Page 23 - Misconduct a Reference for Race Officials

Young people 14 - 18 - Experienced
Once over the age of 14, depending on the mental maturity of the individual,
young people can be expected to make sensible decisions about their exposure
to risk. However, it is important to recognise that their decisions about risk taking
may well be influenced by peer pressure.

General principles of legal liability for vulnerable adults
A vulnerable adult is a person:
 "who is or may be in need of community care services by reason of mental
or other disability, age or illness”; and
 who is or may be unable to take care of themselves; or
 who is or may be unable to protect themselves against significant harm or
exploitation

A higher standard of care is likely to be required when organising activities for
vulnerable adults. However, the level of supervision or support required for such
individuals will depend upon the activities undertaken and the particular
vulnerabilities of the individuals concerned. Booking forms and any risk
statements will need to be tailored to ensure that participants’ individual needs
are identified. More information on how to deliver particular boating activities for
vulnerable adults is available from RYA Sailability.

Organised racing or other group activities
Particular care must be taken in the following matters:
 Acceptance of entries, having regard to the age and experience of
competitors, the expected number of competitors, the availability of patrol
boats and the anticipated weather and tidal conditions;
 The decision to cancel, postpone, or continue with racing in the light of the
foregoing factors;
 Provision and maintenance of adequate patrol boats; and
 Enforcement of appropriate safety regulations.

It is impossible to lay down criteria or guidelines that will be of general
application, for example a ratio of patrol boats to competitors. Weather
conditions, age, experience and competence of competitors etc. vary so much
from one organiser to another and from one event to another that it must be for
the committee of each organiser and the organisers of each event to decide what
safety regulations should exist, what systems should be employed for their
enforcement, and when such regulations should be imposed and/or waived. In
making these decisions, the committee need not attempt to forestall or remove

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