SAFETY BOAT ROTAS FOR
SPRING AND SUMMER 2006.
The number of series rescue
boat duties are calculated on the basis of race entries last year, and are
adjusted to take into account that the
Lasers are a single handed boat (and therefore take two boats out of racing
cover each duty) and the XOD class
provide Race Officer duties in April.
There are a few reminders
and changes to procedures that should make the administration of the safety boat
system easier and more efficient in the coming year.
(I)
Please pin your completed rota on your class notice board in the Sailing
Office. This enables staff to know who to expect for a particular duty. Please encourage class members to keep this up to date e.g.
when arranging substitutions.
(II)
Please could you ensure that all class members who do safety duties are
aware of the following information.
(i)
If any class fails to provide a safety boat crew for a designated duty,
it will lose its start for that day, or on a subsequent day. The onus is on the
class to ensure that crews turn up and that substitutes are provided at short
notice if required.
(ii)
REPORTING TIME FOR SAFETY BOAT
CREWS IS ONE HOUR BEFORE THE FIRST START EACH DAY.
This means 12.40pm on Saturdays; 5.10pm on Wednesdays. This gives enough
time to allow crews to check the boats, equipment and radios, and to carry out
pre-race duties (see below). It also allows the Race Professional to get out to
the Race Platform in good time to support the Race Officer and team.
(iii)
If safety boat crews are unavoidably delayed, they are requested to let
their class captain know and /or phone through to the club (preferably on the
Sailing extension) or exceptionally to the PRO mobile phone (07810 753284) to
advise of their situation.
(iv)
Safety boats should be manned
and off the pontoons before racing boats start to launch.
(v)
Duties before the start
sequence: The PRO designates duties
and may vary these arrangements at his or her discretion: Unless directed
otherwise:
·
RIB1
should normally go out on the race area well before the start and be prepared to
assist the PRO. e.g. laying the ODM if required or going to a particular area to
report on conditions.
·
RIBs 2 and 3 and Peggy
should normally provide general safety cover outside the marina and in the race
area.
·
RIB 4
should normally remain within the marina until most competitors are clear,
especially to provide assistance to Flying 15s, XODs and Dolphins berthed there
as required. Some wind directions can create difficulties for these classes
·
On a Saturday, Linda is
normally used by the XOD class as a ferry and is then left on a mooring. On
occasions when she is later required as a safety boat, another safety boat may
be required to take Linda’s crew out to the mooring
(vi)
Whenever operating safety boats all on board must wear personal
buoyancy, and kill cords must be attached to the driver when the
engine is running.
(vii)
After racing, Safety boats should be re-fuelled if needed (on permission
of PRO); any damage or failures should be reported ashore, and equipment
returned to the Sailing Office.
In the past, classes
providing safety cover for other Open Meetings have lost their series start for
that weekend.
For this season, classes
providing safety cover for an Open meeting can choose to have a series start on
that weekend, under the following conditions:
(a)
The fleet’s more experienced racing sailors and boat handlers man open
meeting safety boats. A successful Open meeting depends on good mark laying and
support.
(b)
Support to the Open meeting has absolute priority over the class’
series race. If there is a problem with the manning of the event, then the
series race will be cancelled.
(c)
The class determines its own scoring arrangements within the series to
compensate sailors who carry out these safety duties
If you have any queries about any of these arrangements, please get in touch with me.
Your
support in encouraging members to co-operate with these arrangements is much
appreciated.