AMBLE BOAT CLUB RULES AND CONSTITUTION

1. The Club Name. 

The Club is known as the AMBLE BOAT CLUB, THE BRAID, AMBLE. MORPETH. NORTHUMBERLAND. (Herein after referred to in the rules as “the club”)

The Club was formed in 1964 by local motor boat owners with the assistance of several boat owners from outside the area. 

2. Aims and Objectives of the Club.

The Objective for which the club was formed is to promote and facilitate the sport of boating and fishing.

a) To ensure the continuity of the traditional right of a member of the local community to moor their boats on the River Coquet, subject to them being members of the club.

b) To negotiate with the Harbour Commissioners for the allocation of a stretch of water to give a secure mooring area for the club.

c) To provide mooring facilities and protect the interests of both local members and those members from outside the area.

d) At the request of the Harbour Authorities, the club will accept membership renewals and new applications only from those boat owners agreeing to use their boats for recreational and sporting purposes only.

e) Notwithstanding (d) above, the Harbour Authorities accept to recognise the small number of commercial boat owners presently members of the club and working their boats as a full time business, using the club mooring until such time as mooring facilities are available in the Harbour area. The club can no longer accommodate members operating a part time business fishing, lobster potting, nets etc. or the loan of boats to others for this purpose.

f) At the written request of the Harbour Authorities, temporary moorings may be made available, space permitting, to commercial fishermen.

g) With regret the committee will be forced to terminate membership of any individual boat owner not conforming to these rules and regulations.

h) To charge a membership fee which will not bar anyone, however modest their means, or basic their type of boat, from following their hobby of boating.

i) To promote safe and responsible boating activities to all including young members of the community.

j) To promote sporting and social activities.

k) To consider applications for membership from outside the Amble area as space permits.

3. Committee and Officers of the Club.

The Officers of the club shall be full members and shall consist of a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer. Officers elected at the A.G.M. in each year will hold office for one year retiring at the termination of the A.G.M. in each year. All Officers of the club shall be eligible for re-election.

4. Duties of Honorary Secretary.

a) Keep a register of club members’ names and addresses.

b) Conduct the correspondence of the club.

c) Keep custody of all club documents.

d) Keep full minutes of all club meetings.

e) Administer such insurance policies as may be needed fully, to protect the interests of the club, its Officers and members.

f) Maintain contact with the club’s legal advisor to ensure that the club’s affairs are managed in accordance with the current laws.

g) Maintain any such certificates or registrations, and complete any such non-financial returns as may be required.

5. Duties of Honorary Treasurer.

a) Cause such books of accounts to be kept as are necessary to give a true and fair view of the state of the finances of the club.

b) Prepare an annual balance sheet as at the last day of February each year end, cause such balance sheet (and accounts as necessary) to be audited at least once annually and shall therefore cause the same to be exhibited in the club premises at least fourteen days before the date of the A.G.M.

c) Maintain any such certificates or registrations, and complete any such finance returns that may be required by law.

6. Auditors.

An auditor will be appointed by the committee, and the report prepared and presented at the A.G.M.

7. Membership.

An application for membership shall be in the form from time to time prescribed by the committee, and shall include the name, address and occupation of the candidate. 

Upon receipt of an application for membership, the Secretary shall enter such application in a register of candidates and shall cause the application form to be prominently displayed in the club premises for at least fourteen days before the meeting of the committee at which such application for membership shall be considered. The election of all classes of membership is vested in the Management Committee and shall be a simple majority vote of those members present and voting at the relevant meeting of the Management Committee. The Secretary shall inform each candidate in writing of the candidate’s election or non-election. He shall furnish an elected candidate with a copy of the rules and bylaws of the club and make request for payments as are necessary. 

Upon election, a candidate shall pay, within one calendar month, such entrance and other fees as shall be requested. In default of such payment the election shall be void unless sufficient cause for delay can be shown.

The committee may cancel without notice given, the membership of any member whose annual subscription and other annual fees are more than three months in arrears provided that the committee may, at its discretion, re-instate such members upon payment of arrears. No member, whose annual payments are in arrears, may enter the club premises nor vote at a meeting.

A membership form is available to make such application for membership to the boat club and all details must be filled in, giving the current information required. This information will be passed to the following authorities; the Police, the Marine Police, Harbour Authority, Coast Guard, Customs and Excise. There are also several declarations of intention and notifications to be read and signed accordingly these will be kept on file and may be used later or in the event of dispute over use of boats. There shall be the following categories of membership with the power to vote at all meetings of the club as indicated thereunder. The Rights and privileges of each category of the members are defined in the latest edition of bylaws of the club.

Full Member, being a person, who at the date of the election, is over the age of sixteen shall have one vote.

Associate Member, being a person who, at the date of the election is over sixteen and shall have no vote.

Junior Member, being a person, who at the date of election is under the age of sixteen, and shall have no vote, such a member shall be one who at the commencement of the subscription year joins the club other than a full member.

Pensioner Member, being a person, who at the date of election is over the age of sixty-five years when the following criteria for pensioner membership thereunder is meet. Being a fully paid up member of the club for a minimum period of seven years continuous membership prior to coming of age defined above. Up to a maximum of 10% of the membership, subject to seniority and the discretion of the committee and shall have one vote.

Honorary Member, being a person who shall be nominated and elected by the committee and shall have no vote.

No Member may use the club premises, or facilities of the club until 48 hours have elapsed from the date of the posting of the notice of election. Candidates for membership shall have no privileges whatsoever in relation to the use of the club premises. 

a) The rate of entrance and subscription fee for each category of membership shall be proposed by the committee to the members at the A.G.M. in each year. Any proposed changes shall be approved by a majority of those present and entitled to vote, and shall become operative on the date of the A.G.M. The current rate of entrance and subscription fee shall be displayed in the club premises.

Members shall make the following annual payments:-

b) An annual membership fee of such a sum as the committee shall from time to time prescribe which shall entitle the payee to the use of the club facilities excluding the sailing of craft on waters within the club control.

c) An annual fee of such a sum as the committee shall from time to time prescribe what entitles a full member to store their boat, or boat and trailer, or boat trailer on land controlled by the club. This fee will be made up of two separate charges for winter storage and summer storage. All boats that remain on land throughout any of these periods for whatever reason will be liable to pay some or all of the sums for the period so stored.

d) An annual fee of such a sum as the Harbour Authorities prescribe to entitle a full member to the use of the waters within the Harbour Authorities’ control. This payment will be made to the Club Treasurer and submitted to the Harbour Authorities by the Club Treasurer each year.

e) A one-time payment. Full members requiring moorings shall also make a one-time payment upon being allocated a mooring, such a sum as the committee will from time to time prescribe to entitle the member of the club to fix mooring chains to the riser chains which is the property of the club. Any break in membership without good reason being given in writing, may at the discretion of the committee cause such payment to be made by the former member upon re-joining.

f) Every member shall furnish the Honorary Secretary with an up to date address which shall be recorded in the register of members and any notice sent to such address shall be deemed to have been duly delivered.

g) The forming of any other club or sub-organisation within the club for any purpose will not be permitted.

8. Conduct of Members.

a) Every member, upon election and thereafter, is deemed to have notice of, and impliedly undertakes to comply with, The Club Rules, and current Bylaws and Regulations of The Club. Any refusal or neglect to do so, or any conduct which in the opinion of the committee, is either unworthy of a member or otherwise injurious to the interests of the club, shall render a member liable to expulsion by the committee. Provided that before expelling a member, the committee shall call upon such a member for a written explanation of the member’s conduct and shall give the member full opportunity of making explanation to the committee. Or of resigning. A resolution to expel a member shall be carried by a simple majority vote by those members of the Management committee present and voting on the resolution.

b) A member shall not knowingly remove, injure, destroy or damage any property of the club and shall make full restitution for the same if called upon to do so by the committee or by the Secretary upon instructions of the committee.

c) A member shall not cause any communications in whatever form to be exhibited on the club notice boards or premises without the permission of the Secretary.

d) All suggestions shall be entered in the suggestion book and signed by the member.

e) Complaints of any nature relating to the management of the club premises shall be addressed in writing to the Secretary. Under no circumstances shall a servant of the club be personally reprimanded by a member.

f) A member of any club affiliated to the Royal Yachting Association (a list whereof is published by the said association) may be authorised to use the premises of the club by any member of the committee of the club. Such authorisation shall specify between which dates (committee may expel, temporarily or permanently, any person who has the right to the use, not more than fourteen days apart) the said person can use the premises. 

g) The Secretary or any other person who has received the authority of two members of the club premises only under rule (9f).

9. Limitation of Club Liability.

a) Members, their guests and visitors are bound by the following rule which shall be exhibited in a prominent place within the club premises:- Members of the club, their guests or visitors may use the club premises, and other facilities of the club, entirely at their own risk and impliedly accept.

b) The club will not accept any liability for any damage to, or loss of, property belonging to members, their guests or visitors to the club.

c) The club will not accept any liability for personal injury arising out of the use of the club premises, and any other facilities of the club either sustained by members, their guests or visitors or caused by the said members, guests or visitors whether or not such damage or injury could have been attributed or was occasioned by the neglect, default or negligence of any of them, the Officers, Committee, or servants of the club.

10. Management Committee.

a) The management committee (herein referred to as the committee) shall consist of the Officers, ex-officio, and not less than seven nor more than twelve full members of the club elected at the A.G.M. each year to hold office until the termination of the next following A.G.M.

b) Candidates for election to the committee (not being Officers of the club) shall be those members of the retiring committee eligible to offer themselves for re-election. Also such other full members whose nominations (duly proposed and seconded in writing by the full member of the club) with their consent shall have been received by the Secretary at least twenty-eight days before the date of the A.G.M. in each year. Such nominations, together with the names of the proposer and seconder shall be posted in the club premises at least fourteen days prior to the date of the A.G.M.

c) If the number of candidates for election is greater than the number of vacancies to be filled then there should be a ballot.

d) If the number of candidates for election is equal to or less than the number of vacancies to be filled then all the candidates shall be deemed to be elected if two-thirds of those present at the A.G.M. and entitled to vote, vote in favour of such election.

e) In the event of the ballot failing to determine the members of the committee because of an equality of votes, the candidate or candidates to be elected from those having an equal number of votes shall be determined by lot.

f) If, for any reason, a casual vacancy shall occur, the committee may co-opt a full member to fill such a vacancy until the next following A.G.M.

g) The committee shall meet at least every two months making such arrangements as to the conduct, place of assembly and holding of such meeting as it may wish. The Chairman or in his absence, a Chairman elected by those present shall preside.

h) Voting (except in the case of a resolution relation to the expulsion of a member) shall be on a show of hands. In the case of equality of votes, the Chairman shall have a second and casting vote.

i) Seven members personally present shall form a quorum at the meeting of the committee

j) Any member of the committee missing three consecutive meetings without good reason shall be considered by the committee to have resigned, the committee if they shall so wish can co-opt a member to fill the vacancy.

11. Power of the Committee.

a) The committee shall manage the affairs of the club according to the rules and shall cause the funds of the club to be applied solely to the objectives of the club or for a benevolent or charitable purpose nominated by the General Meeting (R.N.L.I.)

b) The committee shall make such bylaws and regulations as it shall from time to time think fit, and shall cause the same to be exhibited in the club premises for fourteen days before implementation. Such bylaws and regulations shall remain in the force until approved or set aside by a vote at the A.G.M. of the club

c) The committee may appoint such sub-committees as it may deem necessary and may delegate such of its powers as it may think fit upon such terms and conditions as shall be deemed expedient and/or required by law. Such sub-committees shall consist of such members of the committee or of the club as the committee think fit. Officers of the club shall be ex-officio members of all such sub-committees.

d) A member of the committee, or sub-committee or an Officer of the club, in transacting business for the club, shall disclose to third parties that he is so acting.

e) The committee, or any person or sub-committee delegated by the committee to act as an agent for the club or its members, shall enter into contracts only so far as expressly authorised, or authorised by implication, by the members. No one shall, without the express authority of the membership in general meeting, pledge the credit of the membership.

f) In pursuance of the authority vested in the committee by the members of the club, members of the committee are entitled to be indemnified by the members of the club against any liabilities properly incurred by them, or any one of them on behalf of the club wherever the contract is of a duly authorised nature and entered into on behalf of the club.
The limit of an individual member’s indemnity in this respect shall be the sum equal to one years subscription at the current rate for that category of the membership, unless the committee has been authorised to exceed such limit by the General Meeting of the club.

g) The committee may nominate for election at an A.G.M. such Honorary members as nomination the committee think fit. The total of such Honorary members shall not, however, at any time exceed 5% of the total number of members nor shall the number of Honorary members exceed, at any time, six in number.

The election of Honorary members shall be put the vote at the A.G.M. each year and such Honorary members shall be duly elected if two-thirds of those present, and entitled to vote, vote in favour of election. 

12. Meeting of the Club.

a) An annual General Meeting of the club will be held each year in the month of April, to be held on or as near to the second Sunday of April as the committee shall arrange. The Secretary shall at least 21 days before the date of such a meeting or of a General Meeting as hereunder mentioned post or deliver to each member notice thereof and of the business to be brought forward thereat. 

b) The committee may, at any time upon giving 28 days notice in writing, call a general meeting of the club for any special business, the nature of which shall be stated in the summons convening the meeting. The discussions at the meeting will be confined to the business stated in the notice sent to members.

c) The committee shall similarly call a general meeting upon request addressed to the Secretary by at least fifteen members. The discussions at such a meeting will be confined to the business stated in the notice to members.

d) At every meeting of the club, the Chairman, Vice Chairman or, in their absence, a Chairman elected by those present shall preside. 

e) Fifteen members entitled to vote and personally present shall form a quorum at any meeting of the club.

f) Only Full, and Pensioner members shall vote at any meeting of the club. Other members may attend but are not entitled to vote.

g) Voting, except upon the election of members of the committee shall be by a show of hands.

h) In the case of an equality of votes the Chairman shall have a second casting vote, on any matter other than the election of a member of the committee.

i) On any resolution properly put to a meeting of the club relating to the creation, repeal or amendment of any rule, bylaw or regulation of the club such rule. Bylaw or regulation shall not be created, repealed or amended except by the majority vote of at least two-thirds of those present and entitled to vote.

13. Dissolution of the Club.

If, upon the winding up or dissolution of the club, there remains after the satisfaction of all debts and liabilities and any property whatsoever. The same shall not be paid or distributed amongst the members of the club, but shall be given or transferred to some other institution or institutions having objectives similar to the objectives of the club. Such institution or institutions, to be determined by the members of the club by resolution passed at a General Meeting, at or before, the time of dissolution, and if and as far as, effect cannot be given to such provision then some charitable object.

14. Car Parking.

Cars may only be parked in the areas designated for such parking so as not to cause any obstruction to other cars or the approaches, to slip way, tractor shed, to the club premises, and keep clear at all times the public right of way (footpath) running along the frontage of the club, the public footpath runs from the carpark on the North side to the entrance in the fence on the South side boundary with the Coquet Yacht Club. The maximum number of vehicles to be parked in the club carpark or area designated shall not exceed twenty at any one time. Vehicles, their accessories and contents are left at the owners’ risk and their responsibility, and the Proprietors shall not be responsible for the loss or damage thereof or thereto from any cause whatsoever, unless such loss or damage was caused by, or resulted from, our negligence or that of those for whom we are responsible.

Not to cause or permit or provide facilities for the parking of vehicles, caravan, or vehicles to provide accommodation in any such form, other than vehicles parked by members and guests of members in the provision of transport to and from the club premises in pursuance of the aims and objectives of the club.

15. Boat and Boat Trailer Parking.

The parking or storage of a boat, or boat trailers, will be allocated on the Seniority of membership, with the proviso that suitability for the position of storage of the craft or trailer, or craft and trailer, as one unit, be subject also to size and manoeuvrability to the approval of the committee or the committee overseeing the storage.

16. Moorings.

a) Members’ boats are moored as directed by the committee in the position allocated. Consideration will be given to the type of boat, draft and whether to the hull shape would suit deep or shallow moorings, also consideration will be given to drying out whether single keel or bilge keel etc. Only the committee can allocate moorings, unless an emergency occurs such as a visitor wishing save haven from the weather, this could be allocated by any member present and ratified as soon as possible by contacting the committee. A system is in place for any member who wishes to appeal against a mooring allocated or for whatever reason wishes to move to another mooring. Consideration will be given dependant on availability and reason for such request, such requests must be put to the committee on the form available from the Clubhouse or in writing to the mooring committee.

b) The club provide the initial ground chain and a short riser (of suitable length) attached to the said ground chain. The ground chain and riser are of heavy link and are and shall remain the property and responsibility of the club. The boat owner is required to supply and fit a fore and aft riser for which the minimum standard is 3/8” chain. These chains are to be fixed with shackles of suitable size to the club’s heavy risers, a link rope will adjoin the fore and aft risers, this rope must be of the sinking type, a single mooring buoy shall be fixed to the link rope an equal distance from the riser chains. All to be joined as directed by the committee (mooring committee). A sample of the minimum standard chain can be seen in the Clubhouse on the notice board.

c) Moorings are not transferable and cannot be offered for sale with a boat. Where a membership ceases, for whatsoever reason, the mooring reverts back to the club, and will be re-allocated as may be decided by the committee (mooring committee).

d) The committee or committee member authorised to inspect all moorings at regular intervals to check on security, condition and standard of mooring equipment may require, with co-operation of the boat owner, to move temporarily to another position so that ground chains and mooring chains can be repaired and maintained in good order.

e) Where a mooring is left vacant for an indefinite period without good cause being given in writing from the boat owner to the committee, the committee shall re-allocate the said mooring without notice to keep down any possible waiting list for mooring. To maximise the amount of fees generated from moorings which are paid to the Harbour Authorities the maximum period of time that a mooring can be left vacant shall be with good cause one year.

f) All moorings within the club mooring area will attract the yearly fee for Harbour Dues if the mooring allocated to them and belonging to the club is used by such a member for any period, unless good cause be notified as stated, this amount is specified by the Harbour Authority will be paid to the club Treasurer, the monies will be handed to the Harbour Authorities in a lump sum along with the relevant information required by the Harbour Authority.

g) The information given on the membership form is required for identification purposes and will be made available to the Police, Marine Police, Harbour Authority, Coast Guard, Customs and Excise, and the Insurers. Members who choose to have dual mooring facilities i.e. a mooring in club controlled water and in the Marina will remain liable to pay Harbour Dues through the boat club irrespective of any charges made by the Marina, or other agents.
However it is true to say that as long as a member is up to date with his/her membership subscriptions and Harbour Dues, and maintains the mooring in good condition, it is his/hers to use for their own personal benefit as long as required subject to all other rules and regulations being met. 

h) The club cannot accept any responsibility for any damage done, however caused. Members must make every effort to ensure their boats are secure as possible, and to provide adequate fendering, as boats will possibly make contact with others under certain conditions of wind and tide.

i) Only one mooring can be allocated to a member, members who wish to change moorings for whatever reason will be asked to vacate the original mooring A.S.A.P. after approval of the new location.

j) The club committee have the right to remove or re-moor craft interfering with the right of way to other river users, and to remove from the water without notice any boat for which Harbour Dues have not been received without good cause in writing to the club committee.

k) The member does not at any time have the authority to authorise any other person to put a boat onto his/her mooring, without the written request being made to the committee and confirmation being given of their approval albeit that the member may have paid Harbour Dues on such moorings.

17. Insurance.

All boats moored within the boat club mooring area or tied below the high water mark, must have at least a third party insurance cover. Private insurance arranged by boat owners must be proven by supplying the committee with a copy (Photostat) of their policy arrangements and subsequent renewals each year on continuation of membership.

18. Identification of Ownership.

The members’ membership number must be displayed on all property, i.e. – dinghies, trailers, and the like, in order that the committee can identify ownership, this enables the committee to contact the owners with minimal delay in case of an emergency. The membership number is allocated by the Treasurer on joining (and if unknown can be checked- see committee). Any property which remains unmarked may be removed and disposed of by the committee upon the posting of a notice in the Clubhouse for fourteen days prior to removal or disposal. No compensation will be made for such losses of unidentified articles of property.

19. Use of Boat.

Only a full member can own a boat within the club and harbour area. Use by persons other than a full member in these areas will result in the insurance being void or cancelled and possible expulsion from club membership. It is therefore advised that shared ownership should be between full members only, and that any person involved with the boat, and liable to use it within the said area, would have full membership. A full member will only be permitted to use a boat or yacht owned by them with one membership application, an exception may be made with the expressed permission of the committee for the purpose of a member changing their boat.

20. Speed Limits.

Members are obliged to conform to Harbour Rules and Regulations, one of which is that the speed of their boat is limited to 4 mph within the Harbour and mooring areas.

21. Abandoned Boats.

If at any time, any fees payable to the club by a member shall be three months or more in arrears and the vessel, the property of a member, or former member, remains upon club premises, the committee may:-

a) Move the vessel to another part of the club premises without being liable for any loss or damage to the vessel, however caused.

b) Give one months notice in writing to the said member, or former member, at the his/her last known address as shown on the club’s register and thereafter sell the vessel and deduct any monies due to the club (whether by way of arrears of subscription or annual payments, moorings or otherwise) from the net proceeds of the sale before accounting for the balance (if any) to the member or former member. Provided always that; proper evidence is available to show that all reasonable steps have been taken to trace the member or former member, and that when, and if, the vessel be sold, the proceeds of the sale (less any indebtedness by the member or former member of the club) shall be placed upon bank deposit account and retained against any eventuality of a claim by the owner (whether he/she be a member or former member) of the club for a period of six years.

22. Special Projects.

Any member wishing to undertake special repair projects on club premises must seek approval from the club committee. It is reasonable to gain permission beforehand due to problems that may occur during the works being carried out. Some of the considerations to be taken into account may be; the position of the boat during repairs, the inconvenience to other members, the scrap materials and general rubbish created by such works, and the electricity used etc.

23. Health and Safety.

Above all some consideration to Health and Safety implications caused by your actions, and the use of and omissions of hazardous substances. These include fibreglass, resins, paints, smoke from burning off, dust from grinding and sanding, and general rubbish. Welding without screening and protection for persons passing, not to mention engine oil, gear and hydraulic oils (the Harbour provides a facility to dispose of oils. Also the local refuse dumps at Alnwick and Ashington have disposal points). We must be aware of the Public right to pass through our club area and the possibility that children could play or use any substance left unsecured.

24. Trailing Leads.

This practice whilst difficult to enforce is brought to the attention of all members for their own personal safety and the safety of others who may come into contact with such practices. All members are to ensure that any trailing leads used, being the property of the individual member and not belonging to the club, which is connected to the club’s electricity supply by means of a 13 amp socket outlet, should be fitted with an R.C.D. breaker moreover where possible the overground lead be 110 volts. The committee, and the Officers of the club cannot be held responsible for any injury however caused as a result from the use from unsafe equipment not being the property of the club.

25. Disposal of Oils and Lubricants.

All members are to be aware that the pumping out of bilges and the cleaning of fish within the Harbour area is prohibited. Waste oils etc. should be disposed of correctly, not down drains or poured in rubbish skips. The Harbour Authority have a waste oil disposal system for use in the Harbour area.

26. Tying up against the wall and use of Foreshore.

Members’ boats may only be tied to the wall for a maximum period of 5 days. The wall is not to be used for permanent moorings, also the area to the upstream side of the slipway is not to be used for permanent tying up of boats for period longer than 5 days, and only then with the expressed permission of the committee. The timbers protecting the shoreline are not secure and may cause damage and land slippage if tied to.

27. Use of Tractor.

The tractor must only be used by those members trained in its use, or other persons authorised by the committee.

28. Safety Equipment on board.

In order to ensure that our members are as safe as possible when enjoying the sport of fishing/boating/sailing, and to ensure that our members are acting as responsible as far as is practicable, the committee recommend that the following equipment should be carried: an anchor with adequate chain and rope, a bailer, life jackets for all persons on board, flares (small craft within three miles of shore, should carry two red flares and two orange smoke flares as a minimum), a compass, and a fire extinguisher. If out at sea between sunset and sunrise, all craft are required by Marine Law to have means of giving sound signals and to display adequate navigation lights.

Drafted for Amble Boat Club 16thFeb 1999.