The Boating Group's
Recommended General Code of Safety
 
1. Group members taking part in boating activities should comply with the spirit of this code but realise that ultimately safety is their own responsibility.

2. This code is aimed at setting a Minimum standard of safety for you and your family at meets and rallies organised by the Camping and Caravanning Club Boating Group.

3. You should not undertake a passage on the assumption that if you get into difficulties you can depend on help from other boats. However, it is usually safer to sail in the same area as other boats. Where ever possible you should sail with others in order to render help or raise the alarm if necessary. If you intend to sail alone it is sensible for you to inform others on site of your intended destination and anticipated time of return.

4. You are encouraged to become proficient in your own particular water sport. The Royal Yatching Association is the National Ruling Body for the Yatching, motor boating and sailboarding who issue recommended standards of training and safety. You can get information about training from the group's training officers. Before going onto the water it is advisable that you should have at least some basic training in your sport, e.g.
  • Attended RYA approved sailing school.
  • Attended LEA sailing course.
  • Attended a training scheme run by your local sailing club.
  • Have received sailing experience by crewing for a competent helm.
5. You and your family who undertake water sports should
  • Be physically fit to undertake the sport.
  • Ideally be confident in deep water and able to swim.
  • Wear adequate and suitable life jacket or buoyancy aid as recommended by the RYA for your appropriate sport. (A wet suite alone is not considered sufficient).
RYA recommendations for windsurfers:

Buoyancy aids of the waistcoat type provide a minimum of 60 N (approximately 6kg) buoyancy should be worn by novices and students under instruction. The type of buoyancy for competent and experienced adult windsurfers is a matter of personal choice. Windsurfing is accepted as a " total immersion activity " and the participants expect to fall and have to swim.

  • Children should wear a buoyancy aid or life jacket at all times when afloat or when near to water.
  • Wear adequate and suitable clothing that will offer warmth and protection from the elements in the prevailing conditions. In the UK the air and water temperatures are such that a wet or dry suit are nearly always essential. In winter windsurfers should wear a suit providing at least 5mm of insulation around the body.
  • Have a working understanding of the "Rules of the Road".
  • On tidal water you should have a working knowledge of tides and the effect they will have on your sailing, current times of high and low tides, the amount of rise and fall at Springs and Neaps and the effects these have on speed of flow should be understood and borne in mind when planning a sail.
6. THE CRAFT (including canoes, inflatables or any other floating object used) should:
  • be of sound construction and sea worthy condition.
  • have adequate and positive buoyancy.
  • be insured against Third Party Claim.
  • have equipment suitable for the craft and the area in which it is being used (see Section 8 and Safety Check lists).
  • carry a means of signalling distress. In inland or enclosed waters this should be an orange day-glow flag. In coastal waters flares should also be carried.
  • carry a spare line with which a craft may be towed or used for temporary repairs in an emergency.
7. When you sail at water controlled by a Sailing Club the rules of that Club must be obeyed.

8. As a skipper you are responsible for the safety of your craft and crew. Before undertaking any boating activities (including inland waters) you should be satisfied that:
  • the type and condition of the craft is suitable for the sailing area.
  • your training and experience of the area and prevailing conditions is sufficient.
  • the experience and physical capabilities of your crew are adequate.
  • you have an up to date forecast of the current and expected weather conditions.

    • Where the person in charge of a craft is seventeen years of age or under their parents or other adult should have supervisory responsibility.
9. Your decision to go afloat after considering these recommendations should depend on the type of craft, the capabilities of both yourself and your crew, your experience of the type of area and the prevailing and forecasted conditions.
If in doubt it may be better to stay ashore.
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APPENDIX A

Some suitable books and information that members have found useful.

BOOKS

1. How to Sail - Nicholas Dent ISBN 0-74814007-5
2. Topper Sailing, a guide to handling boats - John Craig, Fernhurst Books.
3. Mirror Sailing - Roy Partridge, Fernhurst Books.
4. This is Sailing - Richard Greagh-Osborne, Fontana/Collins.
5. RYA Start Sailing - Beginners Handbook.
6. RYA Dinghy Sailing - Advanced Handbook
7. RNLI Dinghy Sailing SEA SAFETY GUIDELINES
8. RYA Competent Crew
9. RYA Day Skipper - Shorebased
10. RYA Day Skipper - Practical Course Notes.
11. RYA Navigation Handbook by Tim Bartlett
12. Boat Owner's Highway Code, Practical Boat Owner (basic rules of the road)
13. RYA learn to windsurf, level 1.
14. RYA - Improving Techniques, An introduction to planing - Levels 2 & 3.

VIDEOS

1. Windsurfing Fundamentals 1-3 RYA.
2. Get the kids on board - Junior Windsurfing Scheme.
3. RYA Start Sailing
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APPENDIX B

SAFETY CHECKLISTS AND CATAGORIES

For all boating activities you require:
  • 1.THIRD PARTY INSURANCE

  • 2.KNOWLEDGE OF "RULE OF THE ROAD" (Seaway Code DTI)

    • PLUS:

    CHECKLIST D - LAKES AND RIVERS (where water flow is slow moving i.e. less than 2 knots)

    • Lifejacket / Buoyancy aid
    • Suitable clothing e.g. wet/dry suits
    • Vessel — positive buoyancy
    • Painter, spare line and bailer

    OR CHECKLIST C - INSHORE SAILING estuaries and harbours, sheltered coastal waters (up to 1 km from shore and reasonably fast flowing rivers i.e. over 2 knots or within 1 km of a weir).
    Any vessel going beyond the limits of the defined area must conform to the requirements of "A" or "B" as appropriate.

    • Lifejacket / Buoyancy aid
    • Suitable clothing e.g. wet/dry suits
    • Vessel — positive buoyancy
    • Painter, spare line and bailer
    • Means of signalling distress
    • Anchor and ground tackle
    • Secondary Propulsion

    CHECKLIST B & A - COASTAL WATERS AND OFFSHORE (waters up to 5 km from land or from the limits of C above).
    • Lifejacket / Buoyancy aid
    • Vessel - positive buoyancy
    • Painter, spare line and bailer
    • Means of signalling distress
    • Anchor and ground tackle
    • Secondary Propulsion
    • Flares, Bucket and Lanyard
    • Compass and chart(s)
    • First aid kit
    • Audible warning device
    • Engine spares, plug and shear pin

    Note 1 for checklist A Category A OFFSHORE - Beyond 5 km from land, members should hold the RYA DINGHY SEAMANSHIP 2 or DAYSKIPPER Certificate.
    Note 2 equipment is obviously dependent on the type of craft used e.g. engine spares not required for windsurfers.
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