2008 Guidance Notes For UK Training Centres

The RYA have reissued the guidance note booklet for UK training Centres following debate and reviews with centres and principals. The inspection form IR2 has also been revised. To download your copy click the icon below:

Guidance Notes for UK Centres

IR2 Inspection Form

Gareth Brookes (Coach)
Alex Cockshott (Coach)
Alistair Hodgson (Coach)
Ben Hodgson (Coach and Powerboat Trainer)
Elaine Smith (Coach and Powerboat Trainer)
Jerry Blyth (Powerboat Trainer)
Adam Pretty (Coach)
Stuart Scrimgeour (Powerboat Trainer)
Peter Sherwin (Powerboat Trainer)
Caroline Whitehouse (Coach)
Alison Yates (Windsurfing Coach)

 

What do the Inspectors Look for - hot topics!
How Safe is your Boat?

• Recent inspections at Training Centres have highlighted an area of concern. The combined throttle/gear shift on a normal boat performs the task fairly well, but a boat used for training or safety duty takes a great deal of abuse and probably many thousand of operations. Without TLC it can all go horribly wrong.

• More than one centre this year had:
  unsafe controls
  loose controls and starting in gear
  others had non-operative kill-cords
  and others were excessively stiff or just plain broke
  
• Smaller tiller steered outboards with a pull-start are also susceptible to loose gear levers that allow them to start in gear. This happened recently where the operative did not have the kill-cord on properly; as the boat moved, he fell overboard and was injured by the prop. Luckily his injuries were not serious, but this highlights the point again - wear the kill-cord at all times!

• Make your boats controls safe - check the following:

1. Check the attachment bolts for security
2. Wash the controls off with fresh water after use
3. Check the manual and lubricate the appropriate bits
4. Check the operation daily and certainly before every course
5. Check that the engine won't start in gear
6. Test that the kill-cord works by pulling it after you have started the engine
7. Carry a second kill-cord; if the person helming goes over the side it will be attached to him/her - how do you re-start the engine?
8. Wear the kill-cord at all times
9. Strap down the Fuel Tanks
10.Clearly sign the storage area for Fuel - This should be away from the water and not near drains

Recent Issues

RYA CHILD PROTECTION POLICY - OPERATING PROCEDURES

There have been one or two enquiries recently from RTC Principals who are uncertain what they need to do with regards to checks and references for those working with children. The following is an extract from the 2008 Guidance notes and these state:

"Centres working with children or young people under 18 should have a child protection policy and procedures in place. See the RYA website for more information (under "Working With Us") It is the responsibility of the Principal to obtain references for key instructors working with children"

These references do not need to be CRB checks and Principals should follow the guidance in the RYA Child Protection booklet as to what is appropriate.

John Thorn - National Sailing Coach

Intermediate and Advanced Powerboat Courses

Please bear in mind that these courses can only be run at coastal centres recognised to host these courses.

Have you got copies of your Instructors Qualifications including 1st Aid Certificates?

When your inspector calls to carry out the formal inspection they will want to see copies of all certificates you reference in the RYA Inspection form. Instructor Certificates and First Aid Certificates are all required. You must have photocopies of these available. Please note that whatever you enter onto the form will be checked by RYA HQ when submitted.

Policy's

Have all of your instructors read the RTE's Health and Safety Policy? have they read and understood your Operating Procedures? You say yes....can you prove it? Do you have a signed sheet to prove they have read and understood the issues and procedures. Have you briefed your Instructors into the Minor and Major incident Procedures? Are these displayed for your instructor team to see?

Have your Powerboats been Maintained ?

A yearly service record is required for your powerboats. Have they been properly serviced and maintained? Do you have a maintenance log? Who inspects the boats and the equipment they carry? The bosun? Are they doing it? Ensure you keep all records of inspections, lubrications and servicing of your boats, engines and trailers. This is proof of maintenance and will give an inspector confidence that you are doing it. Are the boats in a good servicable condition?

1st Aid - Accident Books and Recording

You must keep a record of all accidents and regularly review them to pick up frequent / recurring accidents. These must then be addressed to prevent reoccurance. Near miss incidents should also be reported and monitored again to prevent them becoming a real injury. The Principal should review all of these and provide proof during the inspection.

Sailing Issues

Shrouds should be taped as they meet the shrould plates.

Jetty Issues

Excrement from wildfowl appears to be a common problem. Whilst the only effective method to remove the offending material is a jet wash and scrubbing brush, some clubs are using old CD Roms, attached along a length of rope. They refract light which i guess the birds don't like. Whilst its a pain setting it up each evening, it does save hours of scrubbing. Try it and let us know through the Notice Board Page.

Condition of Boats

Inspectors are coming across a number of centres who are using old and tied boats. The centres should consider expending money to repair them or consider replacement. Remember the impression formed by the students is a lasting impression especially if its a taster day or first course.

Windsurfing Issues

Consider the use of non slip boards and make sure the simulator is set up on flat and level ground.

Download a blank Maintenance Record Form here. You can use this sheet for Powerboats or Sailing Boats.


Principals

Do you get all stressed about Inspections and the complexity of it all?

Do you have issues you need answers to but feel intimidated about asking for fear of exposing a weakness in the centre or in yourself? Well don't fret. Goto the Notice Board page and the Inspections Forum - enter your question as a guest - no names or club details required. Just state your query and an inspector will respond for you. You can share your ideas and views online aswell.

The forum is only as good as the amount of use it gets, so please place your questions on it.