Club Training
First Aid Training
Sometimes in our travels we may be quite remote, relying on our own skills and resources being kept up to date to help someone in an emergency. If we are familiar and up to date with how to treat a snake bite, bind a wound or brake, revive someone using CPR or using a defibrillator, then we might just save a life
Defibrillator Training
The club has at least one defibrillator which we aim to take on every MWCC cruise. We encourage every member to learn how to use it in an emergency, to help save a life.
Flare Handling
At some time, we may need to set off a flare to seek emergency assistance. As flares can be very hot or even faulty, knowing how to handle them safely and effectively could help us in an emergency.
VHF Radio Training
All users of VHF Radios should have a licence to do so to comply with official radio protocols. We encourage everyone who has one installed in their boat to get their licence.
Trailer Maintenance
With salt water and general degradation of bearings, tyres, brakes and lights, we have learnt that having regular maintenance checks, the right tools for your trailer, and knowing how use them may help you reach you intended destination with a minimum of time and expense.
Rope Skills
Learn how to 1) do a cleat knot for fixing your fenders to your boat rails, 2) a Bowline knot for longer term fixings such as ropes to the fender and anchor, or tow rope to a D shackle, or 3) spring lines for fixing your boat within a mooring, 4) throwing a rope to tie off on a cleat while docking.
Boat Handling Skills
Congratulations on firstly considering reading this extremely important section on boating. Next perhaps you might plan some training for your own crew for theirs and your safety. Even racing car drivers do training, in fact they do it over and over and over. The WCV recommend that anyone:
a) New to boating, or
b) Returning to boating after a long break, and or
c) Have a new crew member, and or
d) Starting out with a bigger boat,
that you consider the following strategy:
Step One Boat Handling Skills:
For everyone fitting into category a, b and c, that you consider doing the Sandringham Yacht Club’s Boating Academy course on Power Boat Handling. This will refresh your memory on all waterway markers, general safety and rules, and for anyone without a licence, if you pass this course, you can present your certificate to the VicRoads authority to pay for your licence. At this course, you also get to drive a 5m rubber dingy and this is good experience where you will lower your risk of damaging any fibreglass.
Step Two Boat Handling Skills:
For everyone fitting into category a, b, c and d, that you consider doing some personal training in your own boat. We have a recommended trainer, being Mr Peter Dunn who works as a volunteer for the Coast Guard, based at St Kilda. He can assist with any aspect of you boating that concerns you and or your crew. Team work is paramount, so all crew that help out should be trained to keep you all safe. Skills can include:
- Launching and retrieval
- Boat set up for ropes and fenders
- Rope skills for mooring
- Mooring and Docking
- Manoeuvring in a confined space / or marina
- Spring lines for mooring in difficult conditions (confined spaces, winds and or currents)