Herne Bay Sailing Club

On Saturday the 18th of July 2009, 15 members of the Safety Boat Crew and other club members took part in a refresher course at the club organized by Allan McNeil and his team.

Allan is a safety boat instructor who has spent many years training people to become proficient safety boat crews.  Herne Bay Sailing Club is lucky to have someone of Allan's experience plus three other safety boat instructors who are prepared to give up their time to ensure that their safety boat crews are well versed in the important techniques of recovering dinghy sailors if or when required.

The course covered, safety boat preparation and basic maintenance, before hitting the water to recover upturned dinghies. As with all safety boat recovery instructions it was emphasized that people are one's main priority when attending a dinghy capsize, but then the course members were reminded of how best to recover an upturned dinghy or catamaran.

It is the intention of the club to continue to offer its membership these essential courses that help make the sport as safe as is humanly possible and for members to enjoy their weekends on the water.

Thanks to Allan McNeil, Jim Ledger, James Woodward, Alex Benfield, Martin Poole and to Doug Whiteoak for ringing around the membership to make sure that course was fully attended. Thanks also to Jo Whiteoak who made sandwiches and cups of drink throughout the course.

The day was a great success.

View pictures from the day here.