Duty Roster roles

ESC's Rear Commodore, Sailing shares the following message about Duties:

As I'm sure you've all noticed every time you look at the website, the number of duties we need to fill is still quite high. This is a direct result of our vibrant sailing scene with so many races and activities happening throughout the season. As we all know, we are a volunteer-run club and we can only sustain this level of activity if we ALL get involved and help with duties.

Even if everyone who has a billet completes their duties, more volunteers are needed.

So what now? We really need your help, in order to help maintain all our activities on the water so if you or your children are involved in racing, social sailing or any of our many on-the-water activities please volunteer via Duty Roster here

We know this can be daunting but we are here to help you! We have descriptions of all the different duties below.

If you would like to gain a RYA Power Boat Level 2 (PB2) qualification, please click here for information and to book our programmed courses these provide amazing value especially in comparison with other local sailing clubs and if compared to commercial providers. You can do the course with family or friends and then sign up to do duties together.

If you did your PB2 some time ago, have lost your certificate or don't have the qualification but have lots of experience, please get in touch as we run familiarisation sessions, or ask for a direct assessment where your skills and experience can be assessed to enable you to volunteer for Cox duties.

You can also volunteer as a crew in a patrol boat, or an Assistant Race Officer. Both of these roles require no special qualifications or experience just a willingness to help the Race Officer or patrol boat cox.

A member who recently volunteered as a rib crew said - "My husband and I did a duty for a Junior race. Neither of us are confident sailors but both of us enjoyed our duty. If you haven't put your name down for a duty yet this year, please please do so - you will love it. If we all do our bit it makes life much easier. Last year I was Assistant Race Officer. If you can count and read out numbers this is also a good duty for you! Do not be scared, there are always really friendly and helpful people to guide you".

Thank you to everyone who has volunteered for duties already and if you have any questions please get in touch with either me or duties@emsworthsc.org.uk

Ann Williams (RCS)

ROLES

Race Officer (RO)

The Race Officer is in overall control and leads the race team for a race. They are responsible for the safety of the race and expected to hold a briefing with the other members of the Race and safety team including ESSC support, liaising with the competitors, checking the weather forecast, setting the race courses, starting and finishing the races and making sure the entries and finishers sign on and off and that results are recorded. During the race they will use a VHF radio to liaise with the Safety Boats. The role is shore based when the event is run from the Club Bridge or afloat in Escort or a RIB.

Is it for you? To volunteer for this duty you should ideally be a fairly experienced racer or have been as Assistant Race Officer a few times. The Club run training courses for members who wish to learn how be a Race Officer.

Assistant Race Officer (ARO)

The ARO assists the RO. They will help with flag signals, record the sail numbers of any boats who start early and also record the finishing times for each boat.

Is it for you? There are no particular skills or experience necessary to be able to carry out this duty and it is a great way to get involved in Club racing without being on the water. Someone who can assist with some of the duties outlined in the RO brief and aspiring to be a club RO should volunteer for this duty.

RIB Cox

A RIB Cox drives one of the Club RIBs to support a race or training event. Either the Cox or the crew may be required on rare occasions to enter the water and the Cox is responsible to ensure at least one person is dressed to be able to do this. To ensure the safety of the fleet, they should stay afloat until stood down by the Race Officer.

Is it for you? All RIB Coxes must hold a valid RYA Powerboat Level 2 licence (PB2). For more advanced long-distance races a Cox+ will be required where the cox also holds a RYA Safety Boat qualification.

Specific races: Chichester Harbour Race Week RIB Cox and crews need to be selected based on competence & experience, most RIBs were involved in at least one complex rescue including: righting from inversion, dismasting, recovery & towing in waves, wind and tide, dealing 'politely' with ignorant motor cruisers and the normal array of injuries.

RIB Crew

A RIB Crew assists the RIB Cox.

Is it for you? There are no particular skills or qualifications necessary to be a RIB Crew but you must be fit and healthy and dressed appropriately for the conditions. It is a great way to support Club racing and get out on the water.

Commando Cox

A Commando Cox drives one of the Club Commandos to support a race or training event.

Is it for you? All Commando coxes must hold a valid RYA Powerboat Level 2 licence (PB2).

Commando Crew

A Commando Crew assists the Commando Cox.

Is it for you? There are no particular skills or qualifications necessary to be a Commando Crew but you must be fit and healthy and dressed appropriately for the conditions. It is a great way to support Club racing and get out on the water.

For all junior events, RIB Cox, RIB Crew, Commando Cox and Commando Crew should be prepared to enter the water if necessary to facilitate a rescue.

Escort Cox

An Escort Cox drives the Club launch (called Escort) to support a race or training event.

Is it for you? All Escort Coxes must hold a valid RYA Powerboat Level 2 licence (PB2) with a displacement endorsement or hold RYA Day Skipper Sail or above.

Escort Crew

An Escort Crew assists the Escort Cox including laying and retrieving the anchor.

Is it for you? There are no particular skills or qualifications necessary to be an Escort Crew but you must be fit and healthy and dressed appropriately for the conditions. It is a great way to support Club racing and get out on the water.

Tallies

Used mainly for junior events and the club regatta, the Tallies role is to operate a tally system so that a record is kept of Juniors/sailors going afloat from the Club and then returning to the Club for safety reasons.

Is it for you? There are no particular skills or experience required to do this duty, if you are organised and methodical it can be a rewarding way to support Junior events.

Beachmaster

For Junior events, the Beachmaster organises the launching and recovery of boats and the storage of launching trollies. They also liaise by VHF radio with the Race Officer and Safety boats afloat.

Is it for you? There are no particular skills or experience required to do this duty, good organisation and communication skills would be an advantage.

General info about duties at ESC.