Power cruising

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Includes

Motor boats
Motor cruising

See also

General requirements for water activities

Description

The use of motorised boats for recreation or racing on various types of water.

Forms

An Information and Consent for Event/Activity form is required to participate in this activity.

Who can participate?

Open to those aged seven and over.

Some activity providers have their own age, height and weight restrictions.

Participants must be able to:

swim 50 metres
keep afloat for five minutes in the clothes normally worn for the activity.

Participants may fulfil these rules wearing a buoyancy aid or life jacket when either is required for the activity. Click here to find out which type of buoyancy aid is required for your particular classification of water/activity.

If you have a participant with a medical condition that will affect her ability to swim, ensure that you inform the instructor and make provision to allow her to participate safely.

Ratio of adults to girls

Normal ratios for activities away from the meeting place are required. Guiding Manual ratios

Commercial providers may have different ratios; whichever is stricter must be observed.

Regulations

The Leader must ensure that all participants under 18 have written permission to take part from an adult with parental responsibility. The local Commissioner must be informed that the activity is taking place.
Carry out a risk assessment for the activity.
Ensure the required buoyancy aids/life jackets are used.

The Leader must:

ensure that safety rules and alarm signals have been explained to the participants
be satisfied that everyone understands the need for instructions to be obeyed immediately
follow the guidelines in the Water Safety Code and ensure that the responsible adult helpers are familiar with them
ensure that the water is suitable for boating, seeking advice if necessary
decide on the day, with the instructor(s), whether conditions are safe for boating.

Instructor qualifications

Instructors should hold the qualification from Girlguiding UK’s Training Opportunities: Power-Cruising Scheme as applicable to the nature of the activity.

For inland water the minimum qualification required is RYA Powerboat Instructor (Inland).

For coastal water the minimum qualification required is RYA Powerboat Instructor with Coastal Endorsement.

When undertaking this activity through a commercial provider you should use an RYA-affiliated centre. RYA – http://www.rya.org.uk/.

If alternative qualifications are held, please seek advice from your Outdoor Activities Adviser,the RYA or activities@girlguiding.org.uk to ensure the instructor’s qualification is appropriate to the nature of the activity.

Useful information

When hiring a boat with a skipper, ensure that they are appropriately experienced and competent, and ensure the boat is adequately insured and in good condition.

If either the Leader or the instructor is not satisfied that the conditions are safe, the activity must be abandoned.

The Leader should ensure each participant (or her parent if the participant is under 18 years old) is aware of the dangers and symptoms of Weil’s disease and knows what action to take if infection is suspected. On the day of the activity participants should be advised to cover cuts and grazes with waterproof plasters to help prevent infection.

Ensure that all participants have the correct clothing and footwear.

Ensure that the provider has the correct size buoyancy aids/life jackets for the participants.