Safety Rules

SAFETY RULES By Jim Hassfeld

Personal Safety Equipment:

Required safety equipment to sail in ANY club activity.

1. An approved helmet MUST BE WORN AT ALL TIMES, NO EXCEPTIONS!

2.Ice creepers.

3. “Bear Claws” or ice picks. It is recommended that they be worn around your neck. It is everyone’s responsibility to see that his or her passengers wear a helmet during any iceboat ride.

4.  All bow steering boats are to be equipped with a parking brake.

Club Safety equipment:

At the start of each day on home ice the “scratcher” and rescue boat must be checked out and put out on the ice ready to go. The safety committee will train any member who wishes to learn to drive the “scratcher”. On away ice, safety equipment may not be as elaborate. Members are advised to find out what is available and take any additional precautions that are necessary.

Ice Safety Rules:

1.Do not sail until the safety committee has checked the ice.

2.Use the “buddy” system. Never sail anywhere alone.

3. Find out about local conditions. Check the ice chart in the club for any hazards. When sailing at an away sight, ASK! Find a local sailor and have him go over any hazards. Alternately find a club member that had sailed there the day before.

4.  Follow the ice Marshall’s instructions.

5.  DO NOT GO BEYOND THE OUT OF BOUNDS MARKER!

6.  Learn the local danger spots.

7.  Remember, snow hides most hazards.

8.  Learn to read Ice conditions and recognize danger.

Sailing Safety:

1. NO SAILING IN OR OUT OF THE PITS! Walk your boat In and out

2. No sails up In the pits.

3. Do not sail through the fleet at the starting line. Sail around the end of the
fleet and approach from the rear. Violators are subject to disqualification by the race committee.

4. When finishing a race “round up” and then sail around the end of the fleet.

5. Know and practice the NIA Rules of the road.

6. All club races will use the “Darling Mark” safety marker.

7. Additional rules for “cruising sailors”

A. Stay off the race coarse If possible. If not sail as if racing the course.

B. Keep clear of boats that are racing.

C. Use extreme caution around all marks and yield to oil racers.

Rescue:

1. Send for help right away. Render assistance immediately.

2. Access the situation carefully but do not make it worse.

3. Get the person to safety without endangering others, then get him to shore.

4. Wait for the salvage crew to arrive with the proper equipment to remove the boat.