DUTY OFFICER RESPONSIBILITIES AND INSTRUCTIONS
As the Duty Officer, you are responsible for everything that goes on at the Club on the day of your duty. You are expected to use your judgement to ensure safety considerations are always paramount.
You must intervene if you suspect or see any unsafe practice. If in any doubt, please speak to Nigel or one of the other flag officers.
Please ensure that both patrol boats, if available, are ready to use at all times irrespective of weather conditions. They should be pumped out (if needed) and fuel levels checked at the start of your duty. Ensure that your Duty Team know their roles and are familiar with using the patrol boats. No club members should use the patrol boats without your express permission. Please ensure that the maximum number of persons in each patrol boat and on the ferry is not exceeded i.e. including the helm – up to 10 in Benn 1, up to 8 in Garrick of Hampton and up to 14 on the ferry.
Please note that your assistant duty officer is also bar officer. There should be a separate bar keeper at the club for every duty but you and the assistant duty officer are ultimately responsible for the bar, including cashing-up and ensuring the bar is locked at the end of the day. Obviously on water emergencies take precedent over the bar!
The Week before phone your assistant/s and bar officer to ensure you will have some help!
Check and observe the prevailing weather conditions before you arrive, again on arrival and before setting courses. Again, if you have any doubts about the conditions, please contact Nigel or one of the other flag officers.
ON ARRIVAL
1.5 HOURS BEFORE FIRST START
1. Check and, if necessary, shut 4 drain cocks (under clubhouse, 2 upstream and 2 by the stop cock, follow signs) then turn on water main.
2. Unlock clubhouse including both doors onto the Balcony.
3. Switch on the electricity main switch (yellow with red switch)by entrance to bar.
4. Open gents.
5. Unlock timekeeper’s box and in the winter plug in and turn on the fan heater and then hoist club flag.
6. Hoist red ensign at the yardarm, downstream mast and hoist Hampton flag on the mast by the timekeepers’ box (flags should be found on front of bar, hooked over bell).
7. In fine weather place cushions on balcony seats.
8. Place lifebuoys on both hooks on balcony.
9. If necessary, bail ferry, ask junior members to assist. Submersible pump and cable are in the balcony boxes. The yellow sockets for the cable are under the clubhouse roughly halfway between the end of the club and the bar store.
10. Sweep bird droppings from the ferry landing, slipways, pontoons, etc. Remove and store Goose deterrents.
11. Prepare club patrol boats.
The keys for both boats are kept in the Key Box just inside the bar. Each boat should be unlocked from the securing chain using the Club Key. The chain should be secured and the padlock relocked to avoid losing them into the river.
BENN 1 is normally moored on the pontoon to the downstream end of the Club. Board boat and unlock stern locker, using small key on ring. Lock padlock to hasp so locker is open at all times whilst the boat is in use.
Ensure Kill Cord is put in place before doing anything else. Do not start engine without it in place. Detach RED Battery Key from key fob and insert into battery switch, located in stern locker. Turn clockwise to switch on. Check level of diesel is above indicated line on fuel tank. If level is below or near line, top up with diesel, stored in Steel Locker, located on north side of island. To allow the fuel level to drop below the indicator line risks a fuel blockage.
Fire Extinguisher – Remove this from stern locker and place in fixed bracket on Wheel House.
Engine checks – Open engine compartment, check level of water in bilges and pump out if necessary. A manual fixed bilge pump is located in stern locker. A separate hand pump is kept in steel cage on concrete pontoon. When started check that water is being ejected from the exhaust, if not stop engine and seek advice. It is important to pump out Benn 1 as otherwise water gets into the electrics in the console and damages them.
GARRICK OF HAMPTON is also normally moored on the pontoon to the downstream end of the club. Board boat and insert key in ignition. Attach red safety clip to safety switch. Remove cover from outboard and lower engine to its fully down position. Check petrol level in fuel tank, located below helm’s seat. Unscrew air vent on fuel tank. If fuel gauge reads below a quarter, seek advice. Please note that Garrick should not normally be used for anything other than patrol duties and should be used as the primary patrol boat.
BENN1 should be used for all non-patrol duty errands If Garrick has to be used to go to the Surrey bank then the prop must be partially raised prior to arriving at the bank.
Equipment- Load Boat Equipment Boxes to both boats and check contents. Life buoy, ropes, boat hook as per list in Bar by Key Box.
12. CLUB MOBILE PHONE should be switched on and in its cradle, check that your assistants have the club’s number in their phone in case they need to contact the club when they are on the water.
13. It is sensible for you to have each assistant duty officer’s mobile number, in case you need to contact them when they are on the water.
14. There are also 3 walkie talkies that can be used if required.
15. Ensure attendance of bar officer and assistant or nominate a substitute
16. Be aware that people may need ferrying to/from the church land. If anybody is on church land ensure that someone watches out for them.
Course setting
17. You should always consider current and forecast weather conditions and the stream and lay the buoys to suit those conditions so as to provide an enjoyable and safe course. Where two classes are sailing similar courses, the faster class should always sail the shorter course. If in any doubt consult senior class members.
LOCKING UP PROCEDURE
18. Put away boats. Remove all equipment and store in the metal cage or in the club or fuel store. Ensure that the fuel compartments on the boats are locked.
19. Ensure all boats are securely moored and locked and geese fencing is in place.
20. Check bar is cashed up and secure, including making sure that card machine is in the locked cupboard, the safe is locked, the cooler is locked, and bar covers in place. NB, safe keys, till, cooler and shutter keys all go in the separate black key box. Bar door is locked and the key put in the keybox by entrance to the snug.
21. Ensure the dishwasher is turned off. If it isn’t, please follow instructions on the laminated sheet on the dishwasher. When the dishwasher has been drained out, please take the mesh basket out, carefully, and give it a good scrub with a washing-up brush under running water. Once clean please return the mesh basket to its housing in the dishwasher.
22. Store balcony cushions in balcony lockers and life buoys within the club. Ensure storage boxes on the balcony are locked.
23. Take down club flag and red ensign and store where found. Hang off the bar if wet.
24. Secure and lock all doors and windows. Check timekeepers box locked and gate closed and locked and geese deterrents are in place
25. Lock up gents and in the winter turn off water and open 4 drain cocks. Put any black garbage bags in one Council white bag.
26. Leave mobile phone switched on and in its cradle.
27. Check everybody has cleared club. Turn off electricity – two switches.
28. In winter consider turning on outside lights, timer push button switch above gas cylinder.
29. Lock bar door, balcony doors and main door.
30. Take the ferry across and lock the ferry, use small chain to secure through ferry chain and padlock. Put the Council white waste bag on top of the junction box at the top of Benn’s Alley.
BAR DUTY INSTRUCTIONS
The Ass Duty officer/Bar Officer has the ultimate responsibility over the bar (ensuring it is opened, manned and closed at the end of the day). The bar officer is there to assist to allow the Assistant Duty officer/Bar Officer to do his race and other club duties.
On a Sunday, the bar should not start serving alcohol before midday.
A bar duty includes:
1. Opening up and putting the wooden boards alongside the fridge in the snug (leaving snug clear for the children).
2. Serving drinks, taking payment using the till and the card machine.
3. Collecting and cleaning glasses
4. Ensuring fridges and shelves are stocked up. If you see that stock is low for any items, please inform Ian Peerless, Stuart Jenkins or Nigel.
5. Cashing up at the end of the day.
December 2019