1. INTRODUCTION
These byelaws are made by the Board of Directors of Shotwick Lake
Sailing under Rule 20 of the Articles of Association for the proper
conduct and management of the Charity. These byelaws shall be
binding on all members of the charity and all visitors.
2. SUBSCRIPTIONS
There shall be annual subscriptions and additional fees for all
members. The level of annual subscriptions and additional fees shall
be proposed by the Board of Directors at the Annual General Meeting
and shall be subject to approval by the members.
These subscriptions will fall due on 1st March; if payment is not
received by 1st May their membership will be terminated in
accordance with rule 4 of the Articles of Association.
3. RACING CLASS COMMITTEES
Racing Classes officially adopted by the Board of Directors may
elect a Captain and may organise their own class committees, but
must keep the Board of Directors informed of their activities and
not take any action which would be prejudicial to the charity, or
commit the charity to any unauthorized expenditure.
4. CO-ORDINATION OF EVENTS
No section, permit group, racing class or group of members shall
arrange an event without obtaining prior approval of the Board of
Directors. This is to ensure that clashes do not occur and the
overall programme for the use of the facilities is co-ordinated.
5. DAMAGE TO PROPERTY
In the event of any damage to, or loss of, charity property caused
by a member or his or her visitors in circumstances precluding a
successful insurance claim, the member shall, at the discretion of
the Board of Directors, remedy such damage or loss at his or her own
expense to the satisfaction of the Board of Directors.
6. VISITORS
(a) Visitors may be introduced by members, who shall enter the
visitor's name and address in the Visitors' Book.
(i) No participating visitors may sail, windsurf or canoe more than
six times in any twelve-month period at Shotwick Lake.
(ii) The participating visitor may only utilise and existing
member’s craft or club craft and must comply with these byelaws in
full. The introducing member shall be responsible for ensuring the
visitor(s) are aware of these byelaws and shall be fully responsible
for the visitor’s actions while using the facilities as though the
actions were carried out by the member themselves.
(iii) No member shall introduce more than two participating visitors
at any one time without prior approval of the Board of Directors.
(iv) Spectator visitors may be invited by a member to the clubhouse,
or to view the sailing. The introducing member shall be responsible
for ensuring the spectator visitor(s) are aware of these byelaws,
the presence of deep water and shall be fully responsible for the
visitor’s actions while using the facilities as though the actions
were carried out by the member themselves. Note that a person under
18 years of age must be supervised by an adult (a person over 18
years of age) at all times.
(c) Visiting competitors in official or invitation events shall be
considered as privileged visitors and these official and invitation
events shall not count towards the ‘six times’ noted above. Visiting
competitors shall be briefed / advised regarding the pertinent
aspects of these byelaws at the briefing session and the byelaws
shall be brought to their attention when ‘signing on’
7. CRAFT INSURANCE
All craft using the lake must be insured for a minimum of £2,000,000
against third party risks and claims. Craft owners shall ensure
adequate third party cover by consulting their insurance provider.
8. LIMIT OF LIABILITY
It is accepted that as with all sports activities there is an
inherent risk of injury and the risk increases with deteriorating
weather conditions and increasing wind strength. The risk is also
dependant upon the capability, knowledge and skill of the
individual. Members and visitors participate in activities at their
own risk. It is accepted by members and visitors that Shotwick Lake
Sailing accepts no liability for the loss of life or injury to
persons or damage to property using the lake its buildings and
surroundings for recreational purposes.
9. DISPUTES
Any matter of dispute, not provided for by these rules, shall be
referred to the Board of Directors for decision.
10. MARKING OF CRAFT AND EQUIPMENT
All boats, canoe’s, windsurfing boards, trailers and launching
trolleys (referred to as ‘equipment below’) shall be marked in an
obvious manner with the owners membership number or permit group
details. Any equipment not suitably marked will be considered as
abandoned equipment and since there are no details of the owner they
will be dealt with as in paragraph 11.
11. ABANDONED CRAFT AND EQUIPMENT
Once a member lapses in membership of Shotwick Lake Sailing and
abandons his/her boat, the former member shall be due to pay a
parking fee fixed by the Board of Directors. This shall also apply
to members and visitors.
If at any time any parking fees payable to Shotwick Lake Sailing by
any member or former member shall be three months or more in
arrears:
(a) The Board of Directors shall be entitled to move the boat to any
other part of its premises without being liable for any loss of or
damage to the boat howsoever caused.
(b) The Board of Directors shall be entitled, upon giving one
month's notice in writing to the member or former member, at his
last known address shown in the register of members, to sell the
boat/equipment and to deduct any monies due to the section (whether
by means of arrears of subscriptions or parking fees or otherwise)
from the proceeds of sale before accounting for the balance (if any)
to the member or non member. In cases where the craft or equipment
owner cannot be identified a notice shall be placed on the craft or
equipment for one month prior to sale or disposal of the equipment
with any proceeds treated as a charitable donation to the charity.
Alternatively any boat, which in the opinion of the Board of
Directors cannot be sold, may, upon such notice as aforesaid, be
broken up and the expenses recovered from the member or former
member.
Further, the Charity shall at all times, have a lien over the boat
in respect of all monies due to the section, whether in respect of
arrears of parking fees or subscriptions or otherwise.
12. WATER AND SHOREBASED SAFETY
12.1 Hazards & Risks
The Board of Directors has considered the hazards associated with
the sailing club site and developed a risk assessment a copy is
attached in Appendix 1. All members and visitors need to be aware of
the hazards and risks associated with these hazards and assist the
Board of Directors in ensuring that procedures and mitigating
measures are implemented. If any person becomes aware of any hazard
they should remove it if possible or place warning notices / barrier
in place to protect others and advise a member of the Board of
Directors as soon as possible.
12.2 Buoyancy Aids.
When afloat, all personnel, except Windsurf Members, shall wear
approved personal buoyancy by way of lifejackets or buoyancy aids,
to the European specification carrying the "CE" mark and at a level
of buoyancy suitable for the wearer. Wet suits are not considered
adequate. Windsurf Members are recommended to wear personal buoyancy
as above but in any case shall comply with the requirements laid
down by the RYA Windsurfing Management Committee.
12.3 Boat Buoyancy
Boat buoyancy must be adequate and in good condition.
12.4 Second Craft
No craft of any kind shall sail alone on the lake without another
manned craft afloat or available for immediate launch.
12.5 Young Persons
No person under the age of 18 years shall use the facilities of
Shotwick Lake Sailing without being under the supervision of a
responsible adult over 18 years of age. This shall apply equally to
shore based individuals due to the presence of deep water adjacent.
12.6 Prohibition of Use
In the event of conditions being considered unsuitable for sailing
or watersports, the race officer or any member of Board of Directors
of Shotwick Lake Sailing may prohibit the use of the water.
12.7 Rendering Assistance
Any boat/craft seeing another in distress shall go to its
assistance.
12.8 Swimming Prohibited
Swimming is prohibited except in cases of emergency.
12.9 Operational Safety Boat
Organized racing/sailing events shall only proceed when an
operational safety boat is available.
13.DEALING WITH INCIDENTS
13.1 First Aid and Accident Procedures
Members must consider how they would raise the alarm in the event of
an emergency. The keys to the clubhouse are held by Corus Security
at the North Gate to give access to the telephone and first aid kit
in the entrance foyer.
First aid and accident procedures are displayed adjacent to the
first aid kit and within the external notice board.
14. WATERFRONT / SLIPWAY / BOAT LAUNCHING AREA / BOAT PARK /
CHANGING AREAS:
It is essential that this area is kept tidy and all members to be
aware of the potential dangers of this operational area, typically,
the boats used by members and visitors, safety craft on trailers,
boats used by other users and the terrain all pose risks.
Club property shall not be removed from the lake area except with
the permission of the Board of Directors.
Private property shall not be used without the consent of the owner.
All craft must be removed from the lake water after use. Craft
stored in the lake compound must be left in designated areas and be
stored entirely at the owners risk. When not in use, craft must be
securely tied down. Housekeeping & grass cutting in allocated berths
shall be the responsibility of the craft owner.
Private property shall not be left in the clubhouse or changing
rooms overnight.
Motor vehicles must not be used on slipways except by prior
permission of the Board of Directors.
15. DOGS
Dogs must be kept under proper control at all times and shall not
cause a nuisance to other lake users.
16. SMOKING
No person shall smoke within any building on site or within 20
metres of and building. No person shall smoke on or within 20 metres
of any safety boat due to the presence of petroleum spirit.
17. POWERBOAT USE:
All powerboats must be driven by competent helms. All powerboats
must be used with kill cords, which are attached to the driver and
kill switch.
Launch and recover the safety boat in accordance with the defined
procedure.
Only authorised powerboats shall be used on the Lake.
Engines should only be run at full throttle in emergencies. In
normal operation, full throttle use is very wasteful of fuel.
Care must be taken to limit damage and disturbance by wash.
18. CHILD PROTECTION.
A detailed policy related to Child Protection is included within the
Charity’s Training Centre Operating and Safety Manual, which is part
of the RYA, recognised training centre accreditation.
Everyone should maintain vigilance to reduce potential situations
for abuse of children and help to protect members from false
allegations being made by promoting good practice. Some common sense
guidelines are:
Avoid spending time alone with children away from others
Do not take children alone in a car on journeys, however short
Do not take children to your home
Where any of these are unavoidable, ensure they only occur with the
full knowledge and consent of someone in charge in the organisation
or the child’s parents.
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