1999
Various swampings and capsizes have occurred from 1998 to February 1999. One of these resulted in a fatality, another in a sinking at sea. The circumstances leading to each incident are different but the message is clear. Some designs of boats are inherently more stable than others but ALL boats have the potential to swamp and/or capsize and/or invert and/or sink. Moreover some boats which were described as self-righting didn't self-right!
To be most effective scenario based training should not be talking shops but practical exercises. Moreover, they should try to recreate the whole incident and atmosphere. This will commonly involve a degree of confusion, some failings of participants to do what they have been told, someone well-meaning but technically not competent, trying to take control and doing the wrong things, etc. It may involve some first aid, some group management skills, an understanding of the emergency procedures, etc. If badly conducted, the exercise can become a farce, or worse, can be dangerous. If conducted well, it can give an unprecedented insight into the nature of the problem as well as suggesting other possible solutions.
