Convair Sailing Club (CSC)
Dockmaster (DM) Program
Welcome to the CSC DM Program. This program is an opportunity for club members to provide a service to their club and was implemented after a number of mishaps occurred that resulted in significant boat damage. In addition, launch and recovery of the boats were determined to be the most prevalent times when damage occurred. Therefore, the primary goal of the Dockmaster program is to prevent accidents during launch and recovery.
Simply put, the DM program is a method of organizing club members to go down to the dock and ensure that operations are maintained in a safe and club approved manner. What this means is that the Dockmaster provides order and supervision of the operations at the docks, especially during periods of high usage of facilities and equipment as well as to provide assistance if needed or warranted. With the Dockmaster's presence it is expected that operations will not only be safer but that there will be less wear and tear on our equipment.
CSC skippers are expected to know the rules of conduct and operations of the club as well as how to take care of the equipment, but occasionally, some of us forget or sometimes get careless, and the Dockmaster is there to fill that void. However, in carrying out the duties listed, the Dockmaster should always be courteous and promote harmony in the club. I encourage everyone to go to the website and make a note of when you are scheduled to do your Dockmaster duty. If you won't be able to do your duty at the scheduled date/time, feel free to swap with anyone on the list. The names, phone numbers and email addresses are provided for you to be able to do this.
Dockmaster Guidelines:
1.
Dockmasters should try to assist boaters when appropriate or necessary. If a problem is perceived to occur or is imminent, the Dockmaster should intervene to the best of his/her ability to prevent a mishap or damage. However, they are not expected to be mechanics, red caps or busboys; and they should usually refrain from helping student sailors when under the direction of an instructor.
2.In the event of a gross violation of club rules or conduct unbecoming of a sailor, the Dockmaster should file a report to any member of the board for further action. Remember, the use of these facilities is contingent on our club maintaining a peaceful and harmonious relationship with our neighbor vessels. If we behave poorly, we might become evicted from these docks.
3.In the event of emergency, the Dockmaster should call for assistance as necessary. Emergency numbers are as follows:
911 General Emergencies
619 224-1862 Harbor Patrol
619 295 3121 Coast Guard Rescue
Dockmaster Activity:
At the Key box
1.Obtain the Dockmaster key
2.Check and note if any boats are reserved or not
At the docks
1.Open the dock locker
2.Get the Dockmaster logbook and sign in. If you do not, you will be assessed a $15 fine. Also, if you swap with someone, make sure you put his or her name so that I can figure out who swapped with whom. The person that you are swapping for will not get credit for the swap unless they take your assigned date/session.
3.Check the status of any boats that are signed out
4.Verify that reserved boats are still available at the dock for the sailor(s) who reserved it, or if the boat is out, verify that the sailor who reserved the boat has his boat or not.
5.Check for wind strength and direction that could make launch or recovery dangerous or difficult
6.Check the sea conditions at the dock. Are there white caps? (If so, no boats should be allowed to launch, but any boats already out are ok and might need assistance in landing)
7.Check for availability of boat hook and throwing line on dock.
8.Remind sailors with small children to have them wear life jackets while on or near the dock and while sailing
9.Make sure that sailors sign out and sign in for boats.
10.It has been suggested (although not mandatory), that Dockmasters should call the following weeks Dockmaster to remind them that their duty is coming up.
Suggested Dockmaster Items to bring:
1.Sunscreen. There is a dock chair and an umbrella, but you won't be able to stay under the umbrella the whole time.
2.Water/food. Each shift is 3 to 4 hours long.
3.Jacket or cover-ups. The winter months of DM duty can be cold or possibly rainy.
4.Sunglasses. Sun glare can be very hard on the eyes.
5.Book or other activity. There can be times of inactivity, so bring something to pass the time away.
Dockmaster Qualification Criteria:
1.Club members are only assigned Dockmaster duty after 2 consecutive years of membership have accrued.
2.Dockmaster duty is only assigned to Regular club members, and Associate, Student or Honorary members are exempt.
3.Club members who are age/physically challenged and unable to perform their duty are exempt.
4.Club members who live outside of California and/or significantly outside of San Diego County are exempt.
Mark Nakamura
CSC Chief Dockmaster
4/1/06
