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Club Bye Laws
 

© Octopus Divers

Octopus Divers – Bye laws

Definitions

Club or Branch – Octopus Divers Sub Aqua Club

Member – as defined by the Club’s Constitution

DO – Club Diving Officer – as defined by the Club’s Constitution

Committee – as defined by the Club’s Constitution

Committee approval – minuted proposal approval at a quorate meeting and agreed as true and accurate

BSAC – The British Sub Aqua Club

SCUBA – Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus

Dives and Trips

  1. There are 5 classes of diving
    1. Club/Branch Holiday/Expedition – this is an expedition or holiday organised by the Club.  In order for it to be classed as such – it needs to be formerly approved by the Branch Committee, at a quorate meeting, and minuted.  No member can claim that they are organising such an activity until the committee has granted permission.  Any such claim prior is misrepresentation.  Members should note that any diving activity still has to be authorised by the Diving Officer or the Designated Dive Marshall for the holiday/expedition.

The default conditions for such Holiday/Expedition are:

                                                               i. Any deposit taken will not be refundable in the event of cancellation whatever the cause.  Any refunds will be at the discretion of the committee.

                                                             ii. Any member who has paid a deposit may be liable for the full costs should they cancel for whatever reason.

                                                            iii. Any holiday/expedition prices will cover only diving and accommodation costs – unless specified in writing and with committee approval.  The Club will not be liable for travel costs incurred by members.

    1. Diving organised by an individual member of the Club. - This is a trip/holiday/series of dives organised by an individual club member.  That individual is responsible for the organisation of the whole event – getting the Diving Officer’s approval, appointing a Dive Marshall, deciding on any conditions such how costs are apportioned etc.  Again members should note that any diving activity still has to be authorised by the Diving Officer and the Designated Dive Marshall.
    2. Training Dive – This is a Club/Branch organised dive solely for training in accordance with current BSAC rules.  If it takes place during a or b of the above it is classed as a or b and not c.  Again members should note that any diving activity still has to be authorised by the Diving Officer and the Designated Dive Marshall.
    3. An unauthorised dive – this a dive/s (using SCUBA) equipment anywhere in the world by a Club member that has not been authorised by the Diving Officer.  This includes SCUBA Diving organised by a 3rd Party including another BSAC Branch.  The Diving Officer as appropriate will deal such activities.
    4. Diving at the invitation of another BSAC Branch – this is when a Club members dives as a member of another BSAC branch or at their invitation.  Again prior DO permission is required.  However, the host BSAC Branch is responsible for all arrangements and safety.

 D.O’s Permission – The D.O. will not unreasonably withhold permission for member to dive or stipulate unreasonable conditions.  Reference must always be made to the BSAC Safe Practices and any other guidance published by the BSAC or relevant body i.e. the MCA.

Equipment 

  1. If any piece of Club equipment is to be used members must have current Club and BSAC memberships and a current medical.  The exceptions to this are Try Dives.
  2. All Club equipment hired must be paid for according to the current hire charges.
  3. Any Club equipment being borrowed must be signed in and out.
  4. No equipment may be borrowed or hired for unauthorised/non Club activities.
  5. All kit must be washed down with fresh water and tanks should be filled before being returned.  Fines of £10 for dirty kit and £5 for empty tanks apply (these fines will be applied per item).
  6. Any Club equipment damaged, that is deemed by the committee to be excessive or due to negligence must be paid for in full by the member responsible.  In cases of personal negligence, the individual will be charged.
  7. There will be no charge for borrowed Club equipment used for formal training.
  8. No one must borrow equipment without the permission of the Equipment Officer (or DO in his/her absence).
  9. The Equipment Officer will be responsible for ensuring that all equipment is serviced in accordance with appropriate guidelines/standards.

 Scale of charges per day of use

Tank - £5

BCD – Stab Jacket -£5  ABLJ - £2

Regulator Set including Octopus - £10

Mask, Pair of fins & Snorkel £1 per item

Finance

  1. All monies received must be passed to the Treasurer within 2 weeks of receipt.
  2. The Treasurer shall attend pool or non pool meetings for receipts and re-embursals
  3. The Treasurer will bank all monies received within one week of receipt.
  4. Subject to Committee approval & minuted the Equipment Officer shall have a float of £20 for equipment use – refills etc.
  5. All claims for expenses – must be supported by receipts.
  6. The Treasurer will report at each committee meeting current balances, recent receipts, and expenses.
  7. There will be at least 1 counter signatory for Club Cheques as well the Treasurer.  The following officers can be counter signatories

  8.                                                                i.            The Chairman/women

  9.                                                              ii.            The Diving Officer

  10.                                                             iii.            The Secretary

  11.                                                             iv.            The Membership Secretary

  12.                                                               v.            The Equipment Officer

  13. All expenditure other than from the Equipment Officer’s Float and subscriptions due to the BSAC, needs committee approval.  Any member incurring expenditure on behalf of the Club without committee approval should not expect re-imbursal.
  14. The Treasurer will produce the following reports at each committee meeting

  15.                                                                i.            Current cash/deposit balance

  16.                                                              ii.            Cash flow statement for the following 12 months

 Committee Meetings

  1. The Club Secretary will publish a list of Committee meeting dates, times and venue at the beginning of each calendar year.  The frequency to be not less than prescribed by the Club Constitution.

 Boat

  1. The Diving Officer may appoint a Boat Officer who will report to the Diving Officer.  The committee at its discretion can co-opt the Boat Officer as a committee member.
  2. The Diving Officer (or Boat Officer) will ensure that the boat has adequate insurance to cover theft & liability prior to any diving activity.
  3. No member may handle the boat in the water without undertaking recognised training first or under the direct supervision of a qualified Diver Coxain.
  4. No member may use the radio without holding the relevant certificate of competence.  The exception to this is an emergency.
  5. The Diving Officer (or Boat Officer) will ensure that the radio(s) have the correct licence before any use.
  6. In order to help cover the ancillary costs of running the boat, insurance, servicing etc. a charge of £3 per member per day will be levied on all members using the boat.
  7. When the boat is used, the all the members using the boat will share the fuel costs of the boat and of the member towing the boat.
  8. Use of the boat is subject to the permission of the Diving Officer – who will not unreasonably withhold such permission.