Winter OD

Winter is coming! And with the change in seasons our Officer of the Day (OD) program also changes. Even though the club is much quieter and the boats are on the hard, our club nevertheless maintains a strict OD schedule, with a continuous rotation through Senior Members to perform daily OD duties, according to slip number. One might argue that the OD program is even more important during the quieter winter months, precisely because there are fewer people about. So having a daily monitor of the grounds is important to catch any issues before they become a major problem.

The winter OD duties and focus is quite different than during the sailing season. The most obvious difference is there’s no need to carry a VHF radio as nobody’s going to be calling in, asking for a slip! There are many other differences in structure and priority, some are less obvious. So let’s review these below, in the form of Frequently Asked Questions.

For information about the role of the Officer of the Day in other seasons visit the Officer of the Day page on our website.

Winter OD FAQ’s

• Do I need to do my OD at specific hours of the day?

  NO. Whereas the summer OD program has strict times for the OD to be present at the club, the Winter OD has no check-in or check-out time or minimum time to be spent on club grounds. Nevertheless there are a number of important tasks that the winter OD has to perform, which we’ll discuss next. If you do those correctly and diligently, you can expect to spend 1.5 to 2 hours at the club, so plan accordingly. Obviously, it will be easier to do your checks in daylight hours and this in when most Senior Members go to the club.

• Should I be going out on the docks?

  NO. Docks can be very slippery in the winter. If you fall there may not be anyone around to hear or assist you. You can visually look out at the docks for any issues from shore.

• How do I check the bubbler system?

  During winter, our docks are protected by a bubbling system which keeps ice from forming around our pylons. The pump that produces the compressed air for the bubbling system is located on the deck on the North side of the clubhouse (hidden under the deck “table”). It can easily be heard. If you can’t hear it, you either need a hearing aid :>) or you need to email the Rear Commodore at rearcommodore@highlandyachtclub.com right away.

  While you’re doing your rounds of the property, take a look out at over each dock to check if there are bubbles at the base of each pylon. If there are no bubbles present at one or more pylons, make a note of location(s) and call/email the Rear Commodore. As mentioned above – this should be done from the safety of shore. Do not go out to the docks to “investigate”.

• Do I need to check members boats?

  YES. Winter involves snow storms and pretty blustery conditions. Every year these winds will manage to get under a few boat covers and rip them apart. This can lead to very dangerous situations where tarps and framing get whipped around and damage boats. The sooner these problems are caught, the better it is for all of us. The OD should make a real effort to check the wraps on every boat. If you see something that needs to be rectified, take note of the member # on the cradle to identify the member and call/email that member to let him/her know of the problem. There are also yard layout maps in the Sailor’s Lounge to identify any boat, in case you can’t determine the identity of the boat any other way. Member contact information is provided on the back of the OD logbook in the Sailor’s Lounge.

• Can boats be connected to the club’s electrical system ?

  YES and NO. When Senior Members are spending time at the club, they are permitted to connect their boats to the electrical service boxes located around club grounds. The electrical service is provided to allow members to maintain their boat’s batteries at full charge over the winter months, and to use electrical tools, lamps and heaters when working on the boats. Once a member leaves for the day, however, the expectation is that the member will disconnect. This is required as a fire prevention measure. If you, as OD, notice that a boat is not attended but is still plugged in, you are permitted to disconnect the boat at the electrical service box end.

• Do I need to check and lock up all club buildings?

  If you’re the only person at the club, YES. If there are others working at the club, you should ask those present who is likely to be the last one to leave and get them to commit to locking up when they go. Nevertheless, there’s no need to have all doors left open. Typically, members will use the north side door closest to the washrooms. All other doors can be checked and locked (including upstairs, you never know if someone decided to exit through one of those and didn’t lock behind them). Other items to check are:

  • Ensure all windows are fully closed and secure (both floors). There have been times when windows were left open, and then a rain or snowstorm has occurred causing water damage. Let’s try to avoid that.

  • Turn off any lights upstairs. All lights on the main floor are motion activated and will turn off on a timer.

  • Check appliances in the clubhouse kitchen to ensure nobody has left a stove/oven element on, left a tap running or left the fridge door open.

  • Close the interior doors between the south entrance, hallway and Sailor’s Lounge.

  • The workshop should also be checked. if the shop is not in use, ensure both man doors, garage door and the upstairs windows are closed and locked. Turn off the lights.

• How do I show that I’ve done my OD duties and rounds?

  There’s a log book in the Sailor’s Lounge. There’s a check-in/out page for every day, along with a checklist, a place for your signature and to make notes. If you don’t fill this all in, you are not considered to have done your duties. Be forewarned. There’s a $100 fine for not doing your OD duties!

• What if I missed my OD Duties because the previous OD didn’t call me up?

  It is incumbent on every Senior Member to know on which day his/her OD duties takes place. It is not considered a valid reason to miss your OD duties because the previous OD did not call you. It is a courtesy call, not a mandatory one.

• Where can I find the OD schedule?

  The OD schedule is located on the website and is updated every 3 months. If you scroll to the footer at the bottom of the the website you will find “member resources” under which you will find a page dedicated to the Officer of the Day duties and schedule.

• What if I can’t make my OD duties?

  Everyone has lives to live and we sometimes have commitments that conflict with the OD schedule. Nevertheless, it is the responsibility of every Senior Member to fulfill their OD duties. If you absolutely cannot perform your OD duty, it is incumbent on you to find another Senior Member to do your duties for you. Remind the person that has accepted your duties to change your name to theirs on the log-book and to complete and sign the logbook page once they’ve completed the duty.

• What should I do if I suspect damage or theft on HYC grounds?

  Call/email the Rear Commodore. A picture will be useful to help the Rear Commodore understand your concerns.

• What if the weather is nasty on the day of my OD?

  Getting down to the club in winter, during a snow event or freezing rain, can be a hairy affair, especially trying to get down that steep hill. If you’re confronted by a weather event, please send an email to the Harbourmaster at harbourmaster@highlandyachtclub.com explaining the situation and stay safe and snug at home!