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Boating Safety

1. All members must wear approved floatation devices at all times while sailing or paddling. Duty boat operators and all passengers must wear approved floatation devices. Ski belts are not acceptable.
2. All boats must be equipped with a bailer, mandatory heaving line and float, and a paddle or equivalent.
3. Members must adhere to sailing limits (see here for details)
4. Junior members must not sail west of Navvy Jack Point, nor across the inlet, unless participating in a club-supervised race, or accompanied by an adult.
5. Junior members must sail using the “buddy system”, and sail only with permission of a parent or guardian.
6. Club-owned boats may be used only as follows:
• All boats, except the Co-op fleet are for club-organized training lessons only.
• All boats, except Laser-IIs and 420s are for club events organized by the Fleet Captain or a deputy, and authorized by the Commodore.
• Laser-IIs and 420s: by junior members with a minimum age of 14 and CYA level-5 certification, for a planned program of practice and subsequent participation in invitational regattas or championship events, subject to application by the junior member to, and approval of the club Executive.
7. The Co-op boat fleet is available to Co-op members (aged 19+), and to HSC Executives while in office.
8. All members using the club’s boats shall take reasonable care to return them in the condition in which they were taken out.
9. Other than the club inflatables, power boats may not be launched from the club ramp.
10. The following rules apply to the inflatable boats:
• A crew of two persons is mandatory for each duty/rescue boat in operation during a club race, for rescue work, or with the Sail Training program.
• During long-distance races a duty boat on the water is mandatory.
• The Fleet Captain – or a deputy – shall ensure that each inflatable operator is properly trained, licensed, and supervised. The club Training Officer shall organize a course to teach operators the correct procedures for operating, caring for, and maintaining the inflatables.
• It should be emphasized to all members that good care and maintenance of the launch dollies, inflatable boats and their motors is essential to ensure that they operate safely and dependably.
• Fuel must not be left in the boats when inflatables are in the boat room, nor should fuel be stored in the boat room. The exception is the red inflatable, which is available to the Fire Department.
• Inflatables must be kept in a “Bow Up” position when on land and stored, to ensure that there is no fuel leakage into the boat, and that they drain properly.
• One inflatable will be designated by the Hydrographer as a rescue boat, to ensure that it is fully operational and available at all times. This boat will be reserved for use only during club sailing/racing activities.
11. Surf – extreme caution must be taken when launching or recovering boats in surf. Use of the public ramp to the west of the club’s premises in heavy surf is mandatory. Overhead wiring has been removed to facilitate this.
12. Members are advised to use discretion and tolerance when potential conflicts with other craft or water users arise – if in any doubt, give way.
13. Members are required to report any safety-related incidents to the safety officer or Fleet Captain, primarily to promote regular improvement and raise awareness of the need for safety on the water.
14. Members are required to sign the club Activity log book before launching, and to sign back in on return. All boating, social, and visiting activity must always be recorded.
15. Members should always to tell a responsible person their plans each time they go boating, with expected time-of-return and planned sailing/paddling area.
16. It is the member’s responsibility to inform a responsible person if that member has any medical condition that may affect his/her health while out on the water, and to take the relevant precautions as indicated by the condition.
17. Before going out on the water check the wind strength at the upstairs entrance to the clubhouse, as well as the Tide and Current tables posted in the workshop and on the club bulletin board. It is the individual member’s responsibility to check his/her craft and the weather conditions prior to departing.
18. Additional safety information may be found at the Canadian Coast Guard website.
19. The following wind-speed guidelines are suggested, based on the member's level of expertise and experience: