When a vessel is in danger of sinking, lifeboats and rafts are not always available for abandoning ship. In such cases the crew and passengers should, if possible, remain on the ship until another vessel arrives on the scene and sends boats or rafts across. The rescue should not be attempted in darkness if the sea conditions are difficult unless this is the only hope of saving life.

If the sea is rough, the assisting ship should launch a motor lifeboat from a position slightly to windward of the disabled vessel. It would usually be advantageous for both vessels to distribute oil to make conditions easier for the boats. A disabled vessel tends to lie practically beam on to the wind and sea. In some cases it may be best for the rescue vessel to launch her boat(s) from the lee side when lying stopped, beam on to the sea and to windward of the disabled vessel. This may be dangerous however, if the vessel is “stiff” and liable to roll heavily.

An alternative method is for the rescue ship to launch her boat when slowly making way through the water with the wind and seas about two points on her bow. This position will give sufficient lee for launching without the dangers of excessive rolling. If this method is used the painter (bow line) should be taut as the boat is lowered. As the boat reaches the water, the engine should be started, the tiller put hard over towards the ship and both falls released simultaneously. The boat should shear away from the ship’s side and the painter can then be released.

The rescue vessel should give as much lee as possible to the boat as it makes its way across to the other vessel, then position should be taken up to leeward so that the boat can make the return journey down wind. The boat should be kept in sight if possible in case it should capsize or get into difficulties.
As the disabled vessel may be drifting fairly rapidly to leeward, it could be dangerous for the boat to go alongside amidships on the leeward side. In such circumstances the boat should lie off end-on to the ship, on the lee side and nearer to the end which is lying upwind. The crew can then be taken off one at a time using a lifebuoy and line.

In very bad weather conditions it is dangerous to use lifeboats. The best method of taking the crew off is to haul a life raft across between the two ships. If both vessels are expected to drift to leeward at about the same rate, this operation can be carried out with the two vessels lying parallel to one another. If the rate of drift is appreciably different, the rescue vessel should take up a position stern to the wind, off the end of the disabled vessel and to windward of her. This position will enable the rescue vessel to manoeuvre so as to keep at a safe distance from the other ship.