Safe sailing advice
Learn the conditions you are competent with, make the experience enjoyable
Before Going
Always tell someone ashore when, where and how long you intend to sail, and tell them when you return.
Wearing adequate personal buoyancy at all times while afloat is strongly recommended for adults, and is mandatory when racing.
Youth Members must wear adequate personal buoyancy at all times while afloat or on the slipway.
Know the local weather (wind) forecast, XCWeather.co.uk or Wind Guru are good websites.
Always consider the weather, sea conditions, your boat, equipment, clothing, hat, and shoes are suitable for conditions you may encounter and your own experience and competence, before going afloat.
Remember safety boat cover is only provided for club activities, you go afloat at other times completely at your own risk. On racing days it is worth letting the Race Officer know you are going out. You might get good sailing advice.
Launching
Take care the slipway can be very slippery, and the water becomes suddenly very deep off the edges and the bottom end. When going down the slipway let the boat go first (get help if necessary). If you slip the boat will not run over you.
Always rig your boat head to wind, do not let inexperienced people stand near the boom (they often have the urge to grab hold -with disastrous consequences).
Never leave your boat unattended with the sails up.
Please show consideration to, and keep clear of, other boats, both while afloat and when you launch and recover.
Know what time High/Low Water is, the tidal flow changes direction 45 minutes before H.W. and L.W. Conditions can then change dramatically if the wind is against the tide.
The tidal flow is deceptively strong, always pass downtide of moored boats and other obstructions.
Sailing/Cruising
It is safer when going off to go up tide as sometimes the wind drops – particularly in the evening in case you capsize or have a problem that way you will drift towards the club (not away)
Remember your duty to help any vessel or person in distress, when you are in a safe position to so.
Boats kept at, or sailed from, the club must be insured against third party risks for a minimum of gbp2,000,000. You may be asked to provide evidence of this by the management committee.
Don't be shy, try joining in with a race
If in doubt or uncertain about something ask someone. They will be pleased to pass on their knowledge to you.