www.plymyachtclub.org.uk
PLYM YACHT CLUB: YOUTH SAILING 2010 I
1. AIMS
Our aims are that youngsters should learn to sail well, in a safe environment, that they should enjoy doing so and that they begin to appreciate qualities such as teamwork, persistence and resilience.
Young people may also prepare to take RYA certificates and be involved in friendly racing.
Young people may also prepare to take RYA certificates and be involved in friendly racing.
2. OUTLINE
(i). Cadet Sailing will take place on a Tuesday evening from 5.30 pm to 8.00 pm approx. and will operate from Oreston slipway. We will start on April 13th with a short presentation, briefing and registration session in the club, the first session afloat will be on April 20th and run for about 14 weeks until mid to late July. If there is a demand, sailing will also be organised at other times.
(ii). We will have 3 Picos afloat and expect to be able to teach up to about 12 cadets. There will usually be 2 youngsters in each boat and each cadet will be able to sail for about half the evening. Our ‘target’ age range is 10 – 15 but youngsters just outside this range will be considered. (Rising 9s is the youngest age.)
(iii). The PYC RIB is the primary rescue boat and will be manned by qualified personell. (RYA PB2 with safety boat endorsement/experience.) The Plym Pilot will also generally be afloat. For all matters of safety we will follow RYA guidelines. Instruction will be by experienced sailors with a love of the sport.
(iv). The Club will be open for light refreshments, we need parents to stay close by. Volunteers, to assist in any way whatsoever, will be welcomed with open arms!
(v). We strongly advise cadets to have their own wetsuit – a shortie is OK. In some circumstances only those with wetsuits may be allowed afloat. PYC will provide buoyancy aids, but some may prefer to bring their own. It is best if youngsters can come changed ready to go afloat and also bring a towel and complete change of clothes!
(vi). Costs: We wish to set payments at a level that does not deter participation; at the same time, we need to bear in mind the costs of running Pico sailing.
(ii). We will have 3 Picos afloat and expect to be able to teach up to about 12 cadets. There will usually be 2 youngsters in each boat and each cadet will be able to sail for about half the evening. Our ‘target’ age range is 10 – 15 but youngsters just outside this range will be considered. (Rising 9s is the youngest age.)
(iii). The PYC RIB is the primary rescue boat and will be manned by qualified personell. (RYA PB2 with safety boat endorsement/experience.) The Plym Pilot will also generally be afloat. For all matters of safety we will follow RYA guidelines. Instruction will be by experienced sailors with a love of the sport.
(iv). The Club will be open for light refreshments, we need parents to stay close by. Volunteers, to assist in any way whatsoever, will be welcomed with open arms!
(v). We strongly advise cadets to have their own wetsuit – a shortie is OK. In some circumstances only those with wetsuits may be allowed afloat. PYC will provide buoyancy aids, but some may prefer to bring their own. It is best if youngsters can come changed ready to go afloat and also bring a towel and complete change of clothes!
(vi). Costs: We wish to set payments at a level that does not deter participation; at the same time, we need to bear in mind the costs of running Pico sailing.
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Cadet sailing will be free for children of Family members. Family membership costs about £90 pa. We very much wish to encourage families to join the club and participate in our activities.
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Cadet membership is £16 per year and is available to youngsters age 12 and over. Cadet members, who are not children of family members, will pay a sailing fee of about £50 for the year.
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3. INFORMATION FOR YOUTH SAILORS, PARENTS AND CARERS.
3.1 Preparation
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Pico sailing will take place on Tuesday evenings from 5.30 to 8 pm.
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The sessions are for youngsters who are children of family members or cadet members in their own right.
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Children taking part must be reasonably confident on and in the water and be able to swim 25m in a lifejacket or buoyancy aid
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Parents or carers must have completed the necessary permissions forms before a youngster is allowed afloat.
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3.2 The Evening.
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We advise that youngsters come changed to go afloat. The correct clothing is:
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Wet suits, spray jacket/trousers during April to June.
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All children must have some sort of footwear, and sunscreen on sunny days. Sailing gloves are useful.
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Helmets are recommended for very young and inexperienced cadets, a limited number are available to borrow from the club.
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Children should bring a complete change of dry clothing and a towel.
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Lifejackets/buoyancy aids will be available and are to be worn at all times whilst afloat and near the water.
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3.3 Procedures
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Sign your child in and collect the safety band.
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Make sure that your child is wearing the correct clothing and has the necessary safety equipment.
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Help prepare the dinghies and equipment ready for use.
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Attend the briefing in the boat park before we go afloat.
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Help with the activities or remain in close proximity.
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After sailing, help cadets to pack away and clear up. Report any damage to the Beachmaster.
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Remind your child to sign out and return the safety band.
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Use the changing facilities and showers in the club if needed.
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Enjoy the club facilities.
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3.4 Responsibilities of Youth Sailors.
We very much hope that you will enjoy the Pico sessions. Sailing is a very safe sport providing it is carried out in a responsible manner. We would ask that you set a similar standard of behaviour to a school activity. Please:
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co-operate with your instructors, your safety will depend on this!
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respect each other
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respect club equipment and property
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do not use language that is offensive, sexist or racist
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do not bully others or behave in a way that is threatening
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have consideration for everyone involved or effected by our activities, including our neighbours
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do what you can to help each session to run smoothly.
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Cadets whose behaviour gives cause for concern, particularly where the safety of participants may be affected, may not be allowed to continue to participate in the programme.
3.5 Further Information or Concerns
Parents or carers who would like any further information, or have any concerns about the dinghy sailing programme, should discuss them with the Cadet Secretary, Rear Commodore Sail or member of the Sailing Committee.
4. PERSONNEL
4.1 General
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The Youth Sailing programme is organised by the Plym Yacht Club sailing committee. In due course we expect to form separate sub committee, comprising cadets and adult helpers to oversee Youth Sailing.
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The operating procedures and training programme have been devised by the PYC sailing committee and is based on RYA procedures and advice. The sailing programme will be overseen by a Senior Instructor.
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The operation of sailing on any evening will be directed by a Duty Instructor.
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The driver of the RIB will hold the RYA PB2 qualification and be qualified/experienced in safety boat work.
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Assistant instructors will be individuals with a suitable level of experience.
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An adult will act as Beachmaster on each session, ensuring that procedures ashore such as signing out are followed.
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4.2 Sailing Committee
Members of the sailing committee who are involved with the Youth programme include:
Name Position
Chris Compton Rear Commodore Sail
Frank Edwards Yacht Secretary
Emily Keeping Cadet Secretary
Ashley Crawford Bosun
Elaine O’Flaherty Child Welfare Officer
John Keeping
John Arrowsmith
Derek Bloomfield
Roger Bloomfield
4.3 Problems
The sailing committee shall be responsible for resolving any problems or issues arising with Cadet sailing.
5.1 General
Each session will be under the control of a Duty Instructor.
There must be a qualified Safety Boat driver who should be assisted by at least one other person.
A suitably experienced adult shall act as Beachmaster.
Where cadets are not sufficiently experienced to sail a dinghy on their own, an assistant instructor shall be in each boat.
At least one qualified First Aider should be present.
5.2 Role of Duty Instructor:
1. Before each session afloat commences, the Duty Instructor must satisfy him/her self that:
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weather and other conditions are suitable for sailing. A weather forecast must be obtained.
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all safety equipment, other equipment, dinghies and safety boats are available and in good condition.
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Suitably qualified/ experienced personnel are available and in appropriate numbers for the conditions.
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Longroom has been contacted to ascertain any shipping movements in the Cattewater.
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2. Student to Instructor Ratios
Single Handed Dinghies: 6 : 1 (applies whilst boats are used as single handers)
Crewed Dinghies 8 : 1 but not more than 6 boats per instructor.
Instructor on board 3 : 1
3. Safety Craft Ratios for dinghies (crewed or not)
Up to 6 dinghies (max. 8 persons) - 1 safety boat
7 to 12 dinghies (max. 16 persons) - 2 safety boats
More than 12 dinghies (max. 24 persons) - 3 safety boats
4. Bearing in mind the weather, tidal and other conditions the Duty Instructor will decide on the sailing area to be used.
5. Before each session on the water begins:-
(a) Check that the safety boat is operational.
(b) Brief the cadets :-
• Have you done your tally?
• Stay with the boat – do not swim off.
• One whistle blast plus hand signals to indicate come to the
safety boat (or safety boat will come to them).
• Two whistle blasts plus hand signals to indicate everyone to the
safety boat.
• Three whistle blasts everyone to the slipway.
• Specify sailing area/boundaries.
• If you need assistance – raise a hand
(b) Brief the cadets :-
• Have you done your tally?
• Stay with the boat – do not swim off.
• One whistle blast plus hand signals to indicate come to the
safety boat (or safety boat will come to them).
• Two whistle blasts plus hand signals to indicate everyone to the
safety boat.
• Three whistle blasts everyone to the slipway.
• Specify sailing area/boundaries.
• If you need assistance – raise a hand
Safety boat crew shall be informed of any particular issues by VHF.
6. Whilst Afloat, the Duty Instructor will:
6. Whilst Afloat, the Duty Instructor will:
Be in overall control during activity afloat.
Oversee/ participate in training.
Maintain oversight on fleet safety
Liaise with SBs using VHF.
Be prepared to enact emergency procedures if required.
Decide when changeovers should take place.
Decide when the session should end and participants return ashore.
Oversee/ participate in training.
Maintain oversight on fleet safety
Liaise with SBs using VHF.
Be prepared to enact emergency procedures if required.
Decide when changeovers should take place.
Decide when the session should end and participants return ashore.
7. Debriefing
Check with beachmaster that all participants are safely ashore.
Inform safety boats that they are ‘stood down.’
Debrief cadets, instructors, safety crew, beachmaster at end of session, including both Training issues and Safety issues.
Check that all boats and equipment are packed away.
Inform SI of any incidents and near misses.
Feedback to parents as appropriate. (may be informal)
Inform safety boats that they are ‘stood down.’
Debrief cadets, instructors, safety crew, beachmaster at end of session, including both Training issues and Safety issues.
Check that all boats and equipment are packed away.
Inform SI of any incidents and near misses.
Feedback to parents as appropriate. (may be informal)
5.3 Role of Safety Boat Drivers
These rules are to ensure that we operate our safety craft properly and must be followed by all drivers and crew providing safety boat cover.
1. Drivers must hold, at least, an RYA PB L2 certificate but a SB certificate
is preferred. They should also hold a VHF SR certificate and a first aid
certificate. No unqualified drivers – even under supervision.
2. Drivers should be supported by at least one crew. At least one person on
board must be prepared to enter the water, if necessary, to effect a rescue.
This means wearing a buoyancy aid – not a lifejacket, and carrying a
slashing knife. Maximum capacity for SB working is 4 adults.
3. For sail training purposes safety boat ratios are as follows:-
Up to 6 dinghies (max. 8 persons) – one safety boat
6 to 12 dinghies (max. 16 persons) – two safety boats
over 12 dinghies (max. 24 persons) – three safety boats
Ratios for racing will be decided by the Lead Instructor bearing in mind the
competence of the sailors and the requirement to attend any dinghy within
3 minutes of a capsize.
4. Before safety boat working. Check oil, fuel, coolant and equipment
List Check VHF battery. Hoist ‘R’ flag.
5. Safety boats must be fully operational before any dinghies are launched and remain operational until all dinghies are safely ashore.
6. Kill cords must be used and attached to the driver at all times. This will
normally be the leg – not the wrist.
7. On final approach to a person in the water, engine in neutral. On contact,
engine off (unless exceptional circumstances dictate otherwise).
8. Maintain VHF watch on Ch.37. Call DI/ Beachmaster on leaving pontoon to
check radio and report operational.
5.4 Safety Boat: Equipment Check List
1. Paddles or oars.
2. Bucket or baler.
3. Towing bridle secured to transom.
4. Towline.
5. Spare starting and kill cord.
6. Suitable anchor with appropriate chain and warp.
7. First aid kit including resuscitation face shield.
8. Safety kit including:-
2. Bucket or baler.
3. Towing bridle secured to transom.
4. Towline.
5. Spare starting and kill cord.
6. Suitable anchor with appropriate chain and warp.
7. First aid kit including resuscitation face shield.
8. Safety kit including:-
(a) Survival Bag
(b) Lock knife or similar.
(c) Red /white tape.
(d) 2 Orange smoke canisters.
(e) 2 Red hand flares.
(f) Duck tape/parcel tape.
(b) Lock knife or similar.
(c) Red /white tape.
(d) 2 Orange smoke canisters.
(e) 2 Red hand flares.
(f) Duck tape/parcel tape.
9. Flag R
10..Laminated copy of this code and emergency procedures.
10..Laminated copy of this code and emergency procedures.
5.5 Role of Beachmaster
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Sign youth sailors in for each session and issue safety bands.
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Check that permissions have been completed and are up to date for all young people afloat.
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Liaise with parents.
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Check slipway condition and advise DI. Liaise with PCC when cleaning is due.
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Oversee rigging of dinghies.
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Safe control of the slipway for launching and recovery.
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Act as base radio operator.
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Help with any children brought back off the water, tired or injured. Informing parents / carers if required
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Collect safety bands and sign cadets out after sailing
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Oversee de-rigging and storage of boats and equipment.
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Note any comments by cadets or parents (such as repairs needed, or possible safety issues) and pass these on to the appropriate person.
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Hold the sailing accident book and ensure any accidents are recorded and reported to DI.
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5.6 Use of VHF Radios
VHF radios form a vital communication link in Youth sailing and ensuring that this link works must be given a very high priority.
VHF radios should be available to: The DI, each safety boat and the Beachmaster.
Callsigns are: Plym control (DI), Plym RIB, Plym Pilot, Plym Beachmaster.
Operators must have a current VHF license.
Channel 14 will be used.
At the end of each session, radios must be passed to the Yacht Secretary for re-charging.
6.1 Child Protection
1. Plym Yacht Club is committed to providing training in a safe environment for Children. It is Club policy that;
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the child’s welfare is paramount
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all children have the right to protection from abuse
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all suspicions and allegations of inappropriate behaviour will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately.
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Instructors have undergone child welfare training.
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2. Offences under the Children’s Act
The Club is required to vet all those who come into contact with young persons. Instructors and others involved in the running of Cadet sailing must sign to say that the Operating instructions have been read and understood and confirm that they have never been involved in any investigation against them into child abuse.
With effect from the summer of 2010, instructors and others who assist in the running of cadet sailing will be required to undergo checks by the Independent Safeguarding Authority.
3. Alcohol and Drugs,
Drinking “on duty” is not allowed. No one is allowed on the water who is under the influence of alcohol. Anyone identified as being under the influence of banned substances will be immediately barred from instructing.
4. The Plym Yacht Club has a separate Child Protection policy which is available on request.
6.2 Emergency Procedures
1. The Duty Instructor is in charge on the water. In the event of a serious incident such as a mass capsize or medical emergency he/she will:
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Secure the situation and instigate any first aid.
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Ensure that if any craft are left free floating & unattended, they are marked by the red tape out of the safety kits, tied to the rudder area of the craft.
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Inform the Longroom of the craft & how it has been marked and the nature of the emergency.
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2. Simultaneously, either the DI or the assistant instructors will summon any outside help if necessary and inform the Beachmaster.
3. The Beachmaster:
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will make contact with the Longroom to confirm the details and check on the emergency response.
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Once this is done and any requested action taken, the beachmaster will contact the Parents.
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Will contact the Commodore and RCS and inform them of the incident.
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4. The Duty Instructor will be responsible for completing all relevant report forms and seeing that they are sent to the appropriate office.
5. The Duty Instructor will not talk to the press, this is to be left to the appropriate club officer.
6. In the event of a mass capsize, or similar incident, the safety of the participants is paramount. To achieve this, dinghies may need to be left afloat marked as described above.
7. In the event of a medical emergency, priority must be given to getting medical assistance to the casualty. Assuming the casualty needs to be taken ashore as a matter of urgency to achieve this, consideration should be given to the best landing spot. The most likely candidates are:
The slipway at Oreston
Queen Anne’s Battery
The MountBatten Centre slipway or pontoon.
The Mayflower steps or nearby pontoon.
Queen Anne’s Battery
The MountBatten Centre slipway or pontoon.
The Mayflower steps or nearby pontoon.
The spot chosen will depend upon the position and condition of the casualty, and the speed with which the emergency services can reach the venue.
7. RISK ASSESSMENT
7.1 Procedures
Risk assessments have been constructed by the PYC sailing Committee using the models in the HSE and RYA publications “Five Steps to Risk Assessment.”
The sailing committee has taken advice of Clubs and other local organisations who organise sail training.
Volunteers, participants and parents will be encouraged to contribute to reviews of risk assessment.
7.2 Risk Assessments
Last Reviewed: February 2010 Next Review Date: October 2010
Review the assessment to make sure we are still improving, or at least not sliding back.
_ If there is a significant change in the activities or areas used, we must remember to check our risk assessment and, where necessary, amend it.
8. Sail Training Programme
We aim to cover the following during a structured course of basic skills:-
1. Clothing. Buoyancy Aids. Gear.
2. Rigging. Safety brief. Launch.
3. Joyride with Instructor/Assistant Instructor. Basic boat control.
4. Wind awareness. Reach to reach. Lying to.
5. Figure of eight with tack at each end.
6. Balancing the boat. The no go zone.
7. Land drill going about. Aft mainsheet/Centre mainsheet.
8. Practice on the water.
9. Going to windward on a close reach/beat.
10. The five essentials:-
(a) Sail setting
(b) Balance
(c) Trim
(d) Daggerboard
(e) Course made good.
(b) Balance
(c) Trim
(d) Daggerboard
(e) Course made good.
11. Downwind sailing. Avoid gybing.
12. Shore drill – gybing. Aft mainsheet/Centre mainsheet.
13. Gybing afloat.
14. Triangular course.
At some stage:-
Capsize Recovery Drill – Shoreside. Returning to slipway.
Possible further sessions to include:-
Man overboard, coming alongside, picking up a buoy etc
Emergency contact
PLYM YACHT CLUB: Youth Training
10. Volunteer’s Agreement
10. Volunteer’s Agreement
PLYM YACHT CLUB
Dinghy Hire Agreement and Booking Form
This agreement sets out the conditions under which a club-owned dinghy is hired out, for other than listed club events.
1. Dinghies may be booked in advance by application to Rear Commodore Sail or Bosun.
2. All persons sailing a club dinghy shall be sufficiently competent to sail such dinghies.
3. Dinghies are not to be hired to, or used by, non-club members.
4. The hirer is entirely responsible for the dinghy, and the safety and actions of persons using it, during the hire period.
5. Plym Yacht Club has no responsibility to provide any form of safety cover outside of listed Club events. Hirers must satisfy themselves that alternative, appropriate safety cover is available for the period of hire.
6. While afloat, hirers shall conform to basic safety requirements and shall ensure that personal buoyancy is worn by themselves and their crew
7. Hirers are fully responsible for any loss or damage caused during their period of hire to a dinghy and its equipment, or to a third party
8. The hirer shall take out their own insurance policy for the hire, including third party cover at the RYA recommended level.
9. Hirers must pay the hire fee prior to, or on the day, of hiring.
10. Each dinghy comprises the following equipment:
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