Launching

PURPOSE

To regulate and control the launching and beaching of small vessels and Personal Water Craft (PWC) at Grannies Pool, Umhlanga, in a manner that ensures:

• Compliance with SAMSA regulations
• Compliance with Municipal Coastal and Beach Control By-laws
• Safety of vessel crews, bathers, surfers, and the public
• Protection of club assets and reputation

LEGISLATIVE & REGULATORY FRAMEWORK

This SOP is aligned with:

• South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) – Small Vessel Safety Regulations
• National Skipper Certification Framework
• National Environmental Management: Integrated Coastal Management Act (ICMA)
• Local Municipal Coastal and Beach Control By-laws
• Umhlanga Ski Boat Club Constitution, Rules, and Safety Policies

APPOINTMENT, AUTHORITY & RESPONSIBILITY

3.1 The Duty Officer is an authorised representative of the Club while on duty.

3.2 The Duty Officer has authority to:

• Control and sequence all launching and beaching operations
• Establish and enforce exclusion zones
• Refuse launching or beaching where safety or compliance is compromised
• Suspend operations due to weather, sea state, or public safety concerns

3.3 The Duty Officer is responsible for liaison with:

• Life Guard Tower
• Control Tower
• Club Safety Officer

PRE-OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

4.1 Erect approved signage and barrier tape to clearly demarcate the launch and beaching zone in accordance with municipal by-laws.

4.2 Ensure the Parks Board / Municipal Launch Register is completed:

• Prior to launching; and
• Immediately after beaching.

4.3 Ensure vessels are launched in an orderly manner and that trailers are parked only in designated club or municipal areas.

4.4 Ensure members of the public do not enter or occupy the demarcated launch zone whilst vessels are launching or beaching.

LAUNCH & BEACHING CONTROL

5.1 Boats and PWCs may launch and beach freely until 09h00, subject to safety conditions.

5.2 From 09h00 to 14h00, beaching is restricted to the hour only.

5.3 During periods of high vessel activity:

• Beaching may commence 10 minutes before the hour
• All beaching operations must be completed by 10 minutes past the hour

5.4 Prior to any vessel movement, the Duty officer / Skipper shall ensure:

• Bathers, surfers, and other water users are warned and cleared
• The launch corridor is completely clear

5.5 The hourly control system applies on:

• Saturdays
• Sundays
• Public Holidays
• Peak / High-Density Periods

5.6 Launch Lanes / Run-ins

• 6.1 A maximum of twelve (12) designated launch/beaching run-ins are available for ski boats and personal water craft (jet skis).
• 6.2 Allocation of run-ins shall be on a first come, first served basis for launching, under the control of the Duty Officer 1^st / Skipper 2^nd.
• 6.3 The Duty Officer 1^st / Skipper 2^nd shall manage congestion and may delay launching or beaching where necessary in the interest of safety.

5.7 Where a Duty Officer is not appointed or present, beaching operations may only be conducted with the prior approval of the Life Guard Tower, and shall be undertaken with extreme caution. PLEASE SEE HEADING FINAL NOTIFICATION.

5.8 NO CRAFT OR VESSEL SHALL LAUNCH OR BEACH AT THE SITE AFTER SUNSET.

5.9 LAUNCHING IS AT FIRST LIGHT.

VESSEL & OPERATOR COMPLIANCE

6.1 Only vessels and PWCs compliant with SAMSA Small Vessel Safety Regulations may be permitted to launch.

6.2 Non-members:

• May not use club tractors or club beach facilities.
• Require prior authorisation from the Club Safety Officer (minimum 24 hours)
• Must demonstrate compliance with all statutory safety requirements

6.3 The Duty Officer may deny launch or beaching if:

• Mandatory safety equipment is missing
• Crew competence is in doubt
• Weather or sea conditions pose a high risk

PERSONAL WATER CRAFT (PWC) – GRANNIES POOL

7.1 Eligibility

Only fully paid-up members of the Umhlanga Ski Boat Club holding a valid National Skipper Certificate may operate PWCs from Grannies Pool.

Skippers have completed the necessary requirements in accordance with Umhlanga Ski Boat Club rules for launching from Grannies Pool:

• IN and OUT inspections conducted by the Safety Officer or an approved Club Competent Individual
• Valid skipper’s licence
• Buoyancy certificate
• Valid Certificate of Fitness (C.O.F.)
• Proof of insurance, including passenger and third-party liability cover

7.2 Authorisation

No PWC may operate unless:

• A club-issued registration number has been allocated
• The craft is operated by a registered member with a valid skipper’s ticket
• The craft displays its registration number and a current seaworthiness decal
• No unauthorised registration numbers are displayed

7.3 Logging In and Out

All PWC skippers must:

• Log out before launching
• Log in immediately upon return

7.4 Safe Operation

PWCs shall be operated:

• In a seamanlike manner
• In compliance with SAMSA, municipal by-laws, and club rules
• With due regard for other water users

7.5 Launch Corridor & Surf Zone

• PWCs must proceed directly to sea
• Course may only be altered 100 m beyond the backline
• Wave riding or surf-zone manoeuvres are strictly prohibited

Any breach constitutes serious misconduct and may result in dismissal from the Club.

7.6 Beaching Control

PWCs returning to Grannies Pool may only beach on the hour, under the control of the Duty Officer / Skipper. As per Point 5 Launch and Beach Control.

VEHICLE, TRACTOR & TRAILER CONTROL

8.1 Fully paid-up members may use the club tractor only for launching or retrieving vessels.

8.2 Vehicles may not be left:

• On the beach; or
• On the promenade;
  under any circumstances.

8.3 Once the craft is parked in the allocated area, the vehicle must be returned to the road immediately.

8.4 Trailers may be parked on the beach against the retaining wall on the south side of the launch site only.

ENVIRONMENTAL & WEATHER CONDITIONS

9.1 Operations shall be suspended during inclement weather or unsafe sea conditions.

END OF DUTY PROCEDURES (13h00)

At the end of duty, the Duty Officer / Skipper shall:

• Return all signage and safety equipment to the Duty Office in the Life Saving Club
• Switch off and secure the VHF radio
• Lock the Duty Office

FINAL NOTIFICATION

11.1 Prior to leaving, the Duty Officer must notify the Life Guard Tower that duty has ended.

11.2 The Duty Officer must advise if any vessels remain at sea.

11.3 All vessels require permission to beach from:

• Control Tower, or
• Life Guard Tower

11.4 Beaching Request and Flag Signal Procedure

11.4.1 Any vessel or Personal Water Craft requesting permission to beach shall indicate such request by holding one flag (red or sometimes a lifejacket) upright/vertical, being:

11.4.2 The upright/vertical display of the flag shall only indicate a request for permission to beach and does not constitute approval.

11.4.3 When permission to beach is granted by the Life Guard Tower

• The orange flags shall be displayed Vertically/Upright to indicate authorisation.

11.4.4 Under no circumstances may a vessel or PWC commence beaching operations while the flags are displayed in the Horizontal position

11.4.5 Beaching without the appropriate vertical/upright flag signal, or contrary to instructions from the Duty Officer or Life Guard Tower, constitutes serious non-compliance and may result in disciplinary action.

LAUNCH SITE CLOSURE

12.1 Authority and Responsibility

eThekwini Municipality shall retain overall responsibility and authority for the launch site, notwithstanding that the day-to-day management of the site may be delegated, by written agreement, to the Umhlanga Ski Boat Club or any other appointed person or entity.

12.2 Closure of Launch Site

When the launch site is formally closed by eThekwini Municipality or by the Umhlanga Ski Boat Club acting under delegated authority, the launch site shall be deemed closed to all vessel operations.

12.3 Prohibition on Launching

During any period of closure, no vessel may launch or beach, including but not limited to:

• Recreational vessels
• Commercial vessels
• Charter vessels
• Personal Water Craft (jet skis)

12.4 Enforcement

Any person who launches or attempts to launch during a declared closure shall be deemed to be in serious breach of club rules and municipal regulations, and may be subject to disciplinary action and/or enforcement under applicable municipal by-laws.

DUTY OBLIGATIONS & DISCIPLINE

12.1 All skippers may be required to perform beach duty / skipper duty, if the Club no longer has a Duty Officer in place

12.2 Failure to report for allocated duty shall result in:

• Suspension from all club activities for three (3) months.

INCIDENT REPORTING

13.1 All incidents, near misses, refusals to launch, or non-compliance shall be:

• Reported to the Club Safety Officer
• Recorded in the appropriate register or incident log

CLUB SAFETY OFFICER

Club Safety Officer:
Rob Shepard
📞 079 177 7380

CLUB COMMITTEE