After consultation with CSP, Mike, and RAHRC main committee, the sailing section has decided to revert to the old black ball system (2 balls max), as of immediate effect, as a measure to indicate sailing conditions. Lack of understanding of the 3 black ball system and inconsistent communication about it, made us go back to 2 black balls only. We believe the 2 black ball system is the appropriate and easiest system to use and is in line with the safety signs as currently displayed at the RAH club.
FYI, the flag system is not related to black balls.
Please see below for a detailed description of the system:
Black Balls
~ No Black Balls - Sea conditions are calm or have small (<0.3 mtr waves), wind is below 12 knots.
All adult sailors with a ticket are allowed to sail.
Topper sailors with a ticket can sail if their parents are on the beach and watching them or out in a kayak, SUP or another sailing boat.
Oppie sailors who have completed a course may sail if they are supervised on the water by an adult who has a sailing ticket. 1 adult can supervise up to 2 Oppie sailors.
~ 1 Black Ball - Sea conditions <0.6 mtr waves, wind is between 12 and 20 knots.
Only Experienced Sailors allowed to sail (must be on the "Experienced Sailors" list in CSP
No Youth sailors (16yrs and below) allowed on the water except as crew of an Experienced Sailor.
~ 2 Black Balls - Waves are >0.7 mtrs, wind is in excess of 20 knots
No sailing (*except in exceptional circumstances).
*Exceptional Circumstances- certain conditions could dictate that sailing is ok in stronger winds or not ok in lighter winds. Examples of this is that a storm is forecast or that the wind speed is dropping off over the afternoon. Or it may be we have a coached session with a well manned safety boat on the water and restrict the number of boats sailing.
Kind regards,
The Sailing committee