Bylaws Of The University of Texas Sailing Club

As amended, 8 August 2007

Article I. Officers

Section 1.01 Duties-

Section 1.02 Restrictions-

• An officer may hold more than one position, provided that the same person shall not hold more than one of the following positions: Commodore, Vice-Commodore, Treasurer, or Maintenance Officer.

Section 1.03 Attendance Requirements-

• Officers missing more than two meetings without prior notice per semester will result in automatic recall notice (Const 3.03) of the officer at the second missed meeting. Prior notice entails contacting either the electronic mailing list or one of Commodore, Maintenance, or Treasurer officers before the meeting.

Article II. Regulations

Section 2.01

• Every person must follow all laws and regulations concerning personal flotation devices (PFDs) and safety equipment. In addition to these regulations, all persons must wear life jackets when weather conditions require it, along with any guest who has not passed the swim test.

Section 2.02

• Consumption of alcoholic beverages on any club boat is prohibited.

Section 2.03

• Sailing after dark is prohibited, unless sanctioned by the Executive Board.
  (a) Those checked out on keelboats may sail keelboats at night, after receiving Board approval for unlimited night sailing.

Section 2.04

• Every captain is financially responsible for the loss, destruction, misuse, or abuse of club property. If, in the opinion of the Executive Board, neglect, poor seamanship, or irresponsible behavior of any kind results in damage to club property, assessments may be made accordingly.

Section 2.05

• It is the responsibility of the captain to return all gear to its proper storage place after sailing.

Section 2.06

• Marina rules must be followed.

Section 2.07

• The wind speed limit for sailing club equipment is 20 miles per hour.
  (a) The wind speed limit for keelboats is 30 miles per hour.

Section 2.08

• All members must pass the UTSC swim test.

Article III. Budget Procedures

Section 3.01

• The preparation of the budget is the responsibility of the Commodore. The budget must be presented to and approved by the Executive Board before the second general club meeting each semester.

Section 3.02

• The budget may be modified during the semester as deemed necessary by the Executive Board.

Article IV. Advancement in Rank

Section 4.01

• Ranks are Unranked, Crew, Advanced Crew, Seaman I, Seaman II, Seaman III, and Skipper.

Section 4.02

• Ranks must be achieved in the order specified above.

Section 4.03

• Members become Unranked by passing a written test designed by the Instructor and passing the swimming test.

Section 4.04

• Unranked members become Crew by passing the on-the-water test. Crew has the privilege of captaining single-sail boats such as Sunfish and similar boats.

Section 4.05

• Advanced Crew has the privilege of captaining single-sail craft such as Lasers and similar boats for which the on-the-water test has been passed.

Section 4.06

• Seaman has the privilege of captaining multiple-sail craft for which the on-the-water test has been passed. Seaman is divided into the subclasses of Seaman I, II, and III, with the level of boats designated by the board. The Seaman III class is subdivided according to the boat designated by the Executive Board to constitute that class. A separate on-the-water test is required for each Seaman class. The board may remove the capsize requirement for those boats which are difficult to capsize and for which it is harmful to the boat.

Section 4.07

• The on-the-water test must be given by a member with a rank at least one class above the class of boat of which the test is being administered. For the Seaman III test, one Skipper, one Advanced Seaman III, or two Seaman IIIs of the same designation must witness the test.

Section 4.08

• Advanced Seaman III has the privilege of performing Seaman III on-the-water tests for boats of the same designation for which the rank was obtained. In order to become an Advanced Seaman III of a particular designation, the member must have significant experience skippering that type of boat after the Seaman III checkout has been accomplished.

Section 4.09

• Skippers have the privilege of captaining all club boats. Seaman advances to Skipper immediately upon reaching advanced level on all Seaman III boats.

Section 4.10

• The required maneuvers for the on-the-water test are:
  (a) Rig and de-rig the boat
  (b) Sail on all points of sail
  (c) Tack and jibe. At least two of each must be performed.
  (d) Right the craft properly from the fully inverted position after a capsize.
  (e) Rescue a sailor whom has fallen overboard
  (f) Launch and land correctly
  (g) Hike out fully or captain the boat with crew on trapeze

Section 4.11

• A special test procedure is available to members who wish only to sail the Seaman III keelboats. The member must first be sponsored by a board member and be authorized by the board to be exempted from the regular checkout procedures. Additionally, the member must have been in the UTSC for at least one semester. The member must pass the written test, swimming test, crew on-the-water test, and Seaman III keelboat on-the-water test. In addition, the member must be certified in any appropriate U.S. Sailing keelboat seamanship and boat handling class or a UTSC Board-recognized equivalent, have documented proof of bareboat keelboat-chartering experience on a similar boat, or have documented proof that an established boat chartering company qualifies the member as competent to bareboat charter a similar boat. Members who use these procedures to become eligible to sail the keelboat are authorized to sail only the keelboat and may witness only keelboat on-the-water tests. Their rank shall be Seaman III – Keelboat only.

Article V. Miscellanea

Section 5.01

• Previous Commodores who are regular members and have been voted in at the general meeting, current officers, and faculty advisors are not required to pay dues.

Section 5.02

• A majority vote of the members present at a general club meeting shall be superior to any action of the Board, provided that at least one-fourth of the total membership is present.