Raft Captain Manual

Created by Bill Small 2007 Revised John Halstead 2009 Revised George Hollendursky 2016

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ALL AROUND SOS RAFTS HANDBOOK

GENERAL Rafting Goals To assemble boats so that crew members can socialize during evening hours without endangering the safety of participating boats and crew, and To design the formation of the SOS raft so it will remain safe and secure given anticipated weather changes. NOTE WELL: In support of these goals, skippers have only two choices with regard to rafting: follow the guidance of the raft captain or anchor separately and clear of the raft. The Three Most Important Things to Building a Raft

1. _________________ 2. _________________ 3. _________________

Actually, there are FOUR most important things to building a raft…

1. Whether or not to build it 2. Where to build it 3. Where and how to place anchors 4. When to break it

AND, the fact that SOS Skippers honor the authority of our Raft Captains Raft Captains must:

• Communicate clearly & often • Respects skippers’ dominion over their boat and crew • Doing our job well, and appreciatively, will earn their respect

THE RC CAN SET THE TONE FOR THE WHOLE WEEKEND RC and Skipper Responsibilities Skipper is solely responsible for the safety of their boat and crew - And whether or not to enter a raft Raft Captain is responsible for the safety and integrity of the raft - Who can enter the raft, where and how, is up to the discretion of the RC - When and how the raft is broken is up to the RC. Note: The reality is that often, the raft will be broken based on the decision of a single skipper to leave the raft --- This may not be the safest course of action.

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Therefore, it is important that Raft Captains be sensitive to conditions and situations and that both the RC and the Skippers communicate effectively when there is a possibility of an emergency raft break up. Skipper’s Choice Destinations without a pre-arranged Raft Captain • Unless other arrangements are made, the first boat with an anchor down becomes the

defacto Raft Captain • Other boats should NOT enter the raft without the Raft Captain’s invitation and must

follow the RC’s directions Consistency and Predictability Another aspect that helps us build effective and safe rafts is that we do things consistently and predictably. Not that everything we do is necessarily the best way (or the only way) to do it, but that we do it the same way every time. How we communicate

• Radio communications • Language (i.e. port or starboard presentation)

Arbitrary Conventions • How we handle lines, loop in one end • How we place fenders • Offset spreader alignment

Anchor placement, use of passing lines Skipper and Crew Communication Availability of First Mates First Mates

• Assist Skippers to prepare boat and crew to enter the Raft • A potential resource for Raft Captains • Assist in emergency situations • The potential to have to assume command if the skipper is disabled

References:

• For additional information, refer to: • Raft Captain Handbook on SOS web page • Skipper’s Handbook on SOS web page • Passing Line Procedures on SOS web page • SOS Policies – in the front of Membership Directory

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Advance Planning Be familiar with:

• Rafting guidelines, raft captain responsibilities and authorities • Skipper's Handbook material and SOS Policies

Review destination

• Possible raft sites • Protection • Traffic • Depths and tides • Current

Plan your own trip for timely arrival

• Current guidelines call for 1600 hours to start o Different for special events o Different early and late in the season

Other advance planning

• Charge batteries on hand-held • Track weather forecast and patterns days ahead • Provide special information to coordinator in time for e-mailing

When Cruise List Is Received

• Preliminary decision on type of raft • Determine space needed • Identify possible anchor boats

o Size of boats o Ground tackle o Experience of skipper and crew o First mate checkout boats

• Note any special problems or vessel characteristics o New skippers o Inexperienced crew o Long travel distances (late arrival) o Pets, if shown or known o Other

• Plan ahead for the assistance of your crew Considerations For Selecting a Raft Site

• Wind direction and strength • Weather forecast • Fetch • Traffic; proximity of channels • Crab pots; trot lines • Presence of other boats and their swing areas

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Assistant Raft Captain Consider selecting an “assistant” to: • Help with Communication • Monitor anchor sets • A good way to train / mentor new RC’s Underway

• Keep your crew informed and enlist their help • Monitor the radio per club guidelines • Monitor the weather • Listen and watch for SOS vessels underway

o Know status o Identify possible problems

Upon Arrival

• Arrive timely • Communicate with early arrivals • Select and claim the site

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Pre-Cruise Rafting List

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General Guidelines – All Types of Rafts

1. Do not start building if severe weather is forecast for the raft site or other conditions threaten the safety of the raft

2. Monitor channel 16 and the working channel 3. Select a good primary anchor boat – preferably yourself or anchor next to it 4. Direct the approach of boats, setting of anchors, placement of lines and fenders, and

position of boats in raft 5. As soon as possible, build both sides simultaneously 6. Watch freeboard of adjacent boats 7. Try to take boats as they arrive, if possible 8. Watch anchor sets and check right away those that are questionable 9. Monitor raft size, shape, and balance 10. Monitor wind and current developments 11. Keep an air horn in cockpit 12. Get help to new or shorthanded skippers if needed 13. Keep track of waiting boats and keep them informed

• Estimate time • Offer options like anchoring

14. Watch so you don't run out of good anchors 15. Try to raise late arrivals before closing COMMUNICATE, COMMUNICATE, COMMUNICATE

DISCLAIMER

SOS Rafts are not intended to be built to withstand storm winds, hence the need for a sharp weather eye and a timely decision to break the raft before the arrival of a storm. While every situation and circumstance is unique, the general guideline to NOT build a raft in sustained, or anticipated sustained, winds of greater than 15 knots. Naturally, the decision to proactively break a raft once built must take into account not only the dangers inherent in the weather or other circumstance, but also the risks associated with breaking the raft under less than ideal conditions (darkness, poor visibility, rain, wind, etc.).

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SPECIAL LINEAR RAFT INSTRUCTIONS Advantages of Linear Rafts

• Possible when small number of boats expected (12 or fewer) • Flexible when exact number of boats is unknown • Can be built small when there is a need to ride into the wind (pods)

Disadvantages of Linear Rafts

• More difficult to monitor while building • Less amendable to wind shifts • Don’t ride wakes well • Concern over spreader alignment • Movement from boat to boat (social aspect) more difficult

Advance work

Preliminary decision on number and type of linears

• Pods of three to five • More than five, anchor fore and aft • Not responsibility of RC to determine anchor boats or who is each pod. For

socialization should make sure all boats (especially new skippers0 are in a pod and not anchored alone.

Sketch out fore and aft in advance

NOTE: Treat monohulls as two boats.

Length:ForeandAft1.MaximumBoatLength 47 Feet2.AddAnchorRodeFore 150 Feet3.AddAnchorRodeAft 150 Feet4.TotalDistanceAnchortoAnchor 347 Feet

Width1.NumberofBoats 9 Boats2.xAverageMaximumBeam(InclFenders) 13 Feet3.=TotalWidth 117 Feet

Area Needed = 347’ windward/leeward x 117’ wide

150’

150’

47’

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Linear Raft Orientation of Anchors • Versus the Wind • Forecasted Wind shifts • Impact of nearby channels & traffic • Anchor every third boat fore + every third boat aft. (More anchors than a circle) • Boats not deploying anchors should be oriented bow to the wind Examples Building

• Decide how, or whether or not, to build o Weather forecast, especially wind shifts o Orienting raft if fore and aft anchors o Impact of nearby channels and traffic o Forecasted wind shifts

• Decide number of anchors needed fore (every 3rd) and aft (every 3rd) • Use anchor boats primary anchors

o Means bow to stern orientation for aft anchor boats o Ask about passing lines o Make sure anchors at each end of raft are spread 10ᵒ-15ᵒ

• Check spreader alignment

Linear Raft Examples

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Watch spreaders! Adjust fore or aft with

springs

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Unusual Conditions o Current o Main channel with traffic and wakes

Special Notes for “Pods”

• Each pod has its own “RC”… the primary anchor boat • Welcome others to join your pod; especially newer skippers (subject to safety

considerations) • Keep VHF on until all boats are accounted for • Communicate between pods as necessary

Closing

• Announce the closing • Give any special instructions • Ask for adjustment of lines, fenders, and anchor rodes and re-check of spreader

alignment After closing

• Walk the Raft • Check spreaders • Check lines - Tight springs, slight slack in bow & stern lines • Check fenders – fore and aft of beam, no space between fenders and boats • Check anchors – no slack • Watch weather for wind shifts • Break if severe weather forecast

Breaking

• If wind shifted, check anchor rodes for position and crossing • Invite skippers to leave in order from both sides • Never break from center of raft

Unusual Conditions

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30 30

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Wind Either Current

Or main channel with traffic & wakes

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44443 03 0

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SPECIAL CIRCLE RAFT GUIDELINES

Attributes of Circle Rafts

ü 13 or more boats / min. 5 anchors ü Rarely crossed anchor lines ü Stable even when the wind shifts ü Easy to monitor, good visibility ü Encourages socialization

Disadvantages ü Requires more skill to build and enter ü May complicate fire safety

Minimum of 13 boats needed

Determine area needed (formula works to 40 boats)

Anchor rode 1 = 150 feet Average length of boats = 40 feet Center of circle = 9 X n (number of boats) 3 Average length of boats = 40 feet Anchor rode 2 = 150 feet 380 + (9 X n) 3

Treat multi-hulls as two boats

Determining Area Needed for Circle Raft 1.CalculateCenterCircleoftheRaft*Validupto40boats

NumberofBoats 27 BoatsAvg.BeamatStern(inclfenders) x 11.0 FeetCircumferenceofCircle = 297 FeetApprox.Pi(3.14) ÷ 3 PiDiameterofCircle 99 Feet

2.AddAnchorRode#1 + 150 FeetAddMaximumBoatLength + 40 Feet

3.AddAnchorRode#2 + 150 FeetAddMaximumBoatLength + 40 Feet

4.TotalDistanceAnchortoAnchor = 479 Feet

150’

150’

99’

40’

40’

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Catamarans and monohulls with beamier sterns change the dynamics of a circle raft

Ø May increase the minimum size of a circle raft to 14-15 boats Ø Will increase the dimensions of a raft

Deciding whether or not to build a circle raft

Ø Number of (probable) boats Ø Weather forecast Ø Traffic at site Ø Space available

Sketch it out based on anticipated numbers

• Use five anchors for 13 boat rafts • Anchor not needed right at six o'clock as long as balance achieved • Plan to anchor every third boat for winds 10mph or under • Plan windward anchors every other boat if more wind anticipated • If only one good choice for twelve o'clock boat, possible advance contact

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10ᵒm

Building the Raft • Deciding whether or not to build a circle

o Number of boats probable o Weather forecast o Traffic at site o Space available o Other factors

• Good twelve o'clock set is essential • Give clear instructions

o Presentation - port or starboard o Port or starboard side of raft o Anchor or no anchor o Requested rode length o Anchor bearing or other specific positioning instructions

• Tell anchor boats where you want their anchors o Whether or not straight off bow o Compass point as reference o Landmark as reference

• Ask about passing lines for anchor boats

How much Rode is enough?

60ᵒ 10ᵒm

60ᵒm

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Factors: • Rope vs. Chain • Available room • How much the boat has… (leave enough on deck to be able to let out rode to

adjust the raft) Editorial: More is better, I would like to see at least 150’ of rode available, with a least 100’ in the water.

Remember, in a circle raft… On average, every anchor is holding six boats! (or more!).

• 3 boats on the windward side • 3 boats on the leeward side

Example: 30 boat raft – 10 anchors; Only five will be on the windward side. Therefore 30 boats ÷ five anchors = 6 boats per anchor. And, if the wind shifts, the raft will move due to slack in anchor rodes…

• what was once a 150’ rode will become shorter when slack is taken up on deck! • Windward and leeward rodes should be tight

Calculate Angles Between Boats: Degrees in a full circle = 360 degrees Number of boats = 27_________ Degrees between boats = 13 degrees Anchor degrees: Every other boat is anchor boat Degrees between anchor boats x 2 =13 x 2 = 26 degrees between each anchor boat Every third boat is anchor boat Degrees between anchor boats x 3 = 13 x 3 = 39 degrees between each anchor boat Use plotting sheet to calculate bearings for each anchor boat Raft building guidelines (cont.)

• Use one anchor for every second boat if winds are brisk or for smaller rafts, or a combination of every second and third boat

• Calculate anchor boat bearings as the raft is being built rather than relying on calculations made in advance

• Communicate desired heading to anchor boat skippers • Three strike rule --- if a skipper is unable to set their anchor in 3 attempts, bring in

another boat

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Don’t over-plan. Be flexible Illustration – Building a Circle Raft Example: 20 boats (7 – 30’, 8 – 36’, 5 = 44’) Checking Raft Size and Shape

• When you have ½ the boats you expect, you should have a semi-circle • If more, take in on anchor rodes to open the raft (on both sides) until you have

a semi-circle • If less, let out rodes….

• Make adjustments whenever you feel tings are “out of whack” • You may have to let out bow lines if they are too tight when easing anchor rodes

to close a raft

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More or Fewer Boats

• Constantly make adjustments based on how many boats you expect • Boats appear you did not expect • Boats call in, or cancel • Boats not heard from

If in doubt, split the difference; small adjustments are easier than big ones

Wind shifts

• Always try to build from windward • If a shift is dramatic, set a boat to windward and run guidelines to the rest of the

raft • If the shift is early in the process, don’t be afraid to break the raft and begin again • Be aware of raft drift when there is little wind

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Wind Shift12 o’clock boat

12 o

’clo

ck b

oat

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Checking Raft Shape and Size (cont.) When you have 3 boats remaining, the opening should just accommodate them

• If the opening is too large, let out on nearby rodes • If the opening is too small, take up on nearby rodes

Closing the Raft

o The perfect raft will have just enough room for the 6 o’clock boat to slide in o If needed, a hand held line across the open end can be used to help close, or to

hold things together while awaiting other boats. Never, Never, Never winch a circle raft together -- It destroys the integrity of the shape of the raft and compromises the set of the anchors. Upon Closing

• Announce the closing • Give any special information

o Weather concerns o Morning break up time o Early morning departures o Special activities

• Ask for the adjustment of lines, fenders, and anchor rodes

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Wind Shift12 o’clock boat

12 o’clock boat

WIND SHIFT

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• Ask for awnings down if winds over 10 mph in the forecast • Take bow for a job well done

After Closing

• Walk the raft o Check lines for tightness o Check fenders for position o Check anchor rodes o Welcome and education for new skippers

• Monitor weather if unsettled • Break if severe weather forecast

In the Morning

• Upon arising, check condition and position of the raft (round is good) • Re-confirm break up time • Make any special announcements • i.e. Second night destination for three day weekends • Ask skippers to be ready when invited to break • Oversee any early departures and assure the raft is secure • Present SOS burgees to first time skippers

Breaking

• Check wind and current • Break from six o'clock if there is wind • Break from down current if there is no wind • Invite skippers to leave in order from both sides • Make sure all boats are safely underway before departing the raft area

LAND BASED CRUISES

• Be familiar with the facility (marina, yacht club, restaurant, dock, etc.) • Provide a marina layout for the cruise packet from www.marinas.com and VHF

contact instructions • Provide facility with boat names, skipper names, boat lengths, beams, and drafts

o Coordinate “who does what” with the Cruising Committee • Inform skippers to use their own lines and not to disturb existing lines • Provide final list to facility and to the treasurer or coordinator as appropriate • Monitor working channel (or channel used by marina, if appropriate) • Work with the dock master or dock attendants to get all boats accommodated

promptly • Provide final list of boats docked to facility and the treasurer or coordinator as

appropriate.

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EMERGENCIES Raft Captain Actions Early Raft Break-up

• Adverse change in weather • Raft movement or distortion due to critical anchors not holding • Raft movement endangering other vessels or danger of going aground • Dragging of adjacent boats

May or may not be an “emergency” based on circumstances Non-Fire emergencies

• Sound five long blasts on the horn • Check adjacent boats to be sure they heard blasts • Everyone put on a PFD • Tell all boats to monitor the working channel • Call for running lights after dark (no others) • Make sure raft area clear of all crossing lines, nettle pools, etc. • Break raft as routine

Fire Prevention

1. Identify areas on your boat where a fire could start: – Engine compartment – Fuel storage area – Bilge (engine or cooking fuel leakage) – Battery compartments – Electrical panels – Wiring harnesses – Electric motors (fans, blowers, windlasses) – Paint or solvent storage – Open flame devices (lanterns, grills, fireplaces) – Charcoal (spontaneous combustion)

2. Develop a plan to fight a fire SOS Policies

• Use of BBQ grills is not permitted in circular rafts. They may be used in linear rafts only when the raft is swinging on a single anchor and with Raft Captain’s permission

• All stoves and ovens…should be used with a knowledgeable person present at all times to insure safe operation…

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Fires

• Sound five long blasts on the horn • Shout "fire" to notify the raft • Everyone put on a PFD • Raft captain initiates "Mayday" call, if appropriate • Crew return to own boats if possible • Crew of involved boat taken on adjacent boats • Boats immediately downwind of involved boat leave at once • Boats that enhance fire potential (gasoline engines) leave at once • Isolate the involved boat • Account for crew

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Notes to Skippers and Crew 1. Make sure fenders, dock lines, anchor and rode are “adequate” 2. Please check-in with RC between 1315-1330 on Channel 78; or as soon thereafter as

possible 3. Plan timely arrival (between 4 – 6 PM) 4. Make RC aware of your arrival at raft site 5. Inform RC if you are requesting an early departure from the raft in the morning 6. Have lines, fenders, passing line (if needed) and anchor ready 7. Prep crew on your rafting preferences 8. Keep clear of the raft area while waiting to be call, but stay attentive to the radio 9. Set lines and fenders promptly when notified of desired presentation Approaching the Raft • Approach slowly, and close enough so crew can “hand” lines across to the other boat,

or “toss” them a short distance • Crew – depending upon the skipper’s instructions, position yourself to toss a line the

shortest distance

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Circle Raft Linear Raft

Fenders and Dock lines

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Which toss will be the most accurate?

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Or, Backing into the Raft

Passing line, if needed

Spring line

Bow line

Passing line is temporary stern line

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• When in position, or at least parallel to the boat being approached, use the opposite gear (forward or reverse) to gently stop the forward or aft movement of the boat.

• When boat is stopped, put gear shift in neutral • Hand or toss lines and begin to secure the boat

Securing the boat

• Circle Raft o Stern line as tight as possible o Bow line secure, some slack is OK until raft is closed o Springs snug

• Linear Raft o Springs tight o Bow and stern lines snug and balanced

10. When it is time, move into raft promptly and secure lines quickly 11. Keep crew engaged until the next boat is secured 12. Make sure all lines and anchor rode are snug 13. Keep one capable person on the boat (that can adjust lines and rode) until the raft is

closed 14. If pods are formed, keep radio on until all boats are secured 15. Re-tighten lines upon raft closure 16. Make sure skipper, crew, and boat are prepared for an unplanned raft breakup 17. Don’t forget your anchor light 18. Be ready for prompt departure at the planned break-up time; exit raft in sequence

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Planning

Templates

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Calculate the space needed for a linear raft

Length: Fore and Aft Maximum Boat Length

47 feet Add Anchor Rode Fore 150 feet Add Anchor Rode Aft 150 feet Total Distance Anchor to Anchor

347 feet

Width:

Number of Boats

9 x Average Maximum Beam (incl Fenders) 13 Equal total Width

117

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Calculate the space needed for a circle raft

1. Calculate Center Circle of the Raft

* valid up to 40 boats

Number of Boats

Avg. beam at stern X 8 feet

Circumference of circle = feet

Approx. Pi (3.14) ÷ 3

Diameter of Circle = feet

2. Add Anchor Rode #1

100

Add Average Boat Length

40

3. Add Anchor Rode #2

100

Add Average Boat Length

40

4. Total Distance Anchor to Anchor

Calculate Angles Between Boats

Degrees in a full circle =

360 degrees

Number of boats ÷

Degrees between boats = degrees

Anchor degrees

Every other boat

Degrees between boats x 2 =

x 2 = degrees

Every third boat

Degrees between boats x 3 =

x 3 = degrees

Use plotting sheet to calculate bearings for each anchor boat

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