Alvaston Pirates MBC Rules

1 General Rules

The words 'shall' and 'must’ are mandatory and the word 'may' is permissive.

1. The club does not allow the use of Internal Combustion Engines in any of its activities on Alvaston Lake.

2. Members shall conduct themselves in a personable manner at all events directly or indirectly connected with the club and in particular at the Lake and must abide by the parks byelaws.

3. Junior members must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or responsible adult at all times. No exceptions will be permitted.

4. Members are allowed (under the terms of our lease with the DCC) to sail in the RED zone (See map) on the south side of the lake. Sailing outside this zone is only allowed at park events when we are launching off the Café platform.

5. Any acts injurious or potentially injurious to the wildlife, fish, flora, fauna or members of the public will not be permitted. Any practice deemed injurious by DCC Officials, Water Bailiffs or members of the club committee must cease immediately.

6. Use of the club recovery boat is strictly controlled and can only be deployed if four members (at least two of whom must have been trained in the boats use) are present.

7. Aerial protectors must be fitted to all extendable aerials to prevent eye injuries. Before switching on a 27MHz or 40MHz transmitter the Skipper must ensure no one at the Lake is operating on the same frequency. If they are he must either change frequency or agree with the other Skipper when he can operate. During Regattas a more stringent set of conditions will apply.

8. Skippers must control their boats whilst maintaining clear line of sight at all times and must control their boats from the sailing platform, being conscious of the activities of other skippers on the water. Skippers must not leave live transmitters unattended whilst their boat is on the water and boats must not be left unattended on the water at anytime.

9. Due to the nature of the lake fast electric boats must not be operated at speed on the lake closer than 10m from any bank.

10. When testing a boat on tables or stands at the lake, Skippers should check the stern to ensure that nothing is touching, or likely to touch the propellers. They should ensure that other members or members of the public are well clear of the stern.

11. Boats and or equipment must not be left in positions that could cause a trip hazard. The trolley park must only be used to park trolleys and models on their stands but not as a general seating area.

12. The Club Fun Boats must only be made available for the use of children under the age of 18 if they are accompanied by a parent, guardian or responsible adult at alltimes. No exceptions will be permitted. A club member must supervise the child in the parents presence during the operation of the boats.

2 Club Sailing Area

(Red Zone)

3 Health and Safety Policy Preface

Alvaston Pirates Model Boat Club is not an employer and as such is not required to comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act. However, this statement will ensure that all dealings within the Club’s site at Alvaston Park Lake reflect the spirit of the Act and give advice and guidance to all who use the Lake.
The following items are considered to be possible hazards.
1. Slips, trips and falls
2. Risk of drowning
3. Injury from Propellers
4. Use of recovery boat
5. Eye injury from transmitter aerial
6. Water-borne diseases

Evaluation of Risks

Evaluation is an ongoing process and it is the responsibility of all members to report any possible hazard to the committee for their review and further possible action.
A full Risk Assessment of the clubs sailing area must be completed at least once in every 12-month period and
also prior to any special event.

Risk Management

1. Slips, trips and falls.
Walkways must be clear of debris and/or boats and equipment. Visitors must be made aware of the fact that surfaces can be slippery when wet. All members must wear appropriate non slip footwear.
2. Risk of Drowning.
The lake is in excess of 1.5m deep and slopes off rapidly from the edge. Care should be exercised at all times when launching and retrieving boats.
Members are strongly advised to use lifting straps to launch and retrieve their models. Members and their visitors must be encouraged to stand well clear of the edge particularly when another member s either launching or retrieving a boat.
3. Injury from Propellers
Members must ensure safe practice with regard to rotating propellers particularly around children.
4. Use of the Recovery Boat
4.1 Only the club recovery boat (which is located in the Community building can be used on the lake, no other craft are permitted under our agreement with DCC.
4.2 Only fully trained members are allowed to use the recovery boat. Training will be restricted to members who meet a definite set of criteria.
4.3 The boat must only be used if there are at least 3 senior Members in Attendance (two of whom must have been trained in it’s use).
4.4 The duty Ranger must be informed before using the boat.
4.5 For recovery operations the boat must be manned by 2 persons, one to man the motor/oars, one to conduct the recovery.
4.6. Before boarding the boat both crew members must don the buoyancy vests provided and these must be worn as long as they are on the water.
4.7 Care must be taken on embarking/disembarking from the boat with the third member ensuring that the boat is firmly held against the lake shore until both crew members have embarked/disembarked.
4.8 The boat must be propelled either by the use of the electric motor or by the use of the oars provided.
4.9 If the recovery operation requires egress onto the island the Ranger must be informed and must be present.
4.10 Under no circumstances must members of the public be allowed to use the recovery boat.
4.11 If the recovery boat is used to bring in a boat that is either smoking or exhibiting flames then it must be recovered by the use of a 2m gaff.
4.12 If a boat on fire can’t be safely recovered it must be sunk to extinguish the fire before it gets close to the island.
4.13 After use the boat must be returned to storage.

5. Eye injury
All transmitters in use with telescopic aerials must be fitted with an aerial protector.

6. Water borne diseases
Everyone using the Lake must be made aware of the possibility of water borne diseases such as Weil’s disease. Hand washing facilities are available at the Park Changing Facilities and anyone eating after handling a boat should first wash their hands.

7. Safety Steward
At each club event (including normal Sunday meets) one member will be nominated as safety steward and will be responsible for ensuring that the pathway at the launching slip is at all times safely negotiable by members of the public A fluorescent safety jacket must be worn by the nominated steward.

Other Items of Interest

Frequency Control
The clubs rules on frequency control must be adhered to at all times (see club rules).
First Aid Kit
A first aid kit is available at the Ranger Station in the Park Changing Facility. Access to the kit will depend on Ranger availability and members should check this before sailing.

Child Protection Policy

1. The APMBC does not permit any junior member to attend the lake unless accompanied by their parent, guardian or responsible adult.
2. No APMBC member is allowed to approach any child or vulnerable adult without either the presence of or express permission of that child’s or vulnerable adults parent, guardian or responsible adult.
3. No photograph of any person under the age of 18 or vulnerable adult may be taken without the permission of the parent, guardian or responsible adult.
4. Any APMBC member accused of inappropriate behaviour with a child or vulnerable adult will be immediately suspended from the club, the details referred to the relevant authority and that member will not be readmitted until said authority has investigated the matter. In the event of a conviction the said member will be expelled from the club. Inappropriate behaviour is classed as:-
4.1 Physical harm of any kind
4.2 Threatening behaviour
4.3 Bullying
4.4 Any form of discrimination due to Race, Cultural differences, Gender, Disability or Sexuality

Revised 2/2/2018