Updated
02/04/08
THIS SECTION CONTAINS IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ALL MEMBERS -
PLEASE READ IT!!!
Before going on the water make sure you are familiar with
this plan and are aware of health and safety risks around the Club. You must
also familiarise yourself with the roles of the Race and Safety Officers.
The Health & Safety Plan is regularly updated and is posted in the
Clubhouse.
RISK AWARENESS
There are risks to life and limb around the Club as well as
on the water. There are risks from slipping, tripping, falling, collision or
crushing posed by manoeuvring cars and boats, parked boats, the harbour
wall, slipways, tie-down wires, wet floors and unexpected obstructions.
These risks can only be managed and cannot be eliminated. Be aware of these
risks. Before any major event a risk assessment will be conducted and
suitable risk management instigated.
SAFETY PLAN for organised sailing events involving dinghies
This plan is to be used for Club organised sailing events
involving dinghies and other light sailing craft (referred to as “boats”
hereafter). This document must be read in conjunction with the particular
event sailing instructions (if any) plus the advice to Race Officers and
Safety Officers contained in the Club Handbook sent to all members and
available from the Membership Secretary. Extra ‘RYA’ rules may apply to
training events.
1. DEFINITIONS
Event Organiser means that person or persons
responsible for overseeing the running of the Event, including safety
aspects. The Event Organiser may be the Race Officer where there is a
race, the Training Officer where there is a training event or some other
person(s) designated as such.
Safety Officer means the person in charge of the
Safety Boat(s) at that Event.
Event means an event organised by the Club
involving dinghies and other light sailing craft such as a race,
regatta, Club organised sailing evenings, cruise in company or training
course, etc. It specifically does not include any events organised only
for cruiser members as the skipper of each cruiser is deemed to be
responsible for the safety of his/her boat and crew.
Event Area means the area on the water within
which the Event is being held. This is likely to be indicated on the
board in the Race Office. For normal Club races this is likely to be the
Normal Sailing Area.
Normal Sailing Area means the close vicinity of
the area around Fortrose Harbour and enclosed by the north shore and the
arc of racing marks laid by the Club.
Participants mean those persons participating in
the Event.
Race Office means the room in the Club House
currently used as such.
2. BEFORE GOING ON THE WATER
2.1 Event Organiser to ensure that he /she has
read and understood the section of
the Club handbook marked “Advice for Race
Officers” and that the Event sign on
sheet(s) are available in the Race Office.
2.2 Event Organiser to ensure that where the
Event Area is outwith the Normal
Sailing Area it is clearly
shown on the board in the Race Office.
2.3 Event Organiser and Safety Officer
to ensure that the Club handheld or base
radios are working and that they have ready
access to these during the event and
agreed a working channel (normally M1/
37A). If the radios are not working, a
system of signalling is to be agreed
between the Event Organiser and the Safety
Officer.
2.4 Safety Officer to ensure that he /she has
read and understood the section of the
Club handbook marked “Advice for Safety
Officers” and that the safety equipment
and sufficient fuel are on board the Safety
Boat(s).
2.5 Safety Officer to check the crew of Safety
Boat(s) have read and understand the
section of the Club handbook marked “Advice
for Safety Crews”
2.6 Participants
enter their information on the event sign on sheet, i.e. sign on.
3. DURING THE EVENT
3.1 Event Organiser to keep watch on all boats
on the water within the Event Area.
In case of a boat getting into difficulties
on the water the Event Organiser to
communicate with Safety Officer by
radio or visually should the radios fail.
3.2 Safety Officer to keep a watch on all boats
on the water within the Event Area
and to communicate regularly with the
Event Organiser.
3.3 Participants
coming ashore to sign off on the event sign on sheet as soon as
possible.
4. AT THE END OF THE EVENT
4.1 Event Organiser to keep watch on all boats
remaining on the water within the
Event Area until the Safety Boat(s)
return to shore.
4.2 Safety Officer to ensure that all junior
sailors within the Event Area not
accompanied by a parent, or by someone
acting in loco parentis, and all Club boats
return to shore and stop sailing by giving
instruction to that effect, if necessary.
4.3 Safety Officer to inform any remaining
boats within the Event Area and within the
Normal Sailing Area that the Safety
Boat is going ashore, thus ending safety
cover.
4.4 Participants coming ashore to sign off on
the event sign on sheet as soon as
possible.
4.5 Event Organiser to:-
a) ensure that all juniors are ashore unless accompanied by
a parent, or someone acting in loco parentis.
b) ensure that all Club boats and Safety Boats are ashore.
c) ensure that boats on the water account for any trolleys
left on the beaches; east and west of the harbour.
d) liaise with the Safety officer re the implementation of
a), b) and c) above and check that 4.3 above has been complied with
e) Check
that participants have signed off on the event sign on sheet. If not ensure
that their boat is either ashore or is one of those choosing to remain on
the water without safety cover.
5. EMERGENCY SITUATIONS
5.1 Event Organiser and/or Safety Officer
to decide whether or not to involve the
emergency services - use telephone in the
Clubhouse or radio to contact the
Aberdeen Coastguard or other emergency
services as appropriate.
5.2 A list of emergency contact numbers is in the
Race Office.
In the interests of safety it is extremely important that all
participants co-operate fully in ensuring they sign on the sign on sheet
(usually in the race office) before they go on the water and sign off when
they come off the water.
