Author: Jim Coffin

Lift Safety

Boat Lift Safety

Lift-out will be taking place on Saturday, October 5. For those new to lifts at Kincardine Harbor and a reminder for others, here is a brief guide to lift safety.

We ask that volunteers register before lift day. We want all volunteers to attend the pre-job briefing and to wear the appropriate safety vest. For those working with their hands, work gloves are a very good idea.

Only authorized are allowed in the lift area. The boat will be lifted only when the area is clear of everyone except the crane signal-person, the tag line holders and the lift captain.

Everyone must keep their eye on the crane and the load. Avoid getting under the load at all times. Keep clear of the crane, especially when it is moving. The only people authorized to speak with the operator are the lift captain and the crane signal-person.

The tag line holders need to work together to control the boat in the air. Both people on the same side of the boat. Stay clear of the boat overhead. If you need help, ask for it. If your way is blocked, pass the tag line to the lift captain or helper.

The sling crew will consist of 4 people at water level and 2 people in the parking lot. All 4 people must get on the boat to keep the boat level until the slings are supporting the boat. Check the slings are not on the propeller shaft and clear of the rudder. Once the boat is level and supported by the slings, everyone off the boat and clear of the lift area.

As the boat goes onto the cradle, don't adjust pads until the keel is resting on the cradle, unless the owner instructs otherwise. When the boat is on the cradle, the slings must be removed. The sling may have to be broken. Often the sling will be trapped between the boat and the pad. Follow directions to release the sling. The risk of getting a hand crushed between the boat, cradle and sling is high. Be very careful and watch out for the other guy.

Owners are allowed in the lift area only to show where the slings go and at the cradle after the boat is resting in the cradle. Boats with mast up must have the backstay removed as well as the boom topping lift. If there is a risk that the mast will fall with the backstay removed, the boat will not be lifted. The owner is responsible for any damage to the mast.

Boat Lift Cost

The cost of the crane is divided amongst all the boat owners as fairly as possible. Ideally, we should just divide the cost of the crane equally amongst each boat owner.

The cost of the crane is billed by Stratford Cranes by the hour from the time the crane leaves the crane yard to the time it returns to the crane yard. The final bill is paid by the club. Some of the crane time is common to all boat owners. This is the travel time to and from the yard and the time to position the crane to lift the boat. We try to minimize the crane moves because of the time needed to move the crane. The remaining time is the time the crane spends specifically on a single boat.

We time the crane lift to determine how much crane time is spent on a single boat from the time the crane is in position to put the slings on the boat until the time the slings are off the boat. The clock starts if the boat is ready or not.

Sips on Slips July 22

This Saturday July 22ndis the first in our series of“Sips on Slips”at the KYC !

What is it?

It is a chance for some socializing and mingling aboard your boat! For those members wishing to participate, we will be offering a pirate pennant flag to tie on your boat to indicate you’re “open” to having visitors stop by for a “sip”. Pennants will be available at the marina office the day of, for those wishing to grab one.

The beverage can be water, something you have created, or something you have in a can or bottle. Up to you!  Marina office has lots of ice on hand for purchase!

Snacks are always welcome and don’t have to be fancy 😊

Start time: 5:30pm

End time:  whenever you take down your pennant flag

Next “Sips on Slips”: July 20th

Marina Update

Greetings all, marina opening activities are going well and see below points with much more to do:

Water is on to our washrooms

Office is cleaned up

amp has been cleared of sand and new walkway to floating docks installed

Longer ramps are in the grass area and will be installed on B & C dock shortly after lift in. I am not sure when they were last used but the decking is rotten and I will fix them soon.

Diesel sales are going well and Cottrils will be buying the last 300 litres early next week.

We have 4 people prepared to help lower A dock the weekend before lift in and looking for 4 more helpers

Piling for the new fuel dock is now on the ground and will be thumped in by dredging contractor

Pre job meeting for dredging is on 11 April.

Rob