Tractor and Refuelling:

Safety of our members and visitors in and around the club is perhaps the most important part of any race/sailing day at Somers. Your sailing committee has adopted some key protocols to better ensure the safety of all persons in and around the club as the tractor moves through the area.

• The tractor as it moves through the yard and surrounding areas will be Dead Slow.
• The tractor where possible, will be escorted by the patrol boat crew or designated club member.
• When patrol boats are refuelling, the area directly around the boat will be managed by the patrol boat crew or designated club member.
• When the tractor moves through the drive way past the front door(s) and Yard Arm area, the patrol boat crew or designated club member will monitor foot traffic, and as best as possible keep all person’s clear.

Members: we would ask please that you exercise caution and common-sense when the tractor is moving though the yard and the patrol boats are being refuelled; if you do not need to be in the area at the time, we would ask please that you move to another location.

Sailors: Please ensure as best as practical that the tractor has free access when retrieving the patrol boats both on the beach and in the yard.

Club Winch

The winch is used to retrieve boats from the beach when club members are unable to do so themselves. Somers has some important rules associated with the use of the winch to better ensure the safety of the operator and members:

• The winch is to ONLY BE OPERATED BY CLUB MEMBERS WHO HAVE BEEN TRAINED ON ITS SAFE OPERATION.
• The winch is only to be used by Club Members over the age of 16 years old.
• The winching area needs to be clear of persons while winching.
• The person controlling the winch needs to have when possible as spotter.

If you wish to be trained on the use of the winch, please email: rear.commodore@somersyachtclub.com.au

The Sailing Committee recently received approval to change the metal cable on the winch to Dyneema.

Any questions please feel free to reach out to any Sailing Committee Team Member.