Waikiki Yacht Club

WYC Cruising Club Standing Cruising Instructions

Standing Cruising Instructions

1. All boats must meet the U.S. Coast Guard minimum safety requirements. A vessel safety check is available from the U.S. Power Squadron or the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.

2. All boats must comply with all federal and state laws and international rules of the road, as applicable.

3. All boats must be properly registered or documented.

4. All boats must have an operational VHF radio. This can be a hand-held unit.

5. If severe weather warnings are posted for the channels between the islands at the 6 a.m. weather report on the day of the cruise, it shall be canceled.

6. All skippers are responsible for the safety of their boat. The skipper has the final decision to participate or not.

7. If a boat drops out of a cruise, the skipper will contact the cruise coordinator via VHF. If it is not possible to contact the cruise coordinator the skipper should contact the Waikiki Yacht Club office at 955-4405.

8. All boats shall monitor the designated VHF channel during the cruise.

Guidance for Cruise Coordinator

1. Plan itinerary

2. Send out notice of cruise

A. E-tree

B. Windward Beat

C. Website

D. Invite HYC boats via their newsletter and supply flyers for posting

E. Prepare and distribute flyer

3. Skippers meeting

A. Distribute information on destination

1. Anchoring/mooring

2. What’s ashore

3. Entering and exiting harbor

B. Safety during transit

1. VHF channel to monitor

2. Keep track of all boats

a. Check in at beginning and end of each day

C. Fun things to do

1. Fishing tournament on transit

2. Pupu party on a boat

3. Beach BBQ

4. Dinghy races

Guidelines for Guests on Boats

1. Pre-trip

A. Call the skipper ahead of time if you have to cancel going on the trip. Someone else may want to take your place.

B. Ask what food and beverages you should bring. On day trips, skippers appreciate guests bringing pupus to share with others, and bring what you like to drink and your preferred mix.

2. Food and beverage guides

A. Do not bring glass, such as glasses, dip containers, or beer bottles without first checking with the skipper. Non-breakable containers are preferred. Good wine is usually exempt from this rule.

B. Pupus should be ready to eat, finger food size, and come with minimal, drippy sauce.

3. Clothing

A. Wear flat, non-marking sole shoes such as Keds or Topsiders. This is for your safety and to prevent dark scuffmarks on the deck. No heels, flip-flops, or sandals. Most skippers will ask that you not wear shoes that have been worn on the road; a separate pair of boat shoes is good.

B. Clothing should be lightweight and dry quickly. It is a good idea to wear a swimsuit with shorts and shirt over it.

4. What to bring

A. Hat with a wide brim

B. Sunglasses, polarized

C. Towel

D. Sunscreen is best applied prior to going out in the sun but you may need to reapply

E. A change of clothes for when you get back to the dock

F. Gloves, if aboard a sailboat and you are planning on assisting with lines

5. On-board the boat

A. Ask for skipper’s permission prior to boarding.

B.Keep moving about the boat to a minimum. The boat may suddenly speed up, change course, or rock in a wake from another craft. When you are not seated, remember the rule: always have one hand on a stable part of the boat such as a railing, and one hand for you.

C.If the skipper or crew asks you to move or to change places, do so immediately.

D.Ship Radio: Please no talking when the skipper is receiving or sending radio transmissions.

E.Wait for and follow directions from the crew when participating in boat handling tasks, such as when leaving the slip or returning to the dock. Do not jump from the boat to the shore.

F.Smoking: Check with the skipper on the smoking policy for the boat. Some boats have a “no smoking” policy. Please respect this rule.

G.Alcohol and boating do not mix well: please drink in moderation. The boat may return to shore if guests are obviously drunk. They are a safety hazard both to themselves and to the others on the boat.

6. Return to dock

A. Wait for the skipper to tell you it is O.K. to get off the boat.

B.Check with skipper or crew to see what you can help with securing the boat.

C.Thank the skipper prior to leaving.