Dragon Boats NSW Inc.

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Cody Stanley
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1 Dragon Boats NSW Inc. (Incorporated under the Associations Incorporation Act, 2009) (Registered Number: Y ) (ABN ) Boat Handling and Storage Policy Thanks to Mavericks and FFB Dragon Boat Clubs for their contribution in constructing this policy. Unloading the boat Ensure there is an adequate number of people to lift the boat, based on the perceived strength of all those available. Ensure: o o o An even number of people on either side of the boat An even placement of people along each side, with the strongest people on each end In the case of lifting a boat from the top rack, an even placement of tall people is to be ensured at either end and on either side of the boat. A strong person is to assume a position at either end of the boat. This person is to communicate to the same person on the other end to confirm that people are appropriately distributed. Unless confirmation is received the boat is not to be moved. Once confirmed, a call is to be made Lifting the boat on The boat is then lifted/lowered evenly, slowly to waist height. Those lifting need to ensure they bend from the knees, not from the waist during the lift. Moving the boat The boat is to be moved by carrying it at an average waist height. Arms should be bent to ensure the boat is kept high to avoid unnecessary strain on the back, and it should be carried with both hands. Care is to be exercised with the uneven surface of the Bank Street site. If an obstacle is observed by one person, the message should be passed down the boat as it passes over the obstacle. The boat should be moved down the middle of the gravel ramp to avoid unstable edges on either side of the ramp. Care should be taken to ensure the boat is not being carried too quickly. Those at the bow of the boat, leading the way, need to direct the boat to an appropriate space on the water-loading ramp. If no space is available movement of the boat is to be called to a stop at an appropriate place. Care is to be observed carrying on the water-loading ramp, not to trip on the cross-beams. Boats should be placed towards the sides of the ramp and not placed in the middle to ensure other

2 teams can safely bring their boats onto the ramp. The boat is to be called to a stop before the stern (rear of the boat, leading the way) reaches the edge of the water. Turning the boat The person at each end of the boat is to confirm with their reciprocal person that people are ready to turn the boat. People should position themselves towards either end of the boat. It is important to keep both hands on the boat during the turn, so avoid standing in the middle where the hull is wide. Once confirmed a call is made to lift the boat to chest height. Then pointing to the direction of turn, a call is to be made: Turning the boat towards the Maritime Building on This will always be the direction at the start of training and will ensure the sweep arm turns at the top of boat. This prevents surprise impaling by the sweep arm and protects it if the boat is dropped halfway through the turn. The turn should be made slowly enough to allow those who face the open side of the boat to keep one hand on the top edge of the boat while they reach down with their other hand and grip the gunnel as it swings toward them. Those on the hull side should not release their grip with their bottom hand until they see the hand of those standing opposite come through to hold the gunnel, take the weight of the boat and complete the turn. On the instructors call, the boat is to be then gently lowered on the ramp surface. Embarking Once all the paddlers are ready to enter the boat, paddlers of the boat which they are assigned are to distribute themselves evenly along each side of the boat. Once confirmed, a call is to be made Lifting the boat on The boat is then to be lifted and walked halfway into the water (people need to be prepared to have their footwear wet). Under no circumstances should anyone step away from the boat to avoid getting their feet wet. Two people (usually the people allocated to stroke the boat) are required to hold the front of the boat. The first person to board is the sweep who should enter the boat from seat one. As people walk through the boat they need to do so through the centre of the boat, maintaining balance, and utilising the gunwale or people s shoulders as necessary for further stability. Once the sweep has the sweep oar in place and is in position the back three rows should then enter the boat from seat one. People should not enter the boat from further down the boat.

3 Once these people are seated the boat should be slid down further into the water. The next three seats should enter the boat from seat one. This should be repeated until the boat is fully loaded. Once on the water the boat is under the control of the sweep at all times. To avoid injury, do not push the boat further into the water while people are loading. Disembarking People are to exit the boat from seat one, one at a time, moving carefully through the boat. The same practices of loading the boat apply to unloading. The sweep is to be the last to exit the boat. Paddlers are to place their paddles appropriately aside and are to return immediately to the boat, distributing themselves evenly on either side of the boat toward the ends. Once a sufficient number have returned to the boat a call is to be made Lifting the boat on The boat is then lifted and walked until the stern (rear) is out of the water. Once instructed put the boat down gently and remove any lights, sweep oar and safety bag before turning. Turning the boat Before the boat is turned everyone needs to ensure: o o An even number of people on either side of the boat An even placement of people positioned along the narrower ends of the boat, with strongest people towards each end. A strong person is to assume a position at either end of the boat. This person is to communicate to the person on the other end to confirm that people are appropriately distributed. Unless confirmation is received the boat is not to be moved. Once confirmed, a call is to be made Lifting the boat on A call is made to lift the boat to chest height. Then pointing to the direction of turn, a call is to be made Turning the boat towards the Fish Markets on This will always be the direction at the end of training and will ensure the sweep arm turns at the top of boat. This prevents surprise impaling by the sweep arm and protects it if the boat is dropped halfway through the turn.

4 Moving the boat The boat is to be moved, carrying at an average waist height. Care is to be observed when carrying the boat on the water-loading ramp not to trip on the crossbeams. Care is to be exercised with the uneven surface of the Bank Street site. If an obstacle is observed by one person the message should be passed down the boat as it passes over the obstacle. The boat should be moved down the middle of the gravel ramp to avoid unstable edges on either side of the ramp. Those at the bow of the boat, leading the way, need to direct the boat to the appropriate space on the rack allocated to the boat number. Loading the boat Note: Boats have been allocated to specific racks according to the number on their Bow. Eg NSW17. Boats are to be loaded to the top spaces on the racks first, then middle and finally lower. It is to be noted if a boat is already loaded on the adjacent side of the same rack you are loading to. If this is the case, particular care needs to be taken as there is not sufficient space for a person between boats on the same level on the left and right of the rack. Once in place and it is to be determined which rack the boat is being loaded to, a call is made Loading to <height> rack on Care is to be taken that fingers are clear of the rack supports when the boat is lowered. The boat should not be slid lengthways down the rack without ensuring all fingers are clear of the boat. The first edge of the boat is to be lowered onto the rack support. The boat loading is paused while the people on the inside of the rack move out of the rack structure, mindful of obstructions of the other boats, sweep arms and parts of the rack. Once confirmed they are clear of the rack the boat is slid in the remainder of the way. If the boat returned is on the bottom rack, the strapping needs to be secured to avoid boats being blown from the racks in times of high wind.

Boats are to be placed on the arms as close to the vertical support beams as is practical. Also, the assigned rack for each boat is based on the boat's registration number. Untying 1.

5 Securing the boat Boat positioning on the rack For all boats, ensure it is evenly supported over both horizontal support arms. As a guide for the 20-seater boats, the bench closest to the bow or stern should be almost over an arm. Boats are to be placed on the arms as close to the vertical support beams as is practical. Also, the assigned rack for each boat is based on the boat's registration number. Untying 1. Go to the end of the support arm furthest from the rack's vertical support beams. 2. Grasp that fastened rope's nearest free end. 3. Thread rope back until that fastening is completely untied. Tying 1. Ensure rope secured at the upright's bracket, near horizontal support arm. N.B. Always keep this end of any rope tied to the bracket.

1st "round turn" intermediate, lower end under arm before lifting past arm. N.B.

6 2. (Starting position) Rope lying against boat rack and arm. 3. 1st "round turn" intermediate, showing rope's free end under arm 4. 1st "round turn" intermediate, lower end under arm before lifting past arm. N.B. Pull rope's free end until its section lying against the boat is taut. 5. 1st "round turn" complete, perform another before readying for half-hitches. N.B. Continue pulling rope's free end to maintain the section lying against the boat as taut as possible.

7 6. 1st half-hitch intermediate: lay rope's free end across vertical section 7. 1st half hitch, completed: bring free end under 1st horizontal section and pull through 8. 2nd half hitch intermediate: lay rope's free end across vertical section 9. 2nd half hitch, completed: bring free end under 2nd horizontal section and pull through

8 Ratchet tie-down - Loosening Detail of ratchet buckle in "closed" position, showing handle release button. Step 1: Begin to release handle from ratchet mechanism via pressing release button towards the handle's free end. Step 2: While keeping its release button pressed, rotate buckle handle until it is fully open. Once the buckle's fully open the button can be released. Step 3: Pull the buckle until its strap is vertical, the other retaining strap should easily feed through the buckle's central slot.

Step 4: Pull remaining length of retaining strap

boat Step 2: Ensure strap lays flat against boat's

9 Step 4: Pull remaining length of retaining strap through the buckle until it is free. Ratchet tie-down - Tightening Step 1: Ensure strap is hooked into the bracket and lays flat against boat Step 2: Ensure strap lays flat against boat's hull. Step 3: Ensure strap continues to be flat at arm's hook bracket

Step 4: Open the ratchet tie-down buckle until the ratchet is engaged into the 2nd-last notch, retaining the obtuse angle between the buckle's handle and body.

Once centre slot re-oriented, use buckle's release button to restore handle's position to the original angle.

10 Step 4: Open the ratchet tie-down buckle until the ratchet is engaged into the 2nd-last notch, retaining the obtuse angle between the buckle's handle and body. Ensure buckle's centre slot bisects this angle, otherwise orient centre slot through moving the buckle's handle back and forth. Once centre slot re-oriented, use buckle's release button to restore handle's position to the original angle. Step 5: Hook the buckle onto the support arm's bracket such that the buckle's "elbow" points up or towards the boat. Step 6: Feed the longer retaining strap through the buckle's centre slot from the side opposite to buckle's handle. Step 7: Loop the retaining strap around and feed it through the buckle's upper section.

11 Step 8: Pull strap's free end until there is little to no slack. Now can commence tightening the ratchet buckle. Buckle's handle at start & stop of movement cycle, pointing to boat support arm Buckle's handle at cycle's midpoint, pointing towards boat. N.B. need to continue holding strap's free end until ratchet starts holding taut end in place. Step 9: Continue tightening until starting to feel resistance in buckle's handle on the up-stroke.

Side view of fully-tightened ratchet strap assembly, showing untwisted strap

12 Detail of buckle, showing strap being tightened inside. Step 10: Full-tightened ratchet strap assembly. Side view of fully-tightened ratchet strap assembly, showing untwisted strap from bracket to bracket (Optional) Tidy strap's free end by wrapping around buckle's handle and thence feeding it through itself.

13 Strap twisted against the boat, immediately after hook. Also boat not flush against vertical support beam. Detail of strap incorrectly threaded into tie-down buckle, folded upon itself during tightening. N.B. Requires care when unthreading, can become very intricate.

HoldUp Plus2. Safety Kit included: See additional instructions for installation. REAR WHEEL TRAY. BASE (1x) lock WASHER (1x) KEY (2x) SAFETY CLIP (1x)

HoldUp Plus2. Safety Kit included: See additional instructions for installation. REAR WHEEL TRAY. BASE (1x) lock WASHER (1x) KEY (2x) SAFETY CLIP (1x) HoldUp Plus2 InsTAll This product on 2" hitch version of the HoldUp Front WHEEL TRAY assembly (1x) REAR WHEEL TRAY assembly (1x) wrench (1x) BASE (1x) bolt (8X) Lock WASHER (8X) Washer (8x) KEY (2x) SAFETY