1. 1. If you want to use a club boat, make a reservation for a boat and engine with the boatman. If you do not arrive at the EAA by 10am or have telephoned the boatman that you will be late, the boat you have booked may be given to those on the waiting list.

2. Check the weather forecast (no club boats are allowed afloat if the forecast is above force 4)

3. It is the members responsibility to organise their own, life jackets, compass and whistle. You should also organise food, spare clothing, angling gear, bait, petrol, plus 5Litre Spare can.
4. Organise crew or skipper (do not rely on finding someone on the day especially on competition days.)
5. Tell someone where you are going and your expected return time.
6. Take a basic First Aid Kit.

7. Take a Compass or GPS with you preferably both. EAA Club House Co-ordinates 50.46.35 0.18.14

On arrival at E.A.A.

1. Check with boatman, weather forecast and suitability of conditions for your proposed fishing trip,
2. If required which club boat and engine to use.
3. Pay boatman for hire of boat and engine.
4. Ask boatman to add 2-stroke oil to petrol.
5. Run up engine in test tank for at least 5 mins.
6. Write Boat Name/Number on the yard board along with the number of Crew (If possible write your approximate fishing location)

Equipping Boat

1. Fit Engine to Boat remember safety cord.
2. Install Fuel Tank.
3. Fit Bung in Boat.
4. Load & Rig Anchor.
5. Install Pump.
6. Get Flare Pack from Boatman.
7. Get Oars from Boatman.

8. Fit Compass or GPS.

Load rest of equipment and secure, leaving as much clear floor space as possible, ensure emergency equipment is easily to hand (a basic first aid kit should he included).

Equipping yourself

1. Ensure you are wearing suitable clothing for the conditions and have on board suitable spare clothing in case conditions deteriorate, include high factor sun cream!
2. Ensure you have a supply of any medicines that you require. Check your life Jacket is undamaged (never use it as a cushion).
3. Take plenty to eat and drink (non-alcoholic).
4. You must take a means of contact with shore e.g. mobile phone or marine vhf radio, preferably both! If taking a mobile phone, leave your number with the boatman and write down his mobile number, leave your phone and or vhf radio switched on while afloat E.A.A. is on channel 37, call sign: Peter Piper) (Please check with the Boatman that the VHF facility will be available)

Launching

1. Arrange troves to provide easy access from berth to waters edge, lubricate these with lard from the bucket supplied (using dry troves trebles the effort needed to move a boat on them). Do a final check to ensure all essential items are aboard bung in?)
2. Push boat to waters edge, be ready to jump in if the bank is steep enough for a ‘life boat type launch’.
3. Assess the need to use the haul off rope, it is usually a good idea if the breeze is 'on- shore offshore breezes usually accompany a flat sea at the waters edge which means that the haul off rope probably will not be needed.
4. Launch the boat ensuring that the water is deep enough before lowering the engine. If you have used the haul off rope do not let it go until the engine is started and you and your crew are ready to go
5. You can use the haul off rope to pull the boat back to shore if the engine fails to start) once you have released the rope wait a few seconds for it to sink before putting the engine in gear so that the rope is not fouled by the propeller.

Afloat

1. Correct trim ie keep the boat level fore and aft and beam, drive the boat allowing for conditions, keeping a lookout, be aware of; basic right of way rules, compass use, reciprocal bearings, the affect of the tide flow on the course you need to steer.
2. Watch out for the approach of adverse weather.
3. Check fuel usage to ensure there will be enough for the return trip.
4. When anchoring (secure from the bow only), Click here for detailed anchoring instructions.

5. Before raising anchor inform boatman of your approx arrival time at E.A.A. so that he may prepare the beach for your return.
6. Raise anchor using an approved method as explained at interview or by an experienced person.


Returning to the beach

1. Return to the club by 4:30pm. Outside this time by special arrangement with the boatman.
2. No Boats are to come ashore if the winch house flag is down.
3. If for any reason you cannot come ashore safely, seek shelter in the Sovereign Harbour 1.5 miles east of EAA.
4. Approach the beach at right angles to the wave pattern.
5. Loosen the bow rope from the stem post ready for use on approaching the beach. One crew member should be in the front of the boat ready to jump out when the boat beaches to connect the winch rope to the towing eye of the bow rope. Ensure that this crew member does not throw the bow rope onto the beach before the boat has stopped as this will result in the boat running it over, making it inaccessible for use.
6. The helmsman should keep the power 'on' until the last moment before the boat beaches, keeping in mind that the depth of the water is lessening and that the engine must be turned off, tilted, and locked in the raised position before the propeller touches the seabed which would damage the propeller and possibly the engine as well!


Packing up

1. Chock the boat up level in its berth.
2. Remove the engine to the fresh water tank in the boat yard before returning it to its place on the engine rack, and run up for 5 min's to flush out salt water
3. Return the other boat equipment to the boatman and inform him of any damage or problems that may have occurred to the club equipment during the day (remember, if no-one knows that there is a problem it won't get fixed ready for the next trip!).
4. Wash out the boat with fresh water and remove any litter or rubbish that it may contain. Erase your sign-on from the blackboard,
5. Report to the boatman any notable fish that you may have caught so that they may be photographed and recorded as necessary (you may have won a club trophy).
In the interests of conservation

We ask that you catch and return alive all conger eels unless you have caught a potential prize winning fish i.e. 65LBS +. (In this way we can help to ensure maintenance of stocks to provide us with good sport for the next trip).