RKYC Club Regulations
Updated: 17/11/2021
It is the objective of the RKYC to make boating safe and pleasurable for its members, their guests and visitors to our Club. As such, members are requested and expected to read and understand this document and to consider the impact of their (and their guests) actions on the club property, the environment and on other members.
Membership & Membership Responsibilities
The Royal Kennebeccasis Yacht Club (RKYC) is a private club that is governed by the members through the member elected RKYC Executive Committee. While members are free to invite guests to RKYC property and activities, they (the inviting member(s)) are solely responsible for the behavior and safety of their guests. Any issues or concerns of guest(s) should be addressed by or through the member who invited him/her/them.
Senior, Associate and Outport Memberships are “family memberships” which means that membership extends to the member’s spouse and any children under the age of 19 years old.
An RKYC membership is required if a person is using club facilities more than three times in a season. For example, If the person races as crew in more than three races, attends more than three buffets or Club events, or a combination of that adds up to three uses. A member’s boating guest that does not use any of Club’s programs or services does not require a membership.
When a members first joins the club, they are considered to be “on probation” for a period of (1) one year. This mean that if the RKYC Club Regulations are not followed, or the member does not behave in an appropriate manner, the club reserves the right to terminate the member’s membership without recourse. After (1) one year of membership, the club will follow the guidelines as laid out in the club constitution (password is 1234) with respect to breaking the rules and regulations of the club.
Individuals and Vehicles on RKYC Club Premises Disclaimer
Individuals, whether they be members, guests, students or contractors, may only be present on RKYC club property (including the clubhouse, grounds, spar shed, wharves and docks) at their own risk. The RKYC is an operating marina where heavy equipment is in use much of the the time and the docks, by their nature, do not have protections (railings/gates) against falling in the water. Members are solely responsible for any guests or contractors that they invite onto the premises.
The RKYC is not responsible for any damage incurred to any vehicles driven, parked or stored on club premises. Members, guests, employees, students and contractors bring their vehicles onto club premises at their own risk.
Boat Storage On Club Premises Disclaimer
The RKYC is not responsible for any damage that might occur to vessels while stored, docked or moored on RKYC property, including club owned moorings and the RKYC water lot lease area. The RKYC is not responsible for damage to vessels caused by weather, low water, marina failure or interaction with other boats.
Members are required to have adequate insurance to cover any and all damage to their vessels, including damage that might occur due to fire; cradle, trailer or jack stand failure; damage to hulls or masts due to wind, ice or water ingress or water build up; storm damage; marina failure due to storms, wind or high water; collision damage by other boats and or by vehicles, including private and club owned; or for any other reason.
Insurance
Every member that keeps a vessel on premises (berths, moorings or in the yard) or elects to use club provided marine services, such as haulout, launch, masting or storage, is required to have a minimum $1,000,000 liability coverage and adequate insurance to cover the value of your vessel. The RKYC is not responsible for items left on the property or stored in Club buildings i.e., boats in berths and in the yard, masts in the spar shed and/or items in lockers rented from the club.
Seasonal Berths
Seasonal berth charges, once the berth has been requested, accepted and used by the the boat owner are non refundable. At the beginning of a new season, if a berth has been requested and assigned (as indicated on the Berth Location Drawing password 1234) and not cancelled prior to May 1st, the berth charges are again non-refundable.
Berths are assigned by first come first serve, by fit/safety and by membership seniority. The rules defining how berths are assigned and how membership seniority works in regards to berth assignment are described in The Berth and Storage Waiting List Policy.
Seasonal berths must be requested using the the Official Berth and Yard Storage Request or Cancellation Form.
Docks
The RKYC docks are 8 or 6 feet wide, which does not provide adequate room for two people to safely pass if hoses, power cords, rope, garbage, and coolers are left on the dock. It is the responsibility of each boat owning member to keep their area uncluttered. No permanent fastenings of any kind are to be placed on the docks. Carpeting & hooks are to be removed from the pilings at the end of the season. It is not permitted to ride bicycles on the docks. The RKYC is not responsible for damage to vessels using RKYC docks caused by weather, low water, marina failure or interaction with other boats.
Electrical / Power Usage
15 amp electrical outlets as supplied on the docks and are intended for trickle chargers and not for running air conditioning, refrigerators or supplying all the power needs of your boat. Please use common sense, as there can be a significant voltage drop further out the dock that may cause damage to other boater’s equipment. Modifications to dock receptacles, to provide a different voltage or amperage, are not permitted.
Note: 110 Volt AC power can be very dangerous. When your boat is off the dock, please make sure that your power cord is unplugged at the supply or outlet end. Imagine what might happen if the boat end of your cable were to be pulled into water by some who has fallen into the water.
Note 2: Your boat should not be set up or left in such a way that is dependent on the power being always on. Power can go out (for many reasons), or your boat can be disconnected at any time. Equipment such as fridges, battery chargers, bilge pumps etc that are directly dependent on AC power, or dependent on batteries that require charging to operate, should not be left for long periods of time. The RKYC cannot be held responsible for any damage that results from power outages or disconnection from the outlets regardless of who is responsible for the outage or disconnection.
Garbage
Garbage and recycling bins are located by the Spar Shed. Please recycle any items that you can. Garbage bins are for garbage created from boating not from your household.
Waste Fluids
Please properly dispose of used oil, antifreeze, and other toxic chemicals. There is a disposal tank for waste oil by the spar shed. Under no circumstances are members to dump these types of materials into the river or on the ground.
Gas Dock
No one other than the person responsible for fueling can be on the boat during refueling. The gas dock attendant will not pump the fuel for you – no one knows your boat better than you and the pumping of fuel is the owners’ responsibility. All fueling should take place at the gas dock. Fueling at the dock (even dinghies) creates an unnecessary hazard to the marina. All passengers must disembark before fueling begins. Members may not charge fuel to their accounts.
Summer Trailer Storage
If you do not store your boat at the RKYC, there will be a charge for storing your trailer at the Club. Please check with the Yard Manager as to where your trailer should be stored. Your trailer must be registered with the office or in your RKYC for Members account. .
Parking
Ample parking is available. Please see the official parking diagram to see where you may and may not park. Please join and register your car, truck or trailer on RKYC for Members.
Haul/Launch
Prices for haul out and launch are based upon being launched or hauled at club designated times (club launch/haul out) which will be published as appropriate on the club website calendar. Haul out or launch at other times is possible and available, but will be subject to a surcharge or a non-club-launch/haul rate. This is because it is much more efficient to launch or haul boats in larger numbers when there are members volunteering to keep costs low.
Early launch (prior to the Club Launch) will only be available if and when the marina installation (pilings/docks/gangways) has been completed or at the discretion of the yard manager or club manager.
A member or designated representative must be present at the time of launch and haul out to assume responsibility and assist in the handling of their boat.
Cradles versus Trailers versus Jacks Stands for Yard Storage
The RKYC’s preferred means of on-land boat storage is the cradle. Ideally, cradles should be robust, in good repair, and fabricated from steel. Trailer based storage is not recommended and members contemplating using a trailer should speak with the Office prior to purchase. Jack stand based storage is not permitted unless formally approved by the Marine Services Committee. All cradles and trailers, if not sufficiently robust or properly maintained, may be denied use at the discretion of the Yard Team Lead.
Mast Removal from Spar Shed
Because of the number of boats now stored in the yard, waiting to remove your mast from the spar shed until after launch is required. After launch, masts will be moved out and arrangements can be made with the yard crew to have them installed with the club crane.
Mast Stepping/Un-stepping
Mast installation and mast removal processes are not without risk or danger. The RKYC has the right to refuse services in the event that they deem the weather or conditions to be unacceptable.
The owner of the boat is responsible for being aware of what and how damage might occur and to watch and directly accordingly. The owner is responsible to ensure that the proper procedures are being used for their particular mast. Mast installation and removal is a cooperative process between boat owner and RKYC staff.
Note: The RKYC cannot be held responsible for damage to masts, rigging, mast equipment or the vessel during mast installation and mast removal procedures.
Tools
The Spar Shed has a wide availability of tools that can be borrowed for member use on Club Property. Tools are expensive and necessary for the proper management and maintenance of the club, please make sure that they are promptly returned in the condition and to the place that you found them.
Volunteers
The Club is heavily dependent on volunteers, particularly at the time of installing the marina and taking it out and during launch and haul out. Please contact the office if you are willing to assist in any area.
Wake
The Marina and area surrounding the marina (Brothers Cove) are no wake zones. A wake can be an inconvenience at best and dangerous if a boat is rocked during mast installation or while at the fuel dock.
Work Safe Policy
The consumption of alcohol or other drugs by those directly involved in marina operations whether acting as a volunteer or employee is forbidden. It is expected that yard crew and volunteers will wear adequate personal protective equipment (PPE), such as work boots, gloves, life jackets and hardhats (as appropriate) while working on marina activities such has boat hauling/launching and transport, and marina building/dismantling.
Pets
Dogs or pets must be kept under leash at all times and shall not be allowed to run loose. Owners are responsible for the cleaning up and disposal of droppings and no pets are allowed in the Clubhouse.
Severe Storms
Severe weather has been known to occur in the Saint John area. Boat owners are solely responsible for taking measures to secure their vessels. The RKYC is not responsible for damage to vessels caused by weather or marina failure.
Hull Sanding and Other Major Work on Vessels
Any work done done by members or their contractors that may affect other boats are required to fill out a Major Yacht Work Registration Form and receive approval from the office before beginning work.
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Nothing will ruin your relationship with your neighbours in the yard more then sanding your hull without doing anything to stop the paint dust drifting. The following are recommended practices
- Do your sanding before boats are uncovered
- Use chemicals to strip the bottom paint
- Attach a shop vac to the orbital sander
- Tarp the boat 100 percent so dust particles will not escape.
- Wait until after launch
Take appropriate measures – if you are sanding one week before launch, tarp 100 percent as all boats will be uncovered at that time. The member is fully responsible for any clean up costs incurred. You should ensure that no sanding dust affects your neighbors. The club has a sander shop vac system that is very effective at capturing sanding dust. Ask the yard foreman or the office if you would like to use it.
Power Supply During Off Season Storage
Unlike many marinas, the RKYC leaves the power on in the yard during the winter season to permit members to work on their boats. Leaving heaters, air conditioners, or any other appliance operating is not permitted. Any power usage during the off-season must occur under the presence and supervision of the member or designate.
From time to time during the winter season, the RKYC Management will unplug boats to protect the stored boats from fire and to ensure this policy is being followed.
Temporary Berthing
Some members do not purchase a berth for the summer season, but move their vessel to a mooring on the river. After the boat is launched, a one week grace period will be provided (given that a berth is available) to have the mast installed, the boat readied and then the boat is to be moved. After the 7 day period has expired, there will be a charge for berth usage.
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Please note that the RKYC Club Regulations are are subject to change at any time without notice.
