CUYC Safety Policy

CUYC Safety Policy, Revision 1.3, Last amended by the CUYC Committee 24th October 2024.

This Policy forms a part of the CUYC Regulations. All Members agree to abide by the Regulations and the Policy below, and any conditions contained in them, when participating in CUYC events. Please take the time to read them carefully.

For the purposes of this document, “Skipper” refers to the designated CUYC Skipper on any given trip and may also refer to Club Instructors. “CUYC events” refers to any activities organised by CUYC.

1. All Members who participate in CUYC events do so entirely at their own risk and accept that:
2. CUYC will not accept any liability for any damage to or loss of property belonging to Members.
3. CUYC will not accept any liability for personal injury arising from participation in CUYC events.
4. Nothing in these rules shall limit the liability of CUYC for any personal injury or damage caused as a result of its negligence or fraud.

1. All Members shall be personally responsible for deciding whether to start and continue participating in CUYC events. They may seek advice from other Members, particularly the Skipper.
2. All Members shall follow all instructions given by their Skipper, and other members of the crew who have been put in positions of responsibility, for their own safety and for the safety of the crew.
3. All Members must notify their Skipper in advance of the trip of any medical condition they have which may have an impact on their safety or the safety of other members of the crew, and of any medication which they may need to take while on a trip.
   1. Relevant medical conditions include, but are not limited to, diabetes, epilepsy or any other neurological disorder, non-epileptic seizures, fainting, blackouts, disability, allergies, dietary requirements, asthma, angina or any other heart condition, psychiatric disorders, optical impairments, hearing impairments, pregnancy, ongoing prescription medication(s), injuries affecting sailing ability and/or safety, any condition exacerbated by physical activity, lack of fitness for strenuous physical activity, and any other relevant condition.
   2. All information shall be shared with the Skipper and Shore Contact, and stored securely and confidentially by them in accordance with the CUYC Privacy Notice.
   3. The Skipper and Shore Contact shall only share this information with parties other than themselves on a genuine “need to know” basis. This includes, but is not limited to, but not limited to, serious risk to self/others, serious concerns warranting CUYC policy change, addressing complaints, and taking disciplinary action. In such circumstances, the Skipper and/or Shore Contact may have to disclose to the College/University, the authorities, the emergency services, and/or the CUYC Committee. Where feasible and appropriate, the Skipper and/or Shore Contact will notify the member of its intention to share such information in advance.
4. All Members use equipment provided by CUYC at their own risk. Any damage to equipment provided by CUYC is subject to the Damages Policy in the CUYC Regulations. All Members have a responsibility to report any damage to CUYC equipment to their Skipper.
5. All Members shall wear a lifejacket (150N or greater) on deck at all times whilst underway at sea or in a yacht's tender, unless otherwise directed by the Skipper.
6. It is the Member's responsibility to check any personal safety equipment which they use (e.g. their lifejacket) to ensure it is in working order. They may receive advice from their Skipper.
7. All Members shall use any other safety equipment, including safety lines, whenever they feel it is necessary for their personal safety. They must also do so when instructed to by their Skipper.
8. All equipment shall be used in the manner instructed or sanctioned, by CUYC or the manufacturer. Failure to do so shall be considered negligent.
9. All Members shall wear clothing appropriate to the conditions, specifically waterproofs, and shall take steps to avoid hypothermia, hyperthermia (sunstroke / heatstroke), dehydration, sunburn, and seasickness.
10. All Members should be capable of swimming at least fifty meters in ordinary sailing clothing and keeping afloat for at least five minutes in the open ocean with waves.
11. All Members are prohibited from smoking or vaping on board at any time. If damage is caused to the yacht by smoking or vaping, this will be charged in full to the Member concerned.
12. No alcohol shall be consumed whilst underway. If alcohol is consumed whilst at anchor or moored, the Members concerned shall not be allowed on deck, except to sit in the cockpit.
13. For the duration of any CUYC event, no Member shall use, be under the influence of, or be in possession of any controlled substances (with attention drawn to recreational drugs) which are considered to be illegal under UK law or in any jurisdiction which the vessel may pass through. The Skipper shall have the right to prohibit any Member from participating in a CUYC event if the Skipper has reasonable grounds to believe that Member to be using, under the influence of, or in possession of any controlled substances which are considered to be illegal under UK law or in any jurisdiction which the vessel may pass through. For the purposes of this clause, controlled substances do not include a Member's own prescribed medication.

1. The Skipper shall be solely responsible for the safety of their vessel and the safe conduct and well-being of their crew. They may seek advice from other CUYC Committee Members, principally the Shore Contact.
2. Before the vessel is underway, the Skipper shall ensure that a safety brief is given to a level appropriate for the crew's ability, the planned sailing itinerary and the prevailing conditions.
3. The Skipper shall ensure that they are aware of any restrictions placed on the use of the vessel by the Club or, if applicable, the charterers.
4. Use of equipment, including yachts, which has been hired shall be fully checked by the Skipper at the commencement of the CUYC event and should not be used by any Members if they believe it to be unsafe.
5. The Skipper will ensure that they comply at all times with SOLAS regulations. This includes, but is not limited to:
   1. Making a careful assessment of:
      1. All dangers to navigation;
      2. Weather forecasts;
      3. Limitations of the vessel;
      4. Tidal predictions;
      5. Physical ability and experience of the crew.
   2. Having a contingency plan in case of unanticipated weather, injuries or equipment failure.
   3. Making the Shore Contact aware of their plans.
   4. Ensuring an illustrated table of life-saving signals is available to the First Mate and Watch Leaders.
   5. Ensuring any navigational hazards encountered are reported to the Coastguard via Ch16 or telephone as soon as possible.
   6. Responding to distress messages from any source.
   7. Ensuring unintended distress messages are not sent.
6. If the CUYC Skipper deems the conditions to be inappropriate for any or all of the Members involved, they have the right to cancel or postpone the trip or part of it, or prevent certain Members from participating. If this happens, the Club's Refund Policy applies.
7. The Skipper must not let any non-Member participate in any CUYC event on a vessel or any training event.

1. On any CUYC event in which formal training for an external qualification is given, the designated Instructor will for the duration of the event act as if they are working in a commercial capacity (or under their Commercial Endorsement) regardless of any payments, and with attention drawn to alcohol consumption.

1. The relevant Vice-Commodore has responsibility for ensuring that the risks for all planned events are assessed to be acceptable and minimised as far as reasonably possible.
2. In line with the Regulations, Trip Organisers and Skippers shall ensure the standards for collective crew experience are met.
3. In line with the Regulations, Trip Organisers shall ensure the Safety Email is sent and is accurate.

1. If the Skipper considers any Member to have breached the CUYC Safety Policy, a simple warning may be appropriate. However, the Skipper has the option to refer the matter to the CUYC Committee where sanctions can include expulsion from the club, as outlined in the CUYC Constitution.
2. If any Member's conduct is negligent or irresponsible and thereby causes damage, any penalties imposed upon CUYC, or costs incurred by CUYC, can be passed on to the Member.