Safety Guidelines

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Safety Precautions

Model yachting is not a dangerous sport but accidents have occurred and lives have been lost during events. All clubs should be conscious of the safety of their members, visitors and onlookers at all times.


1. Rescue Boats and Life Jackets

  • The rescue boat is not to be launched if the average mean wind strength exceeds 21 Knots (39 Kph) or if the conditions are judged to be dangerous by those present.

  • Do not use a rescue boat without 2 members.

  • Do not use a rescue boat unless wearing a life jacket.

  • Do not use a rescue boat when wearing waders.

  • Do not use a rescue boat unless there is a watcher on the shore.

  • For a large event 2 club members should be detailed to man the boat and access denied to all others.

2. Aerial Covers

A cover over the tip of the aerial must be carried at all times. This requirement is mandatory for all events.

3. Infection

Prevention is better than cure - so wash your hands as soon as possible after sailing. Cover scratches and minor abrasions with a waterproof plaster. Do not go bare footed into the water.

4. Medical Assistance

  • First Aid Kit. There is a first aid kit available at our model yachting events. This must be regularly checked to ensure that the contents are complete.

  • Telephone. All club members should know the whereabouts of the nearest telephone to summon aid and be able to accurately describe the route to the sailing site.

  • Ambulance access. The Club should check that ambulances have access to their sailing site. If there are restrictions (locked gates, height restrictions, etc) clubs should endeavour to obtain keys from the land-owners.

  • Hospitals. Club members should know the route to the nearest hospital with an Accident and Emergency Department.

3. Boat Recovery

  • Boat Ramps and Rocks. Take great care when recovering a yacht from the foot of boat ramps and rocks. Preferably wear a life jacket or even better, use the rescue boat(wearing a life jacket).

  • Do not trample through reeds or other habitat to get at a yacht, use the rescue boat (wearing a life jacket).

  • Beware of soft mud, it can be easy for boots to stick in this causing you to fall over.

  • Hard Sloping Sided Venues (lakes, ramps, etc.). These sides are invariably very slippery, particularly near and below the water level.

  • Hard Sided Lakes. If your yacht is out of control and you cannot reach it, always try to get another model yachtsmen to stop it for you. They should know how to stop it with little damage to themselves or the yacht. Members of the public can hurt themselves by getting their hands trapped between the hull and the side of the lake or by catching the rigging.

4. The Site

  1. Safety of others. Our club sails on lakes in public areas and often these have narrow paths near the water. Make sure that all concerned with an event realise that the public has access to these paths too and they must take great care. It is very easy to walk into people, particularly children, when concentrating. Do not allow yachts and other equipment to clutter up the paths. Take care with mooring lines for rescue boats.

  2. Tidiness. A tidy, litter free sailing site is not just a good advertisement for model yachting, it is essential for the health, safety and good of the environment. Paper, foil, food scraps and drink cans can be dangerous to local wildlife. Use the rubbish bins or take it home. Discarded lines and coils of wire are particularly dangerous to birds - pick them up every time.

5. Pollution

  • Do not throw anything into the water.