Bytown Brigantine Inc. Standing Orders

(Parts I and II February 2010)

Part I Introduction
Part II General Standing Orders
Part III Crew Standing Orders
Part IV Board of Directors

Part I – Introduction

101.    Foundation’s Objectives

Bytown Brigantine Inc. is a federally registered charitable foundation incorporated under letters patent in the Province of Ontario. The foundation is dedicated to providing experiential education and training in a demanding and rewarding environment to allow participants to develop qualities of leadership and self-reliance through the medium of sailing vessels and shore based programs.

102.    Program Philosophy

The successes of Bytown Brigantine’s programs are measured as much by the development of the personal qualities of the participants as by the degree of their sailing proficiency.

Learning is a two-way process requiring the active participation of the learner, supported by the crew who will lead by example and demonstration as much as by lecturing. To this end, programs will be carried out in a structured environment recognizing that learning is both an individual and team process.

Bytown Brigantine’s programs are based on Christian values; notwithstanding, Bytown Brigantine will not discriminate on the basis of religion. Participants are free to abstain from taking part in religious observances.

103.    Syllabus

Bytown Brigantine will offer, as a minimum, programs covering the levels of training set down by the Canadian Sail Training Association (CSTA). All vessels while engaged in sail training will be operated in accordance with the recognized applicable regulations governing the operation of sail training vessels in Canada.

104.    Purpose

Standing Orders are provided for the safe and efficient operation of the crew, ships and programs in accordance with the foundation’s principles.

105.    Definitions

A “participant” is any person (trainee, crew or volunteer) participating in a sail training program.

A “member of the ship’s company” includes everyone aboard ship.

Part II – General Standing Orders

201     Participation

All participant’s taking part in a program or passage exceeding 4 hours or overnight are required to sign aboard acknowledging their acceptance and understanding of Bytown Brigantine Inc. General Standing Orders.

All participants agree to be actively involved in the ship’s operations.

All members of the ship’s company shall respect the authority and rank of the officers and crew and follow their orders and directions.

Bytown Brigantine’s personal Sail Training Log books will be issued to trainees who sail aboard for five or more days in which their progress and sea time will be recorded.

All returning participants will carry and maintain their Bytown Brigantine ID Card for entry into the program. The ID card must be up to date (current medical and next of kin information).

202.    Ship’s Standing Orders

Every Member of the Ship’s Company will make themselves aware of the posted Ship’s Standing Orders, Daily Orders, Watch and Quarter Bill and Safety Procedures prior to getting underway or standing watch.

203.    Safety Drills

Every Member of the Ship’s Company will make themselves aware of the Man Overboard, Abandon Ship and Fire drills as posted aboard ship.

204.    Compliance

Failure to follow the Bytown Brigantine Inc. Standing Orders may result in the expulsion of the individual from the vessel and/or program without refund and without liability to Bytown for any related costs for returning the individual to the point of embarkation or return home.

205.    Prescription Medication

All prescription medication must be handed over to the captain, the program leader or a delegated person for safe keeping and dispensing.

206.    Smoking

For reasons of fire safety smoking below decks is strictly prohibited at all times.

All participants are prohibited from smoking while engaged in all sail training programs.

207.    Alcohol

Consumption of alcohol by participants is not permitted during a sail training program while aboard except for ceremonial purposes designated by the captain.

Underage drinking will not be tolerated at any time.

208.    Drugs, Weapons, Laws of the Land

There will be zero tolerance of illegal drugs, possession of alcohol by minors, possession of weapons, or infringements of the laws of the land. Violators are to be dealt with by the appropriate authorities as determined by the Captain or Program Leader.

For reasons of safety, security, customs compliance, searching for contraband or suspected breach of Bytown Brigantine Inc. Standing Orders, participants will consent to the captain or program leader, as witnessed by two additional members of the Ship’s company, searching their personal belongings and gear.

209.    Shore Leave

Permission must be obtained from the Officer of the Watch prior to leaving the Ship.

During periods of the program, shore leave may be granted to the participants who will be expected to be on their own recognizance and be responsible to:

• Report back aboard at the appointed time or earlier, or when the international code flag “P”, Papa (Blue Peter) is hoisted;
• Reflect the good name of the Ship and Bytown Brigantine;
• Be properly dressed when in uniform.

210.    Safety Policy

For reasons of safety, participants should be neat, alert and, within reason, physically fit.

Bytown Brigantine Inc. is vitally concerned with accident prevention. We do not expect any person to work with defective tools, gear or equipment. Nor do we expect anyone to take chances that may result in personal injury and/or property damage.

210.1. Personal Safety and Security

For reasons of personal safety and security, the minimum allowable number of people in a group working or conducting any activity involving a minor is three (3). The intent is to prevent inappropriate behaviour or abuse and, in the event of serious injury, to allow one person to remain with the accident victim and the other person to go for help.  No participants are to conduct any activity in isolation.

211.    Incidents and Accidents

Incidents (i.e. near accidents) involving personnel or property shall be reported to the Officer of the Watch.

Personal injuries and/or accidents involving the ship, equipment or Bytown Brigantine property must be reported immediately to the captain, first mate, or program leader.

Any accident will be viewed as a serious matter and will be thoroughly investigated.

A person suspecting an incident of physical abuse or sexual harassment shall report it to the captain or program leader immediately.

212.    Decorum and Conduct

In the time honored traditions inherent in square rigged sailing and, to encourage mutual respect among trainees and crew, surnames and/or rank will be used in the form of address.

To maintain order and discipline in the close confines of a sail training vessel, fraternizing amongst participants is forbidden.

To foster an esprit de corps amongst the participants, particular attention must be paid to personal grooming and dress.

Participants shall present a clean and respectable appearance. Proper manners and etiquette shall be observed at all times (e.g. no foul language, good table manners).

Participants must not trespass into restricted areas of the ship unless invited or ordered to do so.

All participants must respect the personal property and bunk space of others.  Any violations will be dealt with appropriately by the captain or program leader.

All Participants must respect the confidentiality of personal information of the other participants.

All Participants are encouraged to bring musical instruments and play during evening programs (mug up).

Trainees are not permitted to bring personal electronic devices such as music players, computers and radios aboard (offshore and winter programs excluded).

To prevent distractions and disruption to the efficient running of the ships, cell phones are to be turned off and stowed in personal kit while the program is going on.  Cell phones may be taken and used ashore on liberty.

No junk foods of any kind (i.e. chips, chewing gum, sunflower seeds, pop etc.) are to be brought aboard by trainees (offshore and winter programs excluded).

Horseplay, running on deck and fighting are forbidden.

213.    Acknowledgement of Orders

Orders will be acknowledged with the words “Aye Aye” the orders repeated, and then the orders will be carried out promptly and with enthusiasm.

214.    Swimming

Permission must be received from the Officer of the Watch prior to swimming. There will be no solo swimming or swimming without supervision. There is no headfirst diving from the vessel; enter the water feet first only when it is safe to do so.

215.    Gear Stowage

Good housekeeping is necessary for safety. “There is a place for everything and everything in its place.” Maintain proper stowage of gear at all times and return all equipment to its proper place. To make your adventure as rewarding as possible, you’ll want to ensure that you have the appropriate clothing and accessories. These should be packed in a soft-sided duffle bag for easy stowing. All gear should be packed into a duffel bag roughly 36" long x 14" diameter

216.    Hygiene

As a result of the close living conditions and an environment conducive to bacterial growth (related to the high humidity level) found aboard sail training vessels, strict practices for the maintenance of health and cleanliness will be observed.

Participants must pay strict attention to their personal hygiene.

Participants must actively participate in the ship’s husbandry (cleaning) on a regular basis.

217.    Personal Safety Equipment

Every participant must provide his or her OWN personal safety equipment as follows:

• Proper footwear (non-skid, non-marking, hard rubber shoes/boots) must be worn aboard ship at all times. Open toed sandals and flip-flops are not appropriate.
• Proper foul weather gear; (i.e. Raincoat, pants, and rain hat. No ponchos.)
• Flashlight, properly maintained and at hand after dusk. (Headlamps are acceptable.)
• A proper rigging knife (with lockable blade, marlin spike, shackle opener, and lanyard) which must be maintained and properly worn.

217.1 Life Jackets and Personal Flotation Devices

All participants must wear a life jacket or a PFD (provided by Bytown Brigantine):

• Prior to entering, while in and departing from all small craft, ship's boats and whalers;
• At all times while on deck if participant cannot swim; and
• Whenever ordered to do so by the Officer of the Watch.

217.2     On Deck – Chest Harness

Every member of the ship’s company shall be assigned a numbered chest harness (excepting operations in minor waters) and life jacket. The participant will be responsible for the proper care and stowage and shall report any damage or defect in the gear to the Officer of the Watch.

Trainees shall wear a chest harness when on deck at night and the vessel is underway.

Every participant shall wear a chest harness and be clipped in when:

• The vessel is underway and the participant is outside of the bulwarks, life lines or out on the bowsprit; and
• Ordered to do so by the Officer of the Watch.

218.    Bowsprit

Permission must be obtained from the Officer of the Watch prior to going out on the bowsprit.

219.    Going Aloft – Five-Point Fall-Arrest Harness

Maintain one hand for the ship and the best hand for yourself. 

Any Member of the Ship’s Company going aloft shall:

• Put on a five-point fall-arrest harness, while either on or below deck;
• Receive permission from the Officer of the Watch immediately before going aloft;
• When ascending or descending the ratlines always maintain a three-point contact (two feet, one hand or  two hands, one foot); and
• When working aloft have at least one lanyard from the harness secured to a fastening point at all times.

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BYTOWN BRIGANTINE INC.
2700 Queensview Drive, Ottawa, ON K2B 8H6 CANADA
phone: (613) 596-6258
contact us by email

Copyright © 2008 Bytown Brigantine Inc. a non-profit charitable foundation (Charitable Registration #118822253 RR0001) dedicated to providing adventure, education, and training in a demanding and rewarding environment.