The MCA does not recommend Single Handed Operations but it is permitted according to the conditions set out below. If these conditions are met, the certificate must be Endorsed for Single Handed Operation.
(Our comments in italics)
Definition
Single Handed Operation means operation where no-one other than the skipper is onboard.
Conditions
1. The area of operation is restricted to Area Category 3, 4, 5 or 6 in conditions of
favourable weather and subject to favourable official weather forecasts for the
area throughout the period of operation.
2. The duration of the voyage should not exceed 8 hours.
3. The vessel is not operated single handed in conditions of restricted visibility.
4. An acceptable lifejacket is worn at all times by the skipper.
5. No overside working takes place whilst the vessel is being operated single
handed.
6. Details of the time and point of departure, voyage plan and the Expected Time of
Arrival (ETA) of every single handed voyage are left with a suitable person
ashore and that person is notified of the safe arrival on completion of each
voyage.
7. Communication should be made with a person ashore or with a vessel in
company at regular agreed intervals.
8. On all open sportsboats, inflatable craft and RIBs, engine kill-cords should be fitted and used at all times.
The MCA states these conditions in OAN 703 and MGN 280 (M), Annex 3, paragraph 7.
If the operator does not comply with all these conditions then single handed operation would be breaking the law.
A Category 0,1 or 2 vessel could be operated single handed provided it was in an area Category 3 or greater.
With the exception of the requirement for a kill cord, all the conditions relate to the way the boat is operated and not the boat itself. Seems illogical to certify the vessel because any vessel theoretically could be operated single handed.
In all size and type of sport and pleasure vessels up to Category2, the Minimum Manning could be as low as 1 Skipper who is also the holder of an Approved Engine Course (AEC)
and MGN 280 (M), Annex 3, Table 1 requires that “a second person should be capable of assisting the skipper in an emergency should also be onboard”.
MGN 280 (M), Annex 7, paragraph 2 requires there should be onboard a second person who is deemed by the skipper to be experienced.
The skipper should brief the second person on the following items.
1. Location of liferafts and method of launching.
2. Procedures for the recovery of a person from the sea.
3. Location and use of pyrotechnics.
4. Procedures and operation of radios carried on board.
5. Location of navigation and other light switches.
6. Location and use of firefighting equipment.
7. Method of starting, stopping, and controlling the main engine.
8. Method of navigating into a suitable port of refuge.
9. The location of the Stability Guidance Booklet/Stability Information Booklet as applicable.
We think that in many cases, certainly in the sized boats we deal with, it is unrealistic to think that a guest or passenger could realistically be appointed on the basis of a briefing, and a briefing without training. It seems to us to be a get out of jail free card to someone who is effectively running single handed operations. On a sport and pleasure coding most guests are there for a good time which is likely to involve the use of alcohol, with no coherence to the required hours of rest, how fit are they and how is the level of experience going to be judged. How is the captain going to control that other than by lip service?
It seems anomalous that the bottom line Minimum Manning is governed by area only and does not take into account size of the vessel which would at least give measure of the complexity of the vessel. Vessels are becoming more complex and have very different characteristics from when the code was written.
Taking a 23m Category 2 motorboat as an example, the Captain could also be the holder of an AEC and running engines > 1500 kW. Theoretically the boat could then operate with a second person deemed by the skipper to be experienced. Most operators would at least go to a third person to have a joint deck hotel role and some qualifications.
The problem is that everything just about works on these minimum manning levels until there is an incident at which point there is no redundancy. Sensibly most people run above the minimum levels so why are the requirements set so low? Is manning ging to be reviewed in the new Sport and Pleasure code?
