MOBILE PHONE POLICY ABOARD VESSELS

THE ISLAND TRUST LTD and ISLAND (CUTTER) LTD (individually and together referred to in this document as ‘the Trust’)

POLICY BRIEF AND PURPOSE

There is very limited facility on board to charge mobile phones, iPads etc.  We recommend that these are left at home, but do understand that you may want to bring them along for the trip. Devices are brought aboard entirely at your own risk, and may be stored for safety by the Skipper, who will pass them back at suitable times.  We cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage.

Should parents need to get in touch while their child is away, the boat is contactable at all times on the boat mobile phone number provided in the joining instructions.  However, when our staff are sail training they may not be able to answer calls immediately for safety reasons, but will respond to messages at the earliest convenient moment.  Children/young people can use the boat’s mobile to phone home if necessary.

Safety

The safeguarding of children and young people (trainees) taking part in sailing is paramount, so the Trust wants to ensure that our trainees are protected from the risk of images being recorded and used or stored for inappropriate purposes.

Whilst sailing, due to the natural motion of the sea, trainee members will at times need both hands to pull on ropes, operate winches, helm or balance themselves.

Use of mobile phone or other device headphones is not permitted on deck unless the Skipper has given permission.  This is to ensure that any instructions from the Skipper or Mate or the rest of the crew can be clearly heard for your own safety and that of others on board.

The Trust recognises that mobile phones bring considerable benefits, but requests that trainees use their mobile phones/devices only when advised by the Trust’s sea staff at the appropriate times.

After boarding, we will ask our trainees to switch off their devices and put them in a safe place, to enable everyone to settle in on the first day, to get to know fellow crew members, and very importantly so that everyone is focussed and not distracted throughout the safety briefing.  On each boat there is a secure area for the safe keeping of mobile phones/devices.  The Skipper will make this facility available to all.

There will be plenty of opportunities for taking photographs when under sail and when anchored or moored or taking time out for relaxation.

By following this guidance, we aim to provide a safe environment for mobile phone/device use and also endeavor to prevent loss or damage to mobile phones/devices whilst on board.

v.2022.01