Risk assessment
Before the on shore briefing, a meeting of the organisers, safety boat driver and other experienced sailors is to take place to make an assessment of the level of risk involved in the proposed cruise of that day.Factors which should be considered:
- Tides
- Weather
- Weather forecast
- Proposed cruising venue
- Number of boats likely to participate
- Types of boats involved
- Variation of speed of boats involved
- Proportion of novice / experienced crews
The outcome of this assessment must err on the side of caution
Briefing
- The organiser must then hold a briefing and explain clearly the rules of the trip i.e. “guidelines for dinghies” below
- It is important that all participants attend the briefing.
Safety boat(s)
- The safety boat must not be asked to do something more adventurous, more demanding or more time consuming than originally scheduled in the SYC Sailing Programme.
- In the light of the risk assessment, if it is deemed advisable to take a second RIB, then it should be used if another driver/crew can be found for manning, provided a RIB is available.
- The RIB must stay at the back of the dinghy fleet and monitor the progress of the boats carefully.
- No SYC sponsored dinghy cruise is to take place without the presence of a safety boat. For a trip to sea, 2 boats are required.
Communications
- SYC VHF handhelds will be made available for use on each cruise. They should be with designated boats within the fleet. SYC private channel (P1) must be used, unless all operators hold an SRC Operators License.
Guidelines for dinghies
- All boats must be confident in their ability to sail to the destination and back – the safety boat is there for unforeseen circumstances only
- The faster dinghies must tack back or heave to, if they believe it is safe to do so, so that the fleet does not get too spread out. As a minimum, the faster boats should aim to remain in sight of the safety boat at the back of the fleet
- Boats of similar speed should ‘buddy up’ and sail in company. If a boat capsizes, then the buddy should stay close to the capsized boat to give support.
- Dinghies should try and keep out of the moorings where they can be swept on to yachts by the tide and they can be out of sight of the RIBs. Ideally within 50m of the channel would be a good guide.
- Consideration should be given to the Guidelines offered by the club to sailors going on the water. These are published in the clubhouse window and by the day cruising signing out sheets. They are also available on this website.