ANTIGUA & BARBUDA SAILING ASSOCIATION

The  Antigua and Barbuda Sailing Association is pleased to announce recreational sailing and use of watercraft can officially restart in Antigua and Barbuda.

To that end, protocols (below) were established by the association as a recommendation for use in premises with sailing as an activity.

It is particularly to stress for those people going out onto the water to sail within their own limits to reduce the need for rescue and to wear a mask both on and off the water at all times.

Organisations are now putting plans into place. Antigua Yacht Club will re-open on June 6th.

The National Sailing Academy is reviewing plans to restart Saturday Sailing and private tuition for intermediate and advanced sailors only, as well as equipment rental. Reopening dates will be released soon.

Jolly Harbour Yacht Club does not plan to restart competitive sailing until October.

For any keelboat sailors wishing to sail and wanting to check regulations on numbers of people allowed on their boat it is suggested that they contact the Antigua Coastguard.

General Principles

• In all cases the laws in place and prescribed by the Government of Antigua and Barbuda will supersede all protocols
• All members and students taking part in any recreational dinghy sailing must adhere to the following guidelines edited to the specific property responsible for running recreational dinghy sailing
• Sailing activities may only take place through sessions managed by the instructors. Recreational sailing benefits the health and well being of the individual sailor.
• Exercise on the water whilst observing social distancing protocols is key to both the physical health and the mental well-being of the sailing.
• Any persons not adhering to these guidelines will not be able to attend future sessions.
• Any persons who feel unwell shall not attend a sailing session and must notify staff if they feel unwell after attending a session. This is with specific reference to the government guidelines on Covid-19 symptoms.
• Correct hygiene and cough etiquette must be followed at all time.

Staff Protocols
The following guidelines are to ensure the safe operation of recreational sailing. Preparations for re-opening of recreational sailing:

• All equipment and base areas to be sanitized
• Ensure PPE and sanitization products are provided for all staff and base as appropriate
• Mark out the boat park / launching / docking area to enable rigging, launching and recovery within social distancing guidelines
• Dinghies to be prepared with all equipment ready to rig and any non-essential equipment to be stored away
• Hand sanitization stations to be set up in the appropriate positions
• Post-sailing equipment sanitization stations to be in place (environmentally friendly detergent, cloths, buckets)
• Signage reminding sailors and staff or correct hygiene and protocols to be in place
• All sailors to be provided with check list as well as parents if under 18 of procedures in place.

Daily Operations

• All staff to wear PPE at all times  (fully fingered gloves and masks).
• On arrival: sanitize hands, wipe down padlock/door handles
• Spray/wipe down any equipment you use or touch (i.e tools, trolley handles, boats)
• All work must be carried out more than 6ft from a colleague
• Storage areas may only be accessed by staff
• On departure reverse of arrival: sanitize door handles / padlocks and hands after securing the premises.
• Lesson preparation distributed to students in advance where feasible or briefings in groups of no more than 5 standing at minimum 6 ft apart.
• Stagger the arrival times of students to assist in social distancing and ensure no clustering

Sailing Sessions

• No beginner students
• Instructor will set and agree sailing limits for each student.
• In getting equipment out ensure social distancing at all times and ensure all equipment required is in the boat prior to sailors arriving and boats minimum of 8 ft apart for rigging.
• Ensure social distancing is observed whilst launching and recovery
• Staff may not work in the same safety boat
• At the end of a session return all equipment to storage ensuring gloves are worn at all times
• Safety boats and/or trainers will not hold or tie boats on the water except in emergencies
• If a student requires assistance on the water observe social distancing, ensure students are wearing their buff or mask and gloves and ensure rescue boat operator is wearing sailing gloves and mask at all times

Parents

• Responsible for their child’s PPE and ensuring they know how to use it
• Parents shall ensure their child understands the new requirements for attending a sailing session
• Sign and return a waiver (preferably electronically!)
• Parents are asked to assist in achieving social distancing and not enter the sailing center unless necessary to do so
• All sessions must be pre-booked.

Specific protocols on land, on water and with regards to equipment.

All persons who take part in any sailing session must inform a member of staff immediately should they feel unwell during or after the activity.

Protocols for Private Watercraft Operation
General Principles

• Water craft included but not limited to dinghies, paddleboards, windsurfers, kiteboarders, kayaks and keelboats.
• In all cases the laws in place and prescribed by the Government of Antigua and Barbuda will supersede all protocols.
• Recreational sailing benefits the health and well-being of the individual.
• Exercise on the water whilst observing social distancing protocols is key to both the physical health and the mental well-being of the sailing.
• Correct hygiene and cough etiquette must be followed at all time.
• All persons to maintain a minimum of 6ft social distance at all times
• All persons to wear masks at all time off the water, personal choice on the water if single handed
• All persons to wear masks at all times on and off the water if double handed or more – and only in family unit.
• For keelboats – skippers to be responsible for guaranteeing the crew adhere to the guidelines.
• Individuals to enjoy watersports within their limits.