Slips Standard Operating Procedures

Winching Activities

1. Clear the Slips of any persons not actively assisting in the winching activity.
2. Walk along the length of the cable checking there are no snags or obstacles.
3. Communicate to any assistants what the objectives of the winching activity are and that they understand their duties.
4. Activate any audible/visual warning device.
5. Turn main power switch ON.
6. Twist the RED safety isolation switch to the UP position (DOWN = power off).
7. Place variable speed control lever in centre (neutral) position.
8. Press top black button at seaward side of control box to activate the motor.
9. Electric winch motor will be heard to hum and you are now ready to commence.

Variable Speed Control Lever

Lever arm towards sea = Cradle UP

Lever arm away from sea = Cradle DOWN

As the variable speed control arm is moved away from the centre position in either direction, the winch speed increases.

Once the winching has begun and all is moving well, place the variable speed control arm in the maximum position. This gives maximum torque to the motor and prevents overloading.

There is a FOOT BRAKE as an emergency.

Slips Area Operating Procedures

1. A committee person shall be present at any winching activity to oversee its safe operation. This is an insurance requirement.
2. The boat owner or his delegate shall liaise with the slip operator/s to determine cradle suitability, special requirements for hull shape, and tide/weather needs.
3. The boat owner or his delegate shall be responsible for organising the movement of the vessel from its berth or mooring to the holding area awaiting placement on the cradle.
4. The correct placement of a boat on a cradle is the job and responsibility of the boat owner or his delegate.
5. All persons not actively assisting in winch operation are to clear the area. This includes persons working on other boats in the Slips.
6. The Winch Operator is in charge of the operation and will give instructions. The boat owner or his delegate shall be present at the winching activity.
7. One assistant is to be designated as the Cradle assistant at the cradle end monitoring movement of the cradle, relaying information to the Winch Operator and communicating with the boat owner or delegate.
8. One assistant shall be designated as the Gypsy operator and work in unison with the Winch Operator as required.
9. Winch Operator and assistant/s are to use clear signals. Either mutually agreed clear hand signals or hand held radios.
10. Any vessel winched up it is to be placed immediately over the traverse to capture any marine growth/anti foul the may begin falling off. This is an EPA requirement.
11. All material removed by the pressure washer or scraping is to be contained within the traverse sump, allowed to dry and disposed of correctly by the person/s working on that boat. No marine growth/anti foul/paint or other contaminant is allowed to return back into the sea.

Winch Operators

The overseeing of slips activities and operation of the winches shall be carried out by current serving Committee members . The operator may call for club members to assist him under his direction.

The Committee shall organise each year as soon as practicable after the AGM and the election of a new committee a Slips and Winch Orientation session. The purpose is to provide committee members with a practical demonstration of the operating procedures around the slips and in using the winches. To existing committee members this shall serve as a refresher.

Where possible all committee members shall be given sufficient time and instruction to confidently operate any associated machinery and identify safe work practices. EPA and Worksafe requirements are to be explained.