Guidelines For Hire & Use
Guidelines for hire and use of ESC hire fleet
These guidelines are designed to keep ESC hire equipment in the best condition possible. The use of our hire fleet is conditional upon the hirer adhering to these guidelines.
Locating the equipment at ESC
Once you have made a booking, you will receive an automated notification via email which specifies the location of the craft.
Checking over the equipment and getting ready to launch
Before launching, it is essential to check the equipment for any damage or defects and to ensure that all safety equipment is present and in working order. Please remove boat covers carefully and store them properly, i.e. not lying on the ground outside (where they will get walked on and/or blown away) or lying on top of other boats.
Use only the kit belonging to the relevant boat. All sails, foils, spars, covers and trolleys for Club ESC boats are marked with an identification number specific to each boat. Please do not use items belonging to another boat (and return any kit found to the correct boat). This is to ensure that different boats are kept in the correct set-up for racing or beginner training. Please ensure that you put the boat back on its own numbered trolley and in the correct spot.
Launching and recovery
Boats should always be launched and recovered in suitable depths of water to avoid accidental damage to the hull or foils.
Crews should always drop the mainsail before approaching the slipways when the wind is onshore (i.e. NE to SW direction). After launching, please ensure that the trolley is returned to its designated space and not abandoned where it could cause inconvenience to other members. Leaving trolleys on the main slipway during a falling tide must be avoided as this causes inconvenience to other boat users trying to launch.
Returning to the Club
Immediately after use, all equipment is to be washed down and packed away free from sand.
All ESC boats have their own individual trolleys and parking space on the terrace. Please ensure that you put the boat on its own trolley, secure it and return it to its appropriate location. Likewise, all sails, foils and spars have an individual storage place in the Sail Store; please ensure that you return everything to the appropriate place. This makes for easy checking that all equipment is present, accounted for and ensures that everything is where it should be for the next person.
If there is an issue with the boat, please report it here https://forms.office.com/e/UppZErHVFR
Safety
A personal flotation device must be worn at all times by everyone aboard the boat. Other safety equipment such as a handheld radio and a mobile phone could be useful especially if taking the boat some distance from ESC. Always follow the 'Terms of Hire' for additional safety measures.
The environment
Chichester Harbour Conservancy asks all users of our waterways to keep their distance from nesting birds and seals. For more information see Chichester Harbour Conservancy website or this 'Watersports with Wildlife' site.