O.O.D. Duties [NB: In three parts: the duties; the safety boat; and safety boat handling on the water. See elsewhere on the site for the 'Sailing Instructions']
If any, or all, of these do not make sense, or worry you, then ASK for help. There was a time when NO-ONE understood what to do and we have all learned from each other.
Part 1: The following list is offered as a guide to help you with the task of Officer of the Day (OOD).
If you cannot attend on the date you are allotted, the onus is on you to agree a swap directly with another member, before the day. Make contact with the other person you are on duty with and agree what time to meet up on the day.
Familiarise yourself with the Sailing Instructions. If you are new to the role you will be paired with an experienced member. If you are the experienced member then phone up or email your partner for the day and make them welcome.
Check the local weather forecast on the morning of race day, use the BBC five day forecast on the BBC site but for a better one go to www.metcheck.com and use theirs.
Arrive at least one hour before the published race start time. Report to the Harbour Master Office (up-stairs), identify yourself and request the Sailing Club room keys (Key set number 7). Ask the Duty Officer about any significant boat movements in the Docks that you may need to take into consideration when setting the course (The Mayflower and John Cabot have poor manoeuvrability, and require a clear channel / turning area)
Unlock the dinghy compound using the combination lock.
From inside the Dutch Barn collect the fuel tank (check fuel level), the bosun has usually checked the level but don’t take an empty one. If you are not familiar with the safety boat find the separate instructions on the Website for SAFETY BOAT.
Check the wind direction and strength, design the course (try for at least one true beat and reach), erect and mark up the race board (at least 20 minutes before the start). If the course for last week is still on the board then try to set a different one. Prepare the Signing on / Race Sheet. Then set the marks on the water (AFTER marking up the Race Board please - it reduces congestion at the slip).
All helms racing must be members. All those racing must sign on. Sign on must include helm and crew full names, class of boat and sail number, PN if known. If you notice at the start of the race that someone is signed on but not arrived see if you can see them preparing and consider waiting for them. If someone is ready to race and NOT signed on then sign them in so they will be recorded and can race.
Remind people using club boats to leave the money for the Treasurer. If strangers are sailing encourage them to visit the website and join the club.
Race briefing 15 minutes before the start. Confirm the course, the start sequence, race duration, advise of any significant boat movements.
Position the safety boat adjacent to the start line. Start the count-down on time or (at your discretion) as soon as the last boat has left the pontoon if later.
In rough weather the safety boat must be crewed throughout by the most competent boat handler of the OODs (seek additional assistance before the race if necessary). Also check again the Safety Boat page on the website.
Mark the race sheet with the time each boat completes a lap (hours, minutes, seconds elapsed from the start). This enables a shortened race to be decided on average lap times.
Mark any retirements on the race sheet.
To finish a handicap race - When the race duration is run, the next time the leading boat completes a lap it finishes (1 short sound signal) and sets the number of laps for the race. The following boats finish (1 short sound signal when each completes the same number of laps). It is probably a good idea to finish all boats after the leader has crossed the line as each boat crosses the line. They will not do as many laps but their average laptime can be used to record the same number of laps as the lead boat.
To finish a pursuit race - Sound signal when count-down reaches zero, all boat finish at that point. Note on the race sheet the position (sequential place) of each boat at the finish (to credit any overtaking on a boat's last lap).
If the course is not followed correctly, or a RYA Racing Rule is breached, or a Protest is raised, then the OOD's decision is final BUT feel free to hand this over to one of the RACE COMMITTEE members to deal with and accept their advice on any penalties. Prior consultation with / advice from un-involved members is permitted. Disqualification must be endorsed by one of the Race Committee.
After the race-
Calculate the race results and display in the club room.
Leave the Race Sheet in the club room for collection.
Recover all equipment to its storage location.
Report low fuel / equipment deficiencies to the Bosun.
Pass money collected to the Treasurer.
Lock the dinghy compound if everyone is clear.
Lock the Clubroom.
Return keys to the Harbour Master's Office.
Relax.
Part 2: Safety Boat Instructions
These instructions are no substitute for training but they might just be handy. If you want some training on safety boat handling make it known to the Commodore or one of the Race Committee and they will put you onto the list for training.
The fuel tank is located in the grey metal cupboard inside the Dutch Barn. The bosun is very good at keeping the level of fuel up but needs to be told by users if they think it is low.
Take the fuel tank to the boat and secure it to the corner of the deck opposite the battery in the back of the boat.
Put the bung into the hole in the wall of the boat between the battery / fuel tank and the stern hull of the safety boat. This hole may be difficult to see but it is immediately below the end of the tube which is fixed to the pump.
Now the bung is in you can pump out the water which collects in the boat during storage. Pull the lever towards you and push back. The satisfying sight of loads of water being pumped over the back should occur. Your feet will also start to get drier.
Stand up and Grab the top of the engine cover. To the left of the cover and just below the engine is a small lever. If you rock the engine towards you a little and pull the lever as you let the engine slowly back down the engine lowers into the water.
Next to the drivers seat is the lever for acceleration. Pull this back to the middle position , it will click loudly as it goes into position.
Now connect up the fuel to the engine. The connection can only be fitted one way. Push it all the way home, another click will reassure you.
Check in the seat cupboard which goes all the way across the middle of the boat, you should make sure that there is at least one paddle (in case the engine stops) and a rope to use as a tow line ( currently Blue and wrapped around a board). If they are not there you will need to find them in the clubhouse.
Now go to the clubhouse and collect each of the following;
The black bucket ( which someone you are rescuing might use to bail their boat)
The fire extinguisher ( your engine can catch fire and water from the dock will NOT work)
The Safety cord and engine key which are in the cupboards on the wall.
(there are other things you will need as race officer, like flags, but this page is about the boat)
Return to the boat. Underneath the ignition switch there is a small switch covered by a guard. Attach the loop end of the safety Cord over the switch and flick the switch UP. If you do not do this the engine WILL NOT START.
Now attach the safety cord to you by looping the other end over the thigh closest to the key.
Put key into ignition. Make sure engine lever is still in middle neutral position. DO NOT lift lever on top of ignition console. DO NOT push the ignition key onto the housing as that is the choke and you can “flood” the engine and prevent starting. Turn key and engine will start.
If the engine does not start. Push the key towards the front of the boat as you try a second time.
If the engine did not start on the second time DO NOT push the key on any more attempts or it will “flood” and be more difficult to start. ONE PUSH ATTEMPT is enough.
The engine usually starts very well so do not worry. Ask for help.
When engine has started then use the boat appropriately. If you do not know what that means go to the top of these instructions and read it carefully.
When you finish.
Tie the boat to the pontoon.
Switch off the engine
Disconnect the fuel pipe.
PUT the accelerator into FULL FORWARD.
Pull the engine towards you and it will click back into place out of the water.
Remove the bung you put in to complete number 3 instruction here.
Put back into the clubhouse all the things you collected from the clubhouse
15. You are finished. Clap your hands and shout HOORAY!
Part 3: Safety Boat handling : what to do on the water.
These cannot cover all eventualities. Training is offered in the club on safety boat procedure. The Sailing School offers power boat training to RYA standards.
Club safety boat training is offered by an RYA Powerboat Instructor but is NOT within the auspices of the school and is NOT certificated.
Please read accompanying notes on safety boat kit and what should be on the boat. (Fuel, fire extinguisher, paddle, towing line.)
A Safety Boat has two people on board, one is the helm and the other is instructed by the helm in what procedure will be followed.
When you take out a safety boat and go to a boat which requires help, YOU TAKE CONTROL OF THAT BOAT AND INSTRUCT THEM WHAT YOU WANT THEM TO DO.
When you are on the side of the dock watch for a boat capsize. Immediately prepare to go. Before you go count the heads in the water. If they are in hailing distance ask if they need help. Assist them by showing “thumbs up” or “thumbs down”. If in doubt. GO!
As you approach the boat have the crew on your boat as far forward as possible and acting as lookout, they tell you how far off the boat you are as you approach.
KEEP THE ENGINE AS FAR AWAY FROM PEOPLE IN THE WATER AS POSSIBLE, IT IS A LIQUIDISER!
Approach SLOWLY, having already stopped away from them. Talk between you and those in possible need of help is ESSENTIAL. ( Are you OK? Any injuries? Are you free of the boat? ) Listen to answers, they should be responsive and you should be worried if they are not.
If there are children in the water with an adult crew as well you should be considering getting the child into the safety boat as soon as possible. If it is between October and May try to do this immediately. ( Hypothermia acts very quickly on children as they have very small body mass and heat loss is rapid)
If the boat is on it’s side go to the tip of the mast. Hold the tip of the mast. This stabilises the boat and allows rapid righting of the craft, it also prevents inversion and possible trapping underwater.
If the boat is inverted already go to the bow and get your crew member to hold the painter of the capsized boat. Make sure the people in the water are in contact with the boat and slowly reverse to ensure that you are turning their boat “Head to wind”,which will assist the righting of the craft.
Instruct them, if they seem a little slow, on how to right the boat. Try to make sure they have released the sail controls, jib sheet, kicker and main are essential to be released. Get spinnakers collected before they start.
If the centre board is not showing, one of them must go under the upturned boat and push the centre board up to assist the righting. Assure them that the air gap under the boat will allow them to “breathe underwater”.
If the centre board has snapped or is completely detached and lost then the paddle kept in the central thwart of the safety boat can be jammed into the centre board casing on the upturned boat and used to lever the boat upright. ( Take care that the pressure is kept close to the hull of the upturned boat, paddles snap easily! )
It may be necessary for the crew of the Safety Boat to get into the water to help right the boat. ONLY IF ESSENTIAL as this reduces the effectiveness of the rescue operation enormously.
When their boat is righted offer them the black bucket from your boat to help them bail it out.
Offer them a tow to the nearest pontoon to allow easy bailing.
To tow a boat.
Secure one end of the tow rope to your own boat using the rear cleats.
Throw, or pass, the loose end to the stricken craft.
Get the crew member to wrap the loose end twice around the base of the mast and hold the loose end. DO NOT TIE A KNOT.
Get them to raise the centre board (if you don’t as you begin to tow they capsize again!)
Release all sail controls and probably pull down the mainsail, this can be near impossible on some boats but as long as the sail is “blowing free” it will not affect the towing too much.
Get the helm to steer the boat to follow your engine.
TOW SLOWLY.
Slow down even more as you approach the pontoon, a boat full of water has huge momentum and will keep going forever.
Go ALONGSIDE the pontoon so that they also GO ALONGSIDE the pontoon and don’t bang into the end of the pontoon
18. If you have to get someone out of the water it is much easier if they are able to help themselves!
Tie a loose end of rope over the side secured to a cleat so they can “step” into the loop and get into the boat.
If they are not able to do this, in the Dory Safety boat, switch off the engine and you go with your crew to one side of the boat. The gunwales will lower down to the water level, roll them into the boat and as they come into the boat the crew goes backwards across the Dory and rights it.
FIRST AID
A completely separate section; in Bristol Harbour get them to help straight away, which means to the Harbour Masters Office!
These notes are NO SUBSTITUTE for training but are written to assure you that common sense prevails.