Dahlgren Yacht Club Standard Operating Procedures
September 2006

Membership in the Dahlgren Yacht Club (DYC) automatically binds the member to agree to the following Standard Operating Procedures. For purposes of this procedure, Dockmaster shall mean the Dockmaster, the Assistant Dockmaster or any active member of the Dahlgren Yacht Club Board of Governors.

1. Facility Use: All personnel using the DYC facilities shall adhere to the procedures contained here-in. Persons failing to adhere to these procedures may have their privileges or membership revoked.
   
2. Abandonment: After official notification (U.S. Mail), persons not removing boats or equipment from the facilities within the allowed time period may have their boats or their equipment treated as abandoned, and disposed of accordingly.
   
3. Authorized Personnel: Only authorized personnel may use the DYC facilities. Authorized personnel are members and guests. Members assume all responsibility for their guests, including their guests' conduct. Members must accompany guests at all times while at the DYC Facilities.
   
4. Child Supervision: For safety reasons, children shall be accompanied and supervised at all times by their responsible member while at the DYC premises. Any unescorted children with no business at the DYC should be asked to leave.
   
5. Safety: All unsafe acts or conditions will be reported to the Dockmaster as soon as possible. The telephone numbers are posted in the dockhouse head.
   
   1. Emergency Reporting:
      
      1. An emergency telephone is located on the light pole next to the dockhouse. This telephone connects directly to the NSWCDD base operator. Give your name and the nature of the emergency to the operator who will then contact the appropriate authorities. An alternative is to use the telephone inside the dockhouse.
         
      2. SECURITY - 911 (653-8291)
         
      3. FIRE DEPARTMENT - 911 (653-8333 Emergency Only)
         
      4. In case of fire, evacuate all nonessential personnel from the area. Use fire extinguisher located at entrance, middle, and/or end of pier. DO NOT BOARD A BURNING VESSEL FOR ANY REASON!
         
   2. General Safety:
      
      1. The area within 200 feet of the dock is a "NO WAKE ZONE". While leaving or entering this area, boats will be operated in such a manner as not to generate a wake more than 3 inches high that will impact the vessels at the dock.
         
      2. Recreational swimming within 150 feet of the dock is prohibited.
         
      3. Crabbing and fishing from the dock or ramp area is prohibited.
         
      4. No flammable or corrosive materials will be stored in the dockhouse.
         
      5. Unless approved by the Dockmaster, boats shall not be moored and left unattended at the end of the dock for more than 30 minutes.
         
      6. Any persons incapable of swimming must wear Coast Guard approved flotation devices while on the DYC pier (dock).
         
6. Boat Launch Ramp: Members and guests are the only authorized users of the ramp. LOCK THE CHAIN BEFORE YOU LEAVE! ROTATE THE SETTING ON THE LOCK IMMEDIATELY AFTER OPENING IT!
   
   1. All Boats will immediately clear the ramp after launching.
      
   2. Loading and off-loading of equipment shall be accomplished from the floating dock, before moving boat into launching/recovery position. Washing of boats will be accomplished in the wash area adjacent to the ramp. Replace the hose. Do Not Block Ramp.
      
7. Parking: All vehicles shall be parked so as not to impede other traffic or facilities. Vehicles with trailers will park north of the dockhouse, on either side of the road, not in the marked slots adjacent to the dock. If your vehicle is double-parked or blocks another vehicle or boat, please leave your marked keys in the dockhouse on the North wall on the key hooks. Dry slips are not to be used for vehicle parking at any time.
   
8. Dockhouse Facilities: Please ensure that all dockhouse doors are secured when leaving the area unless it is obviously being used by other members. Do not permit children or non-members the opportunity to learn the combinations.
   
   1. During hot weather the demand for ice frequently exceeds the supply. Be considerate of the other 200+ members and take only what you need. If your needs require more than eight (8) pounds of ice please obtain it elsewhere.
      
   2. The telephone in the dockhouse shall be used ONLY for local calls or credit card calls.
      
   3. Please leave the bathrooms as clean as when you entered. Report any problems immediately.
      
   4. The sewage pump out unit will be operated by trained members only. Contact the Dockmaster if training is required.
      
   5. The Fish Cleaning Station is for members and guests only. Cleaning of any catch is prohibited in areas other than the cleaning station. Do not place carcasses in the trash containers. All carcasses or parts of carcasses should be "recycled" into the water. Please use discretion if cleaning a large amount of catch.
      
9. Docking Facilities: All members with boats or equipment at the DYC dock facilities will verify that the Dockmaster has the appropriate telephone numbers to contact in case of emergency or hazardous conditions. These numbers will be posted at the dockhouse. Additionally, those members living more than 30 miles from Dahlgren, or when leaving the area for more than 3 days, will provide an alternate person, and their phone number(s), to be responsible for the member's equipment in case of emergency. If your work or home phone numbers change during the year, mandatory notification of the Dockmaster is required.
   
10. Regular Use: Yachts berthed at DYC must be in regular use. Yachts not in regular use during the season might not be eligible for renewal of slip assignment for the following season. The Dockmaster will prepare a list of inactive yachts at the end of each season to be presented to the Board of Governors for review. Additionally, yachts primarily berthed at other locations will not be assigned berths at DYC. DYC must be the primary berthing location for any yacht kept at the DYC facility.
    
11. Dry Slip Requirements: Boats stored in the daysail rack will be stored bottom up and fastened securely to the rack. Trailers kept in the dry slips shall be maintained in a roadworthy condition and registered by state if required.  Trailers shall be kept in place with a block under their tongue jack and a 12” X 12” X ¾” piece of plywood shall be kept between the block and asphalt to minimize pavement damage.
    
12. Wet Slip Requirements: All boats will be moored with at least two bow lines and two stern lines (primary dock lines). The Dockmaster may require any boat to rig spring lines or alter the method of mooring.
    
    1. The only approved mooring line material is nylon rope, laid or double braid. The use of polypropylene is strictly prohibited.
       
    2. Boats under 20 feet will use no less than 3/8" dock lines. Boats 20-29 feet will use no less than 1/2" dock line. Boats 30-39 feet will use no less than 5/8" dock line. Boats 40 feet or over will use no less than 3/4" dock line. If your boat is heavier than average or near the top end of the scale, you are advised to use the next larger diameter. Dock lines must be replaced when chafe or wear is noted.
       
    3. Dock lines must be secured to pad eyes in main dock timbers or to pilings and use some means of preventing the lines from riding up on pilings during high water. Lines attached to pad eyes will include a thimble attached to the end of the line. The thimble will be attached to the pad eye by a shackle of adequate size for the vessel. The shackle closing bolt will be secured with non-corrosive wire. Attachment of lines to any part of dock other than pilings or pad eyes is prohibited. Weights and pulley systems are allowed on secondary dock lines only.
       
    4. All dock lines will have excess length ON THE BOAT CLEAT to allow slacking of lines from onboard the boat. The use of quick disconnect devices (snap hooks, etc.) on the 4 primary dock lines is prohibited.
       
    5. Boats will be kept in a clean, seaworthy condition and be capable of making way. Boats must have current registrations as appropriate to the boat type and size.
       
    6. Major overhaul, dismantling, or beaching operations shall not be undertaken without prior approval of the Dockmaster.
       
    7. Boats with fixed marine toilets shall have holding tanks.
       
    8. Electrical power cords will be secured to the boat and dock such that the cord will not come in contact with the water, nor be easily pulled from the hook ups. The cord shall be in good repair, and be grounded three wire outdoor cable of adequate capacity.
       
    9. Hose Bibs (water faucets) will be properly secured after use (not leaking) and hoses will be removed from the faucets. Hoses left on faucets may be removed by the Dockmaster and may become a dock asset.
       
13. Hazardous Conditions: Hazardous conditions exist if there are weather or tidal conditions conducive to possible damage to vessels or the dock. In all cases DYC will comply with base direction. For purposes of this section, Dockmaster shall mean: the Dockmaster, Assistant Dockmaster, or appropriate designee. It is the responsibility of owners to be aware of hazardous conditions and act in accordance with these instructions. The club phone message will be updated to reflect operational status. Dockhouse Telephone: 540-663-3696
    
    1. A. If conditions warrant, and at the direction of the Dockmaster, any or all boats and equipment in the area of the facilities, including boats in the daysail racks and dry slips, will be removed from the area. Base Hurricane Condition 3(destructive weather within 48 hours) requires clearing all boats from the dock.
       
    2. B. The Dockmaster may require that heavier or additional mooring lines be used to secure boats in their slips. No lines are permitted to cross the dock.
       
    3. Electrical power and water to the dock may be shut off and shall be turned on only with permission from the Dockmaster.
       
    4. All loose equipment in the area, including equipment on boats will be secured.
       
    5. E. If the Dockmaster closes the dock, he will notify base command and post notice in a conspicuous location near the entry to DYC. Non-emergency personnel will not be allowed on the dock. Persons venturing onto the facilities during dock closure may have their membership privileges suspended, revoked, or other appropriate action as determined by the Board of Governors.
       
    6. F. Evacuation: All members must comply with any directive by the Dockmaster to remove their vessels or equipment from DYC facilities. A reasonable effort will be made to contact vessel owners or their alternate by phone or email with numbers provided by members. In order to insure a prompt response, the DYC MAY REMOVE YOUR VESSEL if the owner/alternate cannot be contacted. DYC is neither responsible nor liable for any damage caused by this movement.
       
    7. Temporary Storage: During an evacuation, base command may provide temporary dry storage to DYC members. When notice is given that the DYC facilities have re-opened for use, owners are responsible for removing their vessel from this temporary storage within 24 hours of notification. Failure to comply with this paragraph may result in revocation of membership privileges or other action as determined by the Board of Governors.
       
14. Winter Conditions: Winter conditions are defined to exist between December 15 and April 1.
    
    1. Hazardous conditions during this period occasionally prevent a timely response by members, therefore doubling of mooring lines is required during Winter conditions.
       
    2. Water to the dock will be turned off and pipes drained.
       
    3. Deicers will be positioned and turned on or off by authorized personnel only.
       
    4. All loose equipment in the area, including equipment on boats will be secured.
       
15. Prior Instructions: This procedure supersedes all previous DYC instructions concerning operation of the DYC facilities.

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