Safe operation of club safety and committee boats

Published 13:34 on 22 Apr 2019

A priority highlighted in our member survey earlier in the year and in conversations with club members is ensuring that our Club has competent and appropriate safety cover for sailing activities. This includes knowing the procedures for getting the boats prepared, understanding and being able to deal with potential risks, and putting the boats away appropriately at the end of a session.

Helping to launch and recover boats from the jetties and shore also has risks, as we have seen from a number of past injuries.

There are now several documents in the members section providing checklists and risk assessments for the safety boats, committee boats and launching and recovery. All members – even those who believe they are fully qualified - should review the documents as they will provide a helpful guide and refresher. One of our members who has recently completed their PB2 has been reminding us of the need to always wear the kill cord and to never let go of the throttle when the boat is moving.

As a reminder, safety boat drivers should have completed club training at operating the safety boat and/or powerboat level 2 qualification. Safety boat assistants are also encouraged to undertake club safety boat training. Another document in this section outlines what is covered in the club training. If it has been a while since you trained and your driving is limited to one or two duties a year, why not come down to messing about in boats one Saturday? We can find you someone who has recently trained to give you a short refresher and let you practice some slow speed manoeuvres.

Next Club safety boat training will be offered 27 April.

If you cannot attend these trainings, and would like to participate at another time and/or take a powerboat level 2 qualifying course, please contact commodore@swsailing.co.uk

Last updated 14:36 on 2 March 2024