Chichester Boat Club Standard Operating Procedure
Training Ribs
Date issued 1st April 2026
1. PURPOSE
1.1 To be used by Chichester Boat Club staff and Club Members and Powerboat Students when using the RIBs.
1.2 Its aim is to make sure that Chichester Boat Club can maintain a consistent standard in line with RYA guidance and health and safety policy.
2. APPLICATION / POLICY
2.1 Applies to all Chichester Boat Club staff and Members.
2.2 Applies to RYA training aboard the RIBs.
2.3 All Staff members must have a valid RYA Powerboat Level 2 certificate, a valid RYA First Aid Certificate and a Marine VHF Licence.
2.4 To skipper the RIB Club Member must hold a minimum qualification of an RYA Powerboat Level 2 Certificate and have completed an induction day. In addition, when conducting an RYA training course, staff must hold the relevant RYA instructor qualification and it must be current and ‘in date’ a valid First Aid Certificate and a VHF Licence.
2.5 Club Members must have read the Chichester Boat Club Terms and Conditions and sign them.
2.6 PFDs must be worn at all times when on the pontoon and board.
2.7 Staff must have a mobile phone on their person with phone numbers for HM coastguard (02392 552100), Chichester Harbour Master (VHF Channel 14, 01243 512301), Chichester Marina (VHF Channel 80, 01243 512731), Chichester Boat Club (01243 210240) Principal (Chris Weld 07780 708777) or Chief Instructor (Paul Pearson 07512 773093).
2.8 Staff must not work outside of any restrictions their qualifications may have. Please see the RYA website or ask the chief instructor for clarification if you are unsure.
2.9 Staff/Member must not work outside the defined operating area for Chichester Boat Club without the express permission of the Chief Instructor.
3 PROCEDURE
3.1 PRIOR TO GOING AFLOAT – OFFICE
3.1.1 Sign out RIB keys from office.
3.1.2 Check weather and tides.
3.1.3 The RIB will be berthed on the Club Pontoon and where to leave it once finished.
3.1.4 Ask Club staff when and where is suitable for any close quarters manoeuvring and berthing practice.
3.2 PRIOR TO GOING AFLOAT – Powerboat Training
3.2.1 Give site brief to all customers. Please see operations manual for ‘Safety Brief Checklist – Chichester Harbour’
3.2.2 Student Information Forms should have been completed prior to the course. The office will have emailed you a list of names and any medical issues.
3.2.3 Collect a passport photo from each student if required for RYA certification.
3.2.4 Staff should outline their experience and ascertain the customer’s previous boating experience as well as their expectations and any pre-determined goals.
3.2.5 Issue any course training materials and familiarize your students/clients with your plan for the day using a chart, giving approximate times for departure, lunch and finish. Emphasize how your thinking has been influenced by the tide & weather.
3.2.6 If a packed lunch is required by your course plan then ensure everyone has sufficient food and drink to take on board.
3.2.7 AN ONLINE COURSE CONSENT FORM MUST BE COMPLETED BEFORE GOING TO SEA your student will have been emailed a link by the office to do this online prior to your course. Please ensure this is completed.
3.2.8 Make sure all customers have adequate clothing for weather conditions. This includes clothing against cold and wet weather as well as suntan lotion, sunhats and sunglasses for hot weather.
3.2.9 Issue of personal floatation devices and explain how they are operated. Please ensure crutch straps are used and lifejacket is adjusted to each person for fit.
3.3 PRIOR TO LEAVING THE BERTH – ONBOARD THE RIB
3.3.1 Ensure that fuel levels are adequate for your journey and that the fuel pre-filter is free of water. Ask if you are unsure how to check.
3.3.2 Empty bilges of water.
3.3.3 Ensure sponsons are pumped up.
3.3.4 Ensure that all mooring and anchoring equipment is on-board and in good order (fenders, lines, boat hook, anchor, chain, warp, etc.). Any faults to be reported to Chichester Boat Club.
3.3.5 Ensure that all boat electrics work (navigation equipment, bilge pumps, lights).
3.3.6 After lowering the engine, ensure the engine starts, check cooling water tell tail, and demonstrate that removing the kill cord stops the engine. Check there is a spare kill cord in the seat locker.
3.3.7 Read boat safety brief, this also doubles as checking all safety equipment is present and in the correct location (safety brief for RIBs is in the operations manual).
3.3.8 Check the boat out using the QR code ensuring the time of departure, any defects found, name of the instructor and the students are recorded.
3.4 WHILE OUT ON WATER
3.4.1 PFDs are to be worn at all times.
3.4.2 The kill cord is to be attached to the helmsman around the leg unless secured alongside. When changing helmsman the vessel is to be stopped in a safe location. The engine should be switched off unless unsafe to do so. The skipper/instructor must ensure that the kill cord is being correctly worn by the new helmsman before proceeding.
3.4.3 The helmsman is to keep in control of the vessel at all times (one hand for steering, one hand for throttle).
3.4.4 Harbour speed limits (8kts in Chichester Harbour) and low wake zone protocol (around moored boats) should always be observed. The Harbour authorities will fine anyone who does not abide by the local bye laws.
3.4.5 Helm must clearly communicate any intentions for manoeuvres before they commence (especially planing speed turns, accelerating, decelerating).
3.4.6 Only designated seating should be used. Sitting on sponsons is prohibited for all persons at planing speeds. Only an RYA instructor at his or her discretion may sit on the sponsons and then only at slow speeds.
3.4.7 When changing seating positions the vessel should be stopped in a safe location.
3.4.8 IRPCS must be followed at all times to prevent collisions and grounding.
3.4.9 Skippers must stay in the area of operations which they defined in the policies and procedures document. If for operational reasons a skipper or instructor wishes to alter their area of operation then either the Principal/Chief Instructor must be notified in advance.
3.4.10 Safe techniques are to be used for any boat handling, which would include but not limited to coming alongside, turning, line handling and man overboard procedures. All staff/Members should be trained how to do these, and can re-familiarise themselves with any techniques in RYA training literature.
3.4.11 Skippers should be familiar with risks such as Man overboard, sinking, fire, medical emergency, collisions. They should be aware of how to mitigate these risks and what to do if one of them occurs. Please see risk assessments in the operations manual.
3.4.12 If teaching or practicing a MOB drill then a MOB dummy should be used. Under no circumstances should a person be placed in the water for a ‘live’ drill.
3.4.13 Planning speed manoeuvring must be conducted in open water and planning speed turns should never be conducted around fixed objects such as posts or buoys.
3.4.14 Planning speed turns must be gentle with due regard to all persons aboard. Sharp turns should be avoided both to avoid engine ventilation/cavitation and to avoid ‘hooking’. The risks of ‘hooking’ should be discussed on all RYA powerboat courses but NEVER demonstrated.
3.4.15 When coming alongside, in order to avoid wrist or ankle injuries all hands and feet must be kept inboard until the vessel is stopped alongside the pontoon.
3.4.16 Persons should only step on or off of the vessel if it is secured alongside securely by both bow and stern.
3.4.17 In the unlikely event of a Man Overboard situation the engine must be switched off when the vessel is alongside the casualty before recovery.
3.4.18 In the unlikely event of a fire then abandon ship procedures should be promptly instigated.
3.4.19 The vessel is prohibited to operate in rough sea states. The skipper or instructor should apply their own good judgement in this but as a guide, the vessel should not leave the harbour if the wind is in excess of Force 6 and should not leave the Pontoon if the wind is in excess of Force 8.
3.4.20 At all times the skipper or instructor should consider the safety of the vessel, passengers and crew to be paramount, with safety and good seamanship the highest priority. In the unlikely event of an emergency on the water, the Chichester Boat Club Emergency Action Plan should be followed. There is a copy of the EAP in Section 4 of the Policies and Procedures document and every member of staff should be thoroughly familiar with it.
3.5 ON RETURNING TO THE PONTOON AT THE END OF THE DAY
3.5.1 Refuel the vessel (be aware of fire risk – follow marina guidelines for fuelling).
3.5.2 Wash down the vessel (be aware of slip hazards on wet decks).
3.5.3 Wash down and stow the anchor with the anchor warp neatly coiled.
3.5.4 Engine should be trimmed out of the water once the vessel is on her overnight berth.
3.5.5 Electrics should be turned off at master switch.
3.5.6 Cover and instrument covers should be put on.
3.5.7 Any defects with boat or equipment should be reported using the QR Code.
3.5.8 Lifejackets should be put away (if wet they should be hung up to dry).
3.5.9 Once all water-based activities are completed for the day the QR code should be used to check the boat.
3.6 ON RETURNING TO THE PONTOON AT THE END OF A POWERBOAT COURSE
3.6.1 Revise the Syllabus with the students giving the opportunity for any final discussion.
3.6.2 Issue Chichester Boat Club Feedback forms to be completed and signed on site. Emphasise that positive as well as negative feedback is appreciated, and also emphasise that by signing the form they are giving permission for their image to be used on social media and for marketing purposes.
3.6.3 Any accidents or injuries sustained during the course, however minor, must be noted on the Check in form.
3.6.4 Complete the certificates and have either the Principal or Chief Instructor sign them. Ensure that the certificates are correctly endorsed for Planing vessel.
3.6.5 Take a picture of the certificates and send them to The Principle. This is important as the certificates cannot be registered with the RYA without a record.
3.6.6 Congratulate the students and award the certificates.
CHICHESTER BOAT CLUB
Registration No. 13724292 ENGLAND