The following rules are for your own safety, please abide by them:
Albacore & Laser
Helms (White sail III or certified by a WSC examiner)
Winds 10 knots or less
Stay within the Outer Harbour and the eastern gap (two red buoys marking the entrance to the gap).
Skippers (Bronze sail or certified by a WSC examiner)
Winds at the discretion of the skipper
Stay within sight of land
If winds are above 22 knots and skippers are sailing outside the harbour, then: skippers shall be accompanied by another skippered “buddy boat” who is within hailing distance at all times, or skippers shall carry a VHF handheld waterproof marine radio with waterproof GPS, or skippers shall carry a personal locator beacon with integrated GPS.
Catamaran
Catamaran Helms (as certified by a WSC examiner)
Winds 15 knots or less
Stay within the Outer Harbour and the eastern gap (two red buoys marking the entrance to the gap)
Catamaran Skippers (as certified by a WSC examiner)
Winds at the discretion of the skipper
Stay within sight of land
If winds are above 22 knots and skippers are sailing outside the harbour, then: skippers shall be accompanied by another skippered “buddy boat” who is within hailing distance at all times, or skippers shall carry a VHF handheld waterproof marine radio with waterproof GPS, or skippers shall carry a personal locator beacon with integrated GPS.
All Sailors
Sign out with the names of the sailors and your approximate sailing area. Move your boat tag over and also move it back when returning.
Do you know the wind strength?
Do you know the weather forecast?
Are you competent to handle the conditions? (be honest with yourself)
Are you prepared to stay in the water for some time? What is the water temperature?
Life jackets should be worn until 1st July and after 1st October, and must be on board at all times.
See the Westwood handbook for more detailed safety suggestions