were interviewed. NIOSH surveys confirmed that 73 percent of those interviewed had been pulled overboard while fishing, and 44 percent “had been pulled overboard in the last five years.” All Lobster Apprentice Program and student license holders in Maine are required by law to pass a USCG approved F/V Drill Conductor course before receiving their commercial lobster license, a requirement that came into being after Maine’s Governor, Angus King, established the Commercial Fishing Safety Council, in 2001. While a majority of man over board incidents happen instantaneously, emergency response drills and training teach crew to think and act effectively, rather than react with panic. M.O.S.T. is offering fishing vessel drill conductor training on March 21, and April 11, through Sumner H.S. Adult Education (call 422-9100). Those successfully completing this one-day, 8-hour course will be nationally certified “To assist the commercial fishing industry in conducting drills required by 46 CFR 28.270.” The state of Maine pays for a portion of training for fishermen while MLA and DELA members get an additional 10 percent discount. To contact John McMillan regarding a drill instructor or additional training programs offered by M.O.S.T., call (800) 379 -6678 or e-mail/ jmcmillan@ mcmillanoffshore.com |
