General Conduct and Safety Rules of the Eagle Creek Sailing Club (revised May 2008)


I. GENERAL SAFETY RULES

A. Each member, affiliated person, and their guest is expected to use a reasonable amount of prudence and care in every activity in or around the Club and water. All Safety Rules are subject to the general principle that accidents MUST be avoided at all costs.

B. Except in cases of emergency, no safety or committee boat shall be operated without the prior approval or duty assignment of the Safety Committee Chair, Race Committee Chair, Harbor Master, or Commodore.

C. All children unaccompanied by parents shall be kept away from the waterfront and out of the boats.

D. Small children shall not be left unattended on the Club grounds.

E. Each Club member and affiliated person is directly responsible for the safety of their own children.

F. Neither the Eagle Creek Sailing Club nor any agent or official thereof assumes, in any manner, any liability whatsoever for the boats and equipment participating in any event at the Club, or any liability for the personal effects or personal injury of participants or spectators.


II. SAILING SAFETY RULES

A. No boat shall be operated unless a qualified skipper is aboard.

B. No boat shall set sail when the weather or lake conditions would not permit safe sailing.

C. No boat shall be operated by anyone who is under the influence of any intoxicant.

D. Any boat caught on the lake during a storm shall proceed to the nearest shore and await a change in the weather which will permit the resumption of safe sailing.

E. All boats shall be equipped with a Coast Guard Approved wearable life preserver for each person aboard. Upon the signal by the Race Committee, or other times as required, each boat occupant shall wear a life preserver.

F. Persons who cannot swim shall wear approved life preservers at all times.

G. All boats shall be sailed and raced in accordance with applicable laws, ordinances and the right of way rules prescribed by the United States Sailing Association, except as specifically changed by the Eagle Creek Sailing Club.

H. All sailing is prohibited between the buoys and shore on the south end of the lake.

I. Boats sailing at night shall conform with the boating rules set forth in the Indiana General Assembly Act of 1957, Chapter 221, which reads in part: "Sailboats must carry a bright white light aft which is visible for two (2) miles all around the horizon." Boats shall also conform to current Coast Guard laws and park rules.


III. SAILBOAT SAFETY RULES

A. Equipment. Each sailboat shall carry as minimum equipment:
(1) A Coast Guard approved wearable life preserver for each occupant and one throwable life preserver in any boat over 16 feet in length.
(2) A towing line at least 20 feet long.
(3) A paddle or set of oars.
(4) Adequate bailing equipment.

B. Inspection. Each sailboat shall be subject to inspection by the Commodore, Safety/Education Committee Chair, or their designate to determine that the boat is safe and complies with rules, laws and ordinance before being placed in use. Boats found to be unsafe or improperly fitted shall be prohibited from further sailing. The boat owner/skipper shall be notified when unsafe boats or deficient equipment is noticed. Such boats shall not be sailed until the unsafe features are corrected and/or the defective equipment is replaced.


IV. IF YOU CAPSIZE

A. Account for everyone. Make sure that no one is trapped under the boat or the sail.

B. Have all who were not previously wearing their life preserver now put it on.

C. Have all crew in the water swim to and hold onto the boat.

D. Have a crewmember uncleat all sheets before attempting to right the boat.

E. Have a crewmember stand on the centerboard, while the boat is on its side, to right the boat. Be cautious, as the boat hull and centerboard are both very slick.

F. Secure your floating gear to the boat after you have determined that your crew are safe and out of trouble.

G. If you take your sails off of the mast to right your boat, secure the sails and sheets within the boat before the safety boat approaches. The safety boat motor propeller can ruin equipment.

H. If you have your boat towed, tie the towline to a secure point on the boat, such as the bow eye. Have the crew sit aft equally on each side. This will give the boat stability and cause the bow to rise out of the water and help drain the water out of boat over the transom as it is towed.

I. If you sail away, remember that a boat with water in it sails differently than a boat which is dry.


V. GROUNDS

A. During the period April 1st through December 1st, members, and affiliated persons entering the Club grounds on Saturday, Sunday and holidays may leave the gates unlocked during daylight hours. However, the gates are always locked from dusk to dawn.

B. Every member and family member is charged with the general responsibility for maintenance and upkeep of the Club grounds. Members and affiliated persons shall pay special attention to the following:

(1) Deposit refuse in the containers provided.
(2) Refrain from cutting trees or bushes.
(3) Small children are the responsibility of their parents.
(4) No fishing or hunting is permitted. No swimming is allowed in the Club area. This is a legal requirement imposed by the Parks Department and subject to a fine of $150.00 to the Club and $50.00 to the member. Any liability to the Club incurred because of a member or affiliated person will be assessed to the member or affiliated person.
(5) No dogs or horses will be allowed on the premises.
(6) Do not block ramp or beach area with trailer or car after launching.
(7) All boat parking is assigned and identified with the assigned member’s number. All untagged spaces are available for car parking only.

C. All docking and parking of boats and/or trailers is by assignment from the Harbor Master. No member shall park a boat and/or trailer in a space not assigned to that member.

D. Docking or parking spaces cannot be assigned or changed by a member without the prior approval of the Harbor Master.

E. No boat shall be tied to the day sailing dock for more than 48 hours in a 7 day period.

F. Each boat must display a current membership sticker on the port bow. Each trailer shall display a current membership sticker on or near its tongue.

G. The sail lofts are to be locked by the Club member after each use.

H. Each member is responsible for locking and securing their own property. The Club assumes no liability for any loss.

I. No member or affiliated person shall tamper with the night security lights. These are connected to a timing device and are to remain on during the evening hours.

J. No member or affiliated person shall use the hoist unless properly instructed.

K. Sub-leasing of Slips. In order to avoid confusion regarding the sub-leasing of slips, a member must first be a current slip lessee for the current sailing year, having first met both membership and any financial terms associated with the leasing of such slip. The sub-leasing of slips is strictly prohibited except as indicated herein. If a member leases a slip in any current calendar year but then determines that neither he nor she is able to use the slip, then that member shall promptly notify the Club’s Harbor Master. The Harbor Master shall then promptly attempt to sub-lease the slip with another member from the Club’s official waiting list for either the remainder or the entire current sailing season. Furthermore, providing the slip can be sublet for part or all the season, the original lessee of said slip shall be reimbursed by the Club for the “unused” slip. The original lessee/member shall retain the right of first refusal for that particular slip for the next year’s sailing season. Furthermore, if two slip lessees by mutual agreement trade slips, then they are both required to notify the Harbor Master or Membership Chair in order that the Club’s records be changed to reflect the actual use of the slips.

L. Number of Boats per Membership. Each membership entitles a member to store at least one sailing craft on the Club’s grounds during the normal sailing season. Off-season storage is subject to additional fees or charges for all affected members. However, any current members now owning or having on the Club grounds more than one sailing craft or self-powered (non-motorized) watercraft shall be “grandfathered” until such time as the Club’s Board of Directors determines that the “capacity” for allowing any new member to join the Club and to keep one sailing craft on the Club’s grounds is “hampered.” At such time when any new member joins the Club and available space on the Club’s grounds would not allow the new member to keep his or her sailing craft on the Club’s grounds, then any prior “grandfathered” member [priority given to oldest membership number] shall have the right to acquire an additional membership for additional watercraft or, in the alternative, any such affected member may either apply for an additional membership for an additional fee, to be determined by the Board of Directors. This fee would be paid to the Club in order to keep the additional watercraft located on the Club grounds. However, any such affected member has the right to immediately remove any such watercraft. It is understood that any such members are not automatically entitled to an additional membership from the Club but rather any such additional memberships and additional fees shall be determined by the Board of Directors at such time.

M. Abandoned Watercraft. All members of the Club, are entitled to have a sailing craft kept on the Club grounds. However, such members are also required to pay for annual dues for this privilege. Furthermore, if such member fails to renew either his or her membership in the Club and/or either he or she has failed to execute a current storage agreement, then said member hereby consents, in advance, to the Club’s, by and through its officers, agents, servants or employees, contacting any and all appropriate authorities including, but not limited to, the State of Indiana’s Department of Natural Resources, Law Enforcement Division, or the Marion County Sheriff’s Department, for the purpose of removing any and all sailing craft or watercraft as “abandoned vehicles” consistent with any applicable Indiana Code Sections and/or other provisions and/or Indiana case law in general. Furthermore, to the extent possible, the Club will attempt to notify any and all persons who may be owners of any such abandoned watercraft. If said member or former member fails to remove the abandoned watercraft as required, then the Club reserves its right to sue any such current member or former member or owner for any storage charges or any other charges in addition to the Club’s having contacted any law enforcement officials for the purpose of having any abandoned watercraft removed from the Club’s grounds. Furthermore, any affected current or former member or owner[s] of any such abandoned watercraft hereby agree[s] to both indemnify and hold the Club harmless for any acts or omissions of the Club for having such abandoned watercraft removed from the Club’s premises or for having commenced an action against any such member or owner[s] of any such abandoned watercraft for failing to pay any fees or charges either paid or to be received by the Club or assessed against the Club regarding any such abandoned watercraft.


VI. GUESTS

A. No parties are permitted on the Club grounds without the prior approval of the Commodore.

B. Non-family guests shall be limited to six (6) persons per membership.

C. Members or affiliated persons are responsible for the conduct of each of their guests. Each guest shall be required to abide by all Club rules.

D. Each member or affiliated person is required to keep guests and family members off of the boats and property of members.

E. Each member or affiliated person must accompany their guests at all times while on Club premises.


VII. ENFORCEMENT

A. A member who violates the By-laws or General Rules of the Club shall be sanctioned in accordance with this section. In addition a member or affiliated person shall be personally responsible for any damages arising from a violation by the member or affiliated person or their guest.

B. Upon the first violation, any officer or committee chair may orally inform the member or affiliated person of the violation and request compliance with the By-laws or General Rules. The officer or committee chair, in the officer’s or chair’s discretion, may confirm this notice in writing to the member or affiliated person with a copy to the club secretary. If the affiliated person is a member of an Affiliate Organization a copy of such notice shall be sent to the Affiliate Organization.

C. Upon a second violation, any officer or committee chair may request the Commodore to inform the member or affiliated person, in writing, of the violation. Such notice shall include a copy of this provision of the General Rules and a copy of this notice shall be given to the Club Secretary. If the person is a member of an Affiliate Organization a copy of such notice shall be sent to the Affiliate Organization

D. Upon a third violation, any officer or committee chair may request the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors to consider and levy a fine against the member in an amount of up to One Hundred Dollars ($100.00). The member shall be given written notice by the Commodore of the request, which notice shall include the time and date of the next meeting of the Executive Committee. At such meeting, the member shall have a right to appear in person, without counsel, to attend the proceedings and present a brief statement on his or her own behalf. If the Executive Committee imposes a fine against the member, all rights and privileges of membership shall be suspended until the fine is paid in full.

E. If a member persists in a violation of the Bylaws or regulations after a fine has been levied and paid, then any officer or committee chair may request the Board of Directors to consider other sanctions against the member, including, but not limited to, loss of seniority rights, suspension or removal from membership. The member shall be given written notice of such request by the commodore, which notice shall include the time and date of the next meeting of the Board of Directors. At such meeting, the member shall have a right to appear in person, without counsel, examine witnesses, and present a brief statement on his or her behalf. Any decision of the Board of Directors shall be final.


VIII. WATERCRAFT

Members and affiliated persons in the Club are restricted to the following types of watercraft:

1. Sailing craft.

2. Subject to specific approval from the Board of Directors, self-powered (non-motorized) watercraft, including kayaks and canoes.


IX. Work Credits

To encourage participation in Club events the Board of Directors has established an earned discount based on Club work done by its members termed “Work Credits”. The Board may set the total amount of discount per membership and value of each Work Credit from time to time. Work Credits may only be earned by full members (family or regular) of the Club and are granted by the Officers and Committee Heads. Work Credits are applied to membership dues only, any additional fees must be paid in cash. With the exception noted below, Work Credits are good for one year. For example Work Credits earned in 2004 may only be applied to 2005 membership dues. Work credits earned by a full member may be applied to reduce the next year’s membership dues at a lower level of membership (social, lake associate, etc.) but not below zero and any excess work credits may not be carried forward.  Work credits earned by a member who assumes a position with the Club the next year that causes the waiver of dues may carry the work credit forward to a year when dues are no longer waiver for the member or apply the work credits in the next year to other fees.”