All members will observe government guidance on Covid19 while at SVSC and are asked to respectfully comply with this policy as a condition of participation in sailing activities. Cognizance should also be taken of the attached risk assessment approved by Sandwell MBC
The Sailing CLUB draws up it’s policies in line with RYA Guidance for CLUBS.
RYA training is will be run in accordance with special RYA Guidance for TRAINING CENTRES.
We will take a cautious and conservative approach in order to enable members to enjoy recreational sailing to promote health, fitness and skills.
An experienced senior member will be appointed as OoD for each sailing session and members may not come to the club to sail unless the OoD is present.
The OoD will decide whether conditions are suitable for safe sailing and may refuse permission to any member where he is not confident of their suitability in the current or expected conditions.
Members should not attend the club if they think they may have a communicable disease, especially a Covid.
A safety boat will be present for supervision and emergencies. Members must be prepared to carry out their own normal capsize recovery drill. Safety boat will stand by, but not attempt rescue unless there is injury or danger to the crew.
Use of the building will be minimized for access to stored equipment and toilets only. Galley is closed.
The following Procedures have been drawn up in the light of SVSC Covid Risk Assessment and RYA Guidance for Clubs.I.
Gloves should be worn when likely to touch communal items.
OoD will open the club and unlock the boatyard and boat storage to enable access to equipment with no need to touch anything other than the required equipment.
He will relock and disinfect at the end of the session.
OoD will permit indoor access to get boats & equipment one person at a time.
Several people may access the boatyard provided they maintain good distancing at all times.
If any required equipment is not readily accessible, the OoD, wearing gloves, should retrieve it and put it in an accessible place.
If members need assistance to take boats up to the lake, assistants should wear gloves and be well separated, either at front and back of the boat, or by use of a sufficiently long rope to ensure good spacing. Similarly with launching.
Safety boat: If manual launching/retrieval is necessary, pull ropes should be used.
OoD will mark off the reserved area on the slip and dock, asking members of the public to keep clear if needed.
Display public notice asking people to stay away from marked area during sailing.
OoD will note name, address and contact details for all members attending for the purpose of enabling NHS track and trace. All members requested to notify the OoD for that respective duty should they subsequently feel unwell. Members can register in advance on line via the club’s online booking system:
Boats may sail only with the consent of OoD and at the times the OoD permits.
Boats must be particularly careful to follow any instructions of OoD or Safety Officer.
Members should check the area is clear before taking boats up and only access their boats when the area is clear.
Boats should be launched and tied up as far from the slipway as possible. After boats are tied up, members should be careful to move away from the dock, leaving plenty of space for other boats. Boats must take turns to shove off one at a time. One person (maybe OoD or SO[GH1] ) should give any necessary assistance for pushing-off and landing, as they are equipped and briefed to do this safely.
Sailors should take extra care to avoid close encounters on the water.
Boats should return to dock only one at a time. Wait until the preceding boat is tied up and crew clear before docking.
Returning boats should tie up near to the slip and take their boat out of the water as soon as possible.
Distancing in the yard and one-at-a-time access to storage should be observed, as when preparing.
[GH1]Safety Office or Racing Officer
Only OoD or SO should access the safety boat (OoD may also act as SO). Gloves should be worn and masks should be available in case emergency assistance is required.
SB should tie up at far left of dock.
SB should be crewed alone or with a family member. In emergency if a crew is needed, the crew should sit at the prow and helm at stern – masks & gloves should be worn.
The SO is there primarily to supervise and provide assistance if an emergency should occur.
At discretion of SO, assistance may be rendered in non-emergency situations, provided good separation can be easily maintained – eg. Lifting masthead or towing with long painter picked up with a boathook.(SO should familiarize themself with RYA guidance on other appropriate techniques.)
In emergency, every effort must be made to save life, prevent injury and rescue anyone in serious danger (including members of the public.)
Members should observe the same precautions when de-rigging and returning boats & equipment, as when preparing. Internal storage must be accessed one at a time.
When all equipment is returned, OOD will record details of equipment used, in log books.
Final clean of toilet area.
OOD to complete lock-up, sterilizing locks and handles.
OOD, where possible, should be the only person to touch locks, doors, gates, etc.
Disinfection by use of 90% alcohol spray .
Roller door closed by OoD once all eqpt. is out. Reopen for return at end of sailing.
Only allowed if hygienic conditions are met.
Safety boat is over 3m long. Suitable ropes should be available and returned to bucket of detergent after use.
Cones and tape.
Copyright © 2023 Sandwell Valley Sailing Club - All Rights Reserved.
Powered by GoDaddy Website Builder