Safety
All sailors at VNSC are responsible for their own safety, but as a community we reinforce each other’s safety through a combination of practices:
Discussion of safety protocol during race briefings
Requirements for buoyancy aids and swimming competency
Provision of rescue boats for sailors during all organized events
Review of safety practices during training courses
Modeling safe sailing for others
All sailors renting boats or participating in water activities at VNSC are required to sign a safety and liability waiver and to follow the VNSC Rules for Safety. Parents are responsible for the safety of their children and must sign the waiver.
Download a copy of the safety and liability waiver.
VNSC Rules for Water Safety
1. Your safety is your responsibility! Parents are responsible for their children’s safety – know what your children are doing and where they are!
2. Respect the instructions of the staff – if they ask you to come in, you must come in
3. Know your limits. The right time to test your limits is when you are in a group and have a safety boat nearby
4. Always wear a buoyancy aid
5. Don't go sailing alone
6. Be in eyesight of a safety boat at all times
7. Make sure someone knows where you are going
8. Stay away from the island! Rocks + waves = danger!!!
9. If you capsize, stay with your boat
10. If you are renting a club boat, you must have a safety boat with you!
11. No drugs or alcohol – sail sober
12. Sailors and their guests on their boats must be capable of swimming 50m unaided
13. Long nails, long hair (attachments or pony tails), jewelry and any loose or dangling wear are strongly discouraged due to high risk of injury
14. Be mindful of those around you
15. All sailors must sign the Waiver and Release of Liability