Small Boat Program – Covid-19 Cleaning and Disinfecting Procedures.

BAADS Reopening Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting

Small Boats

Everyone has a role in making sure our boats and docks are safe and clean.

Introduction

This document will go through the small boat life cycle:  General Maintenance, Rigging, Loading, Sailing, Unloading, De-rigging.  The focus is primarily on Volunteers who do the actual work – and bless their hearts! – but sailors should also be aware of the process as they have a role to play and need to be aware of the activities.  Further, Loading, Sailing and Unloading provide guidelines that are specific to sailors and all must be well versed in the process.  Stay calm, wash your hands, sail on.

General Maintenance

  • If the boat has been unoccupied for 7 days or more, it will only need normal routine cleaning to reopen. (See CDC Guidelines, link below).  Please check with the dockmaster to find out when the boat was last used.
  • Some surfaces only need to be cleaned with soap and water. For example, surfaces and objects that are not frequently touched should be cleaned and do not require additional disinfection.
  • The targeted use of disinfectants can be done effectively, efficiently and safely on outdoor hard surfaces and objects frequently touched by multiple people.
  • The dock area only requires normal routine cleaning and does not require disinfection. Spraying disinfectant on sidewalks is not an efficient use of disinfectant supplies and has not been proven to reduce the risk of COVID-19 to the public.
  • Always wear gloves appropriate for the chemicals being used when you are cleaning and disinfecting. Additional personal protective equipment (PPE) may be needed based on setting and product. For more information, see CDC’s website on Cleaning and Disinfection for Community Facilities.
  • Read all manufacturer’s instructions for the cleaning and disinfection products you will use.

The dockmaster will be best informed on the general dock status and may ask volunteers to perform routine cleaning.  Examples of frequently touched surfaces and objects that will need routine disinfection following reopening are:

  • Tables,
  • Lockers
  • Lines/sheets
  • Gates
  • Lifts
  • Lift Handles
  • Coronaviruses on surfaces and objects naturally die within hours to days. Warmer temperatures and exposure to sunlight will reduce the time the virus survives on surfaces and objects.
  • Disinfectants kill germs on surfaces. By killing germs on a surface after cleaning, you can further lower the risk of spreading infection. 

When you finish cleaning, remember to properly dispose of the gloves.

Follow the instructions on the label for all cleaning and disinfection products for concentration, dilution, application method, contact time and any other special considerations when applying.

Cleaning and disinfecting supplies may be kept in a locker on the Small Boat Dock. 

Supplies:

  • Disinfectant store and use disinfectants in a responsible and appropriate manner according to the label
  • Hand washing stations
  • Dawn (For handwashing stations)  
  • Paper towels
  • Non-touch trash receptacles for soiled towels (trash bags)
  • Hand Sanitizer
  • Gloves  
  • Masks – bring your own, or BAADS may supply one )
  • Face shields – bring your own – or BAADS may supply one)

Rigging

  • Always wear a face mask, and other desired PPE, while on the BAADS dock.  Maintain social distancing wherever possible.  In situations where social distancing is not possible, consider wearing a face shield.
  • Clean the boat and tackle (e.g., joy sticks, bailers, paddles, rudders) with soap and water. Then, disinfect using an EPA-approved disinfectantexternal icon.
  • Small-boat sailing is currently limited to 4 craft (a maximum 2 of which can be servos).  As a rule, there will be 2 volunteers assigned to rig any particular small boat.  Please maintain social distancing outside of your work partner.

Loading

  • Sailors should be on the dock only for loading and unloading band should wait either outside the dock gate or up on Pier 40 until they are called to load.  Sailors must wear a face mask while they are on the dock and while loading/unloading.
  • Volunteers may need to assist sailors getting on boats.  They should wear a mask and face shield when assisting.  The goal is safely minimize the time spent in contact with sailors. Volunteers should use a hand sanitizer after loading a sailor. 
  • After loading, the sailor should push out from the dock and may sail only on the fairway until a chase boat is in position.

Sailing

  • Sailors may remove their facemasks while sailing.  Please note, if there are 2 crew in a 303, they must be part of a shelter-in-place unit.  Also, if they need assistance from a chaseboat, they should put on a facemask.  Currently, chaseboat crew is restricted to towing and minor rigging adjustments.  For more involved situations, the chaseboat will tow the sailor to the dock, where they will be unloaded.
  • Volunteers will be limited to 2 per chaseboat.  If both crew agree, they may take off their facemasks while out on the water.  Volunteers should put their facemasks on if they are called to assist a sailor.

Unloading

  • Sailors must put on a facemask while unloading and while on thee dock or on Pier 40.  They should sail in the fairway until they are called to unload by the dockmaster.  After unloading, sailors need to exit the dock and can either wait outside the gate or up on Pier 40.
  • Volunteers Should wear a face mask and facemask while assisting the unloading of sailors.  They should also use a hand sanitizer after assisting a sailor.

De-Rigging

  • Always wear a face mask, and other desired PPE, while on the BAADS dock.  Maintain social distancing wherever possible.  In situations where social distancing is not possible, consider wearing a face shield.
  • Follow normal procedures and simply rinse the boats and tackle as usual.  Since BAADS sailing is restricted to Saturdays, there is no need to disinfect the boats and tackle after sailing.
  • As a rule, there will be 2 volunteers assigned to de-rig any particular small boat.  Please maintain social distancing outside of your work partner.

>> from the previous version…. <<

Actions:

  • Place social distancing instructions on dock
  • Mark six foot increments on dock using blue tape or other means, clearly visible
  • Wear gloves as a reminder not to touch your face
  • No sharing food.  If you plan to bring food for others, prepare it at home and make individual servings in a container so containers / packages are not shared
  • Exceptions to these actions will be considered on a case by case basis.  Contact the Commodore

Covid-19 Requirements while sailing:

  • Only two crew members on Whalers
  • If equipment problems arise, the boat will be towed back to the dock (not on the water repairs that require leaning into boats for repairs.
  • Do not share food with those not sheltering in place together
  • BAADS recommends wearing a mask while onboard

Covid- 19 Skipper Checklist Before Sailing

Small Boats

If the boat and equipment has not been used in 7 days, clean with boat soap, no need to disinfect.

If disinfecting is warranted, use an EPA-approved disinfectantexternal icon.  Follow instructions on labels of soap and on disinfectant.

Prep:

  • Set up hand washing station(s), add water and soap, and towels if needed or use hand sanitizer. 
  • Place hand sanitizer near the dock gate
  • Set up trash receptacle for used PPE
  • Ensure dock has designated six foot increments
  • Ensure required social distancing notices are posted on dock
  • Put on your gloves and other required personal protective equipment (PPE) to begin the process of cleaning and disinfecting.

Cleaning and disinfecting:

The general rule is to clean and disinfect after sailing or working on a boat.  Clean everything you touched.  This leaves the boats / equipment clean for the next sail or work crew.

  • Cleaning and Disinfecting BAADS small boats:
    • If you have confirmation that the boat has not been used in the last 7 days (Check with the dockmaster and bosun).
      • No need to disinfect:  Routine cleaning with boat soap. 
      • Yes, the boat has been used or worked on in the last 7 days: 
        • Did the previous sailors/crew clean AND disinfect the boat/equipment?
          • Yes
            • No need to clean/disinfect
          • No or unsure
            • Clean and disinfect before sailing or working
  • Disinfect joy sticks, sheets, gunnels, cushions, and other shared equipment
  • Electronics, radios, etc.: Use a cloth, apply cleaner / disinfectant to the cloth then wipe down electrical knobs, button, etc. Do not spray directly on electronics.

After sailing:  Clean and disinfect.  Wipe down frequently touched surfaces with disinfectant.  Use disinfectant and spray surfaces, follow instructions on the sparyers.

References:

CDC

CDC Reopening Guidance:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/reopen-guidance.html

CDC: People who need to take extra Precautions:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/index.html

CDC: How to protect yourself and others:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html

People with Higher Risk:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-at-higher-risk.html

CDC:  Cleaning and Disinfecting:

CDC’s website on Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Facility.

EPA:  EPA-approved disinfectantexternal icon. OSHA:  https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3990.pdf