MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

"Following an incident in 2024 involving a fast electric model boat where control was lost resulting in the boat leaving the water the Committee of Potteries Model Boat Club reviewed the evidence and came to the conclusion that, for the safety of Club Members and the general public it would be mandatory that any and all fast electric boats - or scale model boats which were capable of significant speeds - operated by Club Members would be fitted with a Fail Safe device. The intention of a Fail Safe is that, if the receiver loses its radio signal the throttle is immediately closed and, ideally, the rudder moved over so that the model circles.

A Fail Safe can be an integral part of a speed controller or it can be part of the transmitter so Club members should establish if their radio equipment incudes a Fail Safe and ensure that it is set to operate if it is an optional function of the transmitter. If it is not operating then the model boat should not be sailed until such a time as a Fail Safe is operating.

Hereafter, before a Club member puts his/her boat onto the water they should check that the Fail Safe is operating properly. This should be checked at the beginning of every sailing session, whether it is normal sailing day or a Club race day.

The Committee will monitor the effectiveness of this requirement and, if necessary, it may be modified. Any member who fails to check that a Fail Safe is operating as required and who subsequently has an accident as result of an inoperative Fail Safe may find that the Club’s liability insurance does not cover them personally if they are found to be liable at law.

Simon Cornes, Chairman

Potteries Model Boat Club"

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The club meets at Westport Lake, Westport Lake Road, Tunstall, Stoke-On-Trent, Staffordshire, ST6 4RZ. Drive down the road to car park and the boats are sailed on the small lake to the left.