A. Procedures Related to the Sailing of Picnic Boats and Paid Picnics, Undated.

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1 21 March 2017 To: All HMYA Members HMYA SAILING UPDATE References: A. Procedures Related to the Sailing of Picnic Boats and Paid Picnics, Undated. 1. Purpose. The purpose of this note is to provide a consolidated update on HMYA sailing procedures in order to get as many people sailing again as quickly as is reasonably possible. This follows the message sent to all members on 28 February. Scope. The scope of this update is to cover the following: a. Transponders. b. Registration. b. Inspections. d. Checking Out. e. Checking Back In. f. Members Rebate. g. Boat Ownership. 2. Automatic Identification System (AIS) Transponders. After months of deliberation, it is clear that to return to sailing as soon as is reasonably possible, all boats/boards in all fleets (less those less than 3.6 metres in length) require an approved transponder as directed by the Ministry of Transport and policed by their inspectors and the Border Guard (aka the Coast Guard). This will assist with their vessel tracking requirements and thus is security focused rather than safety focused. The requirement is to mount 1 approved Class B devices such as the AMEC Camino-108 or Matsutek HP-33A for power boats, or portable AMEC AIS TB560 or Em Trak IDENTIFIER AIS I 100 for smaller boats as shown in Figs 1,2 & 3 below. Figure 1: AMEC Camino-108 Class B Transponder & VHF Antenna & GPS Antenna for a larger boat. 1 The Identifier should be mounted as high as possible on the vessel and should not be attached to a vertical metal surface or pole as this will interfere with the operation of the internal VHF antenna. Installation Instructions AIS Transponder Type B portable. 1

2 Figure 2: AMEC AIS TB560 portable device Figure 3: Em Trak IDENTIFIER AIS I 100 portable device The portable transponders (aka the orange sausage ) are approx 35 cm long, are designed to be secured to the boat, be removable and have rechargeable batteries. These VHF emitting devices may be detected by receiver stations on and around Half Moon Bay. The VHF emitters are not at their most effective when strapped to metal or when lying in the water or upside down in the water. HMYA is confirming where Receiver Stations are/will be located but they will certainly be located on HMYA beaches and on boats with receivers. Members may wish to buy their own and personally register them with the Ministry of Communications at their own risk. Alternatively they are available for purchase via Maha/Nasser through the HMYA Office and are required to enable registering/re-registering. Once purchased they must be fitted and then inspected by the Ministry of Transport representative. (See Inspections below). Proof of AIS ownership is a credit card sized document which identifies the transponder to the boat and the owner. Please notify to HMYA Registrar your early intention to buy, which will help bulk purchase and get you back onto the water soonest. HMYA is looking for the best deal and to purchase in bulk to reduce cost to the individual. Detailed supply statistics and waiting times are still emerging. The currently identified models and prices are: Larger Power and Offshore Boats: o SR 3300 for AMEC Caminio 108 including registration. o SR 2600 for Matsutek HP-33A including registration. Smaller Boats/Portable Devices: o SR 3350 AMEC AIS TB560 including registration or, just in, o SR 2100 Em Trak IDENTIFIER AIS I 100 including registration with an initial bulk purchase order of 120 devices. 2

3 We have been unable to obtain authorization for personal man overboard transponders/personal locator beacons (such as the McMurdo Smartfind S10) thus far. 3. Registration. To be a member of HMYA, it is a requirement to own a boat and it must be registered with KSA Government Authorities. This process is facilitated by Maha Hurdle, the Registrar. HMYA use Nasser who has been an agent of HMYA for the last 40 years. He provides the Arabic speaking link to the Ministry of Transport and the Border Guard to ensure that all is in order. It is not mandatory to use Nasser s services but those who do wish to go direct are still required to inform HMYA that they are doing so. In addition to this registration process, HMYA Treasurer) has supplied a list of registered boats to the Border Guard. Every boat must be on this list if it is to stand a chance of entering the water. A copy for your White Book pages 3 & 4, Iqama and Aramco ID is required for the Treasurer (hmyatreasurer@gmail.com) to fill in the details as soon as possible if you have not already done so. Either send them to him to directly or do it through the office (Registrar). We have two thirds of the details and need to finish the job soon to retain credibility with the Border Guard. 4. Checking Out to Sail. To go sailing, you should do the following: a. Pre-Departure Checks. Before setting off, check that you have your boat documents and Beach Gate and Waterline Checks Form (See Link: Beach Gates and Waterline Checks Form as at March 2017 ) filled in as well as the requisite safety gear for your boat. b. Border Guards. Drive to the Border Guard Station located at the head of Half Moon Bay. This is best approached via Gate 60 and the Old Abqaiq Road. Figure 3: Half Moon Bay Border Guard Station. 3

4 Park on the side of the main road and sign in through the Guard House window beside the main gate. Be prepared to provide the following 2 : National ID White Book Ship Station Licence (AIS credit card) The Border Guard will retain the boat white book and provide you with a Boat Sailing Authorization Form (A4 size) in Arabic. This indicates owner/boat information, planned passenger information, planned departure and return time. The Border Guard has advised us verbally that this cannot happen before 0600 hrs. c. HMYA Beach Gate. At the HMYA beach gates, hand in your Beach Gates and Waterline Checks Form. See Link: Beach Gates and Waterline Checks Form as at March The Gate Guard will stamp and return a portion of this form and retain a portion to mark your anticipated return time. If you are on a boat/board that is not required to be registered with the KSA Government (less than 3.6 metres in length, such as a kayak) you will be required to do this, the waterline check and the HMYA check in at the end of the day but not go to the Border Guards. d. Waterline Check. At the waterline, the Life Guard will check your stamped form and will perform a final safety check which includes verification of passengers v boat capacity, safety items including AIS fitted/switched on and the Border Guard Sailing Authorization Form. The life guard will sign off on your entry to the water or highlight any deficiencies. Retain this form as it will be your ticket to sail up until your indicated return time. Also ensure that you sail with the Authorization Form on board, which is required if you are stopped by the Border Guard. e. Checking In. Prior to your indicated return time, return to the HMYA gate guard house to report that you are off the water and return the HMYA form to the attendant. This is a critical step as your intended return time has been documented. Any delay will activate the internal emergency response plan as it will be assumed you remain on the water and are in distress. Finally return to the Border Guard station to complete the Border Guard check in process and retrieve your white book by the time stated on your Authorization Form (so far this has varied but the Border Guard has verbally stated 6 pm). Failure to do this may incur hefty violation penalties for the individual, HMYA and/or Aramco. Needless to say the reputation of the Association rests on people checking out and in properly. 5. Inspections. It is a member s responsibility to maintain their boat in a seaworthy condition. They will be supported in three ways: a. Ministry of Transport. MoT has introduced an annual inspection requirement, although registration lasts for 3 years. To arrange an inspection you will need to pay the HMYA office Registrar SR 100 for Sailboats or SR 150 for Powerboat and provide your white book. To pass 2 NB: There has been discussion around the potential requirement for a Pink (Log) Book and a Boat Drivers Licence. Trials have revealed that neither of these are currently deemed to be requirements, however there is a possibility that the Driving Licence will become a requirement from 1 Sep 17. If you possess either please do not offer them and thereby inadvertently establish a precedent. Further updates will confirm the requirements & the process to obtain them if necessary. 4

5 the Inspection, you will require a transponder if your boat is larger than 3.60 meters. On the day of the inspection you will require: all standard safety gear (anchor, anchor rope, lifejackets, fire extinguisher (for engine powered boats) and the boat name/number in Arabic must be on the side of the boat. Lifejackets with whistles are required for each passenger up to the maximum noted in the white book. The inspection will occur on Saturday mornings from 10am to 12 noon. The inspector will contact you to confirm your boat location and time of inspection. b. Fleet Captains. Fleet Captains will continue to inspect fleets on handover/sale of boats and be prepared to provide advice as required. c. Subject Matter Expert Support. HMYA will look for a SME to be available for reviews/inspections for members that request one or where the HMYA Board advise that it may be necessary. 6. Members Rebate. In order to compensate members for the sailing hiatus over the last few months, it is proposed to extend all memberships by one year at no cost to the individual. This method spreads the cost to the HMYA and ensures that it is affordable. Also any fines raised by KSA Government for late boat registration caused by the hiatus will be paid for by the Club. This is applicable up to 500 SAR for each individual. 7. Boat Ownership. KSA Government has recently indicated that Expatriates may only own one boat each. This directive has not been seen in writing yet but for those members with more than one boat, they need to consider selling one of them or transferring to dependents. Transfer is being trialled now. The Committee is considering its options regarding the training fleet. Current enquiries centre upon how other resorts cope with boat loaning arrangements. There will be a separate update on this. 8. Safety. HMYA is in the process of developing sailing risk assessment to complement Reference A. And finally some 18 th century pieces of advice to Midshipmen offered by Admiral Nelson (with redactions to spare Francophile members of the Association). I leave it to members to sift what is useful and what has been overcome by events. There are three things, young gentlemen, which you are constantly to bear in mind. Firstly, you must always implicitly obey orders, without attempting to form any opinion of your own respecting their propriety. Secondly, you must consider every man your enemy who speaks ill of your king; and thirdly, you must xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx. Hugh Bodington V/Commodore Tel: