ID: GISHR01 Date Identified: 26 Jan 20
WBS Item: None Threat: Playing on the water Rating   Low (down from Moderate)
Probability: Unlikely (down from Likely) Context: All the geocaches are on an island in the Missouri River. In order to get to the island, cache hunters must traverse the Missouri River.   Any outdoor activity on navigable bodies of water can be hazardous. Boats can tip and people can be thrown into the water causing injury or death. It is imperative that all adventurers who which to enjoy watersports be careful and plan for contingencies. This is especially true near Goat Island as the currents can be swift in that area.

 
Severity:    Critical
Originator:

 
Owner:

 
Trigger:

This is a risk inherent on all outdoor adventures on the water.
SH Risk Responses:
Avoid The planning team will try to arrange for bona fide motorboats with qualified operators. A motorboat is the best vessel for handling swift currents and for transporting cache hunters with low skills and experience in paddling.
Avoid State boating regulations require all geocache hunters to wear personal floatation devices (life jackets) when on a boat or other watercraft. Life jackets save lives.
Avoid or mitigate If enough people commit to going, the planning team will try to arrange for an emergency boat team from either the National Park Service or the local emergency responders. Having them on site would significantly reduce response times.
Avoid or mitigate Safety in numbers. There will be many geocache hunters travelling to and from Goat Island.   There will likely be some who have skills in boating and paddling who can coach those who don’t. There will also be many people in close proximity to respond to mishaps on the water.
Mitigate The planning team will recommend all who intent to get to the island on their own develop or refresh their boat handling skills.
Accept This is a risk inherent to any outdoor activity on a navigable waterway.
SH Risk Controls:
Accepted This is a risk inherent to any outdoor activity on a navigable waterway.
Status: Combining many the above risk responses should reduce the probability from “Likely” to “Unlikely.” This, in turn, reduces the risk from “Moderate” to “Low.” “Low” is an acceptable range for a safety risk.

 

 
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