OTB Unsupervised Sailing
Introduction
Unsupervised sailing is defined as an OTB sailor or group of sailors going sailing without a RHIB on the water acting as a safety vessel.
Sailor Responsibilities
Sailors are encouraged to sail with other boats to reduce the risk of sailing alone. The responsibility for a sailor’s decision to go sailing is theirs alone.
Sailors should ensure that their boat is seaworthy and carries all necessary equipment which should be attached to the boat. Adequate food and water should also be carried. Sailors should also ensure that they are adequately dressed to suit the conditions. Beach trolleys should be permanently marked with the boat’s name, sail number and skipper’s name as this information will be invaluable if the sailor has not returned to shore.
Emergency Contacts
Sailors should have the following contacts in their phones -
VMR - Mornington Mariine Rescue (24 hour) 0419 233 999
Water Police (24 hour) 1800 135 729
Pre-sailing Risk Assessment
Sailors should always respect the elements and make a risk assessment for themselves prior to leaving the beach. They should always remember that the decision to take to the water is their responsibility. Sailors should carefully check the weather warnings, forecasts and current conditions at:
http://www.baywx.com.au/
http://www.bom.gov.au/vic/warnings/marinewind.shtml
http://www.bom.gov.au/vic/forecasts/portphillip.shtml
http://www.bom.gov.au/australia/meteye/
Consideration should also be given to the possibility of decreasing or increasing wind strengths as well as UV exposure, air and water temperatures. If the Bureau of Meteorology Marine Wind Warning Summary is indicating that a gale warning is present for Port Phillip, sailors should not take to the water under this policy.
Other
Prior to launching, sailors should raise the “W” flag. This will indicate to those on shore that there is someone out sailing. Upon returning to shore, sailors should lower the "W" flag.
The "W" flag hoisting pole is located on waterside fence, it is the first pole east of the bottom of the stairs.
In addition to the above, sailors should consider the following:
Unsupervised sailing is defined as an OTB sailor or group of sailors going sailing without a RHIB on the water acting as a safety vessel.
Sailor Responsibilities
Sailors are encouraged to sail with other boats to reduce the risk of sailing alone. The responsibility for a sailor’s decision to go sailing is theirs alone.
Sailors should ensure that their boat is seaworthy and carries all necessary equipment which should be attached to the boat. Adequate food and water should also be carried. Sailors should also ensure that they are adequately dressed to suit the conditions. Beach trolleys should be permanently marked with the boat’s name, sail number and skipper’s name as this information will be invaluable if the sailor has not returned to shore.
Emergency Contacts
Sailors should have the following contacts in their phones -
VMR - Mornington Mariine Rescue (24 hour) 0419 233 999
Water Police (24 hour) 1800 135 729
Pre-sailing Risk Assessment
Sailors should always respect the elements and make a risk assessment for themselves prior to leaving the beach. They should always remember that the decision to take to the water is their responsibility. Sailors should carefully check the weather warnings, forecasts and current conditions at:
http://www.baywx.com.au/
http://www.bom.gov.au/vic/warnings/marinewind.shtml
http://www.bom.gov.au/vic/forecasts/portphillip.shtml
http://www.bom.gov.au/australia/meteye/
Consideration should also be given to the possibility of decreasing or increasing wind strengths as well as UV exposure, air and water temperatures. If the Bureau of Meteorology Marine Wind Warning Summary is indicating that a gale warning is present for Port Phillip, sailors should not take to the water under this policy.
Other
Prior to launching, sailors should raise the “W” flag. This will indicate to those on shore that there is someone out sailing. Upon returning to shore, sailors should lower the "W" flag.
The "W" flag hoisting pole is located on waterside fence, it is the first pole east of the bottom of the stairs.
In addition to the above, sailors should consider the following:
- Each boat should have a mobile phone (in a water-proof case). Such device should be attached to the sailor, not the boat, so that in the event of the sailor(s) being separated from their boat, they can still call for help.
- The Race Office can be contacted on 5975 6805 during manned hours, alternatively have the emergency contacts above in your phone in the case of an emergency
- It is recommended that when you are participating in unsupervised sailing, you let a person who is still ashore know of your plans and timings.
- Sailors should develop a checklist for their boat to ensure that they are carrying all the necessary safety equipment (i.e. tow line, paddle, phone etc.).