SAFETY NORMS FOR WATERSPORTS National Institute of Watersports (A center under Indian Institute of Travel & Tourism Management) (Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India) IInd Floor, Sundial Apartment A.S. Road, Althinho, Panjim Goa 403001 Tel/Fax (0832) 24364000, Website: www.niws.nic.in Email: [email protected] Incredible !ndia 1 | P a g e necessary, to these norms to suit local condition. Technical advice on the SAFETY NORMS FOR matter of safety in watersports and WATERSPORTS enforcement of the norms contained here can be sought from the National Institute of Watersports. These safety norms for watersports in the field of adventure tourism are given The latest version of the norms can be in this booklet as a guideline for downloaded from NIMW website at watersports operators. They specify the www.niws.nic.in. minimum safety standards as regard to infrastructure equipment/ accessories, Principal / Nodal Officer operator‟s qualifications and guidelines for watersports operations. The norms haven been divided into following sections: Section 1: General Watersports a) Boat and Water-scooter Rides b) Parasailing c) Water Skiing and Fun Rides d) Jet Ski e) Windsurfing and Sailing f) Kayaking and Canoeing Section 2: Scuba Diving Section3: River Rafting Section 4: Lifeguarding a) Pool Lifeguards b) Beach Lifeguards Respective enforcing authorities shall add further regulations, if any deemed 2 | P a g e SECTION- 1: WATRTSPORTS Equipment and Accessories: Scope: These regulations are New equipment must have applicable for Watersports centers certification for design as well as offering powerboat handling including manufacture from a certification water-scooter and Jet Ski rides, water- agency such as India Register of skiing, sailing, parasailing, kayaking Shipping (IRS). Existing and canoeing. Norms for SCUBA equipment should have a similar diving and river rafting have been certification from a Marine given separately. Architect for serviceability and seaworthiness. Infrastructure: The carrying capacity of the boats musty be clearly displayed Boat club shall have the following so that it can be seen by the infrastructure: passengers as well as regulatory Embarkation/disembarkation agencies. arrangement for customers in the The buoyancy aids must be form of a jetty or pontoon. available in sufficient numbers Shelter for customers with to Cater for the deployment of facilities for drinking water and all the watersports equipment toilet. simultaneously. They must be Storage space for watersports available in different sizes so equipment to protect it from that they will fit customers of all deterioration from exposure to sizes and age groups. direct sunlight. Fuel should be A first-aid box with standard Stored in separate supplies must be available on “Inflammable” store in a well shore at an easily accessible ventilated area and provided location. with appropriate fire fighting Rescue tube, specifically facilities developed for on-water rescue, Maintenance area for defect should be carried on the rescue rectification and preventive boat as well as on passenger maintenance. boats used for rides. The existing lifebuoys should be phased out and replaced by the rescue tubes. 3 | P a g e Operator’s Qualifications: Watersports Operation- General Norms I. Lifesaving Techniques (LST): The entire staff of the watersport Area of Operation: center who are directly involved with the operations must have Area for operation of mechanized craft LST certification from National (water-scooter/ boat/ Jet Ski etc.) Institute of Watersports (NIWS). should be away from the area of It is desirable that personnel manually operated crafts like paddle indirectly connected with boating, rowing, kayaking etc. It should watersport center like waiters, be clearly marked with flags & floats. receptionists, sweepers etc. also On the beach, swim zone should be qualify in the First Aid and CPR marked with floats & there should be a modules of the LST course so small pontoon in the center as a safety that they can render help in an point for swimmers. Boats involved in emergency. leisure rides or in parasailing shall not go beyond the visual range of the II. Powerboat Handling rescue boat driver/ lookout. Certification (PBH): For Rescue: All powerboat/ water scooter/ jet ski drivers must hold PBH A rescue boat must be available in full certification from NIWS or its readiness during the entire period of equivalent international watersport operation. This boat must be certification from agencies like powered by OBM of minimum 10 HP. Royal Yachting Association A Lookout-cum-boat driver must be (RYA) standby near the boat. The boat as well as the Lookout should not be involved III. Note: Validity of above with any other activity while on rescue certification is two years, after duty. which, the same shall be renewed. Period of Operation: Boating should be restricted to day light hours only. 4 | P a g e Norms for Boat and Norms for Parasailing Watersports Rides Driver qualification: Driver’s qualification: The boat driver must have a remote Driver should hold a valid PBH as well control powerboat handling [PBH- R as LST certification. Validity of above (LEVEL 3)] certification from NIWS. certification is two years, after which, In addition, he must have a minimum the same shall be renewed. of 30 supervised launches before handling operations independently. Operating instructions: Boat and OBM: It shall be full responsibility of the boat driver to ensure that every rider The boat used for parasailing must have Wearing of buoyancy aids of adequate engine power. It is ideal to appropriate size by customers would be have a winch-boat but use of a remote- that of. Buoyancy aid must fit snugly controlled boat with minimum of 90 and all the fasteners should be secured HP is also permitted. The must have a during the entire period of ride. strong anchor/point specially built for attachment of parasail. Boat/ water-scooter should be operated from a jetty, or a ramp Equipment and Accessories: where embarkation of passengers can be carried out Parasail must be made of material safely. suitable for use over water. The Weight of the passengers must parasailing center must have a be evenly distributed and they windsock or a hand –held wind speed should remain seated throughout meter to determine the wind velocity. the boat ride. Operating Instructions: Parasailing operation must be carried out from specially marked area of the beach to avoid injury or disturbance to other beach users. A stretch of 200 feet shall be clearly marked 5 | P a g e on the beach with a notice board Equipment and Accessories: warning other beach users to keep clear during takeoff and The powerboat used for skiing landing. must have adequate power The parasailing operation must (minimum 40HP) with remote be stopped whenever the wind control. speed exceeds 15 miles per hour The skier must wear specially at sea level. designed buoyancy aid for water In addition to Driver, the boat skiing and should have must carry one assistant to serve additional padding on the chest as a “Lookout”. and collar. The boat driver must keep a Operating Instructions: sharp lookout for swimming in water to take quick evasive The ski boat must carry a action. Lookout who will keep an eye The parasailing equipment shall on the skier and advice the boat driver accordingly be inspected and certified by The ski boat is to be operated NIWS or specialist on its behalf/ outside the swimming area of the National governing body of beach/ water body. paragliding. For fun-rides, customers must wear buoyancy aids of correct size with all fasteners secured snugly. Children shall not be Waterskiing & Fun Rides Using allowed to take the fun rides Powerboat unless buoyancy aid to their size is available. Driver Qualification: Must hold PBH and LST certification. In addition, he should have conducted water-skiing operations under Jet Ski/ Personal Watercraft controlled supervision on at least five occasions. He should be thoroughly (PWC) conversant with standard hand signals Operator’s qualification: Must hold used between driver and skier. PBH and LST certifications from NIWS or its equivalent. In addition to 6 | P a g e this basic seamanship qualification, he I. A qualified boat driver seats should also undergo Jet Ski conversion behind during the ride. course conducted by NIWS. II. Customer is thoroughly briefed on the controls of the Jet Ski, the Operating Instructions: rules of the road and basic Operating area: Jet Ski should be seamanship during Jet Ski operated in a well defined area beyond handling. Jet Ski drivers sitting normal swimming and watersports behind on such a ride shall area. It is very important keep in mind ensure that speed limit and the that even the wake generated by a Jet safety instructions are followed Ski would pose danger to kayaks and by the rider so as to avoid paddle boats. accident and injury to others. If the customer disobeys the Forbidden Maneuvers: Riding too instructions, the driver shall close to other boats, jumping wake of immediately take over the boat or waves and fast approaching to control. the jetty is forbidden. During emergency turning, the driver would Jet Ski Ride by Customers lose control of Jet Ski if the throttle is Independently: released abruptly. Therefore, power Watersport centre can allow should be reduced after turning action independent riding of jet ski by its is complete customers but same is permitted only Rides by Jet Ski driver: Normally after an experienced instructor, holding Jet Ski should be used at a Watersport jet ski certification from NIWS, centre and designated place. The rides conducted a short familiarization lesson should be manned by a qualified driver as per “jet ski” familiarization check and he has to ensure that the passengers list issued by NIWS. Successful wear snugly fitting buoyancy aids completion of familiarization should be throughout the ride.