Safety Boat Guidance

During the racing season the TSC safety boat is stored on the RIB dock at the end of the main pontoon.

Safety boat helms must be authorised by the Vice Commodore. Helms must hold at least RYA level 2 Powerboat Certificate qualification with knowledge of RYA Safety Boat procedures.

The safety boat must be operated by one helm and one crew as minimum. All crew must be over 14 years of age.

The boat will be equipped to meet RYA recommended standards.

Before use, please check the safety boat equipment:

• Outboard motor (serviced annually) and sufficient fuel for proposed activity (spare fuel in metal store beside green shed)
• Paddles or oars
• An anchor with chain, warp and marker
• Tow line
• First Aid kit (in waterproof container)
• An exposure bag
• Fire Extinguisher
• A knife in case of entrapment
• Bolt cutters
• Tape/ bunting for marking
• Sun tan lotion

It is the Helm's responsibility to ensure the boat is properly equipped for the proposed activity and the Safety Boat Coordinator should be advised immediately where equipment is missing or unserviceable.

The Helm must also provide a charged mobile phone (use 999 /112 in emergency)

Procedure for use of safety boat

1. Ensure you have suitable clothing and a charged mobile phone. Buoyancy aid is mandatory for all crew. One crew member should be prepared to go into the water to assist casualty if required
2. Crew to arrive early, carry out pre use check and report to OOD and obtain instructions as to what part of the river or course you are to operate in.
3. Always wear kill cord, helm to keep hand on throttle and wheel at all times when moving and except in an emergency keep boat speed to a minimum where possible.
4. Unless directed otherwise bring RIB off mooring and maintain station as boats launched.
5. Escort to designated sailing area. Keep an eye out for late comers.
6. Keep your eye on boats, especially those at the back of the racing fleet, at all times.
7. Stay with your group unless directed elsewhere or you see an incident where immediate assistance is required.
8. When assisting capsize, stand off and instruct self recovery, if necessary. If assistance required approach from the windward side. If you are needed else where, provide assistance as quickly as possible. Remember in a rescue you are in charge not the crew.
9. If you are recovering crew in the water Engine must be OFF. DO NOT ALLOW ANY ONE IN THE WATER TO GET ANYWHERE NEAR THE PROP UNLESS THE ENGINE IS OFF.
10. In the event of multiple capsize or crews in immediate danger, e.g. entangled in a mooring on fast tide. Abandon dinghy and take crew into the RIB.
11. If in a multiple rescue situation attempt to mark the boat you have abandoned. Landing point will be TSC, in major incident or medical emergency use best speed to get casualty to shore. Phone 999 / 112 if emergency services required
12. Towing. Either tow on a line taken from the dinghy mast and led through looped line around forestay or bring dinghy alongside for the tow. With broken rudders consider a stern tow. Tow slow, dinghies are delicate.
13. Do not come off station until all boats are safely in.
14. Please leave the RIB in the condition you took it out. Report any problems, faults, low fuel, damage to Kevin Blackmore 07718 972288 or Ian Garcia 07973 452961
15. Please make a final report in to the person in charge Duty OOD.

Starting the outboard

1. Check fuel and open tank vent
2. Turn power on using red key inside console
3. Insert single kill cord
4. Lower engine
5. Start engine in neutral with no choke
6. Check cooling water is jetting out

Ian Garcia, Safety Boat Coordinator, February 2022

Last updated 08:59 on 2 April 2024