Constitutional Value

What Constitutes Your Rescue Water Craft Value?

What is your fundamental Rescue Water Craft fact presented to you filtered to a specific point of your actions and your agency perception? Can you decide what reduction or increase you allow or is compromised? Value can be determined as personnel safety and competency, financial, the importance, worth or usefulness of your RWC program, your program principles or standards, the benefit, gain or merit of your program.

These values are interpretive. To the extent of which is perceived by the group or measured by the instructor cadre and the expectation of the public for a reliable service to be performed. We care about your reputation and your program. We have posted information to rally the community to take responsibility and contribute to reducing the injury accident rate by competent behaviors. First you have to know what you are doing for it to be a secondary benefit.

I have said before ‘Safety Means Danger’, and this means that each of us are placing ourselves in grave danger. Grave is an Old English word for ditch and in the sense of burial ‘graf’ is a Germanic language for grave meaning for heavy or gravity, if we base the saying ‘grave danger’ in etymological roots for us we can use it as a reminder to be prepared to avoid the grave through mistake. Of course this is my interpretation and you are welcome to select your own.

How do you rank?

The facts we have are in the domain of education and distributed through information outlets entrusted to instructors. Or for the modern push we can say for those who view YouTube videos and attempt to imitate what they best determine to be the ‘facts’. Is this reliable and if so how do we account for leveraging the facts to interpret if they are determinable for our increase of safety and our reduction of danger?

Risk management is a solid aim, its truth lies in the details. For this we must remain constantly vigilant for our personal safety and to ensure our program stays in step with current changes in our equipment.

Yes, accidents will happen and so can injuries. There are RWC answers and information that is credible that can assist your department in mitigating these risks significantly. Conduct effective RWC research and do your homework, both at the inception of a Rescue Water Craft program and with an annual review. You will feel better knowing that you applied your best effort to the facts at hand.

Perception and facts can be targeted by groups, hubris, and the individual who reduces the structure of facts to a single point of values in the agency, community or individuals facts. How are these gauged? Usually after an accident or an injury. So once again, conduct effective research and be prepared to present facts vs. perceptions when the occasion arises.

Rescue Board Training and Inspection

MANAGEMENT

Any accident is a story that tells our behavioral trackline. Typically a lot of mishaps can be prevented simply by incorporating an effective preventative maintenance and inspection program. Often the facts are obvious, but ignored. Such as a crease in the rescue board or its anchor points are frayed, or the Rescue Water Craft hours are not maintained according to the manufacturer recommendations for inspection, replacement and care.

Compromise eventually catches up to us. It’s not easy to maintain a Marine Unit. It requires a lot of dedication towards program management, team building and a strong knowledge base.

Unfortunately often due to the demands of budget limits many programs are greatly reduced or in the process of reduction from a functional structure. Time is a big part of the Rescue Water Craft structure. Applying the appropriate amount of time to create a rule based program and to enforce its governing principles is key. This will require that effective checklists are generated for not only the Rescue Water Craft, but all the accessory equipment, training and maintenance needs.

If you are open to a suggestion, think about the amount of time allocated for maintaining your program. List the following:

1. Annual budgets: Vessels, accessories, maintenance, training
2. Replacement budget for losses/damage
3. Training hours focused on ‘training with purpose’. Make sure you are training for the results you can expect in the field. Forget YouTube videos for a while and look at your agency or neighboring agency past incidents and revisit the actions of the survivors you worked with and start from there.
4. Practice the ending! The transport, care and extrication of your survivors and gear.
5. Join the Rescue Water Craft Association and get connected with Subject Matter Experts
6. Attend the WaterRescueCon-the only RWC conference in the world.

When you take the lead, you are helping an entire team, their families and the public at large. There is no greater accomplishment knowing that you have spread a protective layer over many, including yourself. Not easy, but you can do this!

_______________________________

Have any questions? Join the Rescue Water Craft Association
and discover what your community is doing to modernize standards, safety and reduce liability!
Join the Rescue Water Craft Association

Content Creator: Shawn Alladio cares most about her community and the culture surrounding the safety of event service providers and Rescue Water Craft operators, working hard and dedicated towards protecting their reputation, distributing safety information and continuing to train these amazing individuals to the highest standards of care.

Use at your own risk. Please take a qualified Rescue Water Craft training course and maintain proper records and respect all the PWC, RWC, PPE, and gear OEM manufacturer warning labels and cautions.

A Moment for Safety

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

When you have accomplished your mission you know you are paying attention to risk!

Do not be afraid to fail, that is what training is about. Its actually required unless you already know the content.

But for the first time learner an effective instructor will translate to the student the best measures to approach the problem with credible solutions.

The mission is delivered when there are no mishaps, the operations are based on technical boating, proper PPE is assigned, and training is documented along with the program needs. If this is not taking place, stop and restart the program before a mishap occurs.

Successful mission outcomes are great, but it comes with a heft investment of time, personnel and funding.

Updates cannot happen within an agency, they must come from those who are in the field and discovering content, creating content, testing the content, measuring the content and delivering the content. This is what qualified instructors bring to an agency versus a 'train the trainer' format that weakens the foundation strength.

It's been proven that intellectual knowledge is delivered from subject matter experts. Most training programs do not maintain or reach their potential due to downsizing the curriculum to save time. Those agencies should not have a Rescue Water Craft marine unit. Maintaining a boat unit is an expansive responsibility.

Oftentimes agencies treat the Rescue Water Craft program as a rescue asset instead of a boat asset. The two are in conflict with on another. Boating must come first, rescue is the final application.

Students must want to learn and content must be updated annually for this to happen.

How do you rank?

Your must evaluate your training program. You need a baseline measure to compare the success from failure.

Ask yourself these questions:

1. Do you have the proper fitted and sized PPE?
2. Do you evaluate physical fitness levels and how often?
3. Are your checklists signed off by the individual who tasks the assignment?
4. Are your RWC's pulled out of service when there is questionable operational behaviors?
5. Are your rescue boards inspected?
6. Trailer inspection list, how often?
7. Weather and water conditions listed in training logs?
8. Individual training logs and results maintained.
9. Equipment is retired according to use and wear and manufacturer recommendations.
10. Is your team certification current and valid for 3 years?
11. Do you review your curriculum annually?
12. Has each team member read the manufacturers Owners Manual?
13. Does each team member hold a current valid Boat operators license or permit?
14. Do your team members know how to swim in the water you train in?

1 to 4 - AT RISK

5 to 8 - NEEDS IMPROVEMENT

9 to 12 - SECURE

Rescue Board Training and Inspection

CORRECTIONS

Any of the questions above that were not checked are the ones you need to focus on.

You can revise your program internally or hire a subject matter consultant. We can help you with that.

We have created hundreds of solutions for clients who knew their program was at risk. It's easy to correct. Don't let your program suffer or open up bigger problems down the line. Consider making your own program evaluation and presenting it to your
administration for review. Then tackle those concerns head on.

It's better to effect change before problems occur rather than when a mishap occurs. They can be costly in resource loss, out of service and injury recovery time due to loss of work for individuals.

Thank you for taking the short quiz and for caring about your Marine Unit.

Remember this: A moment for safety can save a lifetime of regret.
_______________________________

Have any questions? Join the Rescue Water Craft Association
and discover what your community is doing to modernize standards, safety and reduce liability!
Join the Rescue Water Craft Association

Content Creator: Shawn Alladio cares most about her community and the culture surrounding the safety of event service providers and Rescue Water Craft operators, working hard and dedicated towards protecting their reputation, distributing safety information and continuing to train these amazing individuals to the highest standards of care.

Use at your own risk. Please take a qualified Rescue Water Craft training course and maintain proper records and respect all the PWC, RWC, PPE, and gear OEM manufacturer warning labels and cautions.

WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT PROGRAM STATUS?

CHECK!

Program status matters! It's how you ensure reputation and efficiency.

As a qualified Rescue Water Craft Coxswain what are your operational responsibilities?
They are a composite of equipment and personnel needs.


Ask yourself how many of these are incorporated in your Rescue Water Craft Program?
Let’s survey now! Select the number of program plans you already have in effect:

1. Rescue Water Craft Maintenance Records
2. Training Records
3. Inspection Records
4. Certifications, Re-certifications (Physical standard requirements)
5. Incident Histories
6. Mishap Reviews
7. Dated Revisions
8. Weather/Environmental Notes
9. Training Videos
10. PPE Records
11. TAD Records
12. Trailer Inspection Records

How do you rank?

1 to 4 - AT RISK

5 to 8 - NEEDS IMPROVEMENT

9 to 12 - SECURE

Rescue Board Training and Inspection

MANAGEMENT

It is a significant responsibility to maintain a professional marine RWC unit. It requires first of all a proper budget. Second effect training for the areas of response. Thirdly it requires inspection, maintenance and updates.

If you scored below 9 as a minimum it’s time to get to work! Make a list of the areas you need support in. If you need your program reviewed, we can assist you with that. Programs should be reviewed every three years, and assessed annually.

We wish you a safe and secure season and we know you care about your program or you wouldn’t be reading this story. You are the direct link to your team’s safety and public confidence, we are glad you are in our community. Let’s get to work!

_______________________________

Have any questions? Join the Rescue Water Craft Association
and discover what your community is doing to modernize standards, safety and reduce liability!
Join the Rescue Water Craft Association

Content Creator: Shawn Alladio cares most about her community and the culture surrounding the safety of event service providers and Rescue Water Craft operators, working hard and dedicated towards protecting their reputation, distributing safety information and continuing to train these amazing individuals to the highest standards of care.

Use at your own risk. Please take a qualified Rescue Water Craft training course and maintain proper records and respect all the PWC, RWC, PPE, and gear OEM manufacturer warning labels and cautions.

GIFTED

We've come a long way baby...

When I was a little girl I wanted to be a cowboy.
Then I wanted to be a spaceman.
Then I wanted to be a horse.

I had a crush on a boy in elementary school and he had a dirtbike. I knew then that the joy and freedom he had was something I didn't want. I needed it!

Everything changed when I smelled the exhaust from his bike. I remembered my grandpa's race cars, they seemed so big and beyond me, but this little dirtbike I could ride that myself.

I got a paper route. I saved my money to make a mini bike out of a lawn mower.

Life was not a great experience for me at home, in fact it was awful, but it taught me to persevere, and that was the cornerstone of understanding along with my sisters death and illness, all these elements barked loudly at my psyche. 'You don't know what will happen', understanding this I did not want to waste oxygen.

DREAM BIG

When I was a little girl I dreamed big. That did not mean my dreams would be realized.

I wanted a dirt bike, I wanted a Stingray with a banana seat so I could go jump boxes and the creek in Carmel where I grew up.

I wanted to be a police officer, but I was told that was not possible, because it was not.

I wanted to be a fireman, but I was told that was not possible, because it was not.

I wanted to join the military at the age of 14 and go to the Vietnam war and fight like men, but I that was not possible.

Up until the age of 28 these were not jobs I could subscribe to.

But the Jet Ski came along.

THANKFUL

The Jet Ski was the first motorized vehicle that allowed women in our generation to be competitive along with men. This motor sport revolutionized across the board a wide open door to women. Many took that invitation and opened it without caution but few have followed like those pioneers, those courageous young women who pulled throttle and created a big wake.

Notable women like Brenda Burns (Chambers) who as a young girl raced with her mother and her sister continuing onward and became a World and National Champion, and an inspiration to generations of today. Pay close attention to her story. Respect is earned and she is a person of renown in our sport to research.

I would come to a race and there would be 100 women waiting to get to the start line. They had to race motos. They had to go to a Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ) and only a handful would make it to the main event. It was tough, competitive and happening.

Know our female competitive history. Do your homework. You will thrive off the inspiration of your legacy holders. You may also discover the legacy you will contribute on your own efforts.

Men were my mentors as a child. There were no females in my scope that were doing anything outstanding at speed.

My grandfather was a great inspiration with his car racing and mechanical skills. His imprint is inspirational. My mother
was a tough cookie and her grit personified the 'can do' spirit in me.

30 years later, women are not taking that wide open door as I imagined they would from when I awoke. I believed there would be a flood, a tsunami of opportunity, but only a trickle is witnessed considering there are 7 billion people on Earth and at least .001% would qualify.

If you are a woman reading this your predecessors handed you the baton in the 1980's. Its 2018 and women are stepping back further than forging ahead. Are you the one to bring it all back? Will you be the one to galvanize a community and inspire the pursuit of excellence?

The Jet Ski Fever is still here, its held by a few of our pioneers, like myself, like Brenda. You know who you are. We love you all and you are held dear and close.

We train very few females worldwide in our K38 water rescue courses. I wonder at this phenomenon. Is it a target personality that gives themselves permission? Do women not want to do the hard work? Is the work load too heavy or dirty? Is the chaos uncomfortable? Yes, well it is and I do enjoy that discomfort myself, is part of the delivery package.

Remaining a little unreasonable has distinct advantages for a mariner. It means that your creative spirit can become a driving force, a major contributor to the greater good.

We women have a big house to manage of course, its a blend of stressors but through them we learn advantages: our beloveds, children, and career. Risk is something we are good at, analytics is our best friend, we can think at speed and juggle the juggernaut. Our male counterparts can take notes to benefit from to enhance their own operability.

Our physical strength is a bit not as level but we can learn leverage techniques. I am enthusiastic about training women, but being female is not an excuse, and we can enjoy an outstanding career.

Are you ready? We've had that door open waiting for you to enter. The room is very big and there are a lot of empty chairs.

Give yourself permission.

Contact your local marine unit or volunteer group and begin a pathway of purpose.

You will discover so much more than that Rules of the Road, the conditions and the terrors, you will discover the scope of your own determined spirit in the depths of the big wide open. Ask me how I know?

Your friend always.

Shawn

Have any questions? Join the Rescue Water Craft Association
and discover what your community is doing to modernize standards, safety and reduce liability!

Content Creator – Shawn Alladio cares most about her community and the culture surrounding the safety of event service providers and Rescue Water Craft operators, working hard and dedicated towards protecting their reputation, distributing safety information and continuing to train these amazing individuals to the highest standards of care.

FATHER

Reality

Father's Day

The hardest of any edge is a sharp tone of reckoning.

Those crisp brilliant colors are born from blended union.

Nothing stands alone.

A dark compass of hurt will require the endurance of release, all to forgive, nothing to forget, so we repeat.

Your efforts carry many, your protection is life of another.

Timing

RESOLUTE

There is no scale that cannot bear this weight.

Our folly lies close, more so at our demise so our lives are demanding the audience of approval.

Thousands of repetitions hone a skill, what will it take for our hearts?

Come home, that is the goal on the backside.

Coming Home

Stay with your own kind and endure, surely nothing denied will escape time, without us, with us; each moment holds captive potential. Praise your elders and listen.

Your wise teachers, those who suffered and felt the sting of defeat, those valiant sentinels who do not interfere, honor them and listen.

Come home back to harbor, security and family.

Your ending is most important. You matter most.

Happy Father's Day from K38

Shawn Alladio – 6.17.2018

Shawn cares most about her community and the culture surrounding the safety of event service providers and Rescue Water Craft operators, working hard and dedicated towards protecting their reputation, distributing safety information and continuing to train these amazing individuals to the highest standards of care.

TRIM IS THE ANSWER

RESCUE WATER CRAFT TRIM

Let's consider how we are to determine a level and stable Rescue Water Craft trim capability.

It's not just the mechanical advantages that some make, models and year of production Rescue Water Craft have, sometimes it is simply operator knowledge or the lack thereof.

The pump plays a vital roll in trim and balance. Why? Because the Rescue Water Craft levels out easier under power than in a standing position where the likelihood of capsizing or falls overboard increases.

The type of water and the water conditions are a big part of the story.
How will we determine our specific Personal Water Craft jet pump maximum efficiency? Are you noting the type of water conditions?

1. Saltwater
2. Freshwater
3. Waves
4. Swell
5. Wakes
6. Current
7. Calm Water
8. Turbulent water

Operators and administrators or teams may ask; how can I increase my trim function, pump efficiency and forward movement or maintain a level steady boat of speed?

Water action and shifting weight.........

STEADY AS SHE GOES

That is not an easy question to answer. It requires introspection of several elements:

1. Helm and Throttle Control
2. Mindset of the Operator and their knowledge base, including vessel familiarity
3. Vessel type and specifications
4. Fundamental knowledge of trim packages/capabilities
5. Effective knowledge of environmental factors
6. Weight, drag, thrust and hydro dynamic affects
7. Directional turns
8. Wear and tear and replacement or preventative maintenance and inspection
9. Type of rescue board (Towable aquaplane device) and its attachment policy

As you can see, trim is a variety of technical advantages or disadvantages and it all leads up to the Operators.
Rescue Water Craft Operators are responsible for the safe transport underway and to deliver a level, steady and stable boat.

Don't rock the boat!

BALANCE IS THE POINT

Trim is essentially dependent on all of the above for consistent efficiency. It is also dependent excessively on operator knowledge of when to modulate the throttle for acceleration and deceleration from the changing phases of:

1. Displacement of water against the hull
2. Planing speed
3. High speed turns
4. Low speed turns

Hull Types
1. Flat Bottom
2. Semi-V
3. Deep V

There are a variety of variable trim systems for personal watercraft depending upon:
1. Make of Personal Water Craft
2. Year of Production
3. Model
4. Two Stroke/Four Stroke engine

Take a Course with us and discover your operational success. We are ready to take you to the fastrack of professional
operations by assisting you in your technical Rescue Water Craft Qualification.

Personal Watercraft Industry Law Loan Program

PUBLIC AGENCY LAW LOAN PROGRAM

In 2018, the PWIA Law Loan Program entered its 30th year supporting public and federal safety agencies with personal watercraft from Yamaha Motors Corporation USA, and Kawasaki Motors Corporation USA. The program began in 1989.

This program has essentially the same terms and conditions in 2012 that it had at its beginnings in 1989, when it was launched. In just the past year over 100 agencies acquired loan units through their local Kawasaki JET SKIÂŽ watercraft dealers.

The history of the Public Agency Law Loan Program began in Southern California. The champion of the Public Agency Law Loan Program came through the efforts of Mr. Roger Hagie. Roger was an employee of Kawasaki Motors Corporation USA (KMC) and determined in the late 1980's that this program needed to be implemented to serve public safety. He had the vision to determine that these unique small power craft would become a patrol and lifesaving mainstay.

He worked along with fellow Kawasaki staff member Ms. Jan Plessner in Public Affairs and Mr. John Donaldson from Yamaha Motors Corporation USA to support programs across the United States, of which K38 was an early participant as a supporting instructor.

K38 Surf Rescue Training Kawasaki TS Jet Ski

CELEBRATING 30 YEARS

In the 22 years of operation, the program has loaned approximately 4000 machines to well over 700 individual agencies. The value of these loans reaches over $20 million.

This program has been a big supporter of American communities saving taxpayers monies and supporting our local law enforcement and Search and Rescue groups.

K38 has been providing Rescue Water Craft boat operations qualification training for these agencies in concert with the PWIA Law Loan Program since 1989.

K38 has assisted hundreds of public safety agencies and thousands of personnel in competency training for these unique small boats.

K38 Training Kawasaki Tandem Sport Jet Ski Sacramento Sheriff

KAWASAKI PUBLIC SAFETY LAW LOAN PROGRAM

Regardless if an agency has a seasoned marine unit or are at their conceptual program design, we can assist you in answering the question and concerns you have for the development of your RWC Marine Unit (Rescue Water Craft).

K38 along with the American Watercraft Association (AWA) have provided free training programs to select agencies nationwide through the H20 Responder Safety Days.

Content Creator - Shawn Alladio cares most about her community and the culture surrounding the safety of event service providers and Rescue Water Craft operators, working hard and dedicated towards protecting their reputation, distributing safety information and continuing to train these amazing individuals to the highest standards of care

PUBLIC AGENCY LAW LOAN PROGRAM HISTORY

PUBLIC AGENCY LAW LOAN PROGRAM HISTORY

The history of the Public Agency Law Loan Program began in Southern California. The champion of the Public Agency Law Loan Program came through the efforts of Mr. Roger Hagie. Roger was an employee of Kawasaki Motors Corporation USA (KMC) and determined in the late 1980's that this program needed to be implemented to serve public safety. He had the vision to determine that these unique small power craft would become a patrol and lifesaving mainstay.

He worked along with fellow Kawasaki staff member Ms. Jan Plessner in Public Affairs and Mr. John Donaldson from Yamaha Motors Corporation USA to support programs across the United States, of which K38 was an early participant as a supporting instructor.

Here is information that I could discover regarding the Law Loan Program that was originally set up by Kawasaki Motors Corporation USA. This program became an integral program of the Personal Water Craft Industry Association (PWIA) and they promoted Wave Ranger training days for public safety personnel to attend across the nation.

Participating dealerships are doing this voluntarily. If can be challenging to discover a dealership that participates in the Law Loan Program. The best way to find out is to contact your local dealership and strike up a conversation over the phone.

K38 Surf Rescue Training Kawasaki TS Jet Ski

LAW LOAN PROGRAM KAWASAKI STATISTICS

Keep in mind these are outdated statistics but you can gain knowledge in the program facts:

 Program began in 1989
 Operational for 29 years
 5,750 Units since its inception in 1989
 207 units loaned annually across the United States of America on average
 Retail Value: $2.4 million USD annually for a $12,000 USD PWC
 Average Agency Annual Use by agency (not including on the law loan program)
 Program has been managed by the PWIA (Personal Watercraft Industry Association) originally and now in 2016 is conducted
independently through manufacturer’s participating dealerships
 Requirement: RWC Training Stage 3 Level

DEALER INCENTIVE
 15% off the existing Dealer Net (flooring incentive)
 650 Kawasaki Dealerships in USA participated out of 1,500

Kawasaki Tandem Sport Jet Ski Sacramento Sheriff

LAW LOAN PROGRAM CONCERNS

PROGRAM CONCERNS
1. Overdue Loans
2. Insurance Coverage
3. Understanding of client regarding terms and conditions
4. Damage to Watercraft
5. Repair Costs
6. Training Validation and Records
7. Product Familiarity

Compiled by Shawn Alladio
Originally published on June 12, 2016

Content Creator - Shawn Alladio cares most about her community and the culture surrounding the safety of event service providers and Rescue Water Craft operators, working hard and dedicated towards protecting their reputation, distributing safety information and continuing to train these amazing individuals to the highest standards of care

5 Ways to Ruin Your Rescue Water Craft without Even Riding

Know Your Boat

Do you have an owner’s manual for your Rescue Water Craft? Where is it?  When did you last pierce its pages of infinite wisdom to remind yourself how great a caretaker you are? How important is your mission? If you can read, you can maintain and every program needs a matching Original Equipment Manufacturer owner’s manual to the:

  1. Make
  2. Model
  3. Year of Production

FLUSH ME

Your Rescue Water Craft needs a drink too, it’s called a fresh water rinse. You need to wash the interior compartments (yes the engine compartment) and the exterior.

Then you most into the guts, the belly of the beast and it’s time to flush the water cooling exhaust system. You need a garden hose, perhaps some Salt Away® or Dawn Detergent drops and a few minutes of your time.

Corrosion can result from saltwater, brackish water from a lack of flushing the exhaust system. The salt crystals that remain when the water dries out can collect around fittings and elbow brass turns for the water lines and clog, reduce or restrict water flow. This can result in engine overheating or engine damage.

Fresh water engine exhaust flushing is just as important due to sediment or debris having the same negative effect internally.
So flush away and refer to your owner’s manual!

What can you do to comply?

  1. Review all of your log books.
  2. Be familiar with the checklists and complete all form fields.
  3. Make sure you understand how the checklists apply to the equipment you are using so your reviews are effective and not just a habit to fill in the blank.
  4. Inspect your PPE and remove it from service if needed.
  5. Be fearless in removing any gear or equipment from operational use with the control measures in place by your protocols and procedures.


PRACTICING EFFECTIVE BASICS

There is a time not to go. You may discover that you will have to take a RWC out of service and that coverage will be significantly reduced. Have a backup plan for downed equipment and make sure you have the budget to maintain efficient operations.
Checklist help insure your program. They are reminders of requirements that rely upon your mental and physical action. Practicing effective basics of the fundamentals will allow you to have the capability to catch mistakes before they become mishaps.

SPRAY ME
As if water wasn’t enough, you need to spray down all metal components of the interior of your craft with the recommended Original Equipment Manufacturer’s anti-corrosion spray. Don’t grab any item, some of them can ruin your bank account, or take your life!

Rubber can only have certain rust inhibitors spray on their surface otherwise they face cracking or blowing off under pressure from their connecting points resulting in a sunk Personal Water Craft. Boo Hoo! You don’t want to go to that party!

RWC Inspections

USMC 1996 Water Craft Preventative Maintenance

It'a all About Prevention for Rescue Water Craft Safety

LUBRICATE ME
Yes, rust and corrosion is looking for a place to set anchor. You need to know the periodic grease points that are required for your particular Rescue Water Craft. Use the recommended Marine Grade grease and follow up the hourly maintenance schedule on key points to keep your boat functional underway. Items that are moving parts are under a lot of stress, and even more stress when we use a Towable Aquaplane Device (TAD) known as a Rescue Board. The original trim design of Personal Water Craft are significantly offset in some use situations, so be good to your boat and it will be good to you!

INSPECT ME
Do you know what you are looking at? Do you have a complimentary post operations Rescue Water Craft check list you can evaluate the needs of your boat? Or are you just checking the little boxes so you can go home and close the doors?

Inspection means safety. Knowing what to look for, when to take a boat out of service for repair can stop the liability dragon.

FEED ME
When your program has no policy on preventative maintenance schedule, it’s only a matter of time! The chain reaction of causation is waiting to raise its hand. Your Rescue Water Craft Owner’s Manual should look worn and torn from repeated referencing. If its’ not, then you have problems and if you don’t have one, why not?

Feed the hand that feeds you. If your Rescue Water Craft program is lacking just these 5 simple steps, you do not have a marine unit, you have a disaster in the making.

• Grow your program by first securing an owner’s manual.
• Revise your checklist
• Ensure mandatory records are kept
• Adhere to the maintenance schedule
• Take a boat out of service when problems arise or are suspected

K38
Shawn Alladio – 1.12.2018

Shawn cares most about her community and the culture surrounding the safety of event service providers and Rescue Water Craft operators, working hard and dedicated towards protecting their reputation, distributing safety information and continuing to train these amazing individuals to the highest standards of care.