Terms and Conditions
The Dabchicks Sailing Club Powerboat Training Centre is run under RYA guidelines and in accordance with its recommendations. It has a Safety Policy, Child Protection Policy and current Risk Assessments covering the school’s activities. In order to assist with its Safety Policy each participant should be reasonably fit and should not be suffering from any condition or be under any medication which could render water-based activity unsafe. Whilst the Centre’s instructors will determine if conditions are reasonably safe to undertake powerboat instruction, each participant must take their own responsibility for their own medical and physical condition. Participants should obtain their own medical advice if they are in any doubt.
Booking
The Centre must receive the balance of the course fee before the course begins. The school reserves the right not to accept participants until the final course fee has been paid in full.
Cancellation
The booking fee is non-refundable
Inclement weather
In the event of inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances, the school reserves the right to postpone water-based activity if, in the judgement of any instructor, this would give rise to an unsafe situation. In the event of the above postponement, participants may choose one of the following options:
Undertake the shore-based activity and complete the water-based training at a mutually convenient date.
Take the entire course at a mutually convenient date
Resign from the course and have the course fee reimbursed less the booking fee.
Student evaluation
The performance of each participant is assessed during the course in accordance with RYA standards and recommendations. RYA Powerboat Certificates are issued by the Principal or Chief Instructor of the Centre and based on an evaluation prepared by the participant’s instructors.
In the event of a participant failing one or more parts of the course, the following options are open to them:
The centre will offer further training based on the proportional course fee at a mutually convenient time.
The student re-takes the assessment without further training based on a proportional course fee at a mutually convenient time.
The School may, at its discretion, issue an appropriate qualification, which reflects the participants achievement or is appropriately endorsed.
If any participant is aggrieved with any decision of the RTE or has any complaint regarding its activities they should address their comments to the Principal of the school. There is a further right of appeal by making representations directly to the RYA who will appoint a representative to investigate the matter.
Loss or Damage to personal belongings
The centre does not accept responsibility for the loss or damage of any personal belongings howsoever caused.
Personal buoyancy equipment
The centre reserves the right not to allow personal buoyancy equipment to be used if, in the judgement of the School, it is an appropriate design, lacks sufficient buoyancy or is in poor condition. RNLI recommendations for buoyancy are set out below:
Buoyancy aid (50N)
The 50N personal flotation device (PFD) is currently called a buoyancy aid. It is intended for use by those who are competent swimmers and who are near the bank or shore, or who have help and means of rescue close at hand. The PFDs have minimum bulk, but they are of limited use in disturbed water cannot be expected to keep the user safe for a long period of time. They do not have sufficient buoyancy to protect people who are unable to help themselves. They require active participation by the user. Recommended for dinghy sailors, windsurfers, water skiers and personal watercraft where the user might reasonably expect to end up in the water.
Lifejacket (100N)
The 100N lifejacket is intended for those who may have to wait for rescue but are likely to do so in sheltered and clam water. Whilst these lifejackets are less bulky than those with more buoyancy, they are intended for use in relatively sheltered waters. They may not have sufficient buoyancy to protect people who are unable to help themselves and may not roll an unconscious person onto their backs particularly if they are wearing heavy clothing.
Lifejacket (150N)
The 150N lifejacket is intended for general offshore and rough water use where a high standard of performance is required. It should turn unconscious person into a safe position and requires no subsequent action by the wearer to keep their face out of the water. Its performance may be affected if the user is wearing heavy and/or waterproof clothing. Recommended for general use on coastal and inshore waters when sailing, fishing, etc., where the user would not expect to the end up in the water.
Lifejacket (275N)
The 275N lifejacket is intended primarily for offshore and extreme conditions and for those wearing heavy protective clothing that may adversely affect the self-righting capacity of the lifejacket. This lifejacket is designed to ensure that the wearer is floating in the correct position within their mouth and nose clear of the surface of the water
