Sailing Water Regulations
HERTFORD COUNTY YACHT CLUB
Warning to Parents & Guardians:
Parents & Guardians have sole responsibility for their children and wards and must appreciate that the club cannot be expected to exercise supervision or control.
Sailing Water Regulations
RULES to be observed by members using the Club water at Stanstead Abbotts.
- Membership. Except as provided by rules 24 and 25, only members and their guests may use the Club water.
- Personal Buoyancy. Helmsmen, crew and passengers must wear adequate personal buoyancy when sailing on the water. Members must ensure that small children wear buoyancy aids also when near the water. It is important that children's buoyancy should be of the appropriate size and securely fastened.
- Boat Buoyancy. All boats must have adequate buoyancy.
- Young People. Young people must be able to swim at least 25 metres and must be supervised by their parents.
- Race Officer. When the Race Officer is present he is in overall charge of all club activities on and involving the water. All Members must comply with his directions. Any member disagreeing with such a direction should nevertheless comply but may make their views known to one of the Officers of the Club.
- Safety. The onus is on members to decide when conditions are safe for sailing. The fact that a race officer is present or that other members are sailing does not absolve members from the need to make their own decision, based on their own capabilities and the characteristics of their boat. Particular caution should be exercised when no Patrol boat services are being provided, when no other boats are sailing or when the temperature of the water is low. Wet/dry suits must be worn if the temperature of the water is below 5 degrees C.
Members are warned that the bottom and sides of the lake are muddy and that righting a capsized boat may not be possible without outside assistance. - Avoidance of Collisions. All boats will observe the "Rules of the Road" - the relevant sections of the Regulations for the Avoidance of Collisions at Sea. The main rule is that all boats avoid collisions regardless of right of way and a boat on port tack shall keep clear of a boat on starboard tack.
- Insurance. All members are required to insure their boats at least against third party claims, with a minimum indemnity of £2,000,000.
- Bathing. Members and their guests are not allowed to bathe in the club waters.
- Prohibited Craft. The following craft may not be used on the club water - motor craft (other than Patrol boats), multihulls, sail boards and canoes. In addition, a dinghy having an overall length of 16' or more or a craft belonging to a non-member may not be used other than in an open event organised by the Club unless with the prior consent of the committee.
- Fishing. Consideration must be shown, both on and around the water, to those holding permits to fish the water. Club members may not fish unless they hold a permit.
- Casual Sailing. All members are entitled to sail at any time whether or not racing is in progress, but those not racing are asked to keep clear of start and finish lines, to show consideration to those taking part in organised events and not to fly a rectangular burgee.
- Mooring. Boats, trailers and trolleys must be removed from the slipways as soon as possible after launching. Boats must not be moored alongside the slipways nor in any berth reserved for the Patrol Boat.
- Racing. Boats racing shall observe the HCYC Sailing Instructions which apply on that day.
These state the rules under which the race will be conducted. - Limitation of clubs liability:
Members of the club, their guests and visitors, may use the club premises, and any other facilities of the club, entirely at their own risk and impliedly accept that:
- The club will not accept any liability for any damage to or loss of property belonging to members, their guests or visitors to the club.
- The club will not accept any liability for personal injury arising out of the use of the club premises, and any other facilities of the club, or out of participation in any race organised by the club, whether sustained by members, their guests or visitors, or caused by the said members, guests or visitors, whether or not such damage or injury could have been attributed to or was occasioned by the neglect, default or negligence of any of the officers, committee or servants of the club.
- Before inviting any guests or visitors onto the premises or to participate in events organised by the club, members will draw their attention to this rule and they must sign the visitors book.
Last updated 12:24 on 20 September 2023