Rescue on Lough Derg

 

 

 

 

 

 

fireballing on the elake


fireball on the lake

 

 

Check the wind on
Lough Derg with
Wind Guru

 

 

(CSO) : Club Safety Officer

Once the roster has been published it is your duty to check with the member who will be acting as Race Officer on the day to ensure they are also available.

The Club Safety Officer (CSO) is responsible for the overall safe operation of Club Sailing events. The Club Safety Officer ordinarily is assisted by the Race Officer but may be assisted by a (any) club member.

Safety Officers needs to read the full guidelines for sailors and Race Officer before undertaking Safety duty.

Only members possessing Level 2 or higher Powerboat Certificates may be rostered for Safety Duty. Qualified members must present a copy of their certification to the Activity Centre Manager each year before taking up duty.

Club Safety Officers shall carry a VHF radio while on duty.

ULAC's Safety Officer will also carry a radio and will inform members of usage procedures each day.

 

 

Safety duties on the Day

  • Sign in to the centre on arrival (5pm is a good time).
  • Check with the centre which boat is available for use as the rescue boat and which boat can be used as the committee boat. Check the time off the water for the night.
  • With the Race Officer collect the buoys needed and place in rescue boat.
  • Change into your gear to wear for the evening.
  • Pick up radio from ULAC. & saftey gear, complete preparing rescue boat.
  • With the Race Officer or another club determine how best to lay out the course using bouys or a compbination of bouys and permanent markers. Check out these tip on laying out a course.
  • Return and with the Race Officer prepare the committee boat with anchor flags and flag stand and position it a 1/3 of the way along the windward leg of the course outside of the inner triangle of the course. A horn/whistle stopwatch and check board and pen will be required.
  • Back on land check how many have signed in to go sailing.
  • Hold a briefing with the race officer and any one going on the water for the evening. Confirm that all sailors have already signed in.

    9a/ Remind helms & crew to check their boats before launching: bungs in, rudders tied on and that all sailors are wearing suitable buoyancy aids.

    9b/ Count how many people will be sailing and how many boats will be on the water . Carry the race officer to the committee boat and commence to observe the sailors on the water.
  • If the wind is force 3 or above, request a sailor to come with you to act as your assistant, or pick a new beginner to assist you.
  • Always travel slowly when near the fleet.
  • In strong winds wait a short distance off the next mark, which the boats are approaching especially off the jibe mark. Keep a eye on boats which have capsized.
  • Offering assistance .
    Always approach from downwind, on approaching a capsized boat count the heads in the water and ask if they need assistance. If not wait near by to ensure all is OK while keeping an eye on the other sailors on the water.
  • Providing Assistance
    Assist the crew and helm into the rescue boat
    Turn the capsized boat toward the wind.
    Assist the helm or crew onto the hull of the capsize boat.
    As the sailor leans the centre board away from the rescue boat, hold the nearest shroud and lift and work your way down the shroud until holding the top of the mast.
    If necessary then work your way down the opposite shroud until the boat is upright in the water. Holding onto the shroud prevents the wind from blowing the boat over again.
  • Towing ashore
    If sailors prefer not to continue sailing, radio the centre safety officer and notify them of our plans. They will keep a keen eye on the other sailors on the water until you return. For extended distances the boat should to towed via the painter behind the rescue boat. However when approaching ULAC a boat should be brought along side the rescue boat.
 

Ending the night on the water

After the final race has take place if necessary remind the sailors of the time off the water.
Collect the race officer flag stand and flags from the committee boat. Keeping a watchful eye on the sailors while collecting the course buoys into the rescue boat.

Be alert...think safety...people first equipment later!
Wait until the last sailor is off the water before returning the equipment to land. As the race officer returns the equipment to their stowage area . Collect the committee boat, and return it to its original position.
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When docking the rescue boat ensure it is pointing away from the land and firmly secured. Return any equipment obtained when preparing the rescue boat. Reporting any problems with the boat to ULAC.
Assist the Race Officer with returning any equipment to storage.