Guidance for Safety Boat Crews
The following information is provided as guidance for those allocated to these duties.
Please let the Safety Boat Lead know if you experience any significant problems with the Safety Boats and complete the Safety Boat log held in the Race Office.
Please let the Safety Boat Lead know if you experience any significant problems with the Safety Boats and complete the Safety Boat log held in the Race Office.
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We have 3 Safety Boats;
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Guidance document in relation to the operation and use of MEIKLE:
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The Safety Boats, BEAULY and NESS, are most often used to provide safety boat cover at Club events at which time they should be equipped with the following:-
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Handheld VHF
Anchor and warp Floats for buoying abandoned dinghies Towlines (including a floating line) First Aid Kit Fire extinguisher Bailer Paddles Towing Bridle |
Throw bag
Knife Polybottle containing: - Flares - Spare Kill Cord - Fog Horn - Survival blanket/ bag - Tool Kit |
The safety boats are stored on the harbour hard standing. They are padlocked to a chain. The padlock key is kept in the wall cupboard in the race office, as is the key to the petrol store (underneath the starter’s box) and the key to the outside store where the safety boat equipment is kept. These keys are all on the large wooden key ring. Handheld VHF radios and the base station are kept in the race office.
The Safety Boats are rated for 6 persons maximum and designed for voyages in coastal waters, large bays, and estuaries, where conditions up to, and including, wind force 6 and significant wave heights up to, and including, 2m may be experienced. Do not exceed these limits. Do not leave the Normal Sailing Area without the permission of the Event Organiser (normally the Race Officer).
Except in an emergency, only members with the specific permission of one of the following may use the Club Safety Boat(s) - a Committee Member, Harbourmaster, Race Officer or Safety Officers on Race Days. For any activity planned for outside the Normal Sailing Area, a specific risk assessment must be carried out in advance by a competent person. In any emergency situation, safety boat crews should not endanger their own lives or place the safety boat in danger – in these situations, assistance should be requested immediately from the Coastguard and all involved should switch communication to Channel 16.
Communication
The Safety Boat should remain in a position where the crew can clearly see all the boats on the water and maintain communication with the Race Officer/ Organiser using the Club’s VHF radios. Whatever the position of the Safety Boat, the Crew must be aware of the position of all boats on the water. The Race Officer and Safety Officers will maintain contact by VHF radio. Alternatively the Race Officer will fly International Code Flag "R" or the "RESCUE" board – red “R” on yellow background, when he wishes to give instructions to the Safety Boat Crew.
Starting the Safety Boat
Before taking charge of a Safety Boat, an authorised member shall acquaint him/herself with the following procedures which are expanded and displayed in the Race Office on separate notice sheets for each rescue boat:
- cold and warm starting procedures;
- use of gears and throttle;
- raising and lowering the motor;
- method of stopping the motor.
Prop Guards & Safety
Please note that the prop guards previously fitted have been removed. This is in-line with advice from the RYA that the prop guards reduce safety boat manoeuvrability, speed, acceleration and range and increase the risk of damage to propellers and gearboxes while providing very limited benefits. Safety Boat drivers must cut the engine completely when in contact with anyone in the water. Safety Boat drivers must also use and wear a kill cord at all times when the engine is running. Engines should not be run in shallow water.
NOTE: EXCEPT WHEN USING FLUSHING MUFFS, DO NOT START THE ENGINE OUT OF THE WATER; SERIOUS DAMAGE WILL RESULT!
Trailer Warning
To avoid accidents when winching the boat onto the trailer ensure the ratchet is properly engaged. When the winch is not in use or the ratchet is disengaged the winch handle should be securing to the trailer with a rope.
Rotating the Safety Boats
Remember to sign the duty sheet and complete the Safety Boat Log in the Race/Training Office after the race. Where possible use designated Rescue boats as follows:
Safety Boat Logbooks
Advice on Assisting Dinghies
The first responsibility of the Safety Crew is the safety of the helms and crews. The Safety Officer has the ultimate authority during a rescue and those being rescued must accept his/her decisions. There is every likelihood that if the prevailing conditions result in one boat getting into difficulties then other boats are likely to follow, therefore it is essential that all rescues are carried out as swiftly and efficiently as possible to enable the Safety Boat to attend to any other craft in difficulties. In the event of a capsize the following points should be borne in mind.
The Safety Boats are rated for 6 persons maximum and designed for voyages in coastal waters, large bays, and estuaries, where conditions up to, and including, wind force 6 and significant wave heights up to, and including, 2m may be experienced. Do not exceed these limits. Do not leave the Normal Sailing Area without the permission of the Event Organiser (normally the Race Officer).
Except in an emergency, only members with the specific permission of one of the following may use the Club Safety Boat(s) - a Committee Member, Harbourmaster, Race Officer or Safety Officers on Race Days. For any activity planned for outside the Normal Sailing Area, a specific risk assessment must be carried out in advance by a competent person. In any emergency situation, safety boat crews should not endanger their own lives or place the safety boat in danger – in these situations, assistance should be requested immediately from the Coastguard and all involved should switch communication to Channel 16.
Communication
The Safety Boat should remain in a position where the crew can clearly see all the boats on the water and maintain communication with the Race Officer/ Organiser using the Club’s VHF radios. Whatever the position of the Safety Boat, the Crew must be aware of the position of all boats on the water. The Race Officer and Safety Officers will maintain contact by VHF radio. Alternatively the Race Officer will fly International Code Flag "R" or the "RESCUE" board – red “R” on yellow background, when he wishes to give instructions to the Safety Boat Crew.
Starting the Safety Boat
Before taking charge of a Safety Boat, an authorised member shall acquaint him/herself with the following procedures which are expanded and displayed in the Race Office on separate notice sheets for each rescue boat:
- cold and warm starting procedures;
- use of gears and throttle;
- raising and lowering the motor;
- method of stopping the motor.
Prop Guards & Safety
Please note that the prop guards previously fitted have been removed. This is in-line with advice from the RYA that the prop guards reduce safety boat manoeuvrability, speed, acceleration and range and increase the risk of damage to propellers and gearboxes while providing very limited benefits. Safety Boat drivers must cut the engine completely when in contact with anyone in the water. Safety Boat drivers must also use and wear a kill cord at all times when the engine is running. Engines should not be run in shallow water.
NOTE: EXCEPT WHEN USING FLUSHING MUFFS, DO NOT START THE ENGINE OUT OF THE WATER; SERIOUS DAMAGE WILL RESULT!
Trailer Warning
To avoid accidents when winching the boat onto the trailer ensure the ratchet is properly engaged. When the winch is not in use or the ratchet is disengaged the winch handle should be securing to the trailer with a rope.
Rotating the Safety Boats
Remember to sign the duty sheet and complete the Safety Boat Log in the Race/Training Office after the race. Where possible use designated Rescue boats as follows:
- Weekends BEAULY (50hp engine)
- Weekdays NESS (40hp engine)
Safety Boat Logbooks
- Repairs
Separate logbooks are maintained in respect of NESS, BEAULY and MEIKLE. These are located in the race office and should be written up after use of the boats to record any matters which require the attention of the Safety Boat Lead. If the fault is serious and limits the use of a Safety Boat, then phone or email the Safety Boats Lead and Sailing Secretary using their contacts on the Appointments and Volunteers page. - Fuel
In order that the Club can reclaim VAT on fuel a log of usage must be kept. Please complete the Safety Boat Logbook kept on the counter in the Race Office room. If the fuel tanks in the fuel store are low, please inform the nominated Safety Boat Fuel lead by telephone or in person.
Advice on Assisting Dinghies
The first responsibility of the Safety Crew is the safety of the helms and crews. The Safety Officer has the ultimate authority during a rescue and those being rescued must accept his/her decisions. There is every likelihood that if the prevailing conditions result in one boat getting into difficulties then other boats are likely to follow, therefore it is essential that all rescues are carried out as swiftly and efficiently as possible to enable the Safety Boat to attend to any other craft in difficulties. In the event of a capsize the following points should be borne in mind.
- First ensure that all capsized crew are safe, do not close in too quickly on the boat as the crew should be able to right it themselves and the close proximity of the Safety Boat may obstruct their efforts. If anyone is thought to be trapped under the dinghy right it as quickly as possible.
- If the dinghy’s crew is unable to right the boat themselves for whatever reason then give assistance. At this stage decide whether to take the crew off, and take them ashore for safety reasons (they may be injured or at risk from cold).
Priority must be given to the safety of crews, not boats and if the Safety Boat crew decides to assist with the righting of a dinghy they must be prepared to abandon the attempt if another boat is in trouble. - The avoidance of damage to hull and rigging is important. Normally make a gentle approach from the lee side of a capsized boat, unless obstructions make this impossible. Beware of trailing ropes. If the boat has inverted then for a boat with a stayed mast, tie/shackle a rope to the lee shroud and let the rope sink down along the shroud, at the same time backing away downwind with the Rescue Boat so that the mast is pulled up to a horizontal position. To right the boat, move to the masthead and gradually work your way towards the hull of the boat raising the mast at the same time. If the wind is strong, unshackle the mainsail and lower the mainsail while raising the mast. The boat should not be towed when inverted or on its side. In the case of boats with un-stayed masts, assist the crew if necessary by bearing down on the windward gunwale amidships.
- Once the boat is righted and providing the crew are not in distress they should bail it and attempt to sail home or shore-ward themselves thus freeing the Safety Boat for other rescues.