The Commodores letter regarding the safe working practices of the launches

Following the recent edition of Waterlines I am writing to every Member to set out some important policy changes. These changes have been brought about by the Corporate Manslaughter legislation that became law on October 1 st last. Your Council have been formulating these changes over the winter months and a new Health & Safety Sub Committee has been established and further rule changes may be forthcoming in due course.

The most important initial change regards the Launch Service, and in particular the capacity of each launch. In this apparent age of `where there is blame there is a claim’ the worst case scenario would be if a launch capsized in the bay or suffered such a catastrophic event that all the occupants were thrown in the water. A Judge at any subsequent enquiry would be most interested to ascertain whether the passengers knew who was in charge and how many passengers were being carried.

Person in charge – All launch staff will wear a lifejacket and their contracts of employment stipulate this. They will also wear a South Caernarfonshire Yacht Club uniform that will vary depending upon the weather conditions. They will wear a navy blue polo shirt with the word Crew or Staff on the back, or they will wear a fleece with the same wording on it. In the event of foul weather they will wear wet weather gear with South Caernarfonshire Yacht Club on the back. If in any doubt you will be responsible for confirming who is in charge.

Life Jackets – Passengers are recommended in the strongest possible terms to wear life jackets on every journey to and from the moorings. There are signs to this effect on the steps to the launch and the Launch Staff will be instructed to remind everyone on each trip. Ultimately it will be the responsibility of each Member to decide when they wear their life jacket, but the Club will not be responsible if it has done everything it reasonably can to encourage all persons who use the launches to wear a life jacket.

Capacity of Launches - Each launch will carry no more than 12 passengers and no more than 2 crew when there are 12 passengers aboard. This will take effect immediately and will be rigorously enforced. In the height of the season, and with the larger boat crews in the Bay, it might mean that a launch will have to make two, or more trips, to the same boat. Radio requests for a launch pick up must now include the number of persons requiring a lift, and the Bosun and Launch Staff will have to use common sense when directing launches. Members must not coerce or require launch staff to overload a launch. Launches will not be allowed to leave either the jetty or a boat in the Bay if the capacity limit is breached. The Bosun in the first instance will be responsible for the enforcement, the Manager will make a note of any boat that tries to evade this rule and any Flag Officer or Member of Council will be empowered to halt a launch to confirm the number of passengers being carried.

There will be no exceptions and each skipper will be in charge of their own crew and passengers when arranging passage to and from shore. The Club has been most fortunate over the years, through good management and seamanship, to avoid a major incident and your Council wish to ensure the same is true in the years ahead.