To lay a buoy
To retrieve a buoy
- Ensure the propeller is disengaged
- Attach concrete weight to a rope with a clip
- Lower weight down to bottom of lake
- Allow sufficient slack for waves
- Tie rope onto the ballast close to the link where the buoy will be attached.
This ensures the chain remains vertical below the buoy and not drag it on an angle. - Loop and tie the end of any spare rope together.
- Clip the buoy onto the ballast chain.
- In shallow water you may need to clip it in two positions so chain does not touch lake bottom.
- Extend, shake and fill buoy with air
- Lower buoy and ballast chain into water maximising the air that the buoy holds.
To retrieve a buoy
- Ensure propeller is disengaged.
- When retrieving make sure you use the protectors on the rescue boat.
- Coil ropes carefully for stowing.
- It's a good idea – if conditions are safe – to wash muddy weights before they come into the boat.
Check buoy is fully inflated
Deploy the buoy
Clip on the ballast
Laying & retrieving buoys
Postponement
Policy is to Postpone (AP flag + 2 signals) if start has not yet occurred and Abandon (N flag + 3 signals) if start has occurred.
Abandonment
Abandon if conditions are unsafe (foul weather) or not fair (eg. error in starting sequence, missing mark etc.)
Remember abandonment with N over H (3 signals) sends everyone to shore.
Recalls
At the start of a race be ready for Individual recalls X flag + 1 sound
General recall
1st Substitute + 2 sounds
Never give a general recall after an individual recall.Instead Abandonment (N + 3 sounds) and restart sequence 1 minute after flag lowered.
If a boat is OCS (on course side at start) and does not restart then take finishing time but do not give sound signal.
Record OCS boats that do not return.
Overseeing the race
Is wind speed dropping – consider shorten course.
Is wind becoming unsafe – consider abandoning.
Keeping a proper look out of competitors and weather.
Finishing boats
Shorten course – make sure you are aware of the procedure . See Sailing Instructions pages 18–20
Shortened Course
Code flag S with the appropriate division flag(s) will be flown + 2 sound signals may be given as the lead boat approaches the mark, after she rounds the mark she shall sail directly to the finish.
Rescue
In an emergency the priority is to save lives, not the boats.
Call for second rescue boat if required.
Rescue craft crew must be prepared and attired to enter the water.
Drifting or anchored boast can be picked up later.
Preservation of competitors will always override the preservation of boats.
When towing craft use the provided pulley rope triangle at the stern of the rescue boat to ensure force is directly behind motor so you can steer.
Once returning competitors to shore ensure club members on shore do basic first aid checks (eg. hypothermia etc)
Stay abeam and to leeward of capsized craft
Approach persons in water from abeam and to leeward (see following man overboard drill).
Apply Red and white tape on boats with crew removed (so later crews do not waste time looking for people who are already rescued)
The Finish
Will be as shown on the course board.
A Yacht shall only cross the finish line if the course has been completed correctly and all rules complied with.
All yachts failing to complete the course in accordance with the sailing instructions shall be deemed DNF (Did Not Finish).
Time Limit
The time limit for each race is 3 hours.
Boats finishing after the time limit shall be scored DNF (Did Not Finish) (amends RRS 35 and A4.1).
Recording times of finishing yachts using race time forms provided (office filing cabinet).
Record yachts not completing course
Protests - refer to Racing Rules of Sailing
Protest forms in the office filing cabinet.
Ask Sailing Committee for advice in the event of a protest.
Ensure times and sail numbers are legible and present race times to the Club results officer.
Policy is to Postpone (AP flag + 2 signals) if start has not yet occurred and Abandon (N flag + 3 signals) if start has occurred.
Abandonment
Abandon if conditions are unsafe (foul weather) or not fair (eg. error in starting sequence, missing mark etc.)
Remember abandonment with N over H (3 signals) sends everyone to shore.
Recalls
At the start of a race be ready for Individual recalls X flag + 1 sound
General recall
1st Substitute + 2 sounds
Never give a general recall after an individual recall.Instead Abandonment (N + 3 sounds) and restart sequence 1 minute after flag lowered.
If a boat is OCS (on course side at start) and does not restart then take finishing time but do not give sound signal.
Record OCS boats that do not return.
Overseeing the race
Is wind speed dropping – consider shorten course.
Is wind becoming unsafe – consider abandoning.
Keeping a proper look out of competitors and weather.
Finishing boats
Shorten course – make sure you are aware of the procedure . See Sailing Instructions pages 18–20
Shortened Course
Code flag S with the appropriate division flag(s) will be flown + 2 sound signals may be given as the lead boat approaches the mark, after she rounds the mark she shall sail directly to the finish.
Rescue
In an emergency the priority is to save lives, not the boats.
Call for second rescue boat if required.
Rescue craft crew must be prepared and attired to enter the water.
Drifting or anchored boast can be picked up later.
Preservation of competitors will always override the preservation of boats.
When towing craft use the provided pulley rope triangle at the stern of the rescue boat to ensure force is directly behind motor so you can steer.
Once returning competitors to shore ensure club members on shore do basic first aid checks (eg. hypothermia etc)
Stay abeam and to leeward of capsized craft
Approach persons in water from abeam and to leeward (see following man overboard drill).
Apply Red and white tape on boats with crew removed (so later crews do not waste time looking for people who are already rescued)
The Finish
Will be as shown on the course board.
A Yacht shall only cross the finish line if the course has been completed correctly and all rules complied with.
All yachts failing to complete the course in accordance with the sailing instructions shall be deemed DNF (Did Not Finish).
Time Limit
The time limit for each race is 3 hours.
Boats finishing after the time limit shall be scored DNF (Did Not Finish) (amends RRS 35 and A4.1).
Recording times of finishing yachts using race time forms provided (office filing cabinet).
Record yachts not completing course
Protests - refer to Racing Rules of Sailing
Protest forms in the office filing cabinet.
Ask Sailing Committee for advice in the event of a protest.
Ensure times and sail numbers are legible and present race times to the Club results officer.
Running the race
Preparation (flags, rescue boats, forecast, briefing)
On shore
No alcohol until all safety duties completed
(end of day all boats ashore).
Check fuel and oil
(if unsure seek advice from Sailing Committee).
If fuel is low replenish supplies
(fuel card for Maldon petrol- see a Committee member for instructions).
Get rescue craft ready for the race, including; weights & ropes
When putting the weights and ropes in the boat - always put 1 extra of each in.
marks / buoys
flags
See pages 11, 14 & 18
Check radio.
Put the bungs in!
Turn the power master switch on.
Make sure the motor is vertical and check the oil level.
Tilt the motor up for travelling.
Check safety gear
PFD (1 for every person on board and spare) .
Paddle.
Torch (make sure it works!).
Hand bailer (bucket) with lanyard.
Fire extinguisher.
Tow rope (permanently attached to boat).
Anchor, chain and rope (check that it's not tangled).
Hitching boat trailers (watch your back and ensure safety).
Attach trailer, safety chains.
Launching Rescue Craft
Decide which ramp is suitable as a windward shore, considering wind and waves.
Put the radio arial up.
Reverse trailer into the water.
If a sufficient depth lower motor.
Start the motor while boat is on trailer
Switch off.
Lift motor.
Unhook at bow.
Push boat off trailer with bow line attached.
Complete radio check.
Motor starting procedure for 'Jack Wagstaff'
Motor must be fully down for cold starts.
Cold starts. Push choke in for three seconds, release and start motor.
If it doesn't start slightly raise fast idle lever
Once engine runs Immediately lower fast idle lever.
Engine running check water stream (water pump stream from under cowling).
Rescue craft retrieval
Which ramp (weather may have changed).
Reverse trailer into water
until water covers the end roller.
Tilt trailer.
Attach winch strap onto bow.
Wind on to trailer.
If possible keep winch strap from curling over.
Remove craft from water.
Remove Bungs.
Put aerial down.
The rescue boat is not to be driven up onto the shore, anchor the boat so the bottom of the boat is floating and not resting on the bottom.
Wind conditions can change!
Keep your eyes up and know how to
abandon a race if required.
On shore
No alcohol until all safety duties completed
(end of day all boats ashore).
Check fuel and oil
(if unsure seek advice from Sailing Committee).
If fuel is low replenish supplies
(fuel card for Maldon petrol- see a Committee member for instructions).
Get rescue craft ready for the race, including; weights & ropes
When putting the weights and ropes in the boat - always put 1 extra of each in.
marks / buoys
flags
See pages 11, 14 & 18
Check radio.
Put the bungs in!
Turn the power master switch on.
Make sure the motor is vertical and check the oil level.
Tilt the motor up for travelling.
Check safety gear
PFD (1 for every person on board and spare) .
Paddle.
Torch (make sure it works!).
Hand bailer (bucket) with lanyard.
Fire extinguisher.
Tow rope (permanently attached to boat).
Anchor, chain and rope (check that it's not tangled).
Hitching boat trailers (watch your back and ensure safety).
Attach trailer, safety chains.
Launching Rescue Craft
Decide which ramp is suitable as a windward shore, considering wind and waves.
Put the radio arial up.
Reverse trailer into the water.
If a sufficient depth lower motor.
Start the motor while boat is on trailer
Switch off.
Lift motor.
Unhook at bow.
Push boat off trailer with bow line attached.
Complete radio check.
Motor starting procedure for 'Jack Wagstaff'
Motor must be fully down for cold starts.
Cold starts. Push choke in for three seconds, release and start motor.
If it doesn't start slightly raise fast idle lever
Once engine runs Immediately lower fast idle lever.
Engine running check water stream (water pump stream from under cowling).
Rescue craft retrieval
Which ramp (weather may have changed).
Reverse trailer into water
until water covers the end roller.
Tilt trailer.
Attach winch strap onto bow.
Wind on to trailer.
If possible keep winch strap from curling over.
Remove craft from water.
Remove Bungs.
Put aerial down.
The rescue boat is not to be driven up onto the shore, anchor the boat so the bottom of the boat is floating and not resting on the bottom.
Wind conditions can change!
Keep your eyes up and know how to
abandon a race if required.
