It will not be long before it is time to launch. If you winter your boat in the yard at RYC, the following guidelines will help keep you safe. You are responsible for working safely.
•This operation is not without risk and has led to injury in the past. Always err on the side of safety. Fingers, eyes and other body parts are not replaceable.
•Wear protective clothing on launch day. Hard hats are required for Straps Crew and recommended for all others. Work gloves are required for Straps and Jack Stands Crews and recommended for all others. Steel tipped work shoes and safety glasses are recommended for all.
•Ready your boat immediately before launch day:
- Cleat four 20-foot long docking lines to your boat, and hang overboard from bow and stern on port and starboard. To avoid snags, dock lines should have no splices or knots in the free ends
- Loosen lifelines and rails if appropriate on your boat.
- Unlock chain connecting jack stands and wedge tightly.
- Mark hull with small decal to indicate location for haul out straps
- Open engine saltwater seacock. Close all other through-hulls.
- Check that battery is fully charged and leave power off. Transmission in neutral.
•If you are not directly involved in launch,
you should not be in the yard.
The deck is a great place for friends and family to view the launch.
•A well-planned and effectively managed
launch is a safe one. Follow
directions given by your Crew chief, Winter Storage Chairs and the RYC Safety
Officer.
•Take time all day to work safely. Think ahead and leave yourself an out.
•Boat owner will designate where to place straps.
•Owners of full-keel boats are required
to supply two bridle strap ties to
secure bridle straps fore and aft so bridle straps cannot slip.
•Assure yourself that all is safe before
you go under boat, and minimize
under-boat exposure.
•Leave yourself an out if boat should swing
•Jack Stands Crew should pull down jack stands as soon as crane lifts boat off stands. Be careful of sharp edges on jack stands.
•One experienced RYC member will coordinate
the crane operator. All
volunteers should follow his/her directions.
•Lines Crew keeps tension on lines necessary to maintain control of boat at all times.
•No one should be under a moving boat
•Stay out of crane's path
•Wait at bulkhead for crane to stop and Lines Crew to stabilize boat before painting.
•Assure yourself that all is safe before you go under boat.
•Minimize your under-boat exposure
•Watch for incoming wake from commercial traffic, weather, etc.
•Wait for boat to be adjacent to bulkhead before boarding.
•Lines Crew maintain control of four lines (fore and aft, port and starboard) until boat owner instructs otherwise.
•Do not start engine until straps are
clear of boat. Before starting engine
check seawater cock is open, power on and transmission in neutral.
•Have a helper go with you to the mooring.
•To avoid grounding in low water, steer straight line from main hoist to center of north float.
Have a safe launch,
Dennis Driscoll and George Ferguson, Winter Storage Chairs
Bob Vogt, Safety Officer