For all members using Commercial Crane Launch and Haul.
ALL 1st SHIFT CREW MEMBERS ARRIVE 0630

GATE MONITOR: Arrive at 0600. Set up check in tent and obtain bins of hard hats if required.
Record arrival times of members, check cell phone numbers and distribute hard hats and High Visibility vests to 1st Shift Crew. (Gate Monitors – blue + HV vest, Safety-yellow + HV vest and
air horn; Foreman-white + HV vest; Assistant Foreman-white; Wrangler-orange + HV vest; Slips, Launch & Haul Team- red; Parking-blue and HV vest; All others- blue.) Contact missing crew/members by cell phone. Monitor VHF14 at high volume. When called upon by Wrangler or Assistant Foreman confirm member presence on site. Receive Hard hats at end of day and return to storage as directed by Launch Day Coordinator. (Bruce Baker) Disassemble tent at end of day.

FOREMAN: Using the provided script (as an aid), address Launch Crew regarding your expectations prior to the shift including safety, hard hats, awareness of Crane Operator’s line of sight. Identify new members who have not been involved in launch/haul before. Emphasize QUIET in the launch area. Field questions from crew to confirm they know what is expected of them. Provide direction to Bow/Stern Line, Line Handlers and Sling Crew. Communicate with the Crane Operator regarding crane set up. Follow the order of boat launch (Important!) and communicate with Assistant Foreman. Direct Crane Operator via hand signals for the lift. Confirm with skipper that their boat is not taken on water.

ASSISTANT FOREMAN:  Announce roll call to confirm all crew are present for your launch crew. Radio Gate Monitor to help locate any missing crew members. Distribute the “Tip Cards”
to all team members. Alternates are available immediately to sub for crew when needed. Monitor VHF 14 at high volume. Stand By crew are available in the clubhouse. The clubhouse will have a radio. Communicate with Wrangler regarding launch sequence. Ensure boats clear the launch slip in a timely manner. Communicate with Crash Boat, and Gate Monitor as needed. Take note
of any changes made to the launch sequence AND the reason for the change. Email these notes to slips@midlandbaysailingclub.com as soon as possible.

WRANGLER: Communicate with Assistant Foreman regarding launch sequence, the sequence may change. Inform members of the launch sequence when they arrive and confirm any temporary slip assignments. Check with skipper if a tow is required. Inform the Assistant Foreman if tow is required. Stage skippers 3 boats ahead of one being launch. For mast up boats ensure back stay, topping lift and any other mast support lines aft of the mast are disconnected. Maintain communication with Gate Monitor to confirm skipper’s presence on site. Direct skippers to alternative slips to keep launch wells free on A-Dock, C-Dock, and J-Dock. (Launch Sequence and alternative slip information will be provided.) Announce on radio 30 minutes before shift change, and again at 15 minutes. Communicate with crash boat regarding any boat requiring a tow.  Take note of any issues or problems that come up during your shift. Email a report with these details to slips@midlandbaysailingclub.com

Launch Crew Duties and Responsibilities

LINE HANDLERS: Assist skippers with lines as they leave the launch slip. Assist Bow/Stern Line Crew when required (especially on J Dock).

ALTERNATES: Stay with crew in the active lift area for the entire shift. Observe all crew positions and be prepared to replace any crew when required. If not otherwise engaged, assist with sling hook placement or retrieval under cradled boat.

PARKING ATTENDANTS: Arrive at the club by 0615 and check in at the gate. Pick up your blue hat and HV vest at the gate. Direct MBSC traffic to the designated parking area which is near the ball diamond. Follow additional instructions from the Launch Day Coordinator.

SAFETY OFFICER: Monitor Hard Hat compliance and ensure QUIET in the launch area. Clear the lift area of non-essential persons. Ensure all boats in the lift area, including boats already launched, are clear of crew. Take direction from Foreman to position yourself to observe the “blind side” of the boat and communicate with Foreman regarding sling hooks, lifelines, and safety. Ensure Shepard’s hook and ring buoy are near the launch area. If a safety issue is observed, speak with the Foreman. Always maintain eye contact with the Foreman. One long blast of whistle to alert Foreman. If a Mayday situation is observed activate one long blast of air horn. No one walks under the crane boom or in front of the crane operator. No one on adjacent boats while the crane is active.

BOW & STERN LINE HANDLERS (Gloves are recommended.)
Ensure entire length of line is not tangled and is available for use. Both lines are controlled from the same side of the boat. You cannot push a rope! Use gentle tension on both lines (from same
side) to control the “pendulum” action of the boat while in air. Pay close attention to the direction given by the Crane Foreman. Mind your footing on the dock. Keep the boat always aligned and
control the vessel swing. Once vessel leaves launch slip proceed shoreside to next boat to be launched.

SLINGS (Gloves are recommended.)
Always do the same sling position for each boat. Control spreader bars to bring slings to the boat from side closest to the crane. Pass slings through cradle to connect on other side. Make sure there is no gravel on the slings. Position slings at sling marks on vessel. Look up, control crane “tackle” relative to mast. Look up, control sling hooks away from boat lifelines and topsides. Be
careful as slings draw tight to keep fingers clear. Once boat is in the water, step on board. Unhook slings when directed by Foreman. Drop sling carefully to protect boat.

STANDBY CREW:
Remain in clubhouse for your entire shift and available when called upon by Launch Coordinator, Assistant Foreman or S, L&H Team member, to assist as required. (Replace launch team members as required, assist skippers arriving at their docks with lines, relieve or assist Gate Monitors or assist Parking Monitors. Club radio will be provided for Standby Leader. Monitor VHF tuned to channel 14, at high volume.

CRASH BOAT (PFD required)
Stay in boat with PFD on. Be sure the VHF radio (channel 14) volume is at maximum. Remain near your assigned crane launch area to remove vessels from launch slip if required.
“Tow” any vessel by lashing crash boat at side, aft of center line with fore and aft control lines. Crash boat’s outboard engine should be aft of the sailboat’s stern in order to have control. Use
DEAD SLOW throttle when maneuvering a towed boat. Make sure there is an EXTRA PFD on board. Stay alert and react/help in case of any “Man overboard” emergencies.
All CREW MEMBERS: If cradles need to be moved all crew will help. If an issue is observed, speak to the Assistant Foreman. ALL CREW SHALL BE AVAILABLE FOR YOUR ENTIRE SHIFT. LISTEN FOR SAFETY OFFICER AIR HORN SIGNAL AND HALT ACTIVITY UNTIL ISSUE IS RESOLVED.

Slips, Launch & Haul Team are wearing Red Hard Hats: If you are not sure, ask a Slips, Launch and Haul committee member.
Rob Darch, Glenn Boisvert, Derek Lasky, Deane Woods, Bruce Baker, Garry Cole, Bob Hesser, Harley Armstrong and Bob Ledingham