Old 03-06-2004, 13:23   #1
Basenshukai
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Post Small Boat Operations

Sometime during the Q-Course, either in the MOS phase, or the Collective Training phase (Robin Sage) you might find yourself conducting a small boat operation. Since most of the tactical aspects for small boat operations are covered well in the venerable Ranger Handbook (SH 21-76), I'll cover some things here that were gleaned from a recent waterborne operations training exercise we conducted. Again, these are just some tips on small boat operations. There is a lot more out there from far more experienced operators.

Moving and Inspecting The Boat:

1. Rubber Inflatable Boats, like those from Zodiac are very sturdy and are designed for rough use. However, great care should be taken when either moving or storing the boat to ensure that it does not come into contact with a surface that would apply friction on the rubber. Dragging a boat that weighs over 265 lb across a gravel boat landing is never a good idea. With this in mind, one must ensure to inspect the boat everytime it is about to be used and once again after use. The boat should be washed first, to mitigate the damaging effects of sea water. This will also remove any dirt that can mask damage. After this, the boat should be inspected, while inflated, resting upright, as it is designed to travel on water. Every seam on the rubber should be sprayed with soapy water to identify even the slightest leak. Any friction burn, or sign of tear should be marked with a white grease pencil (assuming the craft is black rubber) and should be noted. The same should be done with the underside of the boat. Simply turn the boat over and rest it on a vertical surface, or using two paddles as rests on the opposite side.

Preparing The Craft:

1. There are several ways to tie off a boat based on operational needs. What we do is tie a "half turn and two half hitches" at the foot of the transom (where there is a stainless steel attachment ring), but not on the transom itself (as the attachment on the transom is meant for the engine cable). The "half turn and two half hitches" is to be a fixed, non-slip knot. We run the line to the bow and tie a "slippery half hitch" to the first rucksack (on a snaplink) and then we tie the remaining working end to the bow ring with any knot that would support a slip. We happen to use "two turns and two half hitches with a slip knot." The snaplink on the first rucksack not only holds the rucksack in place, but also keeps the knot from slipping. When the snaplink is turned-over and released with the first rucksack, the knot slips away and will allow the rucksacks behind it to move freely on the line.

2. As mentioned above, the front "slippery half hitch" is for the snaplink of the first rucksack to go through. All the other rucksacks are placed, on opposing sides, behind this rucksack towards the stern. This way, if the boat capsizes due to an uncontrolled manuever, someone can go underneath the boat, undo the slip at the bow without realeasing any of the other rucksacks. When the boat is "righted", the rucksacks will float outside the boat, but still attached to the line (since the first rucksack is still on the line, it does not allow for the others to slip through). The rucksacks can now be brought into the boat.

NOTE: 6th RTB now does a variation of this where they do not tie the equipment line to the bow, but only to the steel d-ring at the foot of the transom (at the stern). They do this because they have discovered that "righting" a rubber boat full of rucksacks is very difficult and time consuming. So, the rucks are only held by the first rucksack on the line towards the bow, and by the knot at the stern. Whenever the boat capsizes, the rucksacks float attached only from the stern. We, however, still attach the line to the bow to keep the rucksacks, or anything tied to it, from flying up during rough seas. Ranger students using only paddles are not likely to get the speed required to cause a rucksack to violently take flight.

3. Another option is that if the boat capsizes and is critically damaged and must be ditched, someone can go underneath the boat and undo the slip knot at the bow as well as the one with the first rucksack. Now, all the rucksacks are free of the craft and need only to be pulled away. If the rucksacks are well waterproofed, they should float, I might add.

Contingencies:

1. Every boat should have waterproofed communications, GPS, a map, and medical gear. None of these things should be shared between boats if it can be helped. Each boat should have its own.

2. There should be a spare engine for every two boats. Since space aboard a craft will already be at critical due to personnel and mission essential equipment, there might not be the room to have a spare engine in each boat. However, if a boat is on its own, and not part two, or more, boats, it should have a spare engine.

3. Engine parity is a must between two, or more, boats. It is a critical mistake to not ensure that the boats have identical, or near identical speed and power characteristics. Performing reactions to ambush, or a break contact drill with small craft is very difficult without engine parity. Also, it makes it very hard for one boat to support the other and slows movement when bounding overwatch.

There is much more, but, I'll hold what I got for now. These are just a few tips that may come in handy someday. If there is anything else out there that someone can add, do so. This is how we all get to learn.
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Last edited by Basenshukai; 03-06-2004 at 13:27.
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Old 03-06-2004, 16:34   #2
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Example of rucksack placement
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