SEAS MORRIS YOUTH (UNDER 18 YEARS OLD) SAILING POLICIES
SEAS Morris actively encourages both individuals and families to learn and practice the sport of sailing. In the interests of safety, and recognizing the organization is solely staffed by fellow volunteer members, we have established a set of policies regarding youth (i.e., those members under the age of 18) participation in classes, practice sails and other sponsored events.
The Youth Sailing Policy in brief is: those under 18 must be accompanied by a parent/legal guardian at all times.
Below are the specifics:
1. To participate in any club-sponsored activity, individuals younger than 18 years (“youth”), must be accompanied at all times by their parent/legal guardian (“parent”). Club-sponsored activities may include but are not limited to: sailing classes, scheduled practices sails, coastal cruising classes and sails, charter sailing trips, membership meetings and social events. Examples include:
a. A 15 year old is enrolled in a Basic Sailing Class, without a parent also being enrolled in that class. Their parent is invited to attend the on-line Zoom training calls but is not required to participate in the calls; the parent is required to be present at all times on the beach during the two-day water sessions.
b. A 17 year old Family Member is registered for an Open Sail on Budd Lake. Their parent is also required to be present in the sloop for the Open Sail. If the youth is involved in an AquaFinn Open Sail or Clinic, their parent is present at all times on the beach, or also participating on another boat.
2. A SEAS Morris Release of Liability Form will be executed for each youth and signed by their respective parent
3. Parent must provide the youth with a well-fitting, US Coast Guard approved Personal Flotation Device (PFD).
4. Age limits for youth participation in various activities may be specified (e.g., age minimums for Basic Sailing Classes) as well as other requirements such as weight limits, and demonstrated swimming competence, and will be adhered to in the interests of safety.
5. Youth may not be eligible to participate in certain activities (e.g., Intermediate Sailing Classes) in the interests of safety.
6. A youth may participate in charter sailing trips (e.g., overnight trips in the U.S. or internationally) upon the approval of the Charter Trips Chair, and when accompanied by their parent.
7. In the rare event that a youth participating in a club-sponsored activity must be separated from their parent temporarily, then two adult club members must accompany the youth at all times until they are reunited with a parent. Examples might include:
a. A youth in Basic Sailing Class practices on a sloop instead of an AquaFinn. A Skipper and one other adult member will also be present in that sloop if the parent cannot or will not be present on the boat.
b. A parent who is present with their youth is unexpectedly required to leave the activity in an emergency situation (e.g., medical transport to a hospital). Whenever possible their youth should also leave with them at that time, however if they cannot accompany their parent (e.g., in an ambulance), then two club members will remain with the youth until they can be reunited with a parent or other legally responsible adult.