Rescue Talk™
Marine Rescue Standby: Hidden Dangers of the Lower Mississippi River
The Mississippi River runs through the center of the U.S., connecting communities from Minnesota to Louisiana. In its lower stretch, from Cairo, Illinois, to the Gulf of America, the river becomes a serious challenge for those who live or work nearby. It’s a vital waterway, but it comes with real hazards that require caution. The lower Mississippi carries all sorts of debris, trees, logs, and other objects, that often can’t be seen from the surface. If someone falls in, they could hit debris or be struck by it, which can knock them out and complicate a rescue. Visibility underwater is essentially zero, and without a personal flotation device, a person could sink quickly, making rescue efforts even tougher.
The Lower Mississippi River corridor is lined on both banks of the river with industries that produce everything from gasoline to fish food and fertilizer. All of these industries will draw water from the river for chemical processes or in cooling processes. Most of the industries will have docks out on the riverbank or extending into the river. These docks must be built and maintained. Many companies’ performing construction work over or near waterways may not realize that a boat or skiff in the water for rescue is an OSHA requirement.
OSHA 1926.106(d) states, “At least one lifesaving skiff shall be immediately available at locations where employees are working over or adjacent to water.”
In fact, according to one OSHA letter of interpretation, the retrieval of an employee from the water is required no more than three to four minutes from the time they entered the water. Depending upon hazards present, rescue could be required even sooner. Another letter of interpretation states, “As a skiff supplies a backup to potential failures of fall protection devices, the use of fall protection systems is not a substitute for the skiff.” Do you trust a skiff on the perilous waters of the lower Mississippi River?
With unpredictable currents and treacherous shifting sandbars, chemical pollution, and the ever-present danger posed by massive commercial vessels, the lower Mississippi presents unique challenges. Understanding these dangers is essential not only for those who navigate its waters, but also for anyone who calls the region home. Many would assume that river water, especially during southern summers, hovers around the 80-degree mark. However, the average temperature of river water is 64-70 degrees, which can lead to the rapid onset of hypothermia. The Mississippi River averages 58 degrees during the spring and early summer due to the snowmelt coming down from the north. At this temperature, hypothermia can set in at an even faster rate.
The River is notorious for its rapidly changing currents. Unlike placid lakes or gently flowing streams, the river is a living, breathing entity. Its flow is affected by rainfall hundreds of miles upstream, seasonal snowmelt, and the whims of nature. The water level can fluctuate dramatically in a matter of hours, catching even experienced boaters off guard. River water on the Mississippi moves at a rate of approximately three knots, which is 3.5 miles per hour. Rivers at flood stage can move even faster. At this rate, an individual that falls in can be swept away, ending up hundreds of feet from the water entry point in a matter of seconds. For this reason, Roco Rescue boats observe closely from slightly downstream, ready to pull workers from the water as quickly as possible. Hidden beneath the surface are shifting sandbars, unstable deposits of silt and sand that move and reform as the river’s current evolves. These sandbars can appear overnight, creating new obstructions and altering familiar channels.
The lower Mississippi serves as a major artery for the movement of goods, everything from grain and coal to petroleum and chemicals make its way downriver aboard massive barges and freighters. The volume of commercial traffic is staggering, and with it comes increased risk.
Navigating the river’s twists and turns requires skill and experience, but even seasoned pilots are not immune to the hazards of fog, rapidly changing water levels, and collisions with submerged objects. Smaller boats must contend with the wakes of passing barges, which can capsize or swamp them in seconds. In busy stretches near ports and industrial facilities, the risk of accidents multiplies.
Roco’s Answer to the Dangers of the Lower Mississippi
Simple Premise. Complicated Process.
The concept is simple. Roco places a sturdy, twin propulsion, boat on-site to monitor projects where work is being performed overwater. The Roco team, consisting of a boat operator and a lead rescuer, is there to closely monitor the site and immediately retrieve anyone that falls into the water. If the worker falls and is hanging from scaffolding or dangling from the side of a structure, it is the duty of the site rescue team to assist. But the minute a worker falls into the water, Roco Rescue’s marine standby rescue team springs into action – and that is when the process becomes both dangerous and complicated.
“Our eyes are constantly on the water,” explained Devin Payne, Roco CSRT Logistics Manager, who also works marine rescue standby.
“The second a worker falls in, our two-person team goes to work to rescue the person out of the water as quickly as possible. One team member maneuvers the boat and the other uses equipment such as life rings, ropes, grab poles or a davit arm, which is a specialized winch.”
“There are a number of factors at play, plus the fact that the person needing rescue may be injured or unconscious,” said Denver Payne, Roco CSRT Regional Manager (and twin brother of Devin).
“Most people don’t realize the dangers of river water, the intricacies that go into rescue or the potential hazards that stand in our way.”
Although the OSHA standard does not identify specific training for the rescue boat personnel, all Roco marine rescue standby personnel are First Responder/CPR/First Aid trained, certified EMR or higher, and most are EMTs. Each member has passed a Boater’s Education Course along with specialized Roco Rescue training developed in conjunction with the U.S. Coast Guard and East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Department. Roco boats are fully equipped with first aid kits, AEDs, and oxygen for prompt emergency care. These twin-engine crafts are safer and designed for rough water, making rescue access easier. Each boat is equipped with everything needed for rescue, including a davit arm strong enough to lift four hundred pounds. Our specialized navigation system allows for work during periods of low visibility as well.
We remind all companies who have personnel performing construction activities over or near the water, you must be ready for immediate rescue. Make sure you are OSHA compliant and have a boat onsite to provide timely rescue.
For additional safety and to ensure the highest level of service, rely on Roco Rescue. For more information on our Marine Rescue Standby Services, please contact us at info@RocoRescue.com or Talk-to-a-Human at 800-647-7626.
About the Author
Scotty Shelton brings more than 30 years of emergency response, rescue, and training experience to Roco Rescue. A retired Chief of Training for the 600-person Baton Rouge Fire Department, he has served in fire, medical, hazmat, and law enforcement roles, as well as with the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve and Louisiana National Guard. Scotty is a seasoned paramedic, USAR task force leader, and instructor in multiple trauma care disciplines. His extensive boat operations background, including service as a U.S. Coast Guard Reserve coxswain, adds valuable expertise to Roco’s marine standby rescue missions. He continues to apply his experience to rescue training and operations on some of the most challenging worksites in the country.
