Horsham Area Newfoundland Group: Safety Rules
1. SAFETY RULES @ SEA
Boat Safety Rules
The following equipment MUST be IN the boat for each and every journey:
- Petrol can (at least _ full) and engine attached to boat with safety strap;
- Kill cord attached to the driver;
- Spare kill cord;
- Pair of oars;
- Detachable Painter attached to bow which could be used for towing;
- A bailer;
- Safety kit including:
• Anchor and line
• First aid kit
• Flares
• Mobile phone or Radio
• Survival blanket
• Fire Extinguisher
Participants must wear a LIFE JACKET and PROTECTIVE CLOTHING.
Participants must include:
- A DRIVER who is qualified to operate a powerboat on the open sea – either in possession of a Power Boat Level II certificate OR have proven to a qualified driver that they have the requisite skills and experience to drive the boat. The DRIVER is responsible for the boat and MUST stay in the boat whilst at sea and MUST have the kill cord attached to ankle or wrist;
- A SAFETY STEWARD who is responsible for the safety of the individuals and the dogs in the boat. They should remain in the boat unless an incident arises;
- A HANDLER per dog who is responsible for the safety of that particular dog both inside and outside the boat. They may be either in the boat or in the water;
- ALL people in the boat are responsible for keeping a watchful eye out for other boat traffic, obstacles in the water and oncoming weather fronts.
There MUST always be a responsible adult left on shore with means of communication to the boat (i.e. Mobile phone). Agreements must be made as to ‘where’ the boat is going and ‘when’ the boat is due back. The shore based individual is responsible for knowing where, when and who at all times when the boat is away from the shore. Visible contact is preferable although not compulsory.
A weather forecast should be taken prior to departure. Any concern over the possibility of windy or stormy weather should be taken into consideration. Sea state outside the harbour forms an important part of this forecast.
Strong swimmers must make themselves known to the safety officer at all water training briefings.
Training should take place during the four hour slot (two hours either side) of high tide.Should you need to attract the attention of somebody on shore or in another vessel, waving both arms in an X configuration is the International Sign of Distress. Use this signal wisely. Friendly waves should be one arm only and not a full arm swinging across the body.
2. SAFETY RULES @ Lake
Water Safety Rules
- Strong swimmers to make themselves known to the safety officer at all water training sessions;
- Working dogs in the approved working area MUST NOT be distracted by non-working dogs or people (including children);
- All attendees are encouraged to help other people work their dogs;
- Dogs will be worked in the order that they arrive;
- Dogs MUST NOT be allowed off the lead unless working in the water;
- Life jackets or buoyancy aids MUST be worn at all times when working in the water or in the boats;
- Children (under the age of 12) MUST be accompanied by an adult and are the responsibility of that adult at all times.
Boat Safety Rules
- Each trip must include a DRIVER, a SAFETY STEWARD, an adult for each child and a handler for each dog;
- Anyone operating the boat MUST be a qualified boat driver;
- When dogs/people are in the water adjacent to the boat, the engine should NOT be operated except in exceptional circumstances;
- Whilst working the dogs, children are not permitted to ride in the boat as passengers, they must be actively participating in working the dogs and be accompanied by an adult;
- Right of way MUST be given to other craft on the lake. Wind and manually propelled craft have right of way.
- Detachable painter