PENINSULA SAILING CLUB

SAILING RULES

Adopted April 1999

I.                     PURPOSE

The purpose of these Peninsula Sailing Club (Club) Sailing Rules is four fold:

A.      To define conditions on the use of the Club boats to the end of minimizing the risk of damage to, or loss of, Club property;

B.      To document to all users of Club boats and property that there is risk of personal injury and/or loss in participation in the activity of boating and sailing, and that each individual personally assumes such risk;

C.      To document that attainment of the rating of  SKIPPER, which qualifies the individual to sail the Club sailboats, signifies only that the individual has demonstrated sufficient sailing knowledge and experience to operate and care for the Club sailboats and property without harm under normal sailing conditions; it does not attest to an individual’s skill, experience, or judgment to sail safely in all conditions.  Safe and legal use and operation of the Club sailboats and other property is the responsibility of the individual member; and

D.      To establish a procedure for recording the use of the Club boats and other Club property.

II.                   INTRODUCTION

A person/family may become a Club member by payment of dues in compliance with the Club Constitution and By-Laws.  All new members shall be given a copy of the Club Constitution, By-Laws, and Sailing Rules.

In consideration of membership, each member shall sign the Member Assumption of Risk and Responsibility and Waiver of Rights for Claims for Damages.  The Club assumes no liability for loss of personal property, for personal injury, or for loss of life.  The Club does not intend to imply that sailing C-Larks or any boat is inherently safe: Puget Sound is cold and therefore potentially lethal for extended exposure.  Persons using the facilities of the Club assume all risks associated with their operation or use.

Individual Club members may qualify as a ‘SKIPPER’ by demonstrating capable and responsible operation of C-Larks to a current or past Club officer as follows:

A.      Satisfactory completion of the Olympic College Sailing Course or equivalent, and review of Club sailing rules, boat rigging and storage practices; or

B.      Experienced sailors shall satisfactorily complete a practical demonstration and oral test of Club sailing rules, sailing practice, boat rigging, and storage practices.  The practical demonstration shall consist of the following as a minimum:

(1)     Demonstrate boat rigging

(2)     Demonstrate sailing ability in 5 knot minimum winds, including upwind/downwind sailing and jibing/tacking.

(3)     Demonstrate proper approach to dock.

(4)     Review correct boat-righting (self-rescue) technique.

Exceptions to these Sailing Rules may be authorized by a majority vote by the Club officers.

Failure to comply with these Sailing Rules may result in loss or suspension of SKIPPER privileges upon a majority vote of the Club officers, or loss of Club membership in accordance with the Club Constitution and By-Laws.

III.                  BOAT USE AND RULES

A.     Access to boats (key or lock combination) shall be limited to qualified SKIPPERS.  Keys or combinations shall not be released to other persons.

B.     There shall be at least one qualified SKIPPER for each boat in use.  A SKIPPER may take other persons sailing in his boat, but shall not authorize their independent use of other boats.  The SKIPPER shall assure that each non-member (guest) in his/her boat has signed Guest Assumption of Risk and Responsibility and Waiver of Rights for Claims for Damages before embarking.

C.    The SKIPPER shall record boat usage (date, boat hull number, names of SKIPPER and all crew/guests, and hours) in the Club Log of Boat and/or Facility Use, and shall record any observed or inflicted damage or loss in the Damage/Maintenance Log.

D.    The SKIPPER shall inspect the boat hull, spars, sails, and rigging and ensure craft seaworthiness before use.

E.     The SKIPPER is responsible for the safe operation of his/her boat in accordance with U.S.C.G. regulations.  Safe boat operation includes the following requirements:

1.        The boat shall contain one approved Personal Flotation Device (PFD) (U.S.C.G. Type III or better) for each person.  Non-swimmers shall wear their PFD; and

2.        Boat maximum capacity is 4 person

F.     It is the responsibility of the SKIPPER to take all legal and reasonable safety precautions and to sail only under conditions within his/her capability.  If sailing weather conditions are marginal, the SKIPPER shall stay close to the marina, and all on board shall wear life jackets to facilitate rescue.  Recommended weather condition maximum limits are:

1.        New SKIPPER: Maximum wind velocity, 10 knots, Beaufort Scale No. 3, Gentle breeze, large (1-1ft) wavelets, crest begins to break, occasional foam.

2.        Experienced SKIPPER: Maximum wind velocity, 16 knots, Beaufort No. 4, moderate breeze, waves 2-3 ft. high in open water, some white caps, frequent foam.

3.        ALL SKIPPERS: Beware of gusty wind conditions which indicate rapid weather changes and can easily capsize a C-Lark.  Remember that Puget Sound is cold and therefore potentially lethal for extended exposure.  White caps indicate that sailing conditions are unsafe for most SKIPPERS.

G.    A SKIPPER is responsible for all damage or loss occurring during use of a boat.  This responsibility includes procurement of necessary repair materials and effecting repair.  A Club officer may authorize reimbursement to a SKIPPER for material costs when a previously worn or damaged part fails during normal use.

H.     All sails, sheets, rudders, and paddles shall be stored inside.  Wet sails and sheets shall be hung up outside of the sail bag to dry.

I.         Boats shall not be sailed at night.  SKIPPERS shall plan their sailing so as to return before dark.

J.      Persons shall avoid stepping in or on boats while on floats.  Soft-soled shoes (or none at all) shall be worn in the boats at all times.

K.     Boats shall never be beached or allowed to touch the ground.  Care shall be exercised when approaching, or mooring to, a pier or float to assure the boat is adequately protected.

L.      Sailing classes may be authorized to use Club boats by a vote of Club officers.  Students registered for classes may sail club boats while under the supervision of the class instructor.

M.    Club members will contribute up to 12 hours per year if asked to participate in work parties or boat repair work.  Club officers will arrange work parties and request “volunteers” as necessary.

N.     Club members and guests shall obey all marina rules and will cooperate with the marina manager’s instructions.  Courtesy to other boaters shall be displayed at all times.

O.    Capsizing of C-Larks is to be avoided as it can result in damage of boats or loss of equipment.  If an accidental capsizing should occur, the SKIPPER shall conduct a detailed survey for damage or loss and resolve any deficiencies.  Boats may be intentionally capsized for infrequent training purposes in light weather and with proper preparation and conditions.  Boats are never to be towed while capsized as this can cause extensive damage.

P.     SKIPPERS shall sail C-Larks within three (3) miles of the marina unless otherwise approved by a Club officer.  Boats should generally be sailed within sight of the marina.

NOTE: “PART IV. CERTIFICATION” IS ON NEXT TWO PAGES

IV.                CERTIFICATION

Each qualified SKIPPER shall receive a copy of these Sailing Rules, and shall retain all but the last page.  The last page, which is a duplicate of this page, when signed by the qualified SKIPPER (and parent/guardian if applicable) and the qualifying Club officer, shall be retained by the Club Secretary.

Certification:

By my signature on this page and the last page, I certify that I have received, read, understood, and retained a copy (except for the last page), and will abide by, the Peninsula Sailing Club Sailing Rules.  I also certify that I have read, understood, and signed the Member Assumption of Risk and Responsibility and Waiver of Rights for Claims for Damages.

Name and Signature of Member SKIPPER                                   Date

If the SKIPPER is under age 18, the following certification shall be signed by the SKIPPER’s parent or guardian.

As the legal parent and/or guardian for                                                      I certify that I fully understand and accept the risks associated with the activity of sailing and other water sports, that I permit my child to participate in sailing and associated activities, and I agree that the Peninsula Sailing Club, its officers, and its members, shall not be liable for any losses or damages occurring as a result of my child’s participation in sailing and related club activities. I have read, understood, and signed the Member Assumption of Risk and Responsibility and Waiver of Rights for Claims for Damages.

Name and Signature of parent/guardian                            Date

I hereby certify that I have witnessed demonstration, or acceptable documentation, of the above named individual’s knowledge and experience to operate and care for the Club sailboats and property without harm under normal sailing conditions, and that the above individual thereby has attained the rate of SKIPPER.

Name and Signature of certifying officer                            Date

IV.                CERTIFICATION

Each qualified SKIPPER shall receive a copy of these Sailing Rules, and shall retain all but the last page.  The last page, which is a duplicate of this page, when signed by the qualified SKIPPER (and parent/guardian if applicable) and the qualifying Club officer, shall be retained by the Club Secretary.

Certification:

By my signature on this page and the last page, I certify that I have received, read, understood, and retained a copy (except for the last page), and will abide by, the Peninsula Sailing Club Sailing Rules.  I also certify that I have read, understood, and signed the Member Assumption of Risk and Responsibility and Waiver of Rights for Claims for Damages.

Name and Signature of Member SKIPPER                                   Date

If the SKIPPER is under age 18, the following certification shall be signed by the SKIPPER’s parent or guardian.

As the legal parent and/or guardian for                                                      I certify that I fully understand and accept the risks associated with the activity of sailing and other water sports, that I permit my child to participate in sailing and associated activities, and I agree that the Peninsula Sailing Club, its officers, and its members, shall not be liable for any losses or damages occurring as a result of my child’s participation in sailing and related club activities. I have read, understood, and signed the Member Assumption of Risk and Responsibility and Waiver of Rights for Claims for Damages.

Name and Signature of parent/guardian                            Date

I hereby certify that I have witnessed demonstration, or acceptable documentation, of the above named individual’s knowledge and experience to operate and care for the Club sailboats and property without harm under normal sailing conditions, and that the above individual thereby has attained the rate of SKIPPER.

Name and Signature of certifying officer                            Date