To comply with the MCA requirement for on-going training, every skipper and crew member will be required to attend a briefing session at the start of each season, before they will be allowed to skipper or crew that season.
Dates for this season's briefings are posted on the 'Forthcoming Events' page. Supplementary notes for the 2008 briefings are here (pdf). (Should be updated for this year after the first briefing).
In addition, there will be occasional spot-checks during the season - don't panic, we're not trying to catch you out. This is to ensure that we offer a consistently good service to our passengers, and maintain the highest safety standards at all times. Click here (pdf) to see the operations audit form that will be used.
First Aid courses are usually held in the winter. We will also be holding other fire and water safety courses, as required by the MCA. Please contact Mike Anderson if you are interested. Courses are normally held in the Loxwood Church Room, opposite the Onslow Arms.
For anyone due to renew their BML in 2010 who has not done these courses, the First Aid Course will be held on Saturday 16 January, 2010 starting at 09:00. This will be followed at 13:30 by the Fire Safety Course.
The Water Safety Course (also required) will be the first hour on the Training days in March (see below).
Please let Mike know if you will be attending (and which day for the Water Safety) as places are limited.
Training days in 2010 will beheld on Sat 13th and 20th and Sun 28th March, running from 10am until about 4pm. Further training days may be arranged during the season according to demand.
A limited number of Crew-only training sessions will also be held on various dates throughout the season.
If you would like to attend any of these sessions, please contact Pat Crawley (see Crew list, or email Training [at] waelboat [dot] co.uk).
Skippers, when your Boatmaster's licence expires, you will need to renew it. When the time comes (or preferably a couple of months beforehand), contact Pat Crawley (see WAEL Officers) for an MCA renewal form and medical form. Pat will also give you the contact details of our friendly doctor in Horsham. After you've passed your medical, send off all the forms with the renewal fee, and you should get your new licence in a month or so.