On the Water Operations

The provision of challenging, adventurous activities within a safe setting is the paramount objective of the centre. We recognise both the risks and benefits that come from adventurous activities. These risks are summarised within the centre risk assessment – see Risk Assessment Folder. The actions contained within those risk assessments, taken with the rules and procedures within this manual, are aimed at controlling and managing these risks.

Operation of water activities and training

In order to manage risk appropriately it is a requirement that:

• A Duty Officer is nominated for each and every event occurring at the centre.

• The rules and procedures within this manual are followed.

• Instructions from the Duty Officer, Instructors and other staff members are obeyed at all times.

The safe scheme for the centee is summarised in the "On the water operations schematic" below.

No boats may go aflaot without the permission of the Duty Officer.

It is impossible to cover every eventuality but where doubt exists, the overriding considerations of the Duty Officer must be the practice of good seamanship and the safety of all those in their charge at all times.

Regulations

The following regulations apply at all times:

• Policy, Organisation and Rules of the Scout Association ([POR]) 

• International Regulations for the Prevention of Collision at Sea

• Environment Agency Byelaws for the River Thames

Volunteer Team roles

The following roles are key in the provision of training.

Duty Officer

The role of the Duty Officer is key to the safe operation of the centre. The Duty Officer for any activity should:

• Be registered as AT LEAST a Team Member with the Scout Association.

• Be authorised to undertake the activity under Scout Association rules, or NGB coach qualification, for the Centre main activity being undertaken.

• If they are not authorised to undertake the activity under Scout Association rules, or hold a NGB coach qualification for any other activity being undertaken, they must ensure that an individual is available who does and take advice from that individual as to the safe organisation of that activity.

• Have confirmed that they have read and understood the Centre Operating Procedures.

The role will be undertaken or designated by the senior Scout leader present. If not holding a Scout Appointment, the Centre Principal and Chief Instructors will be regarded as equivalent to a Team Member. For an RYA training course, the Duty Officer will be predetermined.

The Duty Officer is responsible for on the water operations.

Course Director

When formal NGB or Scout training courses are being run, a Course Director will oversee the event, including the preperation. This may be supernumerary or a member of the instruction team. The Course Director will normally also undertake the role of Duty Officer, as well as handling administration for the event. 

Group Leader / Instructor

• The Group leader /Instructor is responsible for the safety and well-being of those in their group.

• They shall be aware of the Immediate Actions to be taken in the Event of an Emergency.

• They shall follow the instructions of DO.

• They must be covered under the scout permit scheme.

Key Documents: 

• Leader Briefing Sheet

• Group Briefing Sheet

Group & Instructor Allocation

When undertaking activities, the following rations should be observed.

Notes

General Notes about this table:

• Within this section, Instructors for RYA Sail training, RYA Power training, Paddle UK Training and BR training refers to individuals holding certificated, evidenced & current Governing Body Qualifications.

• For Sail Training this can include Assistant Instructors who are qualified under the centre scheme (Appendix H), but who must work under the direction of an Instructor or Senior Instructor (SI).

• Senior Instructor refers to an Individual holding certificated, evidenced and current RYA Senior Instructor Qualification.

Sail training must be overseen by an SI who is present, however in the case of a single group, this may be delegated to an Instructor whom the SI has confidence in to maintain standards and where the session meets the centre specification. Single DI sessions 

NGB training must be provided by NGB certified instructors.

Supervisory Permits may allow certain qualified individuals to nominate group leaders for a general activity, up to a maximum of 3 groups. These leaders may be a young person.  Each group must be in communication with the supervisory permit holder, whom must have access to a rescue craft and be able to reach the groups. This must only be done with agreement of the Duty Officer.

As identified by the Scout Association, the permit holder or nominated group leader may be under 18.

The groups described above are maximum size and the Duty Officer should have regard to the conditions, skill sets of the participants, experience of the instructor and objectives of the session when setting groups.

Where the scout permit covering NGB training is more restrictive than the NGB ratios the DO must ensure that Permit ratios are not exceeded. (This may be achieved using supervisory permit holders).

Deployment of Paddlesport Instructors and Level 1 Coaches.

The BCU requires level 1 coaches  & paddlesport insrtructor who operate independently to receive site specific training. The site specific training for the area for Thames areas are:

• Must have knowledge of local hazards – This should be gained through experience working with a Level 2 coach or higher.

• Reading and understanding this operations manual, including the Training Waters descriptions for the areas to be used.

• A conversation to confirm the understanding of these and define extended remit with a Centre BCU L2 coach or higher familiar with the area who will confirm the ability to work independently and under what remit to the Centre Principal & Chief Instructor (Paddlesport) by email or in writing.

Communications plan

The DO should have, and brief, a communications plan for the session to allow them to ensure the safe and effective activity. This primarily relates to how communication between the DO and other units may take place, however the DO should also consider how they may summon assistance if required. The communications plan may include some or all of:

• Latest return time: The DO may specify a time by which an activity should have ceased and the participants returned to the centre or another checkpoint. If the individuals have not returned by this time, the DO should establish the reason and take appropriate action.

• VHFs

  • • • The primary centre channel is 72, with channel 6 as the primary alternate. 

      • VHFs should only be operated by qualified individuals.

      • VHF is primarily line of sight and reception issues can be caused by the local landscape. 

      • Thames Ditton & the non tidal Thames is not covered by the Maritime & Coastguard Agency. (MCA)

• Mobile phones: Mobile phones can offer enhanced communication, however they are vulnerable to water damage. Reception on certain networks within the area of the centre is not consistent.

• Land line: A landline is present in the Ajax Ships Office however this cannot be heard outside the building. The phone number is:  020 8398 4777

Safety Boats: The Duty Officer has overall responsibility for the operation of safety boats. A vessel allocated to other duties is not a dedicated safety boat. More details are here: