Safety On and Off The Water

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The duty Safety Officer should be alert to all safety matters, both on and off the water, and to the needs of other water users. Any incidents or safety issues, including engine malfunctions, should be reported in the log book.

There is a basic first aid kit in the galley in the drawer marked with a green cross.  It is important to record any accident details in the book provided for this purpose in the first-aid drawer. 

Before becoming a Safety Officer, members need to have passed the club's assessment programme.  Unqualified members should ask the Bosun to familiarise them with all aspects of the club's rescue craft; i.e. mooring, starting, manoeuvring, rescue procedures, etc..  The Bosun will run training sessions throughout the season for this purpose.  Ask for details.

A Safety Officer needs to be on 'stand-by' and available to immediately operate the safety boat during all times that sailing is taking place.  When in need of a break, the Rescue officer should call all the boats ashore or arrange a temporary suitable replacement.

•   Always wear the red kill-cord - preferably round your ankle or attached to your buoyancy aid, not round the wrist (where it can interfere with operations)

•   Never leave the kill cord in the power-boat unattended.

•   Do not use the safety craft for joy riding and avoid creating unnecessary wash.

•   Observe the maximum number allowed in the boat (see hull).

•   Do not put yourself or others in danger.

•   Generally approach into the wind.

•   Last few metres of approach - ENGINE OFF.

•   Talk / shout to people in the water.

•   Call for further help if needed - OoD should use the airhorn in the cabin to attract attention.

•   Regularly practice and update your training.

•   Familiarise yourself with the engine operating instructions. In particular never mix the fuel tanks.

At the end of each day, make sure the rescue hull is left inside the boatyard, outboard engines and fuel tanks are securely locked away and any moored boats are securely fastened.

Ensure that all safety equipment, such as oars and boathooks and any first aid materials issued with the boat, is in place.

The club's outboard engines have served us well over the years.  Both should have operating instructions attached to their engine covers.  In the event of an engine malfunctioning, simply exchange the engine and fuel tank for the stand-by unit and tell the Bosun.