Gunfleet Boating Club- Safety Regulations

The intention of these regulations is not to restrict members’ enjoyment of the club and the sea but to ensure that everyone enjoys a safe day out and to remind us all that a common sense approach benefits all.

You may be spot checked for equipment this year!

1)      Firstly, the boring bit, preparation:

Trailer Check, it is legal and safe;

Þ    Are your tyres in good condition?

Þ    Wheel bearings adjusted and greased recently?

Þ    Light board working (all lights!).

Þ    Is your boat secure.

Þ    Your engine (and others) should be protected form damage (orange padded bags are great).

Hitch up your trailer,

Þ    Check it is locked on the hitch before driving!

Þ    The use of a safety chain connected to the car is recommended, a breakaway cable should be used if your trailer is braked.

Þ    Petrol, take enough with you for your intended journey,  if filling portable tanks, remove them from the boat as a fire hazard exists if petrol is spilt on the boat carpet etc.

2)      Secondly the fun bit! Checking equipment:

You MUST have,

i)                    A life jacket for each person in the boat, especially children and passengers. ASK to borrow one if you have forgotten one.

ii)                   An anchor with rope attached to the boat (attach it under the deck to a sturdy point). A minimum of 30 feet (10 meters) is recommended.

You SHOULD have,

Þ    A baler (bucket?), flares, and a compass.

Þ    (Also, if you have a mobile phone take it with you, and phone the club when your thirsty!)

3)      Thirdly, launching at last:

Before you launch, check your engine starts! It saves bringing it back up the ramp with a red face!

Use a hose and water inlet muffs, to avoid water pump damage, prime the engine for petrol and start it.

ALL OK? Great (!), now for the day out you promised yourself.

CHECK YOUR BUNG IS IN!

Launching, the ramp can be very slippery, the water certainty can be unpredictable.

GET ENOUGH HELP!

Part of being in a club means that someone will always help. Don’t be afraid to ask!

We have a dedicated launch vehicle; in any case do not take your vehicle onto the sand unless you have another vehicle available to help.

People do get stuck, even with 4 x 4 vehicles, we have seen them!

4)      Now you are afloat! You can relax right?

Yes, but be aware of others;

Outside of the line of buoys and 400 metres from the shore is a 4 Knot speed limit (you can almost row that fast!) Watch out for swimmers.

Watch out for Skiers and Ski lines in the water. Never follow a skier in your boat, if they fall in you may hit them!

Know where you are going and tell others if you are leaving the area for an extended time, they may worry about you!

Watch your fuel don’t run out!

If the weather gets bad, come inshore, you can watch it get better from the clubhouse.

If you tie up to a buoy use a metal cleat, the ring of the buoy has been known to wear away even a thick rope, keep an eye on the boat.

And finally when you come in ASK FOR HELP AGAIN!

Have a good time, follow the guidelines and everyone will.

Gunfleet Boating Club Safety Rules 2003 v4.0