🚨 Emergency Procedures

Plas Heli – The Welsh Sailing Academy, Event Centre & Community Enterprise

Emergencies at Plas Heli are rare, but when they do happen, it is important that volunteers, staff, organisers and visitors feel calm, supported, and clear about what to do.

This Emergency Procedures section brings together all major emergency plans into one place. It is designed to be simple, easy to follow, and suitable for a volunteer‑based community enterprise.

Volunteers are never expected to manage an emergency alone. Their role is simply to stay calm, pass on information quickly, and support the Duty Manager and Event Safety Officer (ESO).

1. Major Incident Plan

A major incident is any event that threatens life, causes serious injury, or significantly disrupts operations.

If you witness or are told about a major incident:

• Stay calm.
• Use radio: “Urgent message”.
• Give location and brief description.
• Do not put yourself at risk.
• Notify the Duty Manager and ESO immediately.
• Follow instructions from trained personnel.

999 calls

The ESO normally makes emergency calls. If life is in immediate danger, anyone may call 999 — then inform the ESO straight away.

2. Lightning Protocol

Lightning poses a serious risk during outdoor and afloat activities.

If lightning is seen or thunder heard:

• Notify Duty Manager and ESO immediately.
• ESO may suspend afloat activity.
• Move people indoors or into vehicles.
• Keep away from water, metal structures, and tall masts.
• Do not shelter under trees.
• Wait 30 minutes after the last thunder before resuming activity.

3. Severe Weather Protocol

Severe weather includes high winds, storms, heavy rain, extreme cold, or heat.

If severe weather approaches:

• ESO assesses conditions.
• Afloat activity may be suspended or abandoned.
• Secure lightweight items on balcony and external areas.
• Close beach gates if wind is strong.
• Move visitors indoors if conditions worsen.
• Follow ESO and Duty Manager instructions.

Wind‑related hazards:

• Balcony furniture may move.
• Doors may slam.
• Sand may blow into showers.
• Slipway and pontoon may become unsafe.

4. Water Contamination / Pollution Response

Water contamination may occur due to sewage discharge, fuel spills, algal blooms, or other pollutants.

If contamination is suspected:

• Notify Duty Manager and ESO immediately.
• Stop launching and recovery.
• Keep people away from affected water.
• ESO contacts relevant authorities.
• Follow official guidance before resuming activity.

Signs of contamination:

• Unusual smell.
• Discolouration.
• Visible debris or slicks.
• Reports from harbour or local authorities.

5. RNLI Liaison Procedure

The RNLI may be involved in emergencies afloat or near the slipway.

If RNLI assistance is required:

• ESO coordinates communication.
• Duty Manager supports from shore.
• Volunteers keep access routes clear.
• Pontoon gate must remain unobstructed.
• Follow RNLI instructions at all times.

During RNLI operations:

• Do not approach RNLI craft.
• Keep public away from slipway.
• Maintain clear radio channel if requested.

6. Emergency Communication Flowchart

Clear communication is essential during emergencies.

Basic flow:

1. Witness / Volunteer
   Stay calm, assess safety.
   Radio: “Urgent message”.
   Give location and brief description.
2. Duty Manager
   Receives information.
   Alerts ESO.
   Coordinates shore response.
3. Event Safety Officer (ESO)
   Leads emergency response.
   Makes 999 call if required.
   Directs safety boats or RNLI.
   Manages afloat and ashore actions.
4. Emergency Services / RNLI
   Take control on arrival.
   ESO supports with information.

Key radio phrases:

• “Urgent message”.
• “Priority message” (life‑threatening).
• “Received”.
• “Go ahead”.
• “Stand by”.

General Volunteer Guidance (Applies to All Emergencies)

Volunteers are never expected to:

• Make emergency decisions.
• Call emergency services (unless life is in immediate danger).
• Operate alarms or security systems.
• Enter dangerous areas.
• Manage crowd control alone.

Volunteers should:

• Stay calm.
• Give clear information.
• Help guide people safely.
• Support the Duty Manager and ESO.
• Pass on anything unusual.

You are never alone in an emergency — trained personnel will take over.

Assembly Points

Plas Heli has designated assembly points for evacuations. Volunteers should guide people calmly and steadily to these areas.

Do not use lifts. Do not re‑enter the building until authorised.

Access & Safety During Emergencies

• Automatic front doors may be used — take care.
• Beach gates should be closed unless needed for evacuation.
• Pontoon access must remain clear.
• Do not share access codes, even during emergencies.
• Ensure alarms are unset before using access codes.

End of Emergency Procedures Section

This completes the Emergency Procedures master document. All emergency‑related items now sit inside this single article, making the Safety section clean, simple, and easy to maintain.