CVLSC Duties Book. Chew Valley Lake Sailing Club Limited, Walley Court Rd, Chew Stoke, BS40 8XN. 28-Sep-17 Page 1 of 33

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1 Chew Valley Lake Sailing Club Limited, Walley Court Rd, Chew Stoke, BS40 8XN Sep-17 Page 1 of 33

2 Contents 1 General Overview Roles & Responsibilities Duty Team Entry & Exit How and when to open the club To Close Preparations for Sailing Weather Check Sailing Hours Sailing Area Radios Preparations for sailing - provision of rescue boats Use of RIBS As Rescue Boats Provision & Hire of Club Dinghies Process of Hire Visitors/Guests & Fees OOD Shoreside Duties General Emergency procedure Lightning Fire Intruder Alarm Appendix A: Risk Assessment for General Sailing Appendix B: CVLSC Safety Policy June Safety Cover Individual Responsibilities Appendix C: Cold Weather Advice Appendix D: RIB Users Checklist Pre Launch Checks Additional guidance Launching Operation of Club Safety Boats Appendix E: Locking Up Check Sheet Appendix F: End of Day Close Up Procedure Appendix G: Injuries Appendix H: Defibrillator Algorithm and Information Appendix I: Lake Map Sep-17 Page 2 of 33

3 1 General Overview Ensuring safe and enjoyable sailing on Chew Valley Lake. Chew is an entirely voluntarily run club. Our sailing opportunities are dependent on every member supporting each other to sail by turning up for scheduled duties. When you joined, as a condition of membership, you accepted that you would do duties. The duties are allocated on a rota basis for Saturdays, Sundays, Wednesday days and a few Thursday evenings in the summer. In addition, Wednesday evening race duties are usually scheduled from those that race/sail on Wednesday evenings and Open Meeting duties from the regular racers. The daily duty allocation is as follows Wednesday Thursday Saturday Sunday Day 10-2 Afternoon Evening Evening OOD 1 1 OOD(2) 1 1 RH RC 2 RO 1 1 ARO 2 1 Where no OOD is allocated RH also perform this role. Wednesday afternoon: Wednesday and Thursday evening: No rostered duty cover. Safety cover may be provided by universities / schools / All Aboard. The whole team is responsible for safety overview and the FULL locking up procedure 28-Sep-17 Page 3 of 33

4 1.1 Roles & Responsibilities Officer Of the Day OOD Officers Of the Day have overall responsibility for ensuring the safe running of the club. The first OOD on the roster is responsible for checking that the rest of the team is available, by phoning round a week before the duty day. OODs can be called on for rescue crew duties if the risk assessment demands and/or there are not enough people to conduct this role. Rescue Helms RH Rescue Helms have responsibility for safety on the lake, in conjunction with the OODs and RO and ARO. On Sundays they will be expected to help the Race Officer by moving marks. Rescue helms must have either the RYA Powerboat Level 2 certificate or equivalent qualification; or experience of at least three seasons as helm. In addition, from 2017, on a rolling three year programme all rescue helms will have completed the CVLSC Safety Boat Certificate (1 day course) unless they hold a current RYA Safety Boat qualification. Rescue Crews RC Assist the rescue helms Race Officer RO Overall charge of club racing, jointly responsible for safety with the OODs Detailed guidance for Race Officers is in the folder in the race hut. Contact the PRO John Smalley if you have any queries. Assistant Race Officer ARO To assist the RO in running club racing, may be called upon for Rescue Duties in the event of a no show. Flag Officers Commodore, Vice-Commodore, Rear-Commodore Available for help and advice (at least they ll know who to ask) Safety Coordinator SCo Present at open meetings to coordinate safety of the event. He/she should liaise closely with the OODs. Sailing Secretary Available for help and advice (at least they ll know who to ask) CLADS (Chew Valley Association for Disabled sailors) On Saturday mornings when CLADS are sailing, they have an onshore coordinator, with whom the OODs should make contact Backup Fleet. On racing days back up fleet should provide additional rescue helms/crew if needed. The Fleet Captain should assist in finding volunteers. 28-Sep-17 Page 4 of 33

5 1.2 Duty Team The Officers of the Day, rescue boat team and any race teams are responsible to run Chew Valley Lake Sailing Club on your duty day. You are all entrusted to ensure: 1. the safe use of the club and lake. 2. that you complete the risk assessment to decide if it is safe to sail (see Appendix A) 3. that you maintain a watch on the lake at all times so that there is a quick response to any kind of problem. 4. that we stick to the rules of the club, including those of Bristol Water, who own the lake. 5. Be observant of visitors, ensure they are signed in to the Visitors Book and deal with payments for hire of club boats. 6. Familiarise yourself with the emergency procedures, location of the first aid kits and the defibrillator and its instructions for use. 7. Complete the Duties Register Book FULLY, located in the main clubroom, ensuring that all members of the duty team present are recorded. Please note any duty swaps. 8. Collect sign in sheets from the clipboard at the inner gate, add these details to the Duties Register book. NOTES All duties can involve long period of time out of doors so please bring/wear appropriate clothing. If you are rostered to do any sort of duty on the lake, including Officer of the Day, you should bring suitable clothing to go out in the rescue boats. You may need to go in the water, so this should include a wetsuit or dry suit, buoyancy aid, and plenty of warm and waterproof clothing. Please also bring a charged mobile phone for emergencies, landline also available. Backup and support systems: What to do of a rescue helm does not turn up no shows If the team is short of a rescue helm put out a request for a volunteer over the tanoy. On Saturday, the OODs should gather the whole team and try to agree a solution. It may be one of the OODs, if qualified, can step in. On Sunday, there is a system of a backup fleet and Race Officer advisors. The list can be found on the notice board near the bar. The backup fleet is expected to find a volunteer to man the rescue boats or help the race officers if needed. Questions?? Please do ask if you have questions, there is usually someone around who can offer help/guidance. 28-Sep-17 Page 5 of 33

6 2 Entry & Exit 2.1 How and when to open the club The standard opening time is 09:00 unless you have an express instruction to vary this. Access to the club is from Walley Court Rd; 1. Outer Gate As a rule Bristol Water require the outer gate to be kept locked. This is so, unless there is an open event involving visitors, in which case the gate may be left unlocked, but closed. In this case, to prevent inadvertent re-locking, take the lock off the gate and leave it on the key hook by the OODs desk in the clubhouse. 2. Inner Gate There is a hut on the right at the entrance to the dinghy park (where there is also a secondary gate, which may be left open during the sailing day). Collect any previous sign in sheets and transfer data to Duties Register Book. 3. Entrance Hut Open the hut; leave a new signing in sheet with a pen, in the aperture, so members can sign in. 4. Collect club key set Club keys are located in a steel wall box, behind a steel gate under the race hut terrace stairs; the padlocks to the gate and key box are common to your club gate key. The steel wall box contains a large key ring with numbered keys corresponding to the various numbered access points of the club-house. Entrance to the Clubhouse. 1. The main entrance door. (This door connects to the alarm so take care to read the instructions on the door or you may accidentally activate the intruder alarm). 2. In icy conditions there is salt grit available for use on the steps and entrance way. 3. Open the undercover boat store 4. Open the upper terrace doors. 5. If racing is planned; open the Race hut & Signing on room. 6. Open the Training room. 28-Sep-17 Page 6 of 33

7 2.2 To Close The OODs will normally be the last to leave the clubhouse and are responsible for locking up (see check list Appendix E: Locking Up Check Sheet, page 28 and Appendix F: End of Day Close Up Procedure, page 29). All the keys on the key ring are numbered; these correspond to the numbers on the club s doors. Lock the doors in numeric order, this ensures none is missed. You will also find a pad of locking up sign off sheets on the duty desk. This sheet must be completed as you lock up the doors. This needs to be signed by you and deposited in the letter box by the main doors as you leave. However, if members wish to stay on, you may ask for a volunteer to become responsible for the club keys. Record this in the duty register including the name and membership number of the member who accepted the keys from you. EVEN SO, you are still required to carry out the lock-up procedure (including completing the locking up sign off sheet) BEFORE YOU LEAVE with the exception of the main entrance, key safe, steel grille and inner gate. Return the club burgee, red ensign and flags W, E and N (if used) to hang on the cage in the covered boat store. Put the hand-held radios back on charge in the cupboard in the secretary s office; follow the re-charging instructions displayed in storage cupboard. The Instructions on the wall in the cupboard explain. There have been recent occasions when the radios have not been recharged. This puts crews safety at risk. Return any parasols to the declaration room. Ensure that the clubhouse and changing rooms are left tidy, refill paper towels and toilet roll holders (plastic key on galley keyboard) as required. Supplies are kept in the cupboard inside the male changing room entrance. On Sundays, stack all the tables in the main hall into the carrying frames. Turn off heaters (instructions are written on them), and turn off all lights including changing rooms. DO NOT TURN OFF THE MAIN GAS SUPPLY OUTSIDE THE BUILDING. If you are the last to leave, complete the numerical locking up procedure. Return the club keys to the key box. Lock the steel grille. Lock the gate hut, close the inner gate and lock it with your club key. Please do the same with the outer gate. 28-Sep-17 Page 7 of 33

8 3 Preparations for Sailing The following detail each of the stages below that MUST be achieved in full before you can allow sailing to commence. 1. Open the Undercover boat store - unlock the single door on the south end of the clubhouse. The lights are automatic, walk through and open the up and over doors from the inside. These doors too are sensitive; rattling them may set off the alarm. 2. Issue & Check Radios (page 10) 3. Check wind speed and direction, and water temperature 4. If the wind has west and/ or north in it, i.e. off-shore, wind speed must be checked on the water, between mark 4 and mark B. There is a portable anemometer in the drawers of the duty desk- send a rescue helm out with it to check wind speed. 5. Complete Risk Assessment. At the start of any sailing day the OOD should convene a brief meeting of the duty team, including any race officers or event organisers. They MUST discuss the following: a. Weather conditions and any other circumstances that may impact upon safe operations (page 9) b. Provision of rescue boats & TWO fuelled and crewed rescue boats on the water.* (page 11) c. Complete & sign the appropriate Risk Assessment sheet. (see Appendix A: Risk Assessment for General Sailing, page 19) There is a folder of blank risk assessment sheets 6. Once the rescue boats and helms are launched and ready Hoist the club burgee and red ensign (both of which you will find in the garage) on the main flagpole. 7. If wetsuits are required*, hoist the W flag. *Required - The conditions requiring the use of wet or dry suits are set out in Appendix C: Cold Weather Advice, page Sep-17 Page 8 of 33

9 3.1 Weather Check The duty team in conjunction with any race team must decide if the day is sailable. Restrictions to sailing If the mean wind speed is below 17 knots (Force 4) there are no restrictions on sailing. If above 17 knots (Force 5 and above) then do not allow the use of the club owned boats. If the wind is consistently gusting over 30 knots (35 mph), stop all sailing. On a race day, discuss this with the race officer before reaching your decision. At other times, if you are in any doubt, contact either the Sailing Secretary or a Flag Officer of the club. Display Code Flag N from the club flagpole and take down the club burgee. Remain at the club until it is quite clear that there can be no sailing for the rest of the day. Wet suits or dry suits are compulsory when either the water temperature is 10 deg or below, air temp 8 deg or below or wind chill 8 deg or below. This also applies if the wind chill factor is clearly predicted to fall below 8 deg during the course of sailing. This requirement must be indicated by displaying code flag "W" from the flagpole. Further advice on making this assessment and wind chill calculator in Appendix C: Cold Weather Advice, page Sailing Hours Hours of sailing are: March September: 10:00 to one hour before sunset All other times: 10:00 to 0.5 hours before sunset. Caveat: The duty team may close the lake at 18:00 during the summer. Members have a right to sail, on sailing days subject to the weather, between 10:00 18:00. Beyond this by express agreement with the OOD, if members are prepared to crew the rescue boats and lock the club, they may continue to sail without the duty team after 18:00, until one hour before sunset. But to do this, you, the OOD, must ensure: 1. that the remaining members are competent to man the rescue boats i.e. on the normal roster for rescue boats or hold RYA level 2 powerboats. 2. that the members taking over the remaining day s sailing, sign the Duty book with their membership number and current address. 3.3 Sailing Area Appendix I: Lake Map, page 33 shows a map of the sailing area. In general we can use both the restricted and extended sailing areas. The limits of the extended sailing areas are defined by rows of white buoys. However, on rare occasions Bristol Water may request us to stick to the restricted area only. 28-Sep-17 Page 9 of 33

10 Should Bristol Water request that we only sail in the restricted area, they will do so for a reason; we must comply. If so, uncover the restricted sailing sign above the entrance doors to the club. Repeat this message on the white board inside the front door. Make a PA announcement. Alert the rescue boats to transgressors. 3.4 Radios The Club is licensed to operate the following radios. RIB Radios Committee boat Radio Race Hut. Handheld Radios; two types. You will find the handheld radios on charge in the secretary s office, these should be provided to. Both OOD s Race Officer Any other shore helpers The Club now has 6 Hand held Radios 1 - ICOM M33 and 5 - ICOM M35 The chargers are permanently connected and will charge the radio when the radio is inserted. Each charger has a light indicating if that radio is being charged or if it is fully charged. Green = Fully charged Yellow or Orange = Charging The radios have been locked on Channel 37A and set to Low Power these settings should not be changed. The Race Hut radio is set to M1 this is the same as channel 37A. Copies of the ICOM manual for both types of radio are located in the Secretary s office for those unfamiliar with their operation. A simple initial communication, radio check, should be made and confirmed by all radios in use, especially for those leaving the shore. 28-Sep-17 Page 10 of 33

11 3.5 Preparations for sailing - provision of rescue boats Safety on the water is very important, to us and our governing body the RYA. Club policy is that 2 RIBs should be available solely for rescue duties at any one time. One of these RIBs should ALWAYS be manned by a qualified helm and a crew. Usually, as demanded by the risk assessment, there should be two fully manned rescue boats (see below Additional Guidance) It is expected that one of the rescue boats is on the water at all times when sailing is taking place. If a rib is dedicated to training purposes then this is in addition to the two rescue RIBS. Reasons for this are: One person in a RIB is able to do very little to provide effective rescue. A second RIB should always be ready should the first rib become incapacitated or involved in support to one sailor for an extended period of time. Responsibility: As rescue helm, with the help of the OOD, you have responsibility for: the safety of all activities on the lake during your period of duty. This means maintaining a continuous watch of the lake. On rare occasions you may be called on to assist an angler in a fishing boat. On race days please do not neglect keeping a watch on the recreational sailors. They may be more at risk then the racers. ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE/FURTHER CLARITY In benign conditions one rescue boat should be manned by 2 of the rostered rescue boat helms (RBHs), and the second RIB kept for backup in case either the first RIB breaks down, or there is a requirement for a second RIB, manned by 3 rd RBH + crew, to attend an incident on the water. However, should the risk assessment dictate that conditions require 2 fully manned rescue boats on the lake, one of the OODs should crew the second rib. If for some reason this isn t possible a volunteer crew must be found, before sailing can begin. On Sundays the backup fleet can be called on to provide the additional crew. If the rescue boats cannot be manned all sailing must cease until some volunteers are found. *A single rib with one person may be used to check wind speed, attend and prepare racing marks provided a second rib is being readied for use should the first encounter any incident. THIS IS NOT ADEQUATE TO ALLOW SAILING TO BEGIN 28-Sep-17 Page 11 of 33

12 3.6 Use of RIBS As Rescue Boats REMEMBER IN ALL RESCUE SITUATIONS SAVE PEOPLE FIRST. BOATS CAN BE ABANDONED. PEOPLE CANNOT. Please also look after RIBs as if it were your own. The RIBs are our primary life-saving equipment. CVLSC has a (Health and Safety) policy relating to club s powerboats. We take this seriously. We expect compliance. The requirements are: Two members are required per boat. WEAR ADEQUATE CLOTHING & BUOYANCY AID. It is always colder crewing a rib than it is sailing a dinghy & be prepared for complete immersion. ALWAYS USE THE KILL CORD. USE LOW SPEED - SAVES FUEL, LESS DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE Unqualified crew can receive driving experience only under the guidance of a qualified helm. No Joy riding or family trips. The helm will be in charge of the safety boat and will be responsible for the safety of the boat and crew. Carry out equipment check before launching see Appendix D: RIB Users Checklist, page 23. CODE RED We have introduced a Code Red radio procedure, similar to Mayday. This would only be used in the event of a serious injury or life threatening emergency. On calling Code Red all the available club powered boats should be ready to help the emergency. The safety co-ordinator (OOD or RO) should take control of the radio traffic, continuing to use channel 37a or M1, and only radio calls related to the emergency are allowed until the crisis is over. All the duty team should read the CODE RED procedure before starting their duty. REMEMBER IN ALL RESCUE SITUATIONS SAVE PEOPLE FIRST. BOATS CAN BE ABANDONED. PEOPLE CANNOT. Detailed guidance on pre-launch checks, launching and safety procedures are to be found in Appendix D: RIB Users Checklist, page Sep-17 Page 12 of 33

13 3.7 Provision & Hire of Club Dinghies Club boats may not be used in any wind speed GUSTING over 17 knots These are available for all individual members use in two hour slots. They are not available to Group members: Schools/universities. Dinghies for young sailors Max 2 hours use in periods of high demand. Ensure use is accompanied by parental or other supervision. 10 Optibats: stored beside entry staircase. The kit is kept in the under-stairs store on the left side as approach the Clubhouse. The Optibats are free to under 16 club members. 9 toppers: stored on frame opposite front entrance. The kit is kept in the wooden sail store. 4 RS Fevas (Intended for Junior use only, with adult/junior crew dependant on crew competence and weather on the day. The newest Feva has the race pack and race sail, so should only be used for race training.) 5 Teras. 2 of these Teras, marked Eric Twiname are for training and racing use only, not general use. Dinghies for adults: 2 RS Visions 2 Wayfarer The kit for all these boats is kept in the wooden sail store. Charges (for 2 hours): 3.8 Process of Hire. Dinghy Price (2hrs) Optibats free Toppers Free for juniors & 5 adults. Others There are signing in/out sheets in OOD s desk. Ensure Sheet has been completed in full and agree cost of the hire and take payment, see below visiting crew & boat fees. Assist the user to find correct equipment for the boat being hired. Be proactive ask users on return if everything was ok and assist them in reporting any faults. Check items have been placed correctly back in wooden sail store, tidy up when needed. Each user is responsible for putting the boat and gear away and reporting faults or breakages to you. 28-Sep-17 Page 13 of 33

14 4 Visitors/Guests & Fees. Be proactive and watch for boats arriving that do not display a Chew Sticker on the transoms. Also look at any race sign on sheets for those identifiable as visitors from who a payment should be collected. The visitors book is located on the duty desk and must be used to sign in all visitors, this includes those not sailing and any contractors on site. This ensures they are covered by our insurance while visiting the club. Charges Guests crewing or sailing a member s boat 5.00 Visiting boat fee (including crew) Non Sailing Guests 0.00 Envelopes of income should be noted with date, amount and any membership details / number. i.e. Guest Crewing fee 5.00 on 1 Jan 17 singed in by Mr Bob Smith member number 007. Boat hire fee, Topper 2hrs 5 Adult member Bob Smith Sep-17 Page 14 of 33

15 5 OOD Shoreside Duties 5.1 General - Ensure a constant watch is kept on boats sailing - Ensure the rescue team afloat are properly attired and are wearing buoyancy aids - Please comply and ensure compliance with Health and Safety directives - Check the signing in sheet and make sure this is being completed by arriving members - Announce any material matters (eg restriction of sailing area) on the club PA - Check the children s play area; any problems contact a Flag officer starting with House and Grounds. Cordon the area if necessary - Respond and take calls from club telephone when possible. - Keep the site tidy; empty bins & check for litter around the site. You will find spare waste sacks in the cupboard just inside the male changing room entrance. Place full bags in the green waste bin opposite the front entrance. - Keep cars clear of the dinghy park and the approach road especially where parking is expressly prohibited by Bristol Water - If CLADS (wheel-chair users) are sailing, assist them by reserving spaces near the front entrance so as to give free access to the large catamarans to pass. - There is to be no swimming other than as a result of an accidental capsize. - No dogs. In or out of cars. - Help put out and return tables at lunchtime - Clearing slipways of algae and goose droppings Hard blue bristle brushes can be found in the undercover boat store. - Complete the duty register fully. The section on numbers of members signed in, boats on the water, visitors etc. is ESSENTIAL information for returns to Bristol water the RYA and helps build a picture when we apply for grants. 28-Sep-17 Page 15 of 33

16 5.2 Emergency procedure For life threatening and serious emergencies phone 999 immediately, The club address is CHEW VALLEY LAKE SAILING CLUB, WALLEY COURT RD, CHEW STOKE, BS40 8XN. The payphone number is: Send someone to open the outer gate and stay there to direct emergency services. Use the public address system to request help from any health care professional or first aider. FOR EMERGENCIES ON THE WATER SEE Use of RIBS As RESCUE BOATS 5.3 Lightning Lightning is a hazard to sailing boats and can be fatal. If you see a thunderstorm passing over the lake curtail all sailing. If necessary boats should be abandoned with sailing crews taken off by the rescue boats To curtail sailing: On a non-racing day: Despatch rescue helms to remove all crews and if there is time, boats from the water Sound the start- finish klaxon to alert lake users Use the PA to warn all on the shore to keep away from boats On a racing day. The race officers should sound three start-finish signals Hoist flag N Dispatch rescue boats to remove people and then boats, from the water. Use the PA to warn all on the shore to keep away from boats 28-Sep-17 Page 16 of 33

17 5.4 Fire - Evacuate the building; use the club PA & Radios to Alert everyone to the danger - Call the emergency services. - Do not use extinguishers unless you have been trained to do so and only to either clear and exit or save life. - Only if it is safe to do so make checks on all club areas to ensure they have been evacuated - DO NOT ATTEMPT to extinguish the fire - Assemble all at the South end of the car park, away from the LPG tank. - Call 999 from your mobile and summon to CHEW VALLEY LAKE SAILING CLUB, WALLEY COURT RD, CHEW STOKE, BS40 8XN. - Send someone to the Outer gate to direct emergency services. - Clear access for Fire Service if possible to do so. - Prevent all traffic using the access road. - On arrival of the services be sure to tell them which areas have not been checked as being cleared before evacuation. 28-Sep-17 Page 17 of 33

18 5.5 Intruder Alarm There are three Zones that the Alarm system sets as keys are used to exit the area. 1. Undercover Boat Store Set when exiting door Secretary s office Set when exiting door Front door Set when exiting door 22. Each time these areas are unalarmed / re armed a audible beep will be heard in the Social & Bar area to alert that this area is being accessed/exited. Should you somehow manage to set off the alarm it will initially ring for around 15min and then will try to re-arm itself. So if you have left and locked the building correctly the Alarm will be set. If however this proves not to be the case you will need to call one of the individuals listed on the Sign attached to the cupboard within the Accessible Toilet. These people will be able to instruct you to open the cupboard and to reset the Intruder Alarm. If you arrive and you find the Alarm unset and there if evidence of entry or disturbance please contact one of the flag officers for advice. Please note the actions you have taken on the Desk Duties Log and the closure sheet at the end of the day. Police may need to be contacted so please preserve evidence as much as possible. Should the Alarm fail to dis-arm on entry the Alarm panel is behind a small door within the Accessible toilet. There are contact details on the door with details of who has access. Please contact the Alarm Company who also know the number and follow their instruction to dis-arm the system. 28-Sep-17 Page 18 of 33

19 6 Appendix A: Risk Assessment for General Sailing (More details risk assessments will be needed for events and formal training. Risk to be Assessed Comments Actions Current wind strength, direction and gusts. Weather forecast, including temperature and wind chill. Lake state and water temperature. Visibility. Numbers and type of boats. Age and experience of sailors. Experience and skill of current duty team. Level of shore support Any other events on the lake; training, racing, fishing competitions. Any other known problems. Any anticipated change to any of the above throughout the day. Conclusions: Having performed the risk assessment with the duty team Is it safe to allow sailing? Yes No Do the duty team agree that the conditions are benign? Yes No* (Always 2 boats with 2 crew) Should there be any restrictions? Yes No If so what? *If no, there should always be at least two safety boats in operation, each crewed with 2 people. I/we agree that the duty team will continue to monitor any changing risks throughout the day and take appropriate action. Signed on behalf of the duty team: Role: Name (PRINTED) Membership number: 28-Sep-17 Page 19 of 33

20 7 Appendix B: CVLSC Safety Policy June 2017 In accordance with bye-laws 1.2 and 8, MEMBERS AND OTHER USERS OF OUR LAKE MUST TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR OWN SAFETY BOTH AFLOAT AND ASHORE. THE CLUB WILL USE ITS BEST ENDEAVOURS TO PROVIDE ON-WATER SAFETY COVER, BUT THAT DOES NOT ALTER THE INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY OF ALL USERS OF THE LAKE. ACCEPTANCE OF THIS POLICY IS A CONDITION OF GOING AFLOAT AT CHEW VALLEY LAKE. THIS STATEMENT IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT EXPLAINS HOW THE CLUB SETS OUT TO ASSIST YOU WITH YOUR SAFETY ON THE WATER. PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO READ IT. 7.1 Safety Cover The Club will arrange safety cover for those afloat as follows: - Two safety boats should always be launched, and at least two qualified helms will be in attendance. The duty team will have a collective responsibility for decisions about safety boat provision and sailing restrictions throughout the day unless they decide to appoint a safety co-ordinator who will take on this role. At the start of any sailing day the OOD should convene a brief meeting of the duty team, any race officers or event organisers and perform a risk assessment relating to safety boat provision. (See appendix for a risk assessment for general sailing use. More detailed risk assessments will be needed for events and formal training.) This assessment will have to take into account wind and gust strength. If the wind has any degree of west in it, wind strength should be assessed well out in the middle of the lake near mark B. Following this assessment decisions should be made about the number of safety boats on the water, their manning and tactical positioning. Liaison with the whole team should continue throughout the day, reviewing the changing conditions and responding accordingly. Safety boats should at all times be manned by two people, who should be appropriately dressed and prepared to stay out on the water for long periods and at least the crew should be prepared to go in the water. Unless the conditions are benign there should always be at least two safety boats each crewed with 2 people. Therefore the club will now be rostering 3 safety boat helms and 2 OOD s at weekends. The safety boat helms should have at least power boat level 2, or 3 years equivalent experience. The rostered safety boat helms will split between the RIBs, taking their crew from the OOD s, any volunteers or the backup fleet. All the OOD s and safety boat helms should come to the club with clothing suitable for manning a safety boat and going into the water. Wet suits are a minimum, but dry suits are usually more appropriate and buoyancy aids shall always be worn. 28-Sep-17 Page 20 of 33

21 On Wednesdays and Thursdays, when no OOD is rostered the safety helms also act as Officers of the Day. A safety boat should be out on the water at all times when there is any sailing underway as there is the risk of undue delay in attending an entrapment if the safety crew are on the balcony. A watch from the balcony should be kept at all times (by OOD on Saturdays and Sundays relaying relevant information to the safety boats with a hand held radio). We are introducing a Code Red radio procedure, similar to Mayday. This would only be used in the event of a serious injury or life threatening emergency. On calling Code Red all the available club powered boats should be ready to help the emergency. The safety co-ordinator should take control of the radio traffic, continuing to use channel 37a or M1, and only radio calls related to the emergency are allowed until the crisis is over. The likelihood is that any races in progress will have to be abandoned. 7.2 Individual Responsibilities As a Club member or visitor, you have a duty to both yourself and to other lake users as regards safety. This duty means acting responsibly whilst on Club premises, including in the use of the boat park and winches and in the supervision of your children. You can improve your own on-water safety by adopting the following: Check the information board at the main entrance. Remain in the sailing area designated for the day. Less confident sailors stay in an area where you can be easily seen and quickly reached. Do not sail in a boat or in weather conditions that are beyond your competence. If in doubt ask the rescue helms to watch out for you or your child. Your duty to other members and visitors includes: Providing help or seeking help for anyone you see needing it on the water. Alerting the rescue helms to any situation that you observe that may need their attention. 28-Sep-17 Page 21 of 33

22 8 Appendix C: Cold Weather Advice THE WEARING OF WETSUITS AND DRYSUITS To tie in with advice about the dangers of sudden immersion in cold water, (Cold Water Shock), the club has amended the rules and advice about the wearing of wet suits, dry suits and other thermal protection. Wet suits of suitable thickness with a windproof upper layer or dry suits are compulsory when either the water temperature is 10 degrees C or below, air temp 8 degrees or below, or wind chill factor 8 degrees or below. This also applies if the wind chill factor is clearly predicted to fall below 8 degrees during the course of sailing. This requirement will be indicated by displaying code flag "W" from the flagpole. (Bye-law 8) At water temperatures between 10 and 15 degrees it is strongly advised that you wear some sort of specialist thermal protection for the main part of your body. This can take the form of a dry suit, or wet suit with a "water resistant" top with a reasonable neck and wrist closures. Please note that children and older persons are particularly susceptible to effects of hypothermia and cold water shock, the latter of which can lead to sudden death at water temperatures below 15 degrees. (see RYA website.) The Duty team are responsible for Risk Assessment for the day and can request that you dress more appropriately if they believe you to be not adequately protected for the conditions. Following immersion, rescue teams may strongly suggest that you return to shore to avoid onset of hypothermia rather than continue sailing. Please note that the wearing of a buoyancy aid or lifejacket is compulsory at all times when on the water or any of the pontoons. 28-Sep-17 Page 22 of 33

23 9 Appendix D: RIB Users Checklist Many RIB helms use our RIBs infrequently. This checklist is designed to assist them by reminding them of their responsibilities and the Club s expectations. RIB drivers are responsible for; - Checking that the RIB has all the safety equipment Ensuring that the RIB is fully inflated before launching Ensuring that the RIB has sufficient fuel for its role and the expected weather conditions Details of these checks are set out below 9.1 Pre Launch Checks 1. Check that the following equipment is present and in good condition The anchor and anchor line is attached to the boat The following items are in the boat: paddle, boathook, bolt cutters, wire cutter, first aid kit, throw line, tow line and safety knife. Bow line and 2 stern lines The kill cord is correctly attached The yellow plastic container holds 2 additional tow lines, spare kill cord, thermal protective aid (space blanket), red/white tape and a spare cable tie for the anchor. 2. Check that all 3 inflatable tubes are fully inflated. A pump is available on the east side of the undercover boat store beside the door. 3. Check that the boat has sufficient fuel for its role and the expected weather conditions for that day. If addition fuel is required disconnect the fuel tank and follow the safe refuelling procedure held in the fuel storage container. When refuelled, return the tank to the RIB it came from, attach the retaining strap and fuel line. Ensure that the air vent in the filler cap is open and pump the fuel bulb to move fuel to the engine until resistance is felt. 4. Check how to re-attach the kill cord for the boat or boats you are using there are two types, check how to do BOTH. A description is available in the undercover boat store. 28-Sep-17 Page 23 of 33

24 9.2 Additional guidance What to look out for Boats capsizing a number of times crews will get tired and cold Boats sitting for a long time with sails flapping Crew waving their arms to attract your attention Travelling to a boat in trouble Plan how to get to the casualty / boat Think about other boats in the way o Are they racing o Are training sessions in progress Pass behind boats sailing, be prepared that they might tack or gybe Work out where the wind is and how to approach the boat / casualty upwind or downwind Unconscious or serious injury In the event of someone losing consciousness out on the lake, waste no time getting them ashore. It is not possible to do CPR in a RIB. Having picked up the casualty the rescue boat crew should head straight back to the clubhouse as soon as possible, while alerting the duty officer by radio as to the situation. It has been established that the easiest way to get an unconscious person safely out of a RIB is to drive the RIB straight up a slipway (while cocking up the propeller before the engine grounds!) A team of helpers can then safely transfer the casualty to the stretcher. If necessary the RIB tubes can be deflated. Entrapment The crew of a dinghy can become trapped as a boat capsizes by ropes in the boat or by the sail In the majority of cases all the crew will be in the water How many heads are you expecting to see - can you see them all? If no: Are they trapped under the boat? Have they fallen out before the capsize look away from the boat to check If you suspect that someone is trapped check with the remaining crew if this is correct 28-Sep-17 Page 24 of 33

25 If someone is trapped under a boat get it upright or on its side as soon as possible. Small boats Lasers, Solo, Feva, Topper, Optimist, RS200 Bring the RIB to the bow of the capsized boat ENGINE OFF by pulling the kill cord Engine stops Radio continues to work Crew and helm lift the bow and look underneath If someone is trapped by ropes / rigging send your crew and/or the remaining dinghy crew into the water to recover them. Be prepared to use the safety knife to cut sails or ropes. Boats can also be raised by getting the RIB crew together with the dinghy crew to use their weight on the dagger board Larger double handed boats Approach from the windward side and get bow only to make contact with the side of the capsized boat use reverse to maintain bow contact only Get your crew to attach a towrope to the far shroud, this will be underwater pull the loose end onto the hull and tie a bowline The helm reverses the RIB slowly to take up the slack then gradually applies more power keeping the RIB at right angles with the capsized boat As the boat rises keep applying power until the dinghy is on its side then gradually reduce power to bring the dinghy upright Pull the RIB alongside the recovered boat using the towrope and no power to prevent the rope fouling your propeller In ALL cases of entrapment report on the condition of the person recovered by radio to the duty officer who may initiate the club s emergency procedure. The casualty should be taken immediately to the concrete jetty. Recovering capsized dinghies Dinghies will be found in two basic conditions: Inverted or on their side with mast parallel to the water Inverted Boats Larger inverted boats can be recovered using the towrope approach described above or by getting the RIB crew to assist the dinghy crew. Smaller boats can be raised by coming alongside the windward side of the upturned boat and getting the RIB crew to help the dinghy crew to pull on the dagger board while standing on the gunwale. If the dagger board has been lost or is not accessible use the paddle from the RIB in place of the dagger board pull carefully as the paddle is wooden and can be easily broken with too much pressure. 28-Sep-17 Page 25 of 33

26 All dinghies can capsize in shallow water when they turn over the mast can become stuck in the mud. When this happens the boat does not invert fully with the mast stuck downwind of the hull. Approach the boat from upwind passing a towrope to the dinghy and applying reverse power. As soon as the mast is pulled clear of the mud the dinghy can be righted in the normal way. Dinghies on their side Single handed dinghies These capsizes often involve young helms or those suffering from cold who do not have the weight or energy to raise the boat by themselves. It is important to establish if the rig is downwind or upwind of the hull. If the rig is downwind of the hull bring the RIB to the tip of the mast with the RIB pointing the same way as the dinghy, the RIB crew lifts the tip of the mast and draws the mast and boat towards the RIB until the boat is upright. If the wind is force 3 or above the RIB should slowly move so that the RIB and dinghy are close to head to wind as this reduces the loads on all involved. If the rig is upwind of the hull make contact with the tip of the mast with the RIB pointing the same way as the dinghy, hold the mast close to the water as the RIB helm takes the bow of the RIB forward in a circle to bring the dinghy rig downwind of the hull when the recovery described above is carried out. Where the dinghy has wire shrouds care should be taken to wear gloves as loose wires can damage the crew s hands. Double handed dinghies A similar process is followed to that for single handed dinghies except that care needs to be taken to ensure that the boats spinnaker is lowered and kicker released before an attempt is made to raise the dinghy. 28-Sep-17 Page 26 of 33

27 9.3 Launching 1. Move the tractor from the boat store, raise and lock the roll bar. 2. Attach the RIB trailer to the tractor 3. Move the RIB and trailer to the water s edge and detach the holding strop from the RIB. Untie the RIB bow line from the trailer and place it over the trailer post so that it can be flicked off when the RIB is ready to move. 4. Move the RIB into the water until some buoyancy is felt. 5. Do NOT take tractor deeper than half way up the front wheel. 6. The RIB engine MUST NOT be started until the engine has been lowered. Lower the engine until the white painted flat plate above the propeller is just under water. Move the engine to the straight-ahead position. 7. Secure the kill cord to your leg NOT your arm. 8. Ensure that the throttle lever is in neutral the engine will not start if it is in gear. 9. Start the engine and check that water is coming out of the tell tale 10. Flick the bowline off the trailer post and secure it in the boat. Select astern and drive the RIB away from the trailer. You may need to rock the RIB or push the RIB away from the trailer. 11. Drive slowly away and familiarise yourself with the controls. 12. All RIBs have a different point where the power comes on - find this point by slowly applying power so you are not surprised. 13. The engine should be warmed up by slow motoring NOT by a fast blast which actually damages the engine. 14. Carry out a radio check with the duty officer/ shore control for each boat on the water. 15. Moor bow to shore, stern out, when on the pontoon (or on the end in offshore winds) to keep the engines in deep water. 9.4 Operation of Club Safety Boats The responsibility of the Safety Boat Helm and Crew is to ensure that sailing is able to be carried out safely and to provide assistance to anybody in trouble on the lake. A number of principles apply Priority MUST be given to assisting people before the recovery of boats Safety Boats must be driven carefully and not cause problems to other lake users Safety Boats MUST be manned by two people When recovering people from the water the RIB helm MUST stay between the casualty and the engine When going afloat practise slow speed manoeuvring. This is essential when you are required to carry out a rescue. Travelling round the lake at high speed is NOT necessary or desirable. 28-Sep-17 Page 27 of 33

28 10 Appendix E: Locking Up Check Sheet Lock Up Procedure & Sign-off for Duty Officer (see over for End of Day Close Procedure information) Locked? =Ö Lock # Room / Area Name Remarks / Location Location: Ground Floor 1 Oppie Store 2 Garage Up & Over Doors Self locking - no key 3 Fuel Store Near Main Flag Post 4 Lost Property / Declaration Room Signing On Room 5 Buoy Store 6 Students Sail Store 7 Training Room Sliding Patio Door (R/H) East Facing 8 Training Room Sliding Patio Door (L/H) East Facing 9 Training Equipment Store Beneath Race Hut 10 Office Door (Alarm Door) Inside Training Room 11 Training Room Main Door South Facing 12 Under Cover Boat Store Alarm Door 13 Club Boat Store Wooden Hut Opp. Main Steps 14 Maintenance Store Under Main Steps Location: First Floor 15 Galley Balcony Door (same key 15-17) Double Door 16 Galley Balcony Door Single Door Main 17 Bar Balcony Door Single Door 18 Race Hut 19 Ladies Changing Room Door to Balcony Internal Sliding Bolt 20 Gents Changing Room Door to Balcony Internal Sliding Bolt 21 Bar to Patio Sliding Door - Winch Rope Locked in Green Salt Bin Combination Padlock: Turn Off All Heaters & Lights Main clubroom, bar and changing rooms 22 Front Door (Alarm Door ) = Final Exit Door 23 Club Keys to Safe Box 24 Iron Bar Gate by Safe Box Use own club key - Lock Signing On Hut & Inner Gate Use own club key - Lock Outer Gate Use own club key Signature: Name (Please PRINT): Membership No: Date / Time: Comments: When completed please post completed sheet in the box on the left-hand side of the main door 28-Sep-17 Page 28 of 33

29 11 Appendix F: End of Day Close Up Procedure The Officer(s) of the day will normally be the last to leave the clubhouse and are responsible for locking up (see Appendix E: Locking Up Check Sheet, page 28). To assist with this procedure: Turn off heaters and lights inside the club and changing rooms first. All the keys on the key ring are numbered; these correspond to the numbers on the club s doors. Use the Lock-up Procedure & Sign-off For Duty Officer form (see overleaf *). This locking up sign off sheet must be completed as you lock up the doors. Lock the doors in numeric order following the sheet overleaf - this ensures none is missed. The form needs to be signed by you after locking up and deposited in the letter box on the left hand side of the main entrance doors as you leave. If members wish to stay on: you may ask for a volunteer to become responsible for the club keys and final locking up. Record in the duty register, the name and membership number of the member who accepted the keys from you. EVEN SO, you are still required to carry out the lock-up procedure (including completing the locking up sign-off sheet) BEFORE YOU LEAVE with the exception of the main entrance, key safe, iron bar gate and inner gate. (* You will also find a pad of locking up sign-off sheets on the duty desk. ) Suggestions for improving this information: 28-Sep-17 Page 29 of 33

30 12 Appendix G: Injuries Injuries can vary from minor cuts and bruises to very serious life threatening emergencies. A common sense assessment is needed. For life threatening and serious emergencies phone 999 immediately, and send someone to open the outer gate. If possible also use the public address system to request help from any health care professional or first aider. If a casualty is unresponsive and does not appear to be breathing normally, immediately instigate the CVLSC Defibrillator algorithm that is displayed in the club and is reproduced at the end of these notes. The AED defibrillator is located next to the main entrance door of the club. A yellow mask and a copy of instructions are with it. Get all these to the casualty as soon as possible and attach the defibrillator. If the casualty has had a serious back or neck injury, try to reduce movement as little as possible. There is a buoyant rigid orange stretcher in the entrance to the rescue boat store. If someone is unconscious but breathing normally, and has not had a back or neck injury, place in the recovery position and observe carefully while waiting for the ambulance to arrive. In the event of someone losing consciousness out on the lake, waste no time getting them ashore. It is not possible to do CPR in a RIB. Having picked up the casualty the rescue boat crew should head straight back to the clubhouse as soon as possible, while alerting the duty officer by radio as to the situation. It has been established that the easiest way to get an unconscious person safely out of a RIB is to drive the RIB straight up a slipway (while cocking up the propeller before the engine grounds!) A team of helpers can then safely transfer the casualty to the stretcher. If necessary the RIB tubes can be deflated. For minor cases, first aid is best administered at the first aid station in the training room. For more serious cases the first aid kits should be taken to the casualty. There are first aid kits inside the main door and in the training room. Please fill in a report form for all injuries, stating what equipment is used, so that first aid kits can be restocked. 28-Sep-17 Page 30 of 33

31 13 Appendix H: Defibrillator Algorithm and Information (Anyone can use this on an unresponsive casualty. Training is NOT essential) 28-Sep-17 Page 31 of 33

32 How to Use Automated External Defibrillator (AED) If person is unresponsive and not breathing normally: Shout for help. Use club s tannoy or VHF radio pager to request emergency assistance. Phone 999-say person is unresponsive and not breathing normally. Move person to dry area if lying on water. Start chest compressions and rescue breaths in ratio of 30:2 Switch on AED and follow its verbal instruction. Take pads out of sealed pack and connect leads to AED. Remove or cut off clothes to expose chest and dry damp skin. Remove metal necklaces and underwire bras. Check for signs of pacemaker and implantable cardioverter defibrillator beneath skin as chest pads will need to be positioned more than 3cm from pacemaker devices and metal piercings. Remove backing paper and attach pads to chest as shown on packet. Place first pad on upper right side, just below collarbone as shown on pad. Place second pad on left side, just below armpit. AED will analyse heart rhythm and say if shock is needed. Everyone must stand clear of person before shock button is pressed and avoid touching person during shock delivery. Continue to follow voice prompts of AED until ambulance crew arrive. 28-Sep-17 Page 32 of 33

33 14 Appendix I: Lake Map 28-Sep-17 Page 33 of 33