Transportation use in Prospecting
What are the means of transportation available for the mission? Be it, on river, land or air, do they adapt to working conditions? And what are the local possibilities of finding spare parts?
If possible, choose a brand that will ensure proper maintenance and possible mechanic assistance during the mission, along with a stock of reliable spare parts.
A) Motorized land vehicles
Before departure acquire a maintenance manual & a list of the most needed spare parts that should be bought and sent to the site (keep in mind delivery time & custom paper work). Vehicles, especially standard models, are not made for the conditions and use that it will be given. So it is recommended adapting them, for example:
- extra fuel tank that covers at least 1000 km (specifically in desert areas)
- water reserve or portable tanks (canteens). Fuel tanks should never be kept inside the vehicle
- lateral projector (flood light), next to the driver, to drive at night in any terrain
- thermometer for the radiator, manometer for the oil pressure
- good illumination of the cab
- two spare tires
- shovel & axe
- double battery, specially if the car is equipped with a radio & an alternator to recharge
- reinforced suspension and shocks
- power steering is advisable
- towing cables
- It might be necessary to install a front winch, to pull in case it gets stuck in the sand or the likes.
In some types of terrain it might be convenient to use a motorcycle to make circulation easier in places where a vehicle can’t go.
B) Water vehicles
The capacity of transport must be studied comparing it to the direction of the current, (depth, speed, flow, etc.).
As with a car, always take spare parts & tools, along with plenty rope, for mooring, barrels of fuel, oil, etc...
Everyday before going out, based on the itinerary that is foreseen to be done for the day, calculate the amount of fuel used with the power of the motor, for example; with 23 liters, which is the standard amount of a tank, you can travel for the following amount of time.
40 CV top speed 1h.15 minimum speed 2h.15
18 CV top speed 2.h30 minimum speed 3h.
5 CV top speed 6h. minimum speed 11h.
C) Animals
Beside mechanical vehicles a, a mission might be forced to use animal transportation: horses, donkeys, mules, llamas, etc…
When it comes to saddles and reins, use the ones that are common in the area; in absence of a veterinary make sure at least that the animals don’t have ulcers in the contact zones with the saddle & reins.
Care and feeding of the animals is responsibility of the owner or guide.
D) Air vehicles (light aircraft, helicopters)
The aircraft maintenance is the pilot’s responsibility.
In the case of a mission with a helicopter, provide the personnel with very visible clothing, for example a strong orange color, to see people on land. And if possible a “walky talky” type radio.
In the case where a helicopter can’t land, make sure the land is consistent by throwing something tied to a rope or cable (possible quick sands, swamps, or surfaces of lakes covered by vegetation).
In order to land and take off without problems a helicopter needs a clear area of at least 50m x 100m, pointing towards the predominant current of wind, following the chart on fig 2.
Mark with a triangle of 3m x 3m the landing zone and with a T show the wind direction. If possible set up a permanent “wind sleeve”.
If you have smoke signals put that at the end of the landing strip. If they aren’t available, they can be made with a cloth soaked in motor oil, or with a can full of sand and gasoline or with a piece of tire covered in gasoline.
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