NATO NISIDA YACHT CLUB

NAPLES NATO YACHT CLUB

SAILING DINGHY AND WINDSURFER
SAFETY RULES

1. EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS

a. Ambulance- dial 118. The nearest hospital is the San Paolo located in Fuorigrotta. From Nisida go up to JFC and turn right. Go over 2 sets of lights (passing GS) turn left at the roundabout by the Max cinema go 500 yards up the hill turn right. Go along 500 yards and the hospital is on your left.

b. US Naval Hospital Gricignano. The hospital does have an ambulance service. 081-568-4911.

c. Capitaneria di Porto Naples 081-55-36-017. This is the number for the maritime rescue and surveillance centre within the port’s organisation. It has links to other ports and harbours and the maritime rescue services. You may also dial 1530 on your mobile and they will connect you with closest Capitaneria di Porto.

d. Carabineri-at Nisida Main Gate 081-721-6426. For police emergency tel 112.

e. CC-Mar Nisida - Maritime Operations Centre 081-721-6303. Manned 24 hrs a day. Able to help contact local maritime authorities and CC Mar Command Chain.

f. JFC Naples Joint Operations centre – 081-721-2708. Manned 24 hours a day. Able to contact JFC Naples Command chain.

ABILITY TO SWIM AND WEARING OF LIFE JACKETS

2. All personnel must be able to swim before they embark in the dinghies or rescue boat. All personnel must wear an NNYC lifejacket when in the dinghies or the rescue boat. The NNYC lifejackets must pass an annual safety inspection.

HELMSMAN QUALIFICATIONS

3.   The international membership of the club together with local safety issues means that all helmsmen must obtain a local qualification, see paragraph 4 below, before they may helm and be responsible for a boat on their own. Unqualified helmsmen may helm a boat only when they are supervised by a qualified helmsman, in which case the qualified helmsman retains overall responsibility.

4.   An “NNYC qualified helmsman” is a person who has demonstrated to one of the NNYC examiners that they are safe to sail a boat at the club and operate the rescue boat. A NNYC qualified helmsman is required to have a practical knowledge of: rigging the boat, launching the boat, sailing the boat in up to a force 3, capsize drill, launching and operating the rescue boat, knowledge of the safety rules contained in this guide; basic knowledge of the local area and a basic knowledge of what to do in an emergency. An NNYC qualified helmsman must also be a member of the club in order to use the facilities and be covered by the club’s insurance. A person holding a valid national sailing certificate must still be examined on the safety items above but is exempt the sailing test.

5.   A list of NNYC examiners and qualified helmsmen is held by the NNYC committee. This list will be updated periodically and at least every 6 months.

WEATHER DEFINITIONS AND LIMITATIONS

6. In these safety rules Force 3 means when the wave height in the middle of the harbour reaches 30 cms and wind is assessed at 15 kts. Force 4 is when the wave height in the middle of the harbour reaches 40 cm and the wind is assessed at 20 kts.

7. All NNYC qualified helmsmen may sail up to force 3. Only regular regatta sailors who have demonstrated their proficiency to their national representatives may sail above this wind force. If, during sailing, the weather suddenly deteriorates a Red flag will be hoisted to indicate that all sailors are to return quickly to the club.

8. Sailing may only take place above force 4 when the rescue boat is launched.

GEOGRAPHIC LIMITATIONS FOR SAILING

9. Limitations on the insurance and rescue cover mean that helmsmen are limited to sailing within the geographic limits in the diagram below. Helmsman are to stay within the confines of the harbour and their proximity to the club is dependant on their experience levels and the prevailing weather.

USE OF THE RESCUE BOAT

10. The rescue boat complete with a life-ring and rope, and a spare lifejacket is to be launched, secured to the pontoon and a rescue crew nominated whenever organised sailing events take place for example groups, races or training courses. The rescue boat is to motor in the vicinity of the sailing boats during training courses with novices at all times and for group sailing when the wind speed is in excess of force 4.

SAILING OPERATIONS

11. Sailing may take place from dawn until one hour before sunset.

12. Training courses. Training courses must be run under the responsibility of a qualified instructor and there must be an adequate ratio of teachers to students to ensure there is safe supervision of novice sailors. The rules in para 10 for the use of the rescue boat apply and guidance below refers to winds up to force 3. Above force 3 the numbers undergoing training at any one time should be reduced according to skill levels and the prevailing weather.

a. Picos and Toppers. 1 qualified instructor plus one NNYC qualified helmsman in the rescue boat may instruct up to 6 students in 6 boats.

b. Bosuns. 1 qualified instructor may instruct up to 7 boats. Each boat must have an NNYC qualified helmsman and up to 2 students.

c. Windsurfers. 1 qualified instructor may instruct up to 6 winsurfers.

13. Group sailing. When 3 or more boats are out for an organised event, for example during regattas or group sailing activities then the activities need to be supervised by an experienced NNYC helmsman and the safety boat launched and operated as previously stated in para 10.

14. Individual Sailing Individuals may sail without a rescue boat taking into account their own experience level, the prevailing weather circumstances and means of returning to the club in the event of gear failure.

CHILDREN and TEENAGERS

15. Children and teenagers under the age of 16 must have parental or guardian supervision either afloat or on the NNYC premises. The minimum age for sailing is 8 but account must also be taken of a child’s ability to swim, size and strength. In general terms a child can crew or helm under supervision when strong enough to sail a topper in a force 2. A child can helm unsupervised when he or she has passed the “NNYC qualified helmsman” requirements in para 4.

BOAT CAPABILITIES AND LIMITATIONS

16. The capabilities and limitations of the NNYC club boats are as follows:

     a.   Bosuns   Max load 3 people. Max wind force 6 depending on experience level.

     b.   Picos. Max load 2people. Max wind speed force 3 depending on experience level.

     c.   Toppers. Max load 1 Adult or 2 children. Max wind force 3 depending on experience
     level

     d. Windsurfers. Max wind force 4 depending on experience level.

      e.   Canoes.   Only to be used under the close supervision of a committee member. Only
      those who have completed a course including capsize drill may use.

INSURANCE

17.   The club’s insurance is valid for the NNYC premises and within the sailing area at para 9.   The insurance covers: personal injury, death, 3^rd party cover. The insurance does not cover loss or damage to own property (eg mobile phones, cameras etc).

18.   The insurance is valid only for club members. Guests of members must be registered and approved as temporary associate membership and must pay a small fee in ordered to be covered by the insurance and authorized to sail.

SIGNING FOR A BOAT

19.   Before taking out a boat the NNYC qualified helmsman is to sign for his boat and report any defects. In signing for the boat you are acknowledging that you are taking responsibility in accordance with these safety rules. Please look after the boats and equipment as if it were your own.

ANNEX A
TO NNYC
001/07
DATED 26 JAN 07

LIFE SAVING

1. The guidance outlined below has been copied from documentation and advice from the UK medical doctor. It is for information only and use in an emergency.

Drowning.

2. Call for Ambulance 118 and call for help. Get casualty out of water onto safe area. When carrying keep head lower than chest to allow water to flow out of lungs and stomach and avoid risk of re-inhalation. Lay casualty on back on towel or soft surface and check AIRWAY, BREATHING and CIRCULATION as follows: Gently tilt head well back. Check mouth clear of obstructions. Check for breathing by placing ear near casualty’s nose and mouth, look for chest movement and listen for sounds. Check for signs of circulation ie pulse and colour.

3. If casualty is not breathing give 2 effective breaths. Pinch the casualty’s nose closed and blow into the mouth until you see the chest rise. Water in the lungs can increase resistance so you have to do this at a slower rate than normal. Take you mouth off the casualty’s mouth and watch the chest fall. Repeat for a second breath.

4.   Now re-asses for circulation. If there IS circulation give 10 effective breaths for 1 minute then check again for circulation. Continue this cycle of 10 breaths then check for circulation until help arrives.

5.   If there is NO circulation commence Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). Place the heel of the hand 2 fingers widths above the point where the casualty’s bottom ribs meet the breastbone. Bring down the other hand over it and interlock fingers. Keep your arms straight and depress the chest by about 4-5 cm. Release the pressure without removing your hands from their chest. Complete 15 compressions at a rate of approximately 100 per minute.   Give 2 further breaths followed by a further 15 compressions. Continue giving CPR at this rate until the casualty shows signs of recovery or emergency help arrives.

6.   The above procedures are for children over 7 and adults only.

7.   A near drowning casualty should also receive medical attention because any water entering the lungs causes irritation and may cause swelling and secondary drowning some hours later.

HYPOTHERMIA

8.   This occurs when the body temp falls below 35 deg C (95 degF) due to cold or immersion in cold water.   The symptoms are: apathy, confusion, irrational behaviour, lethargy, shivering, cold pale, dry skin, slow/shallow breathing, slow weakening pulse, failing consciousness. The medical treatment is to prevent the casualty from losing more body heat, re-warm the casualty and evacuate to medical aid. This is achieved by insulation and shelter, replacing wet with dry clothing, gradually warming up, give sips of warm drinks (not alcohol).