1. Judges Boat
The PYC owned judges boat will meet all Federal and State boating regulations. Additionally, the PYC
owned judges boat will be equipped with the following:
- One anemometer
- One water thermometer
- Two cold water warming blankets
- One first aid kit (which includes CPR instructions)
- One operable radio
- One ladder
- One boat hook
Any individual on a judges boat and under the age of six MUST, at all times, wear (properly secured) a
U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation device of the appropriate size and weight.
Any individual driving a judges boat must NOT be operating a vessel while intoxicated.
All judges boats must be operated in a safe manner, and used only for PYC sanctioned events. Individuals
are NOT permitted to sit on the back hatch of the PYC owned judges boat while the boat is underway.
Any boat used in judging a PYC sanctioned race is considered a "judges boat" while it is being used for
that purpose.
2. Race Management
The Life Jacket ("Y") Flag, a red and yellow diagonally striped flag  , will be flown and ENFORCED
(requiring all competitors to wear, properly secured, a U. S. Coast Guard approved life jacket) at any time
during a race when any or all of the following conditions exist:
- There are not sufficient rescue (spectator) boats available.
For PYC sanctioned races, the following guidelines
apply (all committee boats classify as rescue boats):
- Classes E, C, MC, M16, -- one (1) rescue boat for every ten (10) competitors.
Classes A, X -- one (1) rescue boat for every five (5)competitors.
- The race is occurring prior to the first season championship race.
- Any time, at the discretion of the Race Committee, especially when influenced by the potential effects of air and water temperature, wave conditions, threatening weather, water traffic, or any other circumstance that might effect the safety of competitors.
Races will be abandoned whenever lightning is present, or any time, at the discretion of the Race
Committee, especially when influenced by weather or other safety factors.
In accordance with US Sailing Fundamental Rule A - Rendering Assistance, it shall NOT be an infraction
of Rule 59 - Outside Assistance to hand or throw a life jacket to any competitor who has fallen overboard
or is in the water in conjunction with a capsized yacht during a race, so long as that life jacket is worn
and not used for the purpose of floating a mast in a capsized boat.
In accordance with US Sailing Rule 24 - Life-saving Equipment, "every yacht shall carry adequate
life-saving equipment for all persons on board, one item of which shall be ready for immediate use. US
Sailing prescribes that, irrespective of class rules or sailing instructions, every yacht shall carry life-saving
equipment conforming to government regulation."
For Class E Scow the code flag "F" means that all yachts are required to sail with NCESA mainsail
flotation panels installed and only those yachts so equipped are permitted to race. Code flag "F" will be
displayed 45 minutes prior to the warning signal of the race in which it applies. The displaying of code flag
"F" will be completed from the middle of the planned racing area for the race in question and will be
accompanied by a gun signal and an announcement to the fleet via VHF radio broadcast on the
designated competitor's channel by the judge of the day.
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Life Jackets available for use while on PYC grounds:
The PYC will have a limited supply of life jackets available to all members and guests to use while on the
grounds. These life jackets will be located in an area that is clearly visible. Approximately two (2) jackets
per jacket size will be maintained.
Life Jackets for children under age six (6):
All children on the PYC grounds and under the age of six (6) are required to wear a life jacket when on
any of the PYC piers. All young children are encouraged to wear a life jacket at all times while on the
PYC grounds.
Safe Play:
All children's play equipment located on the PYC grounds will be used in the manner for which they were
designed.
Swimming/Running on Piers:
There is no running allowed on any PYC pier. There is no swimming allowed from, or around, any PYC
pier. Additionally, all members and guests are encouraged to wear adequate footwear when on or around
the PYC piers or grounds.
CPR and Life-saving:
The PYC will cover the American Red Cross CPR and First Aid course costs for all employees who work
at least 50 hours during the course of a Club season. Additionally, the Club will pay these same
employees their regular hourly wage during the time they are receiving instruction. Finally, a "course
completion" bonus of $50 will be paid to all employees once they receive their initial certification.
All Club members are also encouraged to obtain CPR and First Aid certification.
Alcohol and Water:
According to Boat/US, more than 50% of all boating fatalities involve alcohol. Further, "alcohol's effect on
your balance can be critical on a boat; simply falling overboard and drowning accounts for at least on in
four boating fatalities. With alcohol in your blood, the numbing effects of cold water occur much faster
than when you are sober. Within minutes, you may not be able to call for help, swim to a float, or reach
the safety of the boat. Alcohol also intensifies the effect of caloric labyrinthitis, a fancy term for the
disorientation caused by water entering the ear. A drunk person whose head is immersed can become so
confused that he/she swims down to his/her death instead of up to safety." It is illegal to be intoxicated
while operating a boat. Intoxicated is defined as having a blood alcohol content of .10% or greater. Any
individual driving a boat may be cited for driving under the influence if their blood alcohol is .05% or
greater.
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Safety Awareness
Posters and/or signs will be placed throughout the Clubhouse whcih inform members and guests of some
of the potential boating hazards, as well as how to prevent them.
Signs will be placed on the PYC piers which remind parents to put life jackets on their children, as well as
remind the Club's members and guests that there is no swimming or running allowed on PYC piers.
Continuing Education
At least two safety education classes will be held annually at the PYC. These classes may include:
- Boater's safety classes
- Capsize classes for each sanctioned racing class
- Hypothermia education classes
- CPR classes
- "Boating and Swimming Safety", taught by the U.S. Coast Guard
- Any other safety related topic
At least four articles focussing on safety issues will be included annually in the PYC newsletter. These
articles may include information on:
- Federal and State boating regulations and recommendations
- Boating accident statistics and safety tips
- Hypothermia
- ILYA safety related rules
- Any other safety related topic
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Safety 
