Introduction

Peterborough Sailability operates a power boat used for the purposes of rescue and as a teaching platform.  Which will be only operated by suitably qualified persons.

Qualifications & Training

Qualifications;

• RYA Power boat level 2 Certificate.

• Towing endorsement.

• The person shall be over 18 years of age.

Training;.  The training will be based on the RYA Powerboat level 2 syllabus.  Plus towing endorsement training, which is only valid for Sailability operations on Gunwade Lake.

Day to Day Operation

The power boat will be launched and recovered by the set up/recovery crew. They will make sure the boat has sufficient fuel for the day and warm the engine up.

During opening hours, the boat will be driven by the designated driver as per power boat rota, the day split into 3 shifts each of 2 hours from 10:00.

At the start of each shift the driver should check fuel level and adequate safety equipment is carried.

The driver should be either on the power boat or the pontoon for the duration of the shift. Should they require a comfort break then they need to get cover in order that the boat is not left unattended.

The power boat rota is produced annually, only suitably qualified drivers can operate the boat.  If for whatever reason the driver is not available then it is their responsibility to find a replacement for their shift.

Kill Cord. Must be worn at all times the engine is running.

Staffing Levels

Ideally the craft should be operated by driver and crew.  However at the discretion of duty SI this can be reduced to single handed operation.  This situation could occur if for example it was a very light wind day.  The boat needs to be fully staffed during higher winds or if a client was of such a weight or incapacity that one person could not recover them.  Which ever situation one of the crew needs to be a qualified first aider.

In the case of emergency/rescue

• The Shore master will normally be the person who summons the power boat driver via the radio.

Towing

• Towing a Challenger Trimaran;
  Experience has shown that because the sail cannot be lowered it is best to tow the Challenger tied alongside the power boat, not towed astern. If under some circumstances this cannot be undertaken the power boat driver will decide upon the best method.  When recovering a challenger from an upwind location take extreme care to prevent involuntary gybe – if a change of direction is required then always turn upwind (Tack)
• Towing an Access dingy;
  It is safer and easier to tie the dinghy close alongside and remove the rudder blade so in cannot be “steered“ in the wrong direction. The strong point for towing is the main mast, pass the tow line through the guide ring in the bow and attach to the mast with a bowline.

This copyright information compiled on behalf of Peterborough Sailability ©

SOP 06 Safety Boat – General Conditions Ver. 04 dated 23 Mar 2023