Please ensure (whether cruising or racing your boat) BEFORE going afloat that your boat is fully serviceable and fit for the conditions.

If you are inexperienced do not go afloat if you are unable to cope with rough conditions.

Be aware of other river users, and give way to power driven craft, canoes etc. and avoid fishermen’s lines.

Keep a good lookout at all times, and maintain the highest possible standards of Seamanship.

The virtues of Lifejackets are:-

It will turn the wearer on to his back in the water even if he is unconscious.

The Lifejacket uses sealed cell foam as the built in permanent buoyancy. This remains buoyant even if the covering is damaged.

Acceptable life jacklets are manufactured to the British Standard 3595/69 and bear the standard Kitemark.

There are a wide range of attractive buoyancy aids on the market.

Experienced sailors and strong swimmers racing under Safety Boat supervision may find buoyancy aids adequate. The more efficient buoyancy aids whilst not coming up to the BS3595 standard are approved by the Ship and Boat Builders’ National Federation.

Parents are reminded that it is a Club Rule that Junior and Cadet members must wear personal buoyancy at all times when afloat and around the landing stages

Other members may use discretion and judgment relating to the prevailing conditions or as directed by the Officer of the Day in his sailing instructions posted on the Course Board at the Race Hut.

This Flag is flown on the Flagstaff outside the Clubhouse at the discretion of the Officer of the Day and Race/Safety Officer when conditions are considered to be too extreme for Junior and inexperienced sailors.

Parents and members are also required to discourage children from swimming in the River. There is a pollution and health risk, and with increased powered river traffic a real danger of personal injury.

The site is open to members and their guests on every day and weekends during the recognised sailing season. Rescue cover is provided on Sundays and racing events as set out in the sailing programme.

If members go afloat on occasions when rescue cover is not available it is their own responsibility to take appropriate safety measures according to the prevailing conditions.

Third Party Insurance cover to comply with Rule 25 is a condition of membership and must be available for inspection if requested.

Safecode.doc