SECTION 11 ADVENTUROUS ACTIVITIES BOATING: SAILING

Transcription

1 SECTION 11 ADVENTUROUS ACTIVITIES BOATING: SAILING ACTIVITY SCOPE This section relates to the use of small off-the-beach sailing dinghies to conduct sailing activities for members. An off-the-beach sailing dinghy is a sailing boat that generally ranges in length from 2 to 6 metres. An off-the-beach sailing dinghy is an un-ballasted open sailing boat that definition includes a monohull centreboard dinghy, skiff, catamaran and other multihull craft that does not have a fixed keel. This section does not cover fixed keel yachts and windsurfers and further advice on these is provided in other sections of QBSI Section 11. has categorised Activities into: a. Experiences: An activity providing members with a sailing experience b. Sail Training: An activity providing members with sail training leading to youth award scheme outcomes c. Sail Training Formal Vocational Education Training (VET) Courses: A training course for members leading to national recognised training outcomes from the Outdoor Recreation Training Package d. Day Adventures: An activity where members undertake sailing once skills are developed e. Overnight Adventures: An activity where members undertake sailing once skills are developed and the activity involves sailing to a location and overnight camp. All Activities shall be conducted in line with a Risk Management Process and documented on a Form F31. provides the following risk management guidance as to the weather anticipated to be experienced when the sailing activity is being conducted. These condition definitions are taken from the condition definition found in the Outdoor Recreation Training Package Units upon which sail training is based: Controlled Conditions Beaufort Scale of 0 to 3 to 10 knots - Waves are up to 0.3 of a metre in sheltered waters with a partially smooth water port classification Light to Moderate Conditions Beaufort Scale is up to 4 to 16 knots - Waves are up to 0.5 metre Moderate to Variable Conditions Beaufort Scale is up to 5 to 21 knots - Waves are up to 1.5 metre The below table provides guidance on what Activities should be conducted in what conditions: Activity Experiences Sail Training Sail Training Formal VET Courses Conditions conducted in Controlled Controlled Level 1 Skills Courses Controlled Page 1 of 5

2 Level 2 Skills Courses Light to Moderate Level 3 Skills Courses Moderate to Variable Day Adventures Light to Moderate and Moderate to Variable if a Level 3 Skill Sailor is at the Helm Overnight Adventures Light to Moderate and Moderate to Variable if a Level 3 Skill Sailor is at the Helm MINIMUM ACTIVITY-SPECIFIC QUALIFICATIONS FOR SUPERVISORS Activities are to be supervised in accordance with a developed and documented risk management process. The below information is provided to guide the risk assessment process: Activity Lead Support Youth Participation Experience For each Off-the- Dinghy used for a sailing experience, a Scouts Australia Level 2 Skills is to be onboard and be capable of taking charge of the craft as required. Youth Members can steer the craft during a sailing experience as long as the Level 2 Sailor can take control of the craft immediately if necessary Training The is to be supported by a for every 3 Off-the- in the activity. The Level 2 Certificate Sailor is in place to assist in the supervision and Sail Training Activity support the Activity for a Sail Training Activity, the youth member would need to hold, as a minimum, either an Explorer Level Target Badge, or an Outdoor Adventure Skills Boating Stage 5 or a Level 1 Certificate from the Adventurous Activities Training Framework. Sail Training VET Course Instructor The Instructor is to be supported by a for every 3 Off-the- Page 2 of 5

3 in a Sail Training VET Course. The Level 2 Certificate Sailor is in place to assist in the supervision and Sail Training Course support the Activity. Where a Level 3 Skills Course is being conducted, a Level 3 Skills Sailor will assist the Instructor in accordance with the above. Day Sail Adventures The is to be supported by a for every 6 Off-the- in the Day Activity. The Level 2 Certificate Sailor is in place to assist in the supervision and Day Activity support the Activity. for a Day Activity, the youth member would need to hold, as a minimum, either an Explorer Level Target Badge, an Outdoor Adventure Skills Boating Stage 5 or a Scouts Australia Level 1 Certificate. Overnight Sail Adventures In the interest of the effective Overnight Expedition an additional appointed Scouts Queensland Guide is to be a member of the Expedition Party. for an Overnight Expedition, the youth member would need to hold either an Explorer Level Target Badge, an Outdoor Adventure Skills Page 3 of 5

4 Boating Stage 5 or a Scouts Australia Level 1 Certificate MINIMUM ACTIVITY- SPECIFIC EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES a. All sailing craft must comply with the requirements of Maritime Safety Queensland. Further information can be found at b. The sailing craft should be buoyant when swamped and, if of monohull design, fitted with a sturdy ring to be used for towing the vessel in accordance with the manufacturers guidelines. c. The mainsail should be capable of being lowered or furled easily by hand, whether the boat is in the upright position or capsized. d. Centreboards, if fitted, should be sufficiently robust to support the weight of at least one crew member either standing or sitting on the centreboard during the act of righting a craft following capsize. e. Rudders and centreboards, where applicable, should be positively secured to the hull. f. All craft should carry adequate bailing devices. g. An Activity Support Vessel suitable for the area of operation and scope of the activity should carry equipment necessary to affect a rescue of a sailor or sailing craft and be underway during the sailing activity whilst sailing craft are afloat. h. The Activity Support Vessel must adhere to the following: i. comply with the Department of Transport and Main Roads registration, maintenance and equipment requirements ii. have a builder's plate affixed to the vessel showing details of the maximum number of people that can be carried and the maximum power of the motor that can be used with the boat. If this is not present, then reference should be made to the details shown on the boat's Certificate of Registration. iii. must have an established system to effectively tow a sailing craft as required and the sailing craft is to have a suitable towing system to affect a tow. iv. must not carry more than the number of people for which the boat is allowed by the manufacturer or registration of the craft. v. must not exceed the maximum number of people permitted aboard the craft during or after effecting a rescue. i. Appropriate clothing for all weather conditions, lifejacket / personal floatation devices, and stinger suits (if required) are to be worn by participants. j. Enclosed Footwear is to be worn by all participants involved in a Activity ACTIVITY-SPECIFIC HAZARDS/RISKS AND SUGGESTED CONTROL MEASURES a. Vessels must not be overloaded. b. The following conditions should be considered when choosing a suitable location: i. prevailing and anticipated weather conditions in the selected area ii. the presence of areas with strong currents, tides or wind eddies and rocks iii. the presence of water traffic in the sailing area iv. safe shorelines for entry and exit v. appropriateness for the activity and type of equipment being used vi. appropriateness for the leader s experience and ability levels of students. c. If winds are stronger than can safely be handled by the participants, the risk can be reduced by increasing supervision, reefing of sails or using smaller sets of sails. d. Weather conditions should be assessed continually by the. e. Accurate information on tides, depths, currents and other expected water conditions should be obtained by the and passed on to participants before the activity begins. Page 4 of 5

5 f. All persons should be adequately prepared for the expected weather conditions and probable variations to these conditions (i.e. with clothing and personal protective equipment). g. All participants will wear the appropriate Life Jackets / Personal Flotation Device and be able to correctly fit the Life Jacket / PFD. Life Jackets / Personal flotation devices must conform to relevant Australian Standards. h. Each participants Life Jacket / PFD should be checked for the correct fit before commencing the activity. i. All participants should use appropriate personal protective equipment when directed by the (e.g. stinger suits when swimming in the stinger season in areas where stingers are known to be prevalent). j. Participants are to receive instruction from the in: i. basic preliminary sail training before participating in on-water activities ii. safety regulations conforming to current Maritime Safety Qld and QBSI requirements iii. the area and scope of the activity, and notice of any dangers from other sources iv. procedures for avoiding collisions v. person overboard drill vi. how to right a capsized craft if possible, to wait for outside assistance, and vii. under all circumstances stay with the craft the route, area and scope of the activity, and notice of any dangers from other sources k. Clothing, equipment and safety-gear checks should occur before participants can proceed afloat. It is recommended that participants wear suitable protection against the heat and cold. l. Participants should be instructed to remain aware of their position in the training area, distance from shore and other obstacles. m. The leader should be able to manage the type of craft being used and the number of craft on the water at one time, and be familiar with the location and its characteristics that may pose hazards. n. No person should be in the water near Vessels propeller when the drive gear is engaged. If possible, in the event of a person falling overboard, it is recommended that the bow of the vessel be steered in the direction of the side that the person went over. o. The ratchet mechanism on a trailer winch should be in operation to control the winch handle. p. The leader should have available some device able to cut a sheet if a student becomes entangled. q. Students should be instructed to be conscious of the boom at all times. r. All persons should be trained in correct manual handling techniques and should be referred to the Code of Practice - Manual Handling, if awkward or heavy equipment (i.e. boats, motors and nets) is to be moved. s. All guards and covers should be in place over motors and propellers or other items of machinery to protect against contact with moving parts. t. The size and weight of the equipment should be considered when allocating participant tasks. u. A set of simple signals should be established and practised to allow communication between boat and Vessel and boat to shore and vice versa. v. Participants should be advised to call or signal for assistance if they cannot rectify a problem immediately w. Participants who may be affected by seasickness should be encouraged to take precautions, as it can lead to dehydration. x. Participants should be instructed in the necessity to be responsible for their own safety and the safety of others around them. Page 5 of 5