Haul out procedures including diagrams & safety tips

In line with Yachting New Zealand’s advice to all boat clubs with regard to the current Health and Safety at work Act, Shelly Park Cruising Club has reviewed it’s risk assessment, management systems, documentation and policies.

All club members have a responsibility to ensure that their actions or inactions can cause no harm or injury to other club members or to members of the public passing by through the area. The notes in this section are to give guidance regarding safe procedures and possible risks.

Haul Out – General Advice and Requirements

Haul Out Crew

  • Hard hats when appropriate
  • Work gloves are a good idea
  • High visibility vests to be worn
  • Sturdy footwear, no jandals

Please note – hard hats and high visibility vests are kept in the winch shed

Timber Jacks

Timber jacks can be dangerous!!!

When lowering the load on a timber jack ALWAYS HOLD THE JACK LEVER AT ALL TIMES. If you fail to hold the lever it will flick upwards and may hit you, even crack into the side of your head!!!

This type of jack is usually only used to lift one side of the launch trolley when greasing the wheels, or to use on the hardstand trolley when removing or replacing rear wheels or when turning front wheels (providing there is no large load on the trolley).

Do NOT use timber jacks to lift boats in cradles!!!

The Public Walkway

Please remember the public walkway runs through and around the hardstand area. Vigilance is required at all times to warn members of the public, when necessary, of any possible danger to them during haul outs and work on the hardstand.

A less obvious visible danger to the public (compared to tractors etc) is the haul out wire. When under load and moving it is easy to trip over this wire. Warn members of the public in the vicinity of the wire and take care yourself.

A member of the public about to break a bone as he trips over the haul out wire!!!!

The Winch Shed

The haul out leader will appoint one experienced person to control the winches, which must be attended at all times lest there be the need for an emergency stop.
A second person is best positioned to relay instructions from the boat especially if there is not a clear line of sight to the winch shed. A team member is positioned to warn the public and keep them in a safe place when a haul out or launch is taking place.

Before using the wire winches the emergency cut out switch connected to the rope around the outside of the winch area should be tested to ensure it is in good working order. As the wire winds in, if necessary, it can be guided near the winch with a wooden stave so that it feeds evenly onto the drum. NEVER USE YOUR FOOT!

Used oil is applied periodically with the mop to the wire on the drum to preserve it.
The boat haul down wire which is always used (not the rope) is wound back onto the drum at the end of the work. The haul up wire should be disconnected from the trolley and wound back up to the winch drum. This is for two reasons – one less thing to trip over and to preserve the spliced loop in the end of the wire. The loop should be kept oiled. Beware wire or rope under load. Don’t absent-mindedly stand near or even worse astride the winch wire or rope under load.

The chances of a failure of a shackle, wire or rope is small but would be unpleasant if it happened.
Also much energy can build up when tailing on the rope winch, don’t suddenly let go of the rope if under load because it will whip towards the winch. Could be dangerous!

Ladders

Do check that a ladder is in a sound state before use. Always lash the top of the ladder to the toe rail or a stanchion base when using it frequently to climb up onto your boat on the hardstand. It is not worth the risk of being casual with ladders!!!

SHOULD HAVE LASHED THE LADDER TO THE BOAT!

A broken arm or an injured back!!!

Electric Extension and Power Leads

Power leads to your boat on the hardstand should, as far as possible, be kept up high above the ground and above head height to prevent accidental damage. At the end of a day disconnect and coil up your lead.

First Aid Kit

The first aid kit is kept in the club house under the kitchen bench. Should you need to use any of its contents please replace them or inform the club Captain what has been used.

Antifouling Work

TAKE CARE OF THE CLUB ENVIRONMENT

When scraping off antifouling (or paint) spread drop sheets or plastic sheets under the work area to collect debris. Do not work in high winds. The club rules do not allow for wet sanding of antifouling paint. There is a club owned commercial vacuum and sander in the workshop. Alternatively connect the vacuum up to your own power sander. Copper and biocides in antifouling paint are toxic to humans so wear protective clothing, ear protectors and a good quality face mask.

 

Cradles & Hardstand Trolley

Positioning Your Boat in the Cradle – Lashing Lines

During a haul out motoring into and positioning a boat in the cradle correctly is important to avoid dangerous situations when hauled onto the hardstand. Crew must adjust the lashing lines so that the boat settles centrally and upright onto the cradle as the haul out proceeds. The diagram shows a bird’s eye view of the cradle arms alongside the hull and the approximate position of a mast and two winches further aft.

Lashings from for’ard cradle arms are usually made to the mast base or strong cleats. When hauling a boat for the first time it is best to mark on the decks where cradle arms will be positioned as the boat comes into the correct position in the cradle. Masking tape is ideal.

For’ard arms should be reasonably tight to the hull, 100mm or less gap is best.

Aft cradle arms should be set to allow passage of the maximum beam of the boat (usually at the sheer line) plus 100 mm each side. Lashings are usually made to winches or cleats.

When hauling out, once the boat is grounded firmly in the cradle, wedges should be placed between the hull and cradle arms and lashed in place so that they will not later fall out.

Haul Out Cradle Arms

It is particularly important to set the cradle arms correctly before use, especially when a boat is to be hauled for the first time. The boat should be positioned centrally between the cradle arms.

Fore and aft position in the cradle is also needs to be correct.

Mark the waterline beforehand on the cradle arms so that when the cradle is that depth into the water it should allow for approximately 100 to 150 mm below the boat keel, as in the diagram.

White plastic wrapped around the arms with black tape marking the waterline shows up well at a distance.

Some narrow fin keeled boats may require webbing strops under the forward part of the hull to prevent the boat tipping forward in the cradle as the haul out proceeds.

Launching Procedures

A disaster unfolds!

The crew are busy yarning whilst sitting on the cabin top during launching. The skipper suddenly realizes that instructions to slacken the lashings to the cradle have not been given! The subsequent rushed actions while releasing or slashing lines can lead to accidents happening.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The cradle and trolley are lifted off the rail. Such a problem to sort out later too! (This has happened).

Cradles

Cradles must be in good condition with no undersized rusty bolts. Bolts must be no less than 15mm diameter.

A gasp of horror from the haul out crew “Oh no!!!”

Cradle Wedges

Cradle wedges are frequently used to hold a monohull firmly and upright in a cradle. They should always be tied in place or they may become dislodged, particularly when moving a boat on the hardstand.

Some extra wedges have been made with lanyards attached, ready to use.

Haul Out Trolley

The wheels should be greased before every use. If this is not done it means much greater friction and more load on the rope or wire. More load means more potential danger of breakage of wire, rope or sheave and overloading the winches. See diagrams for greasing procedures.

 

 

Moving Cradles onto the Haul Out Trolley

Cradles should not be dragged on or off the trolley as it will damage the galvanising. Smaller cradles are lifted on or off using the tractor hydraulics and a chain (stand well clear as it is being moved), larger ones are positioned, jacked up onto blocks; then the trolley is winched underneath the cradle, which is jacked down into place.

Securing Cradle to Trolley

A chain is used at each corner to go around the cradle base and trolley. Blocks are positioned as shown and a wedge hammered into place between the blocks. Some haul out leaders prefer to use two wedges with each chain.

  • Chaining cradle safely to the hardstand trolley
  • Be careful to keep chain clear of wheels

Using a Wedge for Extra Safety when Jacking up Cradle and Boat

Blocking up Cradles

When in final position be sure that blocks are placed diagonally under each corner, this gives better stability hence safer.

 

ALWAYS BLOCK CRADLE CORNERS DIAGONALLY

Hardstand Trolley

Smaller boats are moved across the hardstand on the wheeled trolley. The back wheels are removed before the trolley is backed by the tractor under the boat on the blocked up cradle. Care is needed when removing or replacing the wheels. A timber jack may be used with care (as shown) as they have little lateral stability.

JACKING UP THE HARDSTAND TROLLEY TO REMOVE REAR WHEELS

 

Turning Tight Corners with the Hardstand Trolley

It is not possible to move the loaded trolley round tight corners without, in many cases, jacking up one front wheel at a time to turn them in the desired direction. A hydraulic jack MUST be used as shown in the diagram below. Particular care is required in the softer hardstand areas if a wheel should sink down. For safety team members should always stand well back during boat movements.

TURNING THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL ON HARDSTAND TROLLEY

Moving Boats in Cradles on Ways (Skids)

This is a reliable way of moving heavier boats or multihulls across the hardstand.

Before use, the ways are greased with hot tallow using a brush. Heavy planks are placed lengthwise under the cradle on top of the ways. There is a very remote possibility that a plank could jam against the end of a way which might be sticking up a little due to the uneven ground. Vigilance is required by all the team to ensure that should this start to happen the tractor driver is immediately informed to STOP. The problem can then be easily resolved. The diagram below demonstrates what could happen.

 

Use of Club Tractor

The tractor is a great asset to the club but there is some potential danger involved with their use. Also it is important the tractors, gear and boats are not damaged. Only authorised and suitably trained Club Members should use the tractors. A list is posted in the tractor shed.

HEALTH AND SAFETY REGARDING USE OF OUR CLUB TRACTOR

20th May 2018

The tractor is a great asset to the club; we could not function without them. Care of the tractor is vital, as is its safe use.

  1. Servicing regularly of tractor to ensure it is safe to operate. Responsibility of SPCC Club captain to organise.
  2. Warning signs and ropes to be in place to advise any members of the public where to walk and to take all care when the tractor is in use. Haul out leader to organise.
  3. Spotter – whenever possible a club member should work in conjunction with Tractor driver to alert him of any concerns especially when backing. Haul out leader or tractor driver to organise.
  4. Consideration is being given to a warning flashing light to be mounted on the tractors.
  5. Approved tractor drivers should be the only members to use the tractors. This is vital so as to avoid damage to tractor, boats, gear and also any damage to the tractor shed when driving in or out. Also experienced or trained drivers will mean greater safety to both club members and any members of the public in the vicinity.

A club register of approved drivers has been established. Adequate training for any new drivers is essential.

  1. Venting of exhaust fumes from tractor shed. The Club intends to improve the ventilation and extraction of exhaust fumes from the tractor shed when the tractor is being moved out or into the shed. Do not leave engine running for longer than needed whilst the tractor is in the shed.
  2. The tractor must NEVER be left unattended with the engine running. A parked tractor must always have the brakes engaged.

Don Brazier
(SPCC Health and Safety coordinator)

Haul Out Procedures – Health and Safety Issues

Working on the hardstand or being involved with haulouts is not without danger. These notes have been prepared to advise new club members and as a check list for existing and longstanding members. Health and Safety is vitally important and it is always better to take a little longer for a procedure, especially when jacking boats in cradles, than to rush and have an accident. The haulout team leader is the person in charge of the haulout and has the authority to refuse to haul or move a boat if he is concerned about any aspect of the situation.

Responsibilities of boat owners

  1. A haulout agreement must be signed by the boat owner and haulout team leader before a haulout may proceed. Please review Haulout Agreement & Terms & Conditions here.
  2. A suitably sized cradle in good condition must be used.
  3. The cradle arms may need adjustment. The for’ard arms should give a snug fit to the hull to allow a maximum of 100mm clearance. This makes it easier to centrally position the hull. The aft cradle arms must allow the maximum beam of the hull to pass between them. Most boats are widest at the sheer line but not all boats! A snug fit makes positioning in the centre of the cradle so much easier, more accurate and consequently safer. With a first time haulout for a boat keep a detailed record of cradle adjustment measurements for next time.
  4. Some narrow keeled boats may require a webbing strop from the cradle arms to under the for’ard part of the hull to prevent the boat tipping forward during the haul out.
  5. Bolts on cradle brace bars should all be 15 mm diameter minimum size.
  6. Mark on decks beforehand (masking tape works well) or be aware of the required position of upright cradle arms alongside the hull when bringing the boat into the correct position in the cradle. Ensure that securing lines are ready well beforehand.
  7. Mark clearly the depth of the required waterline on the cradle arms before use. An allowance of about 100mm to 150mm should be fine below the keel. Too much gap below the keel or taking the cradle too far into the water, means delays before the keel can settle onto the cradle as the haulout proceeds. A black tape line over some white plastic shows up well at a distance on the for’ard cradle arms.
  8. It is essential that the trolley wheels have been greased beforehand. This is normally organised by the haulout leader.
  9. Organise sufficient crew to be on board to help secure your boat as it comes into the cradle. Usually two helpers is a minimum to adjust lines as the cradle is pulled up the rails and the boat settles onto its keel.
  10. Although there is some leeway, it is ideal to manoeuvre a boat onto a cradle at slack high water and when there is minimal wind. The haul out leader will be happy to advise.
  11. Note:- Launching always requires the downhaul winch wire first to be run through the sheave at the bottom of the rails, replacing the rope. It takes about 15 minutes and is organised by the haul out team leader.
  12. When your boat is launched after your work on the hardstand it is VITAL that wedges against the hull sides are removed as the boat goes back into the water and securing lines are eased off in time. If this is not done as your boat floats it might lift the trolley off the rails which is a real problem and has occurred at least twice over the years!

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