The
Jewish Navy
Cruising and Rafting Protocol
In order to encourage our members to come out and sail with us as a group, and to learn more about maneuvering their boats, the Club offers the following guidelines for cruising and rafting. For any cruise or raftup, the Cruise Director(s) will monitor VHF channel 72 on the hour and half-hour. When approaching the rafting site, hail on the VHF, or call on their cell phones, for final information and directions.
Rafting is a very informal affair. Typically, members joining the cruise are free to anchor by themselves or join a raft. Rafts tend to be composed anywhere from two (2) to five (5) boats, depending on the size of the boats, the weather conditions, and personal preference, although we have had rafts of ten boats with two anchors out. The Cruise Director(s) usually are the raft captain(s) and sometimes the anchor boat, but other boats maybe designated as the anchor boat (perhaps due to size). In any event, the skipper of the anchor boat is the raft captain. An anchor boat should have ground tackle capable of holding a raft of several boats in normal situations. Lunch hooks are not acceptable. An oversized anchor and long chain, with at least a 7:1 scope of line and chain, will make rafting feel much more comfortable during the night. It is the raft captain's decision to determine the number of boats on the raft and each boat's location. As needed, other boats must be ready to set an additional anchor, to set anchor lights, to operate their motor for maneuvering the raft, or the break up of the raft.
Matching size and weight on starboard and port sides is an important consideration for anchor holding ability, security of the raft and safety of the rafted boats. Although rafts may be prearranged by members, rafts usually are formed on a first come first serve basis,
