Working on or near Water
Filming on Boats or near Water

Filiming on Boats or near Water

Before starting a journey ask the competent person to give a safety briefing. Everyone should be briefed on what happens if someone falls into the water
The competent person should tell you the arrangements for all emergencies e.g. lifeguards, calling the Coastguard, first aid arrangements and flares
Life jackets and safety harnesses are essential and should be worn by everyone on board a boat where required. If there is a reason why they cannot be worn, e.g. historical dramas, sufficient alternative life saving arrangements will need to address this
Make sure you have protective clothing available. Other kit should include sunglasses and sun protection and barrier creams.

Communication

Make sure someone knows of your intentions, where you are going, in what boat and when you expect to return. Have an "agent" on shore who knows of your plans. Whoever you tell it is vital that you inform them of your safe return so that they do not call out the emergency services unnecessarily. The Coastguard will not begin search and rescue operations unless they receive a call from a vessel in distress or from an "agent" ashore. Set up a chain of communication have fully charged mobile phones available at least three phones per five people, ensure their range and coverage. If mobile phones are unsuitable, alternative communications must be arranged.

Observation

If you are filming under the "observation rule", i.e. the trip is for some other reason than production the principal activity may be more important to the skipper than the production team on board. Plan to avoid a conflict of interest. If you want to observe and record someone else's trip consider whether alternatives could be used; e.g. remote equipment, minicams could be used instead? If so they must be secured so that they do not cause a hazard for those on board. If intending to record a race having put extra people on board, check with the organisers the rules of the race and the competence of the crew and skipper.

Emergencies

When recording on or close to water there must be arrangements to assist anyone who gets into difficulties. The arrangements depend on various factors, including depth of water, proximity to water, tides, currents, skills, age and experience of those working near the water. The arrangements may include; lifelines and buoyancy aids, in low risk situations, to the need for rescue boats and divers for high risk environments.

Equipment

All the equipment taken on board for recording must be suitable for the wet environment. You must ensure that only adequately protected electrical equipment (including cables and connectors) is used. Cameras, sound recorders and lamps used usually need to be powered by a self contained low voltage battery.

Most accidents occur getting on and off boats because of slips, trips, lifting and carrying. Equipment should be in manageable sized and weight parcels. Loading equipment should be a separate task from loading people. If equipment is attached to a person it needs to be easily detachable if the person falls in.

Clothing and Safety equipment

Footwear should be flat with non slip soles. Coats, trousers and boots should be warm, wind and waterproof. Waterproof trousers should be worn on the outside of boots. Layers of clothing are better than one thick garment. PVC clothing is very effective at keeping the water out but it does have the disadvantage of not being able to "breathe". Heat is lost from your head so wear head-gear. If the cast or crew need to enter cold water think about the use of wet or dry suits. Remember that children are more susceptible to temperature change than adults. Make sure for all those involved there are arrangements to keep warm and to get warm after spells of being in the water. Be aware of the difference wind makes to the loss of heat from a person who is wet. Further information can be found in the Cold Weather section.

Working on or near Water Filming on Boats or near Water

Working on or near Water
Filming on Boats or near Water