Slips

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

For all members using Commercial Crane Launch and Haul.

All Skippers Arrive at 0630

• Please park near the Pete Pettersen Park ball diamond as outlined in previous communications. Parking attendants will direct you to the area.
• At the Gate, check in with the Gate Monitor. Check that your cell number is correct.
  Obtain a hard hat and High Visibility Vest if required (see below).

Gate Monitors _ Blue + HV vest
Safety Officer – Yellow + HV vest
Foreman – White + HV vest
Assistant Foreman – White
Wrangler – Orange + HV vest
Parking – Blue + HV vest
Skippers and Crew – Blue
Launch and Haul Team – Red

• The Launch Sequence will be posted on the bulletin board in the club the morning (0630 hours) of Launch Day. The Small Crane will begin at A-Dock and then proceed to J-Dock. The Large Crane will begin at C-Dock.
• All morning crews must be available for their shift and at Roll Call at 0700 hours. Skippers launching during first shift are to check in with the Wrangler to enquire about your launch time. Stay away from the launch area but be within earshot of the Wrangler one hour before anticipated launch time. You may monitor VHF 14 with your own handheld or you must be available to be contacted by your cell phone.
• All of your preparations for launch are to be completed prior to Launch Day including having started your engines. If you will require a crash boat tow, please inform the Wrangler upon arrival. Ensure companionway hatches are unlocked and open before the vessel is launched to facilitate checking for leaks after your boat is launched.
• Please ensure your cradle is marked with Boat Name, Owners Name, bow, stern, and keel placement locations for vessel placement in the fall.
• Sling stickers are available in the clubhouse.
• Two 50-foot (one piece each) control lines are to be attached to the boat. One is on the Bow and the other on the Stern on the same side. (Longer at J- dock) Mast Up boats must have backstay, topping lift, and any other mast support lines aft of the mast disconnected. There can be no items on or near the cradle at launch time! There should be no anchors mounted in front of the boat. For the benefit of the Sling Crew nothing can be stored on your side decks.
• Cradles must be collapsed by the end of Launch Day. Cradles will be stored for the summer on Sunday May 3rd. If you wish your collapsed cradle not to be stacked for the summer, you must clearly mark your cradle with easily visible signage. Parking restrictions will be in place on Sunday until all cradles are stacked. No vehicles east of the electrical hut at G/H dock, parallel parking only along the fence west of the shack, and NO PARKING, WHAT-SO-EVER at A & C dock parking areas. 
• A (free) light breakfast will be available in the clubhouse followed by an enjoyable lunch that will be available for a small fee.
• The two cranes will have shift changes at different times. An announcement will be made by VHF radio on channel 14, 30 minutes before a shift change per crane. A second announcement will be made 15 minutes before the shift change. This announcement will be repeated in the clubhouse both times by the Stand By leader.
• Please check the Slips Launch and Haul notice board and the bulletin board to the left of the club entrance frequently for launch day information.

For all members using Commercial Crane Launch and Haul.
Saturday May 2, 2026 @ 0700 Hours

CLICK HERE FOR LAUNCH CREW ASSIGNMENTS

Important:
The Slips, Launch and Haul committee would like to thank everyone who arrives on time, has their cradle compliant, has read the responsibilities of a skipper
(Communication#3) and has read their crew duty (Communication#4). However, every year there are a few skippers that cost us all time and money because they have not read all of the emails about launch. Please make an effort to read every email from the Slips, Launch and Haul Committee about this year’s launch. We thank you in advance.

 You should arrive at around 0630 hours to be ready to go by 0700 hours
 The Full Launch Crew Assignment List has been created and is attached to this email
 The Launch Crew Assignment List and The Launch Crew Lists by crane and shift are posted in the clubhouse
 All four communications about launch will be posted on the website in the Slips, Launch and Haul section.

 Remember that you must park your vehicle near the ball diamond at Pete Pettersen Park. Parking attendants will show you where to park. Due to limited space, car pooling is suggested.
 The Launch Sequence will be posted in the clubhouse by 0645 Hours on Launch Day.
 Make sure you start your engine on the hard well before Launch Day

 If you know before Launch Day that you will need a tow, let your Wrangler know ASAP on Launch Day

Cradles and Trailers
The spring is an excellent time of year to make sure your cradle/trailer is compliant. Take a few moments to check your cradle/trailer for compliance. Below is the policy:

 The boat name must be clearly marked on the bow and stern
 The owner’s name must be clearly marked on the bow and stern
 The vessel’s bow and stern locations must be identified
 The keel position guide to assist with vessel placement must be clearly marked
 Sling position marks must be visible from the ground at launch
 Sling position marks must be visible from the deck at haul
 Sling stickers are available in the clubhouse

 Before you take your cradle pads off, turn down 3 inches so they are ready to go at the correct initial height for haul. This will help to minimize crane time in the fall.
 Remember that your cradle must be collapsed before the end of Launch Day.

 Remember that you are not allowed to bottom paint your boat on Launch Day

Launch Day Information

For all members using Commercial Crane Launch and Haul.

Saturday May 2, 2026

After a long hard winter, it is time to get ours boats ready to go sailing. Your Slip,
Launch and Haul committee is actively planning for this year’s launch. Information sent
out by email will also be posted in the Slips, Launch and Haul area of the website and
on the bulletin board in the clubhouse. Here are a few quick facts regarding this year’s
launch.

Quick Facts:

● Starting time is 0700 hours. (Arrive at the club between 0630 and 0645)
● Check in at the gate:
○ Confirm your cell phone/contact number
○ Receive the correct coloured hard hat.
● Monitor VHF Channel 14 at high volume
● There are two shifts during the Launch Day
○ If your boat launches during the 1st Shift, your assigned duty will be during
the 2nd Shift
○ If you boat launches during the 2nd Shift, your assigned duty will be during
the 1st Shift

● The Launch sequence will be posted by 0630 hours on Launch Day on the Slips,
Launch and Haul bulletin board
● Prior to your launch time:
○ Check in with your Wrangler
● When it is your duty shift:
○ Check in with your Assistant Foreman
● No painting of the hull is allowed during Launch Day
● A light breakfast will be provided free of charge
● Lunch will be available for a small fee
● Announcements about the shift change will occur in the clubhouse and over VHF
Channel 14
● If you have any questions during Launch Day then ask any committee member
wearing a Red Hard Hat
● Cradles MUST be collapsed by members before the end of launch day
More information to follow