Q-boat and surveillance documentation

In this page, you can find some helpful documentation for Q-Boat drivers on how to rescue a capsized boat.

Notes from Rescue Class

Below, you will find videos recorded during the rescue classes given by Patrick Huguenin for YCC Q-Boat drivers on 12.08.2023 and 20.06.2025:

• Theory
• How to use a rescue line
• Helping and towing dinghy - theory
• Man over board
• Catamaran capsize recovery
• Dinghy capsize recovery

And also some usefull notes from the rescue class given by Patrick Huguenin on August 12 2023:

• How to approach a capsized boat with the Boston Whaler or the Mother Duck?

  A capsized boat drifts, pushed by the wind. It may have loose lines in the water, that float behind it and may get tangled in the propeller of the Q-Boat.
  So never approach a capsized boat from windward (au vent).
  Now, it may also be an issue to approach it from leeward because the boat will be drifting to us.
  Approaching it sideways is the best way.

• The first thing to do? Headcount!

  How many people were on board (easy to know in the case of a dinghy or a catamaran from the club)?
  Do I see all of them in the water?
  Is anyone stuck underneath the hull?
  

• If the crew is exhausted

  If the crew is exhausted, take it onboard, bring it onshore leaving their boat in the water and call 112 to send a rescue team fetching the boat.

• Bringing a catamaran up

  To help from the motorboat to bring a catamaran up (assuming it capsized 180°, that is that its mast is facing the bottom of the lake),
  one uses the rope attached to the foot of the catamaran's mast to slowly pull the catamaran sideways,
  while its crew stands on one floater to help it rotate.
  The rope that the motorboat is pulling should not be cleated and must be very very easily freed.

• Towing

  The boat that you tow must put the towing line around its mast and should not tie it.
  The line must be easy to drop.
  You, in the motorboat, must have a knife ready to cut the line if needed.
  The faster you go, the longer the towing line.
  When entering the harbor, shorten the line.
  You have no right of way when towing.

• Towing alongside (remorquage à couple)

  When torque towing, always make sure that the aft of the motorboat is behind that of the sailingboat you tow (the engine of the motorboat must be behind the sailing boat transom).
  When towing a dinghy or a catamaran with no crew onboard, make sure you have removed the centerboard, dagger board and rudder.

Rescue Principles

You'll find here a document explaining surveillance principles for Q-Boat drivers:

• Surveillance principles (english version)
• Principes de surveillance (version français)

Motor Boats Usage

You can find some help documentation on how to use and maintain our motor boats:

• Motor boats usage documentations

Last modified: January 2024 MCH and AP