PADDLER 29
Photo: Johan Deramoudt
lifesaving in a situation of real distress. Captain Ward also told us that he would flood all ballast tanks to lower the freeboard in an actual situation.
This can happen in less than 20 minutes and can be done whilst underway to the scene. We also got an explanation on the pipes and drag head. The captain showed us that the one and only moving part on the drag head is out of the way for such an emergency boarding and that this specific part only moves when touching the seabed upon dredging. So for the readers who still think we and the crew are mad … We aren’ t!
Everything is given thought, second thought and sometimes more before beginning such scenarios. What do we get out of this? We can share insights with other sea kayakers and even other shipping. If your life depends on it, how you are helped does it matter? As long as it is safe, that is the only thing that really matters.
Boarding a ship with high freeboard – lifeboat: https:// www. youtube. com / watch? v = YiqAvu2osE8
It has been done before on open sea, but a general repetition to improve cooperation between the dredger crew and ourselves. Recently, we got the invite. They are called orders( laughs) from Captain Ruben and his RIO crew. The ship was waiting for the next assignment and was moored at the sand extraction site in the back of the harbour. The perfect opportunity for a full scenario in a controlled environment, followed by a load of different drills.
WAITING TO LAUNCH
We arrived at the harbour just before sunrise and paddled towards the dredger RIO. The full crew, under the supervision of Captain Ruben, was awaiting us; the lifeboat and the crane were waiting to launch; the pilot ladder was lowered. Since we wanted to
PADDLER 29