RNLI Atlantic 85, Manual

Page: 28 / 122

28
Activity 2 - Personal Competencies
B Class Atlantic 85 Manual – First Issue, June 2017
Activity 2 - Personal Competencies
A-frame and cleats
The A-frame’s main purpose is to hold the righting bag
which enables the boat to be re-righted after a capsize. The
A-frame also has various fittings for cameras, navigation
lights, antennas, radar scanner etc. The A-frame is designed
and built to withstand the load of re-righting the boat.
It is not designed to be loaded horizontally, and therefore
the cleats on the frame and the frame itself, should only
be secured to for low load activities, such as mooring and
berthing. The A-frame should not be used to secure any
lines during towing. The exact construction of the A-frame
varies across the fleet, therefore the method of lowering
and raising the masts can differ. All the antennas can be
lowered to allow the boat to be housed easily.
Tow line stowage
The rope reel, located aft of crew seat 4, houses 66 metres
of 12mm polyester braid line. The tow line is attached to
the reel by a weak link so in the event of the line running
out freely, the weak link should break so allowing the rope
part from the reel.
Emergency steering bypass valve
Located astern of the tow line, the emergency steering
bypass valve allows the engines to be steered manually,
using the metal steering arm stored on the port side aft.
When the valve points fore and aft, the steering is by
the helm wheel. When turned 90
o
to point abeam, the
hydraulic system is bypassed allowing the steering to be
done manually.
Open Position Closed position