Launch day instructions for all NSC members.

LAUNCH DAY   MAY 1st, 2010

It may seem a bit early for some to start thinking about this but we organizers try to keep ahead of all you anxious sailors. Most of you have been there before and should know the drill – but experience shows it is not newbees that miss the boat here – pun intended.

Plan ahead and be ready

  • Launch this year is Saturday May 1st with a foul weather date of May 2nd.
  • The yard is closed to all other activity while the cranes are in the yard, so have your boat ready to go the day before launch – includes bow & stern lines, fenders, strap marks, gas in the motor (on the boat) – No working on your boat on launch day
  • Set your alarm so you have lots of time to be at the club before 8:00 a.m.
  • Your cradle must be folded for moving on Monday before the crews start or you will get a bill – allow time after the cranes are finished on Saturday or Sunday to do this.

If you aren’t using the commercial cranes on launch day, please be aware of the launch activity and respect the people under the hard hats – they are volunteers. You will be allowed in the yard (without vehicles) but must stay clear of the launch area – and will not, be able to use the crane well.

No vehicles are allowed in the yard after 7:00 a.m. Saturday morning and the gates will remain closed until the cranes leave after launch.

Safety is everyone’s responsibility.  Please keep your eyes open for potential safety issues and report them to a launch crew member ASAP (anyone with a hard hat).  Unless you are part of the launch crew, please stay outside the yellow tape.

Now that that’s out of the way here’s what you need to do if you are launching with the commercial crane on Saturday May 1st, 2010

Launch will start at 0800 hours (8:00 A.M.). Skippers and crew are expected to be there, on time, to make sure that your boat is launched properly and then motored carefully away to your appointed berth.  Launch will be coordinated as usual by the radio crews who will be using Channel 10 on Family Radio Service (FRS) radios. If you have your own FRS radio, please bring it along to launch and while you are waiting, listen in to where we are and who we are looking for.

Before launch day to do list:

  1. Ensure your launch fee is paid – no pay, no lift. (check the club notice board or the web for the launch list)
  2. Make sure all boat work is completed before launch day – that means no bottom painting or keel work on launch day. Ensure all thru-hull fittings are closed.
  3. Put the outboard on the boat before the day of launch – no vehicles will be allowed in the yard on launch day.
  4. Check your engine to make sure it’s in working condition and that you have fuel aboard. Antifreeze should be out of your motor before launch, collected and properly disposed of in accordance with the Harbour Environmental Policy.
  5. Attach bow and stern lines to one side (the same side) of the vessel. The lines should be at least 8 metres (25 feet) long.
  6. Your vessel should be marked to indicate where the lifting straps should be placed.
  7. Fenders should be attached to make sure that your highly polished hull doesn’t scrape against the dock.
  8. Make sure that your name and boat name are painted on your cradle as this will make finding it for Haul-out that much easier.

Launch day to do list:

  1. Be there early – You and your crew should be on site by 0800 hours (earlier if you are first to launch). Register with the radio crew in the clubhouse.
  2. When you are called, report to the staging area on the road behind the launch area – Look for the security hard hats. For safety’s sake – please stay out of the launch area (behind the yellow tape) you will be escorted to the dock area by a security crew.
  3. Once your boat is in the water, get on board, start that engine, and motor safely away to your berth. If your engine won’t start, there will be tugs to move you to your berth.
  4. All folding cradles must be folded by the Monday morning after launch – don’t wait until Monday because the cradle moving crews start early. You can do this Saturday – but you must wait until the cranes leave and the yard is reopened. Take your blocks & pads home.
  5. One more item: Launch is run completely by volunteers – a thank-you goes a long way

Early on the Monday morning after launch – May 3rd 2010, volunteer crews will begin moving cradles and placing them in summer storage – You must have your cradle folded prior to the crews starting. Note: if the volunteer crew folds it, then you will be billed.

The yard will be closed daytime Monday May 3rd – no vehicles or people!!!!!!!!!!!

In addition, all keelboats, powerboats and trailers must be cleared from both the launch area and the Drysail Park before Saturday May 8th, 2010 as the dinghy sailors need to set up their area for the sailing season on that weekend. Note: this is your responsibility – if the club moves it, it will cost you.

See you there on Launch Day, bright and early Saturday morning, May 1st If, for some reason, the weather is really lousy, the back up date will be Sunday May 2nd.  Please watch the NSC web site and check for posters in the club.

Randy Wiseman

Launch Coordinator

613-820-5524

launch-haulout@nsc.ca

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