Yachtmaster revision module 20 of 20

SOS

Special Situations Afloat

Carbon monoxide, engine and steering failure, grounding, flooding, dismasting, towing, abandon ship, and medical emergencies.

Carbon monoxide sources, symptoms, prevention, and responseEngine failure and immediate vessel-safety priorities

12 guided lessons · 20 practice questions · 21 flashcards

3 outcomes · self-guided revision
  • Explain carbon monoxide, engine and steering failure, grounding, flooding, dismasting, towing, abandon ship, and medical emergencies.
  • Apply Carbon monoxide sources, symptoms, prevention, and response to a realistic onboard situation.
  • Recall the core check: cO is colourless and odourless.

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Lesson summaries

Use this module hub to choose the right lesson, then open the dedicated lesson page for the complete explanation, worked examples, FAQs, and practice questions.

Carbon Monoxide and Gas Safety

Carbon monoxide (CO) is colourless, odourless, and potentially fatal. It can come from engine exhaust, diesel heaters, gas cookers, petrol generators, charcoal barbecues, or another vesse...

  • CO is colourless and odourless
  • Symptoms can mimic seasickness
Read the full lesson: Carbon Monoxide and Gas Safety

Engine Failure

Engine failure is rarely just a mechanical problem; it is a navigation problem. The first action is to keep the vessel safe: sail if possible, reduce sail if overpressed, keep clear of a...

  • Keep the vessel safe before troubleshooting
  • Create sea room or anchor if possible
Read the full lesson: Engine Failure

Steering Failure

Steering failure needs immediate control of speed and direction. Reduce sail or engine power, keep the vessel away from hazards, and rig the emergency tiller if fitted. Brief the crew bef...

  • Reduce speed and load
  • Rig the emergency tiller
Read the full lesson: Steering Failure

Grounding

After grounding, stop the engine and check crew safety first. Then assess hull damage, bilges, keel/rudder condition, tide state, weather, and position. Do not automatically motor hard as...

  • Check crew, hull, bilges, tide, and weather
  • Do not blindly motor off
Read the full lesson: Grounding

Flooding and Hull Breach

Flooding is time critical. Start pumps, find the source, assign crew to damage control, and prepare a distress call. Shut seacocks if a hose has failed. Use softwood bungs, collision mats...

  • Start pumps and find the source
  • Close seacocks and use bungs
Read the full lesson: Flooding and Hull Breach

Rig Failure and Jury Rig

A dismasting or major rig failure can injure crew, damage the hull, and foul the propeller. Account for the crew, stop the vessel if possible, keep clear of the rig, and check whether the...

  • Account for crew and treat injuries
  • Prevent rig damage to the hull
Read the full lesson: Rig Failure and Jury Rig

Towing and Being Towed

Towing loads can be extreme. Use strong points, a bridle where possible, long towlines for shock absorption, and chafe protection. Keep crew away from loaded lines and never stand in a bi...

  • Use strong points and a bridle
  • Long towline reduces snatch loads
Read the full lesson: Towing and Being Towed

Abandon Ship and Liferaft Use

The usual rule is to step up into the liferaft: abandon only when the vessel is more dangerous than the raft. A damaged yacht is easier for rescuers to see than a liferaft and usually car...

  • Abandon only when the vessel is more dangerous than the liferaft
  • Send distress and activate appropriate beacons
Read the full lesson: Abandon Ship and Liferaft Use

Medical Emergencies

A medical emergency at sea is a command problem as well as a first-aid problem. Stabilise the casualty, reduce the vessel's workload, allocate crew roles, and seek medical advice early by...

  • Stabilise casualty and vessel
  • Seek advice early
Read the full lesson: Medical Emergencies

Skipper Priorities Under Pressure

In an emergency, the skipper's first job is to create time and options. Slow down, reduce sail, heave-to, anchor, increase sea room, or call for help if that improves control. Clear comma...

  • Create time and options
  • People first, then vessel, environment, and property
Read the full lesson: Skipper Priorities Under Pressure

Yachtmaster Offshore Standard

Special Situations Afloat at Yachtmaster level is not just recall. The answer has to show command judgement, evidence quality, margin, and a fallback if the first plan stops being safe.

  • State the evidence you trust and the evidence you distrust.
  • Name the margin that makes the plan defensible.
Read the full lesson: Yachtmaster Offshore Standard

Advanced Scenario Check

Decision pressure: No single issue is catastrophic yet, but together they reduce the vessel's safe options.

  • Apply Carbon monoxide sources, symptoms, prevention, and response to a changed real-world situation.
  • Separate fact, estimate, and assumption.
Read the full lesson: Advanced Scenario Check

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