Safety Advice

• In an event of this type every boat should be capable of completing the course in whatever conditions are encountered. It is therefore strongly advised that all craft entering carry the following:
  
  
  • A VHF radio or mobile phone (please note the Sailing Club's phone number: 01795 663052)
  • A bottle of drinking water
  • A paddle (for emergency use in case the wind dies)
  • A compass (in case of fog)
  • A bailer (to remove excess water after a capsize)
  • 10m of tow rope (which can also double as an anchor line)
  • Some food (eg. bananas/energy bars, etc.)
  • Clothing suitable for all likely weather conditions
    (be sure to allow for a potentially long passage duration
    of 3 to 8+ hours)
  • A small anchor if possible (folding grapnels are compact, and in an emergency allow a position to be held against wind & tide / a boat can be left anchored if the crew have to be taken off)
    
    
• Particular note should be made of the possibility of being reliant upon your own resources for a protracted period, even returning after dark or in fog.
  
• All boats buoyancy arrangements must be in thoroughly efficient working order.
• Daggerboards and rudders should be tied on.
• All split-rings should be taped over.
• All rigging and equipment should be double-checked before entering the race, and replaced where necessary.
• Safety boats are advised that, if necessary, crews be taken off and boats left to be towed in later.