Powercraft Wales

POWERCRAFT WALES

Powercraft Wales are part of Surf Life Saving Wales, a voluntary organisation that is the largest organisation for ocean safety and rescue work in Wales. Our goal is "to prevent the loss of life through drowning”.

Powercraft is responsible for providing qualifications for Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) crews. The Powercraft Commission offers ‘grass roots’ help and assistance to enable crews to have the necessary skills in place to offer safety cover for Surf Life Saving events.

This site is our on-line manual that gives you guidance and instruction to gain or improve your IRB skills.

List of Services

Basics
In this section you will obtain an overview of the features of the IRB and at the end will be able to identify all the key facts on the boat.

Basics List Item 1
Assembly
In this section you will obtain an understanding of the following:
- How to assemble an IRB.
- How to launch and recover an IRB
- How to maintain the IRB and its Motor.
- The need to have good maintenance schedule and records of all IRB activity.
Assembly
Launching
This section is designed to demonstrate safe processes in operating an IRB to:
- Recognise and apply different IRB boarding and driving techniques.
- Recognise motor hazards.
- Understand and apply emergency procedures.
Launching
Operating
This section is designed to demonstrate safe processes in operating an IRB to:
- Recognise and apply different IRB boarding and driving techniques.
- Recognise motor hazards.
- Understand and apply emergency procedures.
Operating List Item 4
Rescues
In this section you will:
- Understand and implement different rescue techniques.
- Understand and implement different casualty pick-ups.
- Understand and implement casualty recovery to shore.
Rescues
Communication
In this section you will learn:
- Lifeguard signals.
- Radio frequencies, equipment and maintenance.
- Radio procedures.
- The use of mobile phones.
Communication
Records
You should recognise the need for good record keeping, maintenance of equipment and logging incidents.

This section states the records required and copies of the record sheets are given in the appendices.

Records
Qualifications
As a member of SLSA Wales there are two awards for competent use and operation of an IRB.

1. The IRB Crew Person Award.
2. The IRB Coxwain Award.

Each of the awards and the annual proficiency update is descibed in this section.

Qualifications
Downloads
This section allows you to download forms, instruction sheets, training aids and the SLSA Wales full inflatable rescue manual.

Downloads

THANKS

Powercraft Wales would like to thank all who contributed in compiling this resource.

With special thanks to Peter Hallett from Mid Coast Marine for his technical assistance, Gary Pyke and Emotepeople for website design, Indesign layout, graphic design and illustrations.