Club Rules

SSC is a self-help club which relies on its members to help maintain and improve the facilities. We ask that, wherever possible, members join working parties, including slipway wash down and help with social events and galley duties. Members should also consider an appropriate role on the club committee during the term of their membership.

The Clubhouse
We want members to enjoy using the clubhouse but we need your co-operation to ensure that it is a safe and tidy place.

1 The external doors to the clubhouse are secured by combination locks. Members and temporary members will be notified of the combination number upon renewal of membership or at the time of joining. This number must not be given to non-members or guests under any circumstances.
2 When not occupied the clubhouse doors and windows must always be kept locked. They must not be left open while people go afloat unless there are others who have undertaken to mount guard.
3 Access should be through the north-west door. The south door, facing the dinghy park, should only be used in dry weather and when there is no strong southerly wind. Access to the changing rooms should always be via the north-west door.
4 Wet clothing should be shed, where practicable, before entering the building. In any event it must not be taken anywhere other than the changing rooms via the north-west door. Damp or dirty sailing clothes must not be worn beyond the galley counter.
5 Changing rooms are not to be used as dumping grounds or for storage of sailing impedimenta such as wet suits, socks, dirty or clean towels or rudders. Any such items will be removed, placed into lost property and or sold for club funds. Sailing equipment including sails should not be washed in the club showers.
6 Members may use the galley to prepare drinks and snacks. It is to be left clean and tidy with everything washed and put away. Any food left in the galley, including that stored in the fridge or freezer which is past its use-by date will be disposed of. Food stored in the fridge or freezer should be labelled with the owner's name. All electrical equipment must be switched off after use. Under no circumstances may the galley or galley equipment be used for cleaning boats, engines, wet suits, sails or any other items.
7 Any club furniture taken outside must be returned by the person who took it out or the last one to use it. It must not be left outside.
8 The last member to leave the clubhouse, even if there is reason to believe that others may return later, must ensure that the safes in the OOD office are locked, all lights and electrical appliances are off, all windows are closed and secured and all doors, including outbuildings and containers, are locked.

The Dinghy Park
For the purposes of these rules the word boat includes sailing dinghies, tenders, kayaks, canoes, stand up paddle boards (SUPS) or any other type so agreed by the committee. The Dinghy Park Supervisor and the Membership Secretary work closely together to make the dinghy park a safe and orderly area but we can only do that with your co-operation.

9 All boats using club facilities must have 3rd party insurance. Details of your insurer's name and the policy number shall be provided.
10 All craft must be in a seaworthy condition and space may be denied to members whose craft do not meet this requirement. The club will decide the allocation of boat space which may change from time to time. A change of ownership of a boat is to be advised to the Dinghy Park Supervisor.
11 Boats must occupy their spaces by 1st July; otherwise the space may be forfeited. We also expect boats to be sailed during the season. Failure to do so may result in boat spaces being re-allocated to members that are more frequent sailors when space is at a premium.
12 Boats not in their allocated space may be relocated to the correct location. Boats in their allocated spaces may also be moved under the supervision of club officers if necessary. Whilst care will be taken, relocation will be done at the owner's risk.
13 All boats using club facilities, except those of temporary members and visitors, must have the boat's name and the letters SSC on the outside.
14 Road trailers must not be left in the dinghy park unless permission has been granted by the Dinghy Park Supervisor.
15 All boats in the dinghy park must be securely tied down, especially in winter.
16 The club slipway is designed for dinghies and light boats only. Cars and heavy boats on trailers exceeding 400kg axle weight must not be taken onto the slipway.
17 The space under the clubhouse is not to be used by members for dumping or storage. Unauthorised items may be disposed of.
18 Tenders should be associated to a boat on a mooring. Tenders over 10 feet long will be charged at the same rate as a dinghy. When space allows non-sailing, non-planing open dinghies (up to 12') may be temporarily allocated a space at Membership Secretary discretion (outboard limit 8hp). 19. Tenders with fixed cable steering are not permitted in the dinghy park. Engines should be portable, stored and not left on tenders (or dinghies) overnight whilst in the dinghy park.
20 Members are asked to cut the grass in and around their boat space and help keep the dinghy park looking neat and tidy throughout the season.
21 Club boats may only be used for club related events, for representing SSC in external events such as the AYC Regatta and for informal hire subject to permission of a Dinghy Instructor or flag officer. On each occasion a boat hire form must be completed which outlines the terms and conditions for each hire prior to commencement of hire. Club boats should be returned clean and securely tied down / locked with any noted faults reported on the Bosun board for attention. All sails should be returned to the containers.

The Creek

22 Limited availability for berthing in the creek exists based upon certain constraints. Refer to separate terms and conditions regarding mooring in the creek that appear on the home page of the website under 'Join Us' Slaughden Creek rules. Rates under 'Membership Fees' can also be found in this section.

Boat Restrictions

23 Membership does not extend to anyone (including existing members) that moor or launch planing boats such as Ribs or Motor boats (10HP+) on the River Alde or Ore unless agreed by exception by Committee

24 Displacement boats moored on the River Alde or Ore will be considered on a case by case basis by Committee

Temporary Members

25 Temporary membership is normally arranged through the Club Coordinator who will issue an invoice. Members of the committee may also grant temporary membership on completion of an application form which must be forwarded to the Club Coordinator as soon as possible. The minimum period for Temporary Membership is for 1 week.

General

26. The Clubhouse, Veranda and Grounds have a strict NO SMOKING POLICY.
27. BBQ's in the grounds are permitted for formal club organised events but not for ad hoc member visits.
28 Members and temporary members must read and adhere to club safety, incident and risk assessment procedures.
29 Buoyancy aids or life jackets must be worn on dinghies, tenders, kayaks, canoe's, SUPS and safety boats for all official club activities. The club recommend that members, including temporary members and their guests, should always wear buoyancy aids or life jackets whilst on the water.
30 Children joining club training activities must be able to swim at least 25m.
31 For safety reasons children under the age of 14 must not be left unsupervised on club premises and young children are not permitted in the galley under any circumstances.
32 Animals are not allowed in the clubhouse or on the balcony of the clubhouse and should be kept away from the stairs. Dogs are allowed in the grounds but must be on a lead. They should be well behaved and attended by their owner (or a nominated person). The owner will be held responsible for any damage to property or injury to a person that the animal causes. The owner must clear up any mess the animal may make.

Guests
33 Members' guests are always welcome at SSC to use clubhouse facilities, attend social events or to sail providing that they are accompanied by the member. Guests of members are not permitted to launch their own craft but can accompany the member in the members craft and visit the clubhouse whilst the member is in attendance. Guests of members must be signed in and may not visit the club on more than FOUR occasions in any one year regardless of sponsor. Members should be over 18 years of age to sign in guests. Guests wishing to visit the club more than four times must take out permanent or temporary membership or, in the case of a partner, join as a family member. Visiting yachtsmen and yachtswomen are also welcome and may use the facilities but not attend social events.
34 To encourage children of non-members under 18 years of age to take up sailing they may be signed in by a committee member for up to 4 weeks. They will be expected to join as junior members if they wish to continue after that period. For children under 14 years of age parents must be present at the club.
35 Parents or guardians of sponsored juniors at YOTAS should be signed in by the sailing instructor (SI) in charge and should attend with the junior on training evenings for the duration of the course.

Club rules approved by the Committee and updated September 2020

Last updated 19:15 on 17 August 2022