Sailing In Dublin: Safety

Members Safety Notes

Preparation

Show up on time for your allocated session.
Let the Organizer know if you are unable to show up or will be late.
Do NOT store valuables in the container.

Personal Safety

Mandatory for dinghies and rescue duty:

Wear a Wetsuit
Wear Booties or runners
Wear a Buoyancy Aid (provided by the Club)

Mandatory for ruffian sailing:

Warm clothing, Rain gear, soft soled shoes or boots
Wear a Life-Jacket (provided by the Club)

Optional/suggested:

Wear a Windcheater, Hat, Sailing Gloves
Sailing knife
Pair of shorts to protect wetsuit and/or splash proof leggings
Sun Tan Lotion
Food and soft drink/water
Sunglasses

Ruffian Safety

Follow the captains instructions.
Always wear a life jacket.
If you notice any crew without a life jacket tell them.
Make sure you know how to manually inflate a life jacket.
One hand for yourself and one hand on the boat. (i.e. always hold on)
Clip on with a safety line in heavy weather, rough seas, if you feel you may be sick, or if you are working on the foredeck.
If you are cold or feeling sick tell the captain.
Be careful using winches, watch out for fingers, loose clothing, jewellery
Know how to use the radio

Dinghy Boat Safety

You are responsible for your own boat, which must be rigged properly
Before sailing

Help with preparation and launch of rescue boat.
Listen carefully to sailing plan
Follow captains instructions
Prepare boat carefully
Tiller and rudder must be tied in
Paddles must be tied in
Bailer must be tied in
Bungs must be in
Do not sail a damaged boat
Rescue boat must be launched and started before any dinghies set sail

On the water

Know your own ability and limits
Keep an eye on and stay close to other SID boats and teh safety boat
Stay in Harbour until all boats and the safety boat are ready to leave
Stick to sailing plan/area unless told otherwise by captain
If a SID boat capsizes sail towards and heave-to near capsized boat/safety boat
Follow captains/rescue boat crew instructions at all times.
Watch out for other boats at all times and avoid collisions.
Give Right of Way
Keep fairways clear, do not race on Fairways
Avoid the HSS - EUR5000 fine which SID does not pay
Commercial craft have right of way
Sail before Power rule...... don't rely on the rule
Try to improve your skills
Tell Captain if you are cold or unwell

After Sailing

Safety boat is last out of the water
Help pull other boats up the slip
Container is not opened until all boats are up
Help with de-rigging the safety boat
Buoyancy tanks must be checked to ensure that they are empty
Damage or incidents on the water must be reported to captain
Fix any minor damage
Pack all equipment away in its correct place.

Capsize Drill

Always hold on to boat
Check with each other if your OK
If beating to windward helm can usually climb over hull onto centerboard as boat capsizes
If necessary drop into water to avoid turtling boat
Drop gennekar if raised
Furl the jib
Helm gets on centreboard as quickly as possible
Helm should usually have enough leverage to right boat and scoop in crew
If not, crew should hold the bow of boat to bring it head to wind
Make sure everyting is uncleated Rrelease kicker as well
If head to wind and not righting, crew can also climb on centreboard
If wearing a harness, be careful of hook does not damage hull when climbing in
Check that each other is OK
Come off the water if you are cold after a Capsize

Function Of The Safety Boat

The safey boat is used for all sailing sessions and is manned on a rotation basis decided by the captain. People not familiar with the operation of the safety boat will get instructions from the captain and should try to improve their knowledge during the season. The engine is run on a 100:1 petrol oil mix. The safety boat is not a toy and should be used safely at all times. There is a speed limit of 6 knots in the harbour area and approaches. Depending on demand safety boat lectures may be organised during the season.
Safety points:

2 crew at all times
Check that the petrol tank is full.
Anchor fixed to cleat and stored in box
Fenders attached to sides
2 Oars
Towing warp tied to cleat
Engine firmly clamped and tied to boat
Emergency stop cord must be worn on wrist at all times
Petrol stored in box.
Rescue box with full contents:
- First aid box
- 2 oar locks
- Torch
- Sailing knife
- Binoculars
- Flares
- Space Blanket
- Spares

Capsizes:

In most cases capsizes are righted by the Helm and Crew. The function of the Safety Boat is to assist where non-standard situations arise or when either the crew or the helm have spent too long in the water.
The safety boat should remain close (in neutral) as it observes the capsize recovery
The safety boat should keep an eye on other boats and assist the most urgent site if there are a number of capsizes.
When a capsize occurs other boats should stay in the vicinity so that the safety boat can keep track of all the boats
The safety boat crew should communicate clearly with one another and with the boat to be rescued.
The engine should be turned off within 2 lengths of people in the water. Any approach must be made head to wind. A towrope or oar can be used to bring them closer to the boat.

Basic Sailing rules

Keep a look out at all times
Take early and clear action to avoid collisions
Avoid the HSS - EUR5000 fine (which SID does not pay)
Sail before Power rule...don't rely on the rule
Give way to commercial/fishing vessels in fairways and approaches
Vessel on Port tack gives way to starboard tack
In an head on collision situation both boats should divert to starboard.
Overtaking boat gives way
Upwind boat gives way

Knots

It is essential that everyone can make and open basic knots quickly and correctly when sailing.
Please make sure you can tie the following knots

Cleat Hitch
Round Turn & Two Half Hitches
Bowline
Clove Hitch
Figure Of Eight

If you are unsure of any of these, or the appropriate knot to use in any situation please ask the captain of the day.
Check out theseanimated knot intstructions. Why not get some cord or take off your shoelaces are practice at home. You should also carry a sailing knife with a marlin spike or shakle opener that can be used to open stubborn knots.