OGYC Membership Agreement for Mercury and Ideal 18s

An agreement, made, through on-line submission, by and between the Old Greenwich Yacht Club ("OGYC") and the undersigned (the "Member"), in consideration of usage by the member of OGYC owned Mercury and Ideal 18 sailboats (the “Program”).

SAFETY REQUIREMENTS: A member must be checked-out and certified to sail either a Mercury or Ideal 18. The member will be given a checklist of sailing skills and will be checked for proficiency before sailing a Mercury or Ideal 18 by the Education Director or his or her designate. There are two certification levels, Mercury and Ideal 18. Generally, the Mercury certification level is for beginner and intermediate sailors and restricted to sailing Mercury’s in winds up to 10 knots (when whitecaps appear). The Ideal 18 certification level is for advanced sailors and restricted to sailing either Mercury’s or Ideal 18’s in winds under 18 knots.

Additionally, a certified Ideal 18 member must hold a valid Connecticut Safe Boating Certificate. This certificate is available from many sources including Greenwich Community Sailing. Last, a certified Ideal 18 member must have taken a “Low Tide Tour.” This tour is given throughout the season by the Education Director and the Waterfront Staff and is available to all members. Contact the Education Director to schedule a tour.

CREW/GUESTS: A member is allowed to bring 3 crew to sail on a Mercury or an Ideal 18 and to use the OGYC facilities, but are limited to no more than 3 guests in the Clubhouse per month and guests should be signed into the club guest book (per Clubhouse Rules.) In all cases, the member hosting guests must be present and is responsible for conduct and damages of their guests.

RESERVATIONS: There is no formal reservation system for Mercury’s. On  race days, (occasional Saturday, Sunday afternoons all season, Wed. nights, and on Friday Night Invitational’s) all Ideal’s are reserved for racers. It is possible that a few boats will still be available for non-racers so check with the Race Committee chairperson at 12 noon if you would like to sail at that time and not race.

There is an on-line reservation calendar for reserving an Ideal 18 for day-sails. Instructions for using the calendar and a link to the calendar can be found on the clubs website at www.ogyc.org. Click on “Mercury/Ideal 18” and “Ideal 18 Reservation Calendar Instructions.” Reservation restrictions are listed there.

On the Boat:

1. Check the inventory: Sails, battens, anchor, paddle, tiller, boom crotch and bailer. If any of these items are missing, notify the launch operator.

2. Review rigging procedures and casting off procedures.

3. Locate the channel for sailing away and returning to the mooring. Be advised that the tidal current is very strong at the mouth of our harbor at mid-tides.

4. Sailing boundaries are within Captains Harbor. Please be familiar with the navigational marks and the channels and hazards they denote as there are many hazards within our domain. A Mercury’s draft is 2 feet 6 inches and an Ideal 18 draws 3 feet 4 inches.

5. Please return to the mooring on time as others may be waiting to sail. If no one is waiting to sail, the boat must be left shipshape—all sail-covers installed, lines coiled and mooring properly secured. For Mercury’s, the jib must be folded and returned to the locker. Any problems encountered of a serious nature, i.e. those that prevent or hinder the boat from being used must be reported to the launch operator. The member is responsible for leaving a message stating the problem and his or her phone number with the Waterfront Manager or the OGYC Director Education.

OGYC will provide:

1 Mainsail

1 Sail Cover (2 for Ideal 18s)

1 Jib

1 Tiller and Rudder

1 Boom Crutch (Mercury only)

1 Paddle

1 Bailer

1 Anchor and line

1 Docking line

1 Throw cushion

1 Sound making device (Air Horn or Whistle)

Each Member must provide:

1 USCG Approved PFD per person

1 OGYC Membership Card

1 Handheld VHF radio (Use Channel 72)

Weather Conditions & Other Limitations:

Visibility: A Member must be able to see Island Beach from the OGYC Clubhouse.

Wind: Mercury certified members will not be allowed out in winds greater than 10 knots (when whitecaps appear) and 18 knots for Ideal 18 certified members. Be aware that the Clubhouse indicator may not indicate the actual wind conditions in the Harbor under certain circumstances. The Waterfront Director will make the wind speed determination.

Weather: No one will be allowed out if there are small craft warnings or severe storm warnings or watches. If you are out on the water and thunder or lightning is observed, or dark ominous clouds begin to appear RETURN IMMEDIATELY! Good practice is to radio the Waterfront Staff that you are observing bad weather signs and returning to the harbor. REMEMBER: You have the responsibility to obtain the latest weather and tide information before you set sail. Safe Boating is no accident!

Mercury/Ideal 18 Acknowledgement & Release

As a member of OGYC and participating in the Mercury/Ideal 18 Program, I affirm the following:

1. I have sufficient training and experience to safely and properly sail and operate sailboats of the type used or to be used in the Program. I and my guests will operate and use OGYC boats in a safe and proper manner and will obey and comply with all of the rules and regulations of the Program and all local, state and federal rules, regulations and procedures relating to the use and operation of said boats. I understand that my participation in the Program is subject to compliance with such rules and regulations, and that my or my guests' failure to comply with them shall constitute just cause for the revocation of my membership in the Program.

2. I am aware of the risks, dangers and hazards related to sailing and boat yard operations and that I and/or my guests may be exposed to such risks, dangers and hazards. I understand that, although OGYC may, but shall not be obligated to, take precautions to protect against such risks, dangers and hazards, injuries to the person or property of the undersigned and/or my guests, OGYC or third parties may occur. I agree that it is my own responsibility to inform my guests of the risks, dangers and hazards related to sailing and boat yard operations. As a condition of being allowed to participate in the Program and to use OGYC boats and facilities, I assume all risk of personal injury or death or property damage to the undersigned and/or my guests, OGYC or third parties.

3. I will not seek to hold OGYC or its directors, officers, employees and agents liable for, and I understand that in signing this Agreement that I am releasing OGYC and its directors, officers, employees and agents from, any and all liability for personal injury or property damage whatsoever to me or my family, heirs arid assigns regardless of whether the injuries or damages are the result of my own or my guests negligence, the negligence of another member of OGYC, the negligence of OGYC or its directors, officers, employees and agents, or which occur or result in connection with my and my guests participation in the Program or the use and operation of OGYC boats and facilities or which results in any way from negligence, condition on or about OGYC boats and facilities, including, without limitation, acts or omissions of OGYC or its directors, officers, employees and agents. I further agree that neither I nor my family, heirs and assigns will enforce any judgment that may be granted in our favor beyond the financial or coverage limits of insurance policies as may be carried by OGYC for relief of injuries to person or property and other damages caused by my own or my guests negligence, the negligence of another member of OGYC, the negligence of OGYC or its directors, officers, employees and agents, or which occur or result in connection with my and my guests participation in the Program or the use and operation of OGYC boats and facilities or which results in any way from negligence, condition on or about OGYC boats and facilities, including, without limitation, acts or omissions of OGYC or its directors, officers, employees and agents. I further agree to hold harmless, defend and indemnify

OGYC and its directors, officers, employees and agents from any and all claims of injury or damage to persons or property arising from, during or related to my own or my guests' negligence or my and my guests' participation in the Program or the use and operation of OGYC boats and facilities.

4. That I am responsible for returning all property and equipment used by me and/or my guests in the same condition as such property and equipment was in at the time of issue to me and/or my guests and that I am responsible for the cost of repairing or replacing any property or equipment used in connection with the Program or the operation of OGYC if that property is lost or damaged in whole or part as a result of my negligence or the negligence of my family members or guests.

5. That neither OGYC nor its directors, officers, employees and agents shall be responsible for the disappearance, loss, theft of or damage to my and/or my guests personal property.

6. I hereby acknowledge that I have read, understand and agree with the terms of this

Agreement, and that I am digitally submitting my acceptance of this Agreement freely and of my own accord, realizing that this Agreement is legally binding upon myself, my heirs and assigns. I certify that I am over eighteen (18) years of age.

OGYC reserves the right to make changes, additions and deletions to the Program rules and regulations from time to time at its sole discretion, including, and without limitation, OGYC may limit access to its boats and facilities as it shall deem nec