Sign-out procedure for club boats

I am writing to update you on a new procedure for the signing out and usage of Cygnet boats being introduced from today, 7th November 2021. Please read below in full which explains the new Boat Log and the responsibility of crews, steers and coxes.

NEW BOATING SIGN OUT PROCEDURE: CYGNET BOAT LOG

You will now find a Cygnet Boat Log book in the Cygnet Changing Rooms (to be kept on the set of drawers by the door) which will be used for the signing out of all club boats during organised and independent outings from today.

The Boat Log applies to every class of club boat: 1x, 2-/x, 4 - / x / +, 8 + and will be used in addition to the Boatshop Whiteboard that will continue in the usual way.

It will be the responsibility of the Boat Steer / Cox to ensure the boat is signed out in the Boat Log before going afloat, and for signing back in once the boat has been cleaned, checked and returned to the rack.

The purpose of the new system is to allow the Captaincy and Committee to monitor club boat usage and for logging any issues, problems and damage to any boats for the awareness of other users. It will help us to keep track of when boats are in use to assist the maintenance of the fleet and keeping equipment in good working order. Any usage of club boats that is not logged in this way will be considered to be unauthorised usage.

The Log is self- explanatory and records all the information you would expect. It includes a section for recording any issues, incidents or damage to boats that have occurred or been noticed during the outing to flag to other crews of potential issues and problems.

Any damage or safety incidents that occur must also be brought to the attention of the Captain and recorded in the appropriate way:

• Safety Incidents: https://www.cygnet-rc.org.uk/spage-safety_matters-file_an_incident_report.html
• Report Damage: https://www.cygnet-rc.org.uk/ssform-facilities-the_fleet-report_damage.html
• If you are unsure which of the above to use or whether you need to make a report, simply contact The Captain for guidance or to flag an issue. I would much prefer to be notified and be made aware of minor or major issues than discover them or hear about it third hand.
  

It is the responsibility of all boat users to ensure that equipment is well looked after and left in an appropriate clean and usable condition and for any issues to be reported. The Steer/Cox as the named individual takes ultimate responsibility for this, in the same vein as responsibility for the safety and conduct of the boat whilst afloat.

Whilst the requirement to sign out using the Boat Log is mandatory for the usage of all club boats, this requirement does not apply to Privately Owned singles, but voluntary usage of the Boat Log is welcomed and encouraged, particularly for flagging any issues that happen on the river for the benefit of others.

As a timely reminder, there is a helpful section of the Cygnet website which provides an aide memoire for checks of boats that should be conducted pre- / post- outing.

• https://www.cygnet-rc.org.uk/sspage-facilities-the_fleet-pre___post_outing_checklist.html

I am grateful for the assistance from all club members in following this new procedure - I hope this will help us in keeping track and maintaining the standard and condition of our fleet for the benefit of us all. If you have any questions or concerns in the meantime please do ask.

A copy of these instructions will be placed in the changing rooms for reference and included on the Club Website.

Best wishes,

The Captain