HAMPTON SAILING CLUB RED BOARDS POLICY
This policy applies in the event that the Environment Agency puts the river between Sunbury Lock and Molesey Lock on red boards. This policy has been introduced following discussions at the sailing committee and the management committee and taking into account feedback received from club members. In particular, it takes into account the recommendation from the Environment Agency that no powered or unpowered boats should be navigating on the river while it is on red boards and the confirmation received from the RYA that they do not offer any specific guidance as to whether or not sailing should take place while the river is on red boards other than to refer to the recommendation from the Environment Agency.
This policy takes into account and does detract from the principles set out in the preamble to the Sailing Instructions. In particular:
The safety of a yacht and her entire management including insurance shall be solely and inescapably the responsibility of the owner/competitor racing that yacht. The decision to participate or continue in a race shall be solely the responsibility of the participant.
The general policy of Hampton Sailing Club shall be that if the stretch of the river between Sunbury Lock and Molesey Lock (“the Reach”) is on red boards, there shall be no organised club sailing. However, exceptionally, one or more of the Flag Officers and/or the Sailing Secretary acting in consultation with the Duty Officer for the day may decide that organised club sailing can go ahead notwithstanding that the Reach is on red boards. In this regard:
On days when organised club sailing is due to take place and the Reach is on red boards, one or more of the Flag Officers and/or the Sailing Secretary shall be present at the Club or sufficiently close thereto so as to be able to make an informed decision as to whether organised club sailing can go ahead.
The final decision as to whether organised club sailing can go ahead shall rest with the Flag Officer(s) and/or Sailing Secretary
In the event that it is decided that organised club sailing shall go ahead but the Duty Officer is not prepared to act as Duty Officer for such sailing, one of the Flag Officers or the Sailing Secretary shall act as Duty Officer.
In determining whether to permit organised club sailing to continue, the Duty Officer and the Flag Officers and/or Sailing Secretary shall take into account:
The actual and forecast state of the stream;
The actual and forecast strength of the wind;
The available patrol boats (there must be a minimum of at least two working patrol boats available);
The number and competence of the people wishing to sail;
The number and competence of the people available to assist if any boats get into difficulty.
If organised club sailing is permitted when the river is on red boards,
Life jackets will be compulsory and flag Y shall be flown
Any person sailing with a junior must have the consent of the parent or guardian for the junior to sail when the river is on red boards;
Racing shall be in a restricted area within sight of the timekeeper’s box;
The Supplementary Instructions for Race Officers and Assistant Race Officers shall apply provided that in the event of any conflict between those Instructions and this Policy, this Policy shall prevail.
APRIL 2014