Aims

Introduction

NCSC = Nottinghamshire County Sailing Club; “the club.” RYA = Royal Yachting Association, SI = Senior Instructor, DI = Dinghy Instructor, WI = Windsurf Instructor, WgI = Wingsurf Instructor,  WAI/JAI/DAI (Windsurf, Junior and Dinghy Assistant Instructors)

The Aims of the Training Section are to:

• Foster a love of sailing, windsurfing, wingsurfing and powerboating in a safe, supportive, enjoyable, and challenging environment that is accessible to all.
• Offer training and RYA qualifications to club members and the community, to encourage membership of the club and RYA.
• Ensure that opportunities are available to everyone regardless of any protected characteristics.
• Improve standards of sailing and windsurfing and assist in providing pathways to higher levels of performance through RYA courses.
• Improve powerboat use and safety throughout the club. 
• Provide training necessary for the development of volunteers so that the above will be achieved.
• Ensure all RYA accredited training activities are run in a safe manner with appropriately qualified and experienced personnel in place.

Training activities and Procedures

Activity Lead

All activities covered by this document will be under the supervision of the relevant Activity Lead (AC). This would be SI, PBI, RC as applicable in RYA Guidance

Sailing Area and Hazards

Both main and small lakes can be used for training, the plan of the lake shows potential hazards. The lake to be used for a particular session will be decided by the Activity Lead in consultation with the SI where appropriate

General Instructor responsibility and water safety (SOP 1)

Activity Leads must assess conditions and weather forecast and discuss with instructors recording any deviations from the SOP or course plan.

Instructors must recognise the risk caused by prevailing weather conditions and mitigate the risk by using appropriate equipment and teaching methods. Input from the Principal, CI or Activity Lead, should be sought.

The lead for the Activity must ensure that all instructors are familiar with the equipment to be used and ensure direct supervision and briefing has occurred and been recorded.

RYA instructors are responsible for students.

RYA teaching principles, guidelines and syllabuses must be followed. Student/instructor ratios must be observed.

Instructors shall be trained in accordance with RYA requirements and have appropriate in date certification.

Instructors must have due regard for manual handling e.g., of rig components, ropes & sheets, and mitigaterisks. Consider trapping of participants’ hands, feet etc. and undertake dynamic risk assessments, as necessary.

All must comply with club rules, instructions, and policies.

Students should be taught how to signal for assistance during the early phase of a course.

Clothing: (SOP 2)

The Activity Lead must ensure in conjunction with instructors that all participants, instructors, and safety crew have correctly fitting buoyancy aids.

Safety crew should be dressed for entering the water.

The Activity Lead should ensure that all participants are advised before the course about suitable gear, footwear, and clothing appropriate to the syllabus being delivered.

All participants should be informed that helmets are available if required/desired.

Candidates in unsuitable clothing should not be allowed afloat.

Safety (SOP 3)

On water RYA training activity must have safety cover in line with the current RYA recommendations and club policies

Any injuries or near misses must be assessed and treated in line with current First Aid training and RYA and Club protocols

Ensure breakages are reported to the Activity Lead or Bosun and ‘quarantine’ labels are tied to damaged equipment and noted on relevant white board. There are also QR codes to report breakages.

Anyone with additional needs should be risk assessed by the most senior instructor/coach present and appropriate adaptations techniques used regarding tuition, communication and assistance offered/discussed and provided (where reasonable)

Sailing Tuition (SOP 4)

The RYA method will be used for all relevant RYA courses.

Activity Leads will conduct a training and safety briefing before starting a training session. This must include ensuring that all instructors understand and are confident with the equipment to be used.

To promote confidence and impart appropriate skills consider teaching the principles of capsizing as early asfeasible in the course.

Reefing should be considered, along with selection of suitable craft and sail size for conditions and participants.

Windsurfing & Wingsurfing (additional considerations) (SOP 5)

Windsurfing Rigs & boards should be secured when not in use, where possible with the rig attached to a board, or in the cage.

Teach correct RYA method to raise windsurf sail and set off to reduce risk of back injury, use appropriately sized sail for student.

Instructor/ experienced helper to rig sails on first session.

Ensure simulator is carried correctly, set up on suitable surface, and only used when supervised by a WAI/WI. Check tension device and straps. A rope should be used on the front to control movement.

Leashes must be always used on boards and wings.

Wings should be tied to tyre-weights prior to inflating and when not in use.

HANSA and Sailors with disabilities (SOP 6)

The HANSA boats are to be used in accordance with the RYA Centre HANSA SOP.

Sailor Hoist

Sailor hoists must only be used by appropriately trained adults and this training must be by an approved trainer and recorded on sailing club manager. All slings must be inspected before use. Club slings must be inspected by a competent user at least 6-monthly and this must be recorded by the RTC. The hoist must be inspected 6-monthly. A visual inspection must be carried out each time the hoist is used. Inspections must conform to LOLER requirements and be documented.

Capsize and entrapment risks (SOP 7).

Mast floats are to be used for all RYA Dinghy instruction except Club Race and higher where use is optional. Mast floats are not required on the HANSA 303.

Use of trapeze must be supervised by an appropriately trained instructor

Trapezing: quick release harnesses (only) to be available for use.

When trapezes are in use the safety crew must be specifically briefed regarding techniques for dealing with entrapment.

Lifting and handling (SOP 8)

All those involved should follow the NCSC Safety Policy and Appendix on lifting and handling.

The instructor should consider the appropriate number of people needed for launching and recovering, especially for the larger trolley launched boats and RigiFlex. RigiFlex boats must not be driven onto the launch/recovery trolley.

RHIBS, Pioner and Committee boats should be launched using appropriate methods by the bosun or his team, usually by use of a tractor or other vehicle.

Health, Safety and First Aid (SOP 9)

Near misses and accidents must be reported on accident/incident forms in accordance with the club safety policy.

All safety boats must be crewed with at least one first aider with an appropriate and valid First Aid qualification.

All use of First Aid equipment must be recorded on an incident form and such use reported to the person responsible for restocking of single use equipment.

The CI/Activity Lead will, with the student’s consent, communicate any relevant medical information asappropriate to safety cover and the relevant instructor(s).

In the event of a Major Incident the RYA must be informed in line with the RYA reporting policy and Major Incident Plan – TG 14-15.