LBC Committee Meeting, 13 August 2009

MINUTES OF THE LANTAU BOAT CLUB COMMITTEE MEETING HELD AT THE DISCOVERY BAY RESIDENT’S CLUB ON THURSDAY 13^th AUGUST 2009 AT 1900

Item 1: Commodore’s Address

The Commodore welcomed the committee members to the meeting.

Item 2: Previous Meeting’s Minutes

The previous meeting’s minutes were read and it was agreed that they were an accurate record of the meeting. There are no outstanding action items.

Item 3: Club Rules

The Secretary mentioned that since the new Club rules had been promulgated in February of this year, the need for some amendments had been identified. These were in some cases just corrections and clarifications to previous rules. But other major changes were required, such as the part fees payable by someone joining after the beginning of May and the advice given to members regarding sailing in adverse weather conditions.

The proposed changes had been drawn up by the Commodore, Treasurer and Secretary and had been sent to all LBC Committee members prior to the meeting for their perusal. The changes were discussed and voted on.

The vote was:         FOR: 5              AGAINST: Nil

The motion for changing the rules was carried . The new rules are posted at Annex A.

Item 4: Asian Open Regatta

The race instructions are about to be published. The final list of sponsors is Air Canada, Fragrant Harbour, Hemingways by the bay and the Igor’s Group. The four tickets donated by Air Canada will be raffled in two lots of two prizes with part of the proceeds going to Youth Outreach. The sign up will only be on line and will have a voluntary donation for Youth Outreach.

The UV shirts are being provided by last year’s supplier. The topic of whether to include Polo Shirts in the kit was discussed and it was agreed that they should. The cost of this will be about $13,000. A lot of kit was left over from last year and this will be included in the kit. The possibility of having the blank hats printed with this year’s logos should be investigated.

The ABC will need a letter formally requesting help with the safety boats.

Action:      VC Regatta and Secretary

Item 5: Any Other Business

Foam Blocks: Another 70 foam blocks have been delivered. It was agreed the cost of $3500 should be borne by the club.

Christmas Party: It was agreed that it would be nice to have one again this year.

Item 6: Next Meeting

TBA

ANNEX: A: Rules of the Lanatu Boat Club.

Simon Ludlow
LBC Secretary
9549 4399

ANNEX A: Rules Of The Lantau Boats Club

(As promulgated at a LBC Committee Meeting on 13 August 2009. Recent changes in Italics)

1. General
2. Membership
3. Safety
4. Water Sports Instruct
5. Watercraft Parking
6. Club Facilities

General

1. The Lantau Boat Club (LBC) is a co-operative society with limited liability and listed with the Societies Registrar of the Hong Kong SAR of the People’s Republic of China, under Hong Kong Ordinance Cap 33. The Club is formed with the object of providing for and promoting non-powered water sports from Discovery Bay, Lantau Island, Hong Kong SAR by pooling together human resources in the spirit of self and mutual help with the object of providing support and services to members.
2. It is regulated by the By-laws and constitution of the LBC as approved by the Hong Kong SAR Societies Registrar, and governed by the LBC Committee and by these club rules which are made and approved by the LBC Committee
3. These rules should be read in conjunction with the By-laws of the LBC.
4. All LBC members agree to abide by these rules when they join the LBC.

Membership

1. Membership of the LBC coincides with the financial year and is due on 1 April each year. Membership categories are either single or family.
2. On joining the LBC, a member pays a joining fee equal to one year’s fee for the
   relevant membership category.
3. A member joining the LBC after the end of September can pay a reduced membership fee equal to 1/2 of the annual fee. This does not apply to the joining fee which must be paid in full.
4. A member who has not renewed their membership by 1 April has left the LBC and can only rejoin on payment of joining fee. If a lapsed member has left a boat or equipment at the LBC, it is liable to be removed and the proceeds of any sale used to pay for the parking and removal fees.
5. Guests of members may enjoy the use of the LBC for a maximum of three times
   before being required to join as members in their own right. All guests must be accompanied by an LBC member at all times.
6. The LBC secretary is required by the Hong Kong Societies Ordinance to keep a
   register of members. LBC members must inform the secretary of any changes to their personal details as soon as possible, but no later than two weeks of any change.
7. All membership is at the discretion of the LBC Committee and membership can be revoked if it is decided by a LBC General meeting vote that a member is not abiding by the rules, or the stated object of the LBC.

Safety

1. All LBC members and their guests must be aware and understand that all water sports carry an inherent risk and that any decision to engage in water sports is their decision and theirs alone. Members are to familiarise themselves with the content of the safety section on the LBC website. LBC members are responsible for the safety of their guests while at the LBC.
2. All LBC members and their guests must be able to swim 50 meters unaided if they are to engage in water sports.
3. All boat sailors, kite-surfers and windsurfers must wear lifejackets or buoyancy aids when engaging in water sports. It is strongly advised that all canoe and kayak occupants also wear lifejackets or buoyancy aids.
   
4. All LBC members must dress appropriately for the prevailing conditions taking sun, hot or cold weather protection measures while participating in water sports. 
5. All boat sailors, kite-surfers and board sailors are strongly advised to carry an
   appropriate marine knife on their person while taking part in water sports.
6. All LBC members are strongly advised to carry a mobile phone on their person in a waterproof pouch while taking part in water sports. The phone should have the numbers of the safety boat operator and the Marine Police stored. These numbers are listed on the LBC website in the safety section.
7. All LBC members are strongly advised to let someone know they are participating in water sports and to call that person as soon as they make landfall, whether at Discovery Bay or anywhere else.
8. All LBC members are strongly advised to check the weather forecast before sailing. In particular, they should check for Tropical Storm or Thunderstorm Warnings.
9. Members are strongly advised that they should not participate in water sports when Typhoon Signal 3 warnings or higher are hoisted. Individual boat insurance and the Club liability insurance is invalidated when the Typhoon Signal 3 or above is hoisted. Members are also advised that they in violation of Hong Kong Marine Ordinances by participating in water sports while uninsured.
10. Members are strongly advised not to participate in water sports during thunderstorms and/or when Thunderstorm Warnings are hoisted.

Water Sports Instructions

1. All LBC races and competitions will be conducted using the current Racing Rules of Sailing and/or any other relevant rules set by class or type governing bodies.
2. All LBC members are to observe the relevant Hong Kong Maritime Ordinances
   including the Speed Restricted Zone rules for Discovery Bay as promulgated by Regulation 19 of the Shipping and Port Control Regulations Ordinance (Cap 313a). The details are on Hong Kong Marine Department charts and the LBC website.
3. All boats chiefly operating from the LBC must be insured through the club insurance policy. All visiting boats engaging in LBC competitions and other events must be insured and the insurance certificate forwarded to the LBC committee for inspection.

Watercraft Parking

1. Hong Kong Resorts International own Tai Pak beach at Discovery Bay. They have delegated the management of the parking and storage of watercraft and equipment at the LBC location to the LBC committee by written agreement. However, club members should note that the LBC does not have exclusive rights to the area of Tai Pak beach occupied by the LBC.
2. All watercraft parking and equipment storage is at the discretion of the LBC
   committee.
3. Due to limited storage facilities, no watercraft may be stored at the LBC without the permission of the LBC Committee. Any member wishing to bring watercraft to the LBC must obtain prior approval from the committee.
4. Boat owners may store a canoe, kayak or sailboard under their sailing boat free of charge. If it is stored elsewhere on the LBC premises, prior permission must be obtained and the applicable fees must be paid.
5. All watercraft parked on the Tai Pak beach must carry indentifying marks in the form of an official LBC sticker.
6. All watercraft kept at the LBC must be in a serviceable condition. Any which are not useable are liable to be removed from the beach by the Committee.
7. All LBC members are responsible for keeping the space around their watercraft clean and tidy.
8. All LBC members are to ensure that covers on their watercraft do not collect water which encourages mosquito breeding. Any new or replacement boat cover must be made of cloth which is water permeable. Any cloth cover which does collect water must have drain holes. Any member whose cover does repeatedly collect water may have their cover removed by the committee.
9. Tyres are not to be used to rest watercraft on. Tyres collect water and are not permitted at the Club.
10. Any member who sells their watercraft must inform the committee immediately,
    along with the name and contact details of the new owner. It is the responsibility of the member to point out the requirement for LBC membership to the prospective owner of any watercraft stored at the LBC.
11. Owners of watercraft must not park them at the club premises without joining the
    LBC before hand. People purchasing watercraft already parked at the Club must join the LBC first. Any watercraft parked at the Club premises which is not owned by a LBC member will be removed.
12. Any watercraft which has not had its parking fees paid for by its owner will be
    removed. The owner will be liable for the cost of removal, or the watercraft may be sold by the committee and the proceeds used to pay for any outstanding parking fees.
13. LBC members are reminded that the public has right of access to the area of Tai Pak beach occupied by the LBC. It is the responsibility of each owner to ensure their equipment is secure and cannot injure any person or damage any other property by way of being left in an unsafe condition, or by being unsecured.
14. The LBC cannot be held liable for damage to any member’s equipment left at the
    LBC premises.

Club Premises

1. All LBC members are permitted to use the club premises, including the clubhouse while their membership is valid. However, all members should be aware that although the LBC is known as the “Lantau Boat Club”, it is in fact a Co-operative society and not a club in the business sense. Therefore, the club facilities are only to be used for activities connected with water sports and the aim stated in the By-laws and rule 1a. All activities not on the Club calendar must be approved by the LBC Committee. Other activities such as private parties are not permitted.
2. The club facilities are located close to residential property. All LBC members should show regard to our neighbours, particularly in respect to noise. The club sound system is not to be used after 10pm on Fridays, Saturdays and public holidays, and after 8pm on all other days.
3. The combinations to the huts are listed on the LBC website in the information
   section. The combinations must not be divulged to non-members under any circumstances.
4. The huts are to be kept clean and tidy. Items left in the sail hut are to be labelled
   with either the sail number of the boat they relate to, or the owner’s name. Un- labelled items may be removed by the Committee.
5. The barbeque is for use at LBC functions and events only. The gas bottle is stored in the main hut and must be returned after use. The barbeque must be cleaned after use. If the gas bottle is empty, inform the beach master.

By order of the LBC Committee.