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By-Laws

1. GENERAL

1.1 These By-Laws have been prepared, periodically updated and approved by the General Committee as a supplement to, or elaboration of, the Club's Constitution. The foundation document is, of course, the Constitution itself.

1.2 The Club facilities are available only to members (including absentee members and reciprocal members on temporary visits), to their immediate families, and to accompanied guests. A member's partner shall rank equal with husband or wife for the purposes of article XVII of the constitution.

1.3 The use of Club facilities by tourists, other organizations, unaccompanied guests and non-members is prohibited, except that the General Committee may make the facilities available to other clubs and organizations at its discretion.

1.4 Members are at all times expected to behave themselves - individually and in relation to each other - in a manner befitting a family club. Members who infringe this basis principle may be reprimanded or, in extremis, have their membership withdrawn.

1.5 Members shall be familiar with and abide by the By-Laws, which are upheld by the Club Manager and any General Committee members. Any member may, however, draw another member's or guest's attention to the By-Laws, if and when such a member or guest infringes a By-Law.

1.6 The By-Laws shall be posted at the clubhouse or be available at the cashier's desk. Additions and/or amendments to the By-Laws shall be published in the Varuna News and posted at the Clubhouse.

2. GUESTS

2.1 Members may bring accompanied guests to the Club so long as the number of guests and the frequency of their visits are reasonable. One friend and his immediate family would normally constitute a reasonable number of guests.

2.2 Prior permission of the Manager or any member of the General Committee is required for visits by any guests exceeding three occasions in any twelve months period.

2.3 A guest fee will be applicable to all guests using the Club facilities, at a rate set forth in appendix 3. Such guests fee may change from time to time at the discretion of the General Committee.

2.4 Dinner guests arriving after 1700 hours are exempt from any guest fee. Actual competitors in scheduled RVYC events from recognized Yacht Clubs and members of the Royal Thai Navy are also exempt.

2.5 At the earliest convenient time, members shall register their guests (including relatives other than spouse or children) by an entry in the guest book indicating the duration of the visit, and shall introduce them to the Manager or in his absence to any General Committee members who are present.

2.6 Only after proper registration as in 2.5, may guests buy coupons for purchase of food and drink.

3. CHILDREN

3.1 The Club is a family club, intended to be enjoyed by all family members. Children are therefore welcome. In order to maintain an environment suitable for all, it is, however, assumed that children are at all times under adult supervision, and that members bringing a child to the Club accept full responsibility for the behavior of the child at all times.

3.2 Members shall ensure that children under their care know about and observe the following guidelines:

(a) Children should not play on boats or cars located on Club property.

(b) Children should be quiet in the areas around the motel units prior to 8 a.m. and after 9 p.m.

(c) The upper level of the Clubhouse is a quiet area. Children should therefore refrain from playing games and running around. For safety reasons young children should only go there if accompanied by a responsible adult. No one should go there in wet or moist clothing.

(d) The "Regatta Room" will be used for RVYC Committee meetings, Regatta administration and judgment hearings, sailing instructions, etc. Otherwise this room may be used as "working room". All users should refrain from making noise which could disturb others.

(e) The "Spinnaker Room" is to be used as a lounge and for television viewing. After dark, children under 12 should use the television in the Junior Club House.

(f) The area of the lower level of the Clubhouse near the bar is for adults and shall be exclusively for adults after 7 p.m. on Saturday nights.

(g) The area of the clubhouse South of the Compass Rose is an area for families. Here children can dine or play with toys and games while directly supervised by adults.

3.3 If at any time the Club Manager or any General Committee member feels it necessary, they can ask a child to behave appropriately; where possible, the parents or member responsible for the child will be consulted first. If inappropriate behavior continues, the matter may be referred to the General Committee and the status of the member will be reviewed.

3.4 A person is considered a child at least until the age of 16.

4. ABSENTEE AND RECIPROCAL MEMBERS

4.1 Pursuant to Article XV of the Constitution the absentee member subscription shall be at the rate set forth in Appendix 3. This fee is payable once for the lifetime of the member.

4.2 Absentee Members, returning temporarily, will be treated as full members, provided that the visit is temporary (i.e. not more than 14 Days), on payment of an "absentee re-entry fee" as set forth in Appendix 3.

4.3 The Absentee Member concerned shall be eligible for restoration to full membership without paying entrance fee but shall be required to recommence payment of regular subscriptions and may be required to pay any special charges and levies payable by members during the period of absent membership, to the extent not already paid by that member.

4.4 Absentee members who wish to use the facilities and services of the Club will be required to pay the normal monthly subscription dues for the calendar month(s) during which they use those facilities, if their visit is for more than two weeks.

4.5 Reciprocal Members, i.e. Members of Yacht Clubs with which RVYC has a reciprocal arrangement (See Appendix 2), will be treated in the same manner as temporarily returning Absentee Members, namely they will be treated as full members for up to seven days, after which they will be expected to pay a monthly contribution. If their stay exceeds one month, they will be expected to apply for temporary membership.

5. CLUB AND PERSONAL STAFF

5.1 Nannies are welcome at the club, if they look after children while parents engage in sailing activities. Such nannies are considered part of a family group and should remain, with the children they look after, in the area designated for children. Parents are, however, ultimately responsible for the behavior of their own children.

5.2 No sleeping or eating facilities are provided for members' own staff, except for nannies who share the same room as the member's children and who will eat with the children they are looking after.

5.3 Members shall not hire Club staff for crewing, or other personal services, unless a member of the General Committee has given prior authorization.

5.4 Members are encouraged to contribute to the Staff New Year Fund.

6. ACCESS

6.1 Members are entitled to all information relating to the conduct of the Club. However, access to such information must be managed in such a way as to ensure its accuracy and that ad hoc requests do not disrupt daily Club operations. Requests for information should be in writing and will be met at the earliest opportunity.

6.2 However, Members and their Guests are not permitted access to the Club Office, unless authorized by the Officer of the Day.

6.3 Dogs and other pets are not permitted on the Club premises.

6.4 Cars shall be parked only in designated parking areas. These are:

· Parking bays under the rooms, reserved for the occupants of the accommodation.
· Parking spaces for motel rooms 19-22, inclusive as defined on the map posted at the Club.
· Angle parking along the roadway outside the southern entrance.

6.5 Cars may not be parked on the roads inside the Club compound, or next to the Clubhouse, except for short periods for loading or unloading.

6.6 There will be no access to the Club Compound for cars between midnight and 0700 Hours. Members returning to the Club during these hours should park in the southern roadway.

7. CLUB HOUSE

7.1 Members must write their name and membership number clearly on bills for food and drink, or may pay by coupon.

7.2 No a la carte orders from the menu will be served between 1900 and 2100 on those days when a set dinner is to be served.

7.3 During non-holiday weekdays, limited restaurant service is available:

7.4 Members and their guests are expected to be properly attired in the Clubhouse after 1900 hours on Saturdays.

7.5 Members shall not use the Clubhouse for storage of sailing gear. Gear may be left to dry only on the racks provided, and not on the railing of the terrace.

7.6 Members are not allowed in the Club kitchen.

8. ACCOMMODATION

8.1 Reservations for weekend accommodation can be made with the booking officer at the Club Office.

8.2 Members with outstanding balances owed to the Club are not eligible to rent weekend accommodation.

8.3 Reservations can only be made directly or by phone/fax, and shall be subject to the following rules:

(a) Up to Tuesday 1200 Hours (or the first working day thereafter, if Tuesday is a holiday), within the week preceding the weekend being booked:
· For a minimum of two nights only, regardless of actual occupancy;
· For only one room or two dormitory beds per member, excluding absentee members, for use of the member and/or his spouse or children;
· For for the use as dormitory beds for lady members and wife/daughter of a full member, only.

(b) From Tuesday 1200 Hours within the week preceding the weekend being booked:
· For one night;
· For/by Absentee members;
· For additional rooms and/or dormitory beds for the use of a full member and/or his/her spouse or children.

(c) From Thursday 0800 Hours, preceding the weekend being booked:
· For guests.

8.4 Cancellation of a reservation must be advised (directly or by phone) to the Club Office before Wednesday 1700 Hours preceding the weekend. Failing to cancel within the above period will result in the member being charged the full room rent, unless the room or bed is subsequently re-let. Should Wednesday be a holiday, cancellation must be made on the preceding working day.

8.5 A room that becomes available due to cancellation will be given to another member by the Club Office, in accordance with a waiting list kept by the Club Manager (i.e. not by private sub-letting).

8.6 For the period around Christmas and other long holiday periods, as decided by the Committee, advance reservations will be subject to the following rules:

(a) The dormitory (M7) will be made available as a regular motel room;

(b) A member can make one advance room booking for his/her use or his/her spouse and children for a minimum of five nights;

(c) Absentee members can make advance room bookings (for Christmas/New Year period) starting 1 October, and for a minimum of five nights;

(d) Members can make advance booking for one room for his/her guest, or his/her children, starting from 1 October (for Christmas/New year period) and for a minimum of five nights;

(e) A room that becomes available due to cancellation will be given to another member by the Club Office, in accordance with a waiting list kept by the Club booking office; a member unable to use his/her reservation may not transfer it directly to another member;

(f) The full rate for the period booked must be paid at the time of booking;

(g) Cancellation of a reservation must be advised to the Office by 1 December (directly or by phone). Failing to cancel within this time period will result in the member being charged the full room rent, unless the room is subsequently re-let.

8.7 Guests using Club accommodation shall be charged the regular rental.

9. BOAT HANDLING AND STORAGE

9.1 The Club is not responsible for any loss or damage whatsoever to boats and other property. Boats and other property moored on or off the Club's premises are at the sole risk of the member/owner.

9.2 Boat racks are available only to members (including Absent Members) who own a boat. Lockers may also be available to members who do not own their own boat. Allocation of both are made by the Club and shall be personal to the member.

(a) Thus on a change of ownership of a boat the new owner is not automatically entitled to the rack or any locker, and racks and lockers may not be transferred between members.

(b) The Manager shall maintain waiting lists for racks and lockers. As racks and lockers become available, he shall offer them to members in the order they appear on the list. Only members may be entered on the lists.

(c) Notwithstanding the above, a member selling a boat to another member may agree to transfer the rack the boat occupies to the purchasing member.

(d) A boat shall be removed from the Club's premises if it becomes owned by a non-member.

(e) Boats may only be brought to and kept at the Club if stored in a boat rack allocated and held in accordance with these By-Laws.

(f) Absentee Members are required to pay one year's rack fee in advance.

9.3 Boat transfer forms are available from the Club Manager. Members are obliged to complete one of these forms, and return it to the Manager, for each new boat brought to the Club for storage, and for any change in ownership of a boat already stored at the Club.

9.4 All boats shall be stored in the boatsheds or in outside storage areas designated by the Sailing Secretary. Permission to store boats in any other area must be obtained from the Club Manager.

9.5 Request for moving a boat from its place of storage shall be made by entering the requests in the boat-down register kept in the Clubhouse.

9.6 Unless permission has been given in writing by the owner, only the owner can request a boat to be removed from its place of storage. However, the place of storage of a boat may be altered by the Bosun in order to facilitate the storage and handling of that or other boats.

9.7 No boat can be removed from the Club unless all outstanding charges have been paid.

9.8 Boxes for sailing gear shall be stored underneath or together with the owner's boat and within the confines of the allocated boat rack. Boxes for sailing gear not stored in the above manner will be subject to a monthly storage charge (see Appendix 3). Boxes for sailing gear may only be brought onto the Club premises, if they are stored in the manner described above.

9.9 Boat repairs by the Club's carpenter shall be arranged directly with the carpenter. A description of the work and the agreed price shall be entered on a boat repair order form.

9.10 For visiting boats permanently moored off the Club's premises, the Club will provide shore/boat facilities within reasonable limits and subject to the priority of racing and/or rescue duties of the Club personnel and equipment.

9.11 Any boat stored on the Club's premises for which boat handling charges and/or repair charges payable to the Club have not been paid for a period of two months shall be deemed abandoned. The Treasurer shall notify the registered owner of the boat by registered mail at the address shown in the Club's records that the boat is deemed abandoned.

9.12 Boats for which the owner cannot be ascertained shall be deemed abandoned and advertised as such in the Varuna News.

9.13 The Treasurer shall post details of abandoned boats on the notice board in the Clubhouse and notify the Club Manager.

9.14 Abandoned boats shall after a period of 30 days from the date of notification under 9.11 or advertisement under 9.13 be at the disposal of the Treasurer, who may sell the boat at his own discretion. The proceeds of the sale, less boat handling charges in arrears, plus a surcharge of 20% thereon together with any expenses incurred by the Club in connection with repairs to and/or sale of the boat, shall be held by the Treasurer for a period of one year counted from the said date of notification or advertisement and may within such period be claimed by the abandoning owner. If not claimed within such period, the net proceeds shall be regarded as Club revenue.

9.15 Until such time as an abandoned boat is actually sold, the owner may recover his/her rights and possession of the boat by paying all accumulated boat handling charges plus a surcharge of 20% thereon and reimburse the Club for any expenses incurred by the Club in connection with repairs to and contemplated sale of the boat.

10. RENTAL OF CLUB BOATS

10.1 The Club owns a number of boats which are available for rent to members. The price list for such rentals are included in Appendix 3 and shall be posted at the Clubhouse.

10.2. The Club accepts no liability for the use of its boats and any member electing to rent such a boat does so at his/her own risk and must complete the required form, which is available at the desk, waiving liability and agreeing to pay the rental fee.

11. SAILING

11.1 The decision whether or not to go sailing shall be the sole responsibility of each member and visiting yachtsman, whether cruising or in an organized sailing event, and the Club shall not accept any responsibility for the safety of members, visiting yachtsmen and/or boats.

The wearing of adequate personal buoyancy when sailing is mandatory at all times.

11.2 When the wind is gusting or when adverse weather conditions may be expected, as decided upon by the Officer of the Day or a General Committee member, a red flag may be flown. This is a warning to all helmsmen that conditions are considered dangerous and that the Club may not be in a position to provide rescue.

11.3 The Club's rescue facilities are primarily provided for life rescue and shall only be used for rescue of boats and sailing gear when this can be done without jeopardizing their primary function. Members concerned about their boats are, therefore, recommended to keep them insured.

11.4 A boat shall be deemed to be cruising unless it is engaged in an organized racing event, when it sails outside the triangular area bounded by the lines of sight (i.e. approximately North West and South) from the Clubhouse and a North - South line through the location of the permanent west mark buoy referred to in the Club's sailing instructions.

11.5 Members and visiting sailors proposing to go cruising shall make a full entry on the cruising board in the Clubhouse.

11.6 The Club will endeavor to provide or arrange a rescue operation in accordance with Appendix I when a cruising boat has not returned within a reasonable period after the return time entered on the cruising board.

11.7 Any rescue operation organized for a cruising boat shall be at the expense of the skipper or owner of the boat.

11.8 Club regular racing events are governed by the Sailing Instructions for Club Races.

11.9 Special sailing events are governed by the Sailing Instructions for Major Events or Special Instructions issued for a particular event.

11.10 Members and visiting sailors must make themselves familiar with the safety at sea precautions and rescue advice contained in Appendix 1.

12. PAYMENT OF CLUB DUES AND
PAYMENT FOR CLUB SERVICES

12.1 A member shall only be considered elected when the appropriate entrance fee has been paid and the application approved by the General Committee.

12.2 Charges for accommodation, boat handling, locker rental, bar/restaurant items and other services will be fixed by the General Committee.

12.3 Monthly subscriptions and charges for boat handling, lockers, storage of sailing gear box and apartments are payable in advance by banker's order. It is the responsibility of each member to ensure that his/her banker's order is at all times in the correct amount to cover all the monthly fees, charges and rentals due the Club.

12.4 Accounts for room charges, bar and restaurant bills and other Club services are on a cash basis and shall be settled weekly before leaving the Club by means of a cash payment, or a cheque/credit card.

12.5 Accounts for boat repairs are on a cash basis and shall be settled before the boat can be removed from the repair shop.

12.6 When settling accounts in cash, members must buy coupon books.

12.7 When settling accounts by cheque, the cheque shall be issued in favor of "Royal Varuna Yacht Club", be crossed, and with "or bearer" crossed out.

12.8 Club management may arrange special services for member or groups of members, such as transportation of boats, hire of tourist or fishing boats, kitchen and bar supplies etc. In such cases, the Club will apply a service charge equal to 10% of the cost of the service provided. Normal menu prices will apply to prepared food supplied.

13. GENERAL MEETINGS

13.1 Proxies for use at an Annual or Extraordinary General Meeting must be in writing; be signed by the member giving the proxy; state the name of the proxy holder (who must be a Life Member, Ordinary Member, or, in the absence of a member, his/her spouse) and the directions (if any) in accordance with which the proxy holder is to vote; and specify the meeting(s) for which the proxy is effective.

13.2 Proxies to be used at a meeting must be received and registered by the Secretary prior to the commencement of that meeting.

13.3 If any member holds more than two proxies, the Secretary shall receive and register only the first two proxies presented to him by such member; accordingly, no member may vote under more than two proxies at any meeting.

13.4 Nomination for election of officers at an Annual General Meeting under Article IV of the Constitution must be in writing; be signed by at least four members proposing the nominee; state the office for which the nominee is nominated; and be received and registered by the Secretary with evidence of the nominee's consent prior to the commencement of the meeting; provided, that any nominee not elected to the office so stated but who so consents shall be eligible for oral nomination for election at the meeting to any remaining office.

13.5 Subject to these By-Laws, all Life Members and Ordinary Members present in person or by proxy at the time any resolution is put to a vote at a general meeting are eligible to vote on such resolution, provided that no member may so vote if his or her account with the Club as of the end of the month preceding the meeting has not been settled in full prior to commencement of the meeting.

14. COMPLAINTS

15.1 Written complaints signed by a member and submitted to the General Committee or sent by email to the Commodore (see website) will receive attention by the Manager, Committee member concerned or the General Committee. The member will receive a reply.

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Constitution
(Including all amendments through November 2001)

GENERAL

ARTICLE I: This Club, organized as from 1 July 1957, shall be called the "ROYAL VARUNA YACHT CLUB".

ARTICLE II: The Club's registered office is at the Clubhouse premises situated at Pattaya, Chonburi Province, Thailand.

ARTICLE III: The objects of the ROYAL VARUNA YACHT CLUB are to encourage yacht sailing and racing, to stimulate interest in all marine sports, to study and aid in the conservation of marine life, and to bring to its members the sound benefits and pleasures derived from organized sporting and social activities in these spheres. The ROYAL VARUNA YACHT CLUB shall be a non-profit making organization.

COMMITTEE

ARTICLE IV: The Club shall be managed by a General Committee consisting of the following officers:

Flag Commodore, Vice Commodore, Rear Commodore, Secretary, Treasurer, Sailing Secretary, Power Boat Secretary, Activities Committee Chairman, House Committee Chairman, Membership Committee Chairman, Bosun, Publicity Officer and one other.

The Flag Officers, Secretary, Treasurer, Sailing Secretary and Power Boat Secretary and one other Committee member shall be elected by secret ballot at the Annual General Meeting. They will hold office until the next Annual General Meeting. The elected officers shall co-opt members and/or designate elected officers to serve as Activities Committee Chairman, House Committee Chairman, Membership Committee chairman, Bosun, and Publicity Officer.

The Committee may co-opt other members to serve on the Committee ,if required.

In case of any casual vacancy, the Committee may appoint one of themselves or some other member of the Club to act in any such office as may be vacant for a limited period or until the next Annual General Meeting.

The Committee shall have the authority to appoint sub-committees at any time.

ARTICLE V: The duties of the Flag Officers:

The Officers of the Club shall be three Flag Officers, namely a Flag Commodore, a Vice Commodore, and a Rear Commodore, all of whom shall be ordinary members or life members. They shall retire annually and be eligible for re-election but shall not serve in the same office for more than two consecutive years. They may be elected again after a period of one intervening year. The Senior Flag Officer present shall preside at all meetings of the Club. It shall be the duty of the Vice Commodore and Rear Commodore to assist the Flag Commodore in the discharge of his duty and in his absence the senior officer present shall officiate in his stead.

The retiring Flag Commodore shall maintain the title of Commodore and may act as an "ex-officio" member of the Committee.

ARTICLE VI: Duties of the General Committee Members:

(a) The Secretary shall keep records of the Club, membership, activities and attend to correspondence. At each General Committee, Annual General Meeting and Extraordinary General Meeting he/she will record the Minutes and will cause to have read the Minutes of the preceding meeting and any pertinent correspondence. The Secretary shall also assume the duties of the Club historian.

(b) The Treasurer shall keep records of the Club's financial status, receive and disburse the Club monies, and cause the presentation of a financial report at each Annual General Meeting.

(c) The Sailing Secretary shall be Chairman of the Sailing Sub-Committee and be responsible for all sea-borne sailing boat activities of the Club.

(d) The Power Boat Secretary shall be Chairman of the Power Boat Committee and be responsible for all sea-borne power boat activities of the Club.

(e) The Activities Committee Chairman will be responsible for all ashore activities and social functions of the Club. The Sailing and Power Boat Secretaries should be members of his Committee to ensure collaboration of combined activities.

(f) The House Committee Chairman shall be responsible for the maintenance, development, administration and operation of all the Club facilities and services located in the compound at Pattaya.

(g) The Membership Committee Chairman shall be responsible for developing the Club membership and maintaining liaison between Club members and the Committee.

(h) The Bosun shall be responsible for the boat storage, moorings, and maintenance facilities.

(i) The Publicity Officer shall be responsible for ensuring the activities of the Club are brought to the notice of the public and others who have special interest in marine sports.

ARTICLE VII: The Club Committee shall hold regular meetings at least every two (2) months.

GENERAL MEETING

ARTICLE VIII: The Financial Year of the Club shall end on the 30th September, and the Club shall hold the Annual General Meeting, on a date to be fixed by the General Committee not later than 30th November.

ARTICLE IX: The Annual General Meeting and all Extraordinary General Meetings called for the transaction of Club business shall be advised to all members at least ten (10) days beforehand by written notice. The notice must state the nature of club business to be discussed at such meetings, and the meetings may not take any decision on matters not so advised.

ARTICLE X: The notice to members advising the Annual General Meeting must be accompanied by a copy of the Balance Sheet and Working Account for the preceding year, duly signed by the Commodore and the Treasurer.

ARTICLE XI: The Committee may at any time convene an Extraordinary General Meeting. If at least 20 Ordinary and Life members of the Club send to the Committee a written request to convene an Extraordinary General Meeting, the Committee will convene such a meeting within 30 (thirty) days after receipt of such request.

ARTICLE XII: No Article of this Constitution shall be repealed or altered and no new Article added except by a resolution passed at the Annual General Meeting or Extraordinary General Meeting of the members of the Club and then only provided not less than two third (2/3) of the members present and voting are in favor thereof. Proxies are acceptable at Annual General Meetings and the Extraordinary General Meetings provided they are in the hands of the Secretary prior to the meeting concerned.

ARTICLE XIII: Each Ordinary and Life Member is entitled to one vote. Member's spouses who are not Ordinary or Life Members may not vote unless they hold a proxy in accordance with Article XIII.

MEMBERSHIP

ARTICLE XIV: The Club shall consist of:

1. Ordinary Members: Any person may become an Ordinary Member. A wife or husband of an Ordinary Member may become an Ordinary Member without paying further entrance fee but shall pay monthly subscription fee. In case of death of an Ordinary Member, the spouse may continue the Ordinary Membership without paying further entrance fees.

2. Life Members: Any person may become a Life Member. An Ordinary Member will be exempt from paying further monthly subscriptions by paying the full Life Membership Fee, without credit for his original entrance fee. In case of death of a Life Member, the spouse may continue the Life Membership without paying further entrance and/or subscription fees.

3. Honorary Members: the Committee may at its discretion invite any person residing in or visiting Thailand to become an Honorary Member for such period as they may think fit. Honorary members shall be exempt from entrance fee and subscription.

4. Thai Armed Services Members: A member of the Thai Armed Services below the age of 30 years may become a Thai Armed Services Member. Thai Armed Services Members shall be exempt from entrance fee, and shall pay a reduced subscription fee until reaching the age of 30 years whereupon they shall pay the subscription fee of an Ordinary Member.

5. Absent Members: A member who is unable by residence, in the opinion of the General Committee, to make regular use of the Club may become an absent member for the period of such inability, and shall pay an absent member subscription when applying for absent member status, and such additional subscriptions from time to time as may be prescribed pursuant to Article XVI.

6. Junior Members: A member who is single and under the age of 21 years. Such a member will enjoy significantly reduced fees, as will from time to time be determined by the General Committee as per Article XV below, but will have no voting rights.

7. Single Members: Ordinary Members, who do not have regular partners and/or children, will be permitted a discount on the entrance fee and the monthly subscription but shall, for all other purposes, enjoy the same status as Ordinary Members. Single members who acquire a family and/or regular partner will be required to convert their membership to full ordinary member by completing payment of the full entrance fee and paying the full monthly subscription.

8. Temporary Members: Any person who does not expect to be resident in Thailand for more than six months may apply for temporary membership on terms and conditions that may from time to time be determined by the General Committee and included in the By-Laws. A temporary member may convert his/her membership to Ordinary Membership at any time by paying the balance of the entrance fee, and must in any case do so after six months have elapsed. Temporary members will not have voting rights.

9. Reciprocal Members: Any member of a Yacht Club which has, by mutual agreement with the Club, accorded reciprocal membership to RVYC Members. A reciprocal member shall be permitted full use of Club facilities on a temporary basis, upon presentation of evidence of his/her membership of a reciprocal yacht club, and insofar as the reciprocal member is not normally resident in Thailand. Reciprocal members will not have voting rights.

10. Corporate Members: A private entity may take out corporate membership, on terms and conditions that may from time to time be determined by the General Committee and announced in the By-Laws. A corporate member will be entitled to a fixed number of ordinary membership slots, which may be filled on a rotational basis by notification to the Committee. The Committee shall have the right of approval of individuals so nominated.

ARTICLE XV: The amount of the entrance fee and subscription for various categories of members will be decided by the Committee from time to time and be approved by a simple majority vote at an Annual General or Extraordinary General Meeting of the Club.

ARTICLE XVI: Candidates wishing to become Ordinary, Life or Thai Armed Services Members become members after their written application has been approved by the Committee. An applicant form for Ordinary Member must be accompanied by the entrance fee (except as provided under Article XV(1) and a banker's order for subscription. An application form for Life Member must be accompanied by the entrance fee. An application form for Thai Armed Services member must be accompanied by a banker's order for subscription.

ARTICLE XVII: Husbands and wives of members and members' children under the age of 21 have the right to use the Club's facilities without payment of additional entrance fee or monthly subscription fees. Sons and daughters of current members, upon reaching the age of 21 must, if they wish to continue using facilities of the Club, become an Ordinary Member or a Life Member and pay monthly subscription and other levies of general application. In the case of such son or daughter applying to be an Ordinary Member, the entrance fee will be waived.

ARTICLE XVIII: Each member shall have the privilege of introducing guests into the Club as long as such introduction does not interfere with the convenience of members. Guests introduced into the Club shall not purchase Club coupons nor incur indebtedness to the Club.

The Committee may at any time put restrictions on the introduction of guests.

ARTICLE XIX: A member wishing to withdraw from the Club for any reason will do so by writing of his intention to withdraw. He has to pay up all dues up to the time of his withdrawal. A member withdrawing forfeits any dues and claims on Club assets.

ARTICLE XX: Any member who, after having been duly reminded does not pay up his Club dues outstanding for more than six (6) months, may be dismissed from the Club membership after having been duly notified in writing by the Club Secretary and after a motion for his dismissal has been approved of by the Committee. Any member dismissed in this manner forfeits any dues or claims on Club assets.

ARTICLE XXI: If at any time the Committee shall be of the option that the conduct of any member is injurious to the character or interests of the Club, they may invite such member to resign his membership, and if he does not resign within (7) days, he may be expelled by the Committee and cease to be a member of the Club. Any member expelled from the Club shall forfeit any dues or claims on Club assets and shall not be nominated or become a member of the Club again or be introduced into the Club as a guest.

CLUB PROPERTY

ARTICLE XXII: Any property purchased jointly by the Club members shall be owned outright in the name of the Club, with each member owning an equal share.

ARTICLE XXIII: Members using joint Club equipment will be automatically held responsible for its care and return, replacing or repairing any equipment they may have damaged.

ARTICLE XXIV: Club officers jointly will ascertain the action taken and approve the returned equipment.

ARTICLE XXVI: Expenditure of Club monies up to Baht 5,000 may be authorized by the Treasurer. Sums is excess of this, except where they represent standing routine payments such as rents, etc., must receive the prior approval of the General Committee.

VARIOUS

ARTICLE XXVI: The Club can be dissolved only by the Annual General Meeting or an Extraordinary General Meeting which will authorize the Committee to act as the Club's liquidators. The proceeds of liquidation will then be distributed to another non-profit organization duly registered under Thai law.

ARTICLE XXVII: The Committee is the sole authority for the interpretation of these Rules and of the By-Laws made thereunder, and the decisions of the Committee upon any question of interpretation shall be final and binding on the members.

By-Laws can be drawn up and altered by the Committee without consultation of general meetings.

ARTICLE XXVIII: A copy of this Constitution and the By-Laws shall be delivered by the Secretary or Treasurer to each member upon his election.

ARTICLE XXIX: The Club facilities can be made available to other Club and organizations at the discretion of the Committee.

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APPENDIX I

SAFETY AT THE RVYC

Often not at the top of our mind, safety at the Club, particularly in the sailing operations, is a matter that concerns us all. This therefore outlines the different aspects of safety measures at the RVYC so that we all can enjoy the Club unharmed.

It must be stressed that safety is not the responsibility of the Club as such, but of the individual members, their families and their guests. By necessity, being a members Club relying on volunteers for much of its Management, the Club must disclaim any legal responsibility for the safety of sailors, guests, visitors and their boats. It must also be emphasized that the primary focus of all efforts will be for life rescue, and that this will take precedence over rescue of any boats and gear.

1. First aid kit: A first aid kit is available at the reception. The contents of the kit are according to Bangkok Nursing Home Hospital (BNH) recommendation. A list with the contents is included in the kit. It is the responsibility of the receptionist to check the kit after every weekend, and inform the Club Manager regarding the replenishment of used material.

2. First aid helpers: The Club Manager will ensure that at least four members of the staff are trained as first aid helpers, including appropriate refresher courses. A list of the four first aid helpers will be posted visibly on the wall at the reception. Similarly, the Club Manager will ensure the training of at least four staffs in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).

3. Hospitals: Three hospitals are recommendable in Pattaya:

(a) Bangkok Pattaya Hospital (BPH)
Tel: 038-427-751 to 5

Located 200 meters north (towards Bangkok) of the intersection of Sukhumvit Road and North Pattaya Road.

How to get there
· take Sukhumvit Road heading toward Bangkok
· stay on left lane after you passed the intersection of North Pattaya Road
· you should see the hospital sign coming up about 200 meters ahead
· turn left into the hospital. Emergency Room entrance is on the left side of the building

Mailing address: 301 Moo 6, Naklua, Banglamung, Chonburi 20260
Website: www.pattayahospital.com

(b) Pattaya International Hospital (PIH)
Tel: 038-428-374

Located on Pattaya II Road, by Soi 4, adjacent to Big C Shopping Mall.

How to get there
· take Pattaya Second Road heading toward North Pattaya Road
· slow down and stay on left side of the road as you approach Soi 4, which is on left side of the road and just before Big C Shopping Mall.
· keep you eyes out for hospital sign which will be on your left.
· turn left into Soi 4 and you will see the hospital main entrance

Mailing address: 255/4 Pattaya Soi 4, Thanon Pattaya II, Muang Pattaya, Chonburi 20260
Website: www.pih-inter.com or www.pattaya-inter-hospital.co.th

(c) Pattaya Memorial Hospital - a government hospital
Tel: 038-429-422 to 4 and 038-422-741 to 2

How to get there
· take Pattaya Second Road heading toward Central Pattaya Road
· about 50 meters before you approach the intersection there will be a hospital sign on the right hand side of the road
· make a right turn into a small soi; there is a gold shop by the corner of the soi. You will see the hospital building to your left and the Emergency Room entrance.

Located just off the corner of Pattaya II road and Central Pattaya road intersection.

4. First aid for Jellyfish Stings, Snakebites, and Scorpion Stings: Jellyfish sting incidents occur several times each year. Best quick help is vinegar. See attachment 2 for recommended first aid. Both snakes and scorpions have been observed occasionally at the Club. The best is to stay away from them (particularly children). Should, however, an incident occur, there is helpful information in attachment 2.

In most cases, it is important to give the victim the proper quick treatment, calm down/ immobilize the victim and proceed speedily to the nearest competent treatment facility. The following of the previously mentioned hospitals are competent for treatment of:

(a) Bangkok Pattaya Hospital (BPH)
Serum to treat Cobra and Pit Viper (Ka'pa') bites

(b) Pattaya International Hospital (PIH)
Serum to treat Cobra, Pit Viper, and Banded Krait (Mae'Sow) bites

(c) Pattaya Memorial Hospital
Serum to treat Cobra and Pit Viper bites

Most poisonous snake found in the area is the Pit Viper

B. PROPER PERSONAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS WHEN SAILING

1. Proper personal equipment:

(a) Adequate Buoyancy Aid / Personal Flotation Device (PFD): It is mandatory to wear proper flotation aids according to your weight. The jacket should fit snugly.

(b) Rubber shoes: Recommendable to wear to avoid cuts on rocks.

(c) Protection against the sun: It is highly recommended that you either cover your body with appropriate clothing and/or use sun protection cream.

(d) Protection from dehydration: It is advisable, particularly when sailing for longer periods to take drinking water with you. Particularly smaller children can dehydrate quickly.

(e) Mobile telephone: When sailing beyond the Club's direct visual range, please take a fully charged mobile telephone with you with the following numbers pre-saved on it:

· RVYC Rescue Mobile 07-140-0855
· RVYC Office 038-250-116
· RVYC Club Manager's Mobile 01-648-2754

(f) Longer sailing trips/going cruising: Take a whistle, torch and flares with you as well as a GPS, if available.

2. Check that your boat is in seaworthy condition: That should include:

(a) Standing rigging: Chain plates, stem plate, shrouds, forestay and clevis pins. As a general rule, using standard rigging on catamarans which is more than 3 years old (2 years if used heavily or by heavy crews) is not advised, especially when cruising.

(b) Running rigging: Halyards, jib luff wire, shackles and fastenings for halyards.

(c) Rudder: Gudgeons, pintles, tiller/tiller extension and fittings holding the rudder blade down.

(d) Buoyancy: Buoyancy bags properly secured and inflated and inspection/drainage holes in tanks properly closed.

3. Consider your skills as well as weather and tide conditions:

(a) Your fitness: Only go out sailing if you feel confident that yourself, your crew and the boat are in a condition to handle the weather and sea conditions of the day.

(b) Weather: Remember that in a tropical country the weather pattern may change rapidly particular during the monsoon months. In case of a heavy storm front approaching you should quickly head towards shore or (in the case of a keelboat) the leeward side of an island.

(c) Current: Check the direction and strength of the current and when it will change. The tide conditions in the area around the Club can be very strong at times.

(d) Wind strength >15 knots: If the wind is stronger than 15 knots, it is recommended you not sail outside the visual range of the Club. If you are not an experienced sailor (or with one), you should not sail at all in these conditions.

4. If you intended to sail outside visual range of the Club or go cruising, take the following added precautions:

(a) Sign in on the cruising board in the Clubhouse, take a Club disk and record the disk number. Indicate the area and direction you intend to sail to as well as your expected time of return and your mobile phone number. Please do not sail outside your recorded area or direction.

(b) As an additional precaution inform the Manager, the Officer of the day (OOD) and/or somebody else of your plans.

(c) Return before the time stated by you on the cruising board and one hour minutes before sunset. If you know that you will be returning late then you should call in to inform the Club and give your position and wind condition.

5. Return to the Club one hour before sunset, giving sufficient time for eventual search and rescue activities before it gets dark.

C. ON-WATER RESCUE SERVICE

1. Rescue Motorboats: The Club has a number of motorboats, which are for the purpose of rescue service (and other duties such as tendering the buoys and support of sailing instruction). These boats are to be driven only by authorized persons. The Sailing Secretary will determine who such authorized persons are. The use of the boats can be authorized solely by the Sailing secretary, Club Manager or in the case of a rescue operation by the Rescue Coordinator (RC). The Club Manager will ensure adequate training and practical trials so that these authorized persons are reasonably capable in rescuing boats (including towing as well as the rescue of persons in the water). No motorboats other than the Club's boats are allowed on the Club's premises. Possible temporary exceptions require prior authorization by the Sailing Secretary.

One motorboat will be in the water for rescue on weekends/ holidays from 9:00 to 17:00.

2. Stay with your boat: If you get into trouble and/or capsize, stay with the boat - it is more visible and buoyant than you are.

3. Safety of persons is always top priority: Do not endanger lives in order to save the boat and/or its gear - rather keep it insured.

D. EMERGENCIES/ RESCUE AT SEA PROCEDURE

1. Determining a Rescue Coordinator (RC): If you spot a boat in trouble or if a cruising boat is overdue, please bring this immediately to the attention of the Officer of the day (OOD), the Club Manager or, in case those two cannot be reached, any General Committee member, or the most experienced member present. This person should take over the Rescue Coordinator (RC) role, but revert it to the Club Manager once he is available again.

2. Determining a search area: The RC will immediately collect in written form all pertinent information: Time, last known location, messages, telephones, etc. The RC will try to contact the missing boat via mobile phone and try to locate it via GPS if available (be aware the GPS unit needs warming up for at least one minute for proper readings) and/or by obtaining from the missing boat references to known landmarks. Taking this information, wind and tide into account, the RC will determine a search area. In case of no communication with the missing boat, the RC will have to determine the search area based on sign-out and any other information that can be obtained.

Should a boat report in informing of a return later than expected (particularly after dark), the Club Manager will keep a rescue motorboat and crew on standby until the boat is back safely.

3. Dispatch of rescue unit(s): The RC will decide on the number of rescue units and crew to be dispatched. Each rescue boat should be manned by two persons and, if possible, one of the crew should speak English. The RC should ensure they are reasonably equipped and have communication equipment. He will then proceed with the search.

Whenever a rescue is mounted for a cruising boat, the rescue facilities provided to serve boats sailing in the vicinity of the Club should be left intact if still required, and the rescue craft for the search for the missing boat should, if necessary, be obtained by hiring one or more suitable speedboats (a RVYC boat-boy should be assigned to each such boat if possible). However, if it is clear that a sailor is in immediate danger, the Club's permanent rescue facilities may be used, but these must be replaced immediately by further hire if other boats are still out sailing.

If the search appears complicated, very distant or extremely urgent, the RC will also enlist the support of any one of the following:

In all cases Pattaya Police Station should be called first. They monitor phone line 24 hours. They have full access all Emergency Assistant Unit in our area.

(1) Pattaya Police (South Pattaya Station) Tel: 038-420-802 to 3
(2) City of Pattaya Marine Search & Rescue Unit station Bali Hi
Tel: 038-429-124 to 5 ext. 456
(3) Marine Police Station Sriracha Tel. 038-311-285
(4) Speedboat Services Tel: ____________

If necessary, the RC may require members to support the search with their boats. The Rescue Coordinator will select the most experienced members and consider weather and sea conditions when choosing this measure. Members must not withhold such help without substantial reason.

E. SWIMMING

1. Swimming Pool: Swimming in the Club's pool is at your own risk, as there is no lifeguard on duty. All food, but particularly glasses are strictly prohibited in this area. It is also requested that there be no running around the pool or reckless horsing around in the water. The Chlorine, Ph, and Clarity level is regularly monitored.

2. Sea & Beach: Given the nature of the Club, the beach is primarily used to get the boats in and out of the water. Swimmers should respect this, and give way to the boats. On the other hand, boats should not be handled recklessly in the presence of swimmers.

F. CHILDREN

The Club welcomes members' children and they should have fun, but it must be pointed out that the safety of children at the Club is fundamentally the responsibility of the respective parents. All persons under 16 years of age are considered children and should not be left without appropriate supervision of an adult. That includes proper arrangements if leaving the children in the care of another adult such as leaving mobile numbers and clearly informing both the adult and the child. Even if a "common-sense" support from other members may be expected, particularly when children are in danger, the parents are finally responsible.
Parents should instruct their children regarding the danger of snakes, scorpions and jellyfish. Similarly, children should watch out for incoming and outgoing sailing boats when swimming in the sea.

SAFETY AT SEA

The primary responsibility for safety at sea rests on the helm, who shall take all reasonable precautions to ensure the safety of his crew and himself.

These precautions may be summarized, as follows:

1. Only go out sailing if you feel confident that yourself, your crew and the boat are in a condition to handle the weather and sea conditions of the day.

Remember that in a tropical country the weather pattern may change rapidly, particular during the monsoon months.

2. Check that your boat is in seaworthy condition. Such a check should include:

Standing rigging - chainplates, stemplate, shrouds, forestay and clevis pins.

Running rigging - halyards, jib luffwire, shackles and fastenings for halyards.

Rudder - gudgeons, pintles, tiller/tiller extension and fittings holding the rudderblade down.

Buoyancy - Buoyancy bags properly secured and inflated and inspection/drainage holes in tanks properly closed.

3. Make sure your crew and yourself wear adequate personal buoyancy.

4. Check the direction/strength of the tide and when it will change.

5. If you get into trouble and/or capsize, stay with the boat - it is more visible and buoyant than you are.

6. Do not endanger lives in order to save the boat and/or its gear - rather keep it insured.

7. If you intended to go cruising, take the following added precautions:

(a) make your entry on the cruising board in the Clubhouse.
(b) inform the Club Manager and/or somebody else of your plans.
(c) take a whistle, torch and flares with you.
(d) take drinking water with you.
(e) be back on or before the time stated by yourself on the cruising board and one hour before night fall.

RESCUE

Facilities

Though the Club by necessity must disclaim responsibility for the safety of sailors and their boats, the Club is, of course, concerned about, the safety of members and visiting yachtsmen sailing off the Club's premises.

Therefore, the Club will endeavor to provide appropriate rescue to suit the prevailing weather conditions.

It is emphasized that the facilities are primarily provided for life rescue and that this take precedence over rescue of boats and gear.

At the moment the rescue facilities consists of three club-owned rescue boats with outboard motors and one or more hired fishing boats, as circumstances dictate. They will only be used for boat rescue once their primary function of life rescue has been discharged. They shall never be used as utility boats.

In extreme emergency and after all other reasonable measures have been taken, assistance may be requested from the Marine Police (who station a patrol in Pattaya during part of the year) or the Thai Police.

Medical services are available at:
· Pattaya International Clinic (Dr. Sunya Viravaidhya)
255/4 Pattaya Soi 4, Thanon Pattaya II, Muang Pattaya, Chonburi 20260.
Phone: (038) 428-374; Fax: (038) 422-773; and
· Bangkok Pattaya Hospital, Sukumvit Road, North Pattaya
Phone: (038) 427-751

Action

If you spot a boat in trouble or if a cruising boat is overdue, please bring this immediately to the attention of the race officer, the Club Manager, any General Committee member, or the most experienced member present.

In case of a missing boat, one or more rescue boats should be dispatched to the area in which the missing boat is likely to be found, taking into consideration the tide, the wind direction/strength and the condition of the sea. If the missing boat was cruising the information on the cruising board should be considered before dispatching rescue boats.

Whenever a rescue is mounted for a cruising boat, the rescue facilities provided to serve boats sailing in the vicinity of the Club should be left intact if still required, and the rescue craft for the search for the missing boat should be obtained from Pattaya by hiring one or more fishing vessels. However, if it is clear that a sailor is in immediate danger the Club's permanent rescue facilities may be used but these must be replaced immediately by further hire if other boats are still out sailing.

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Appendix 2

List of Reciprocal Club Agreements
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Appendix 3

Membership Fees and Subscriptions
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Appendix 4

Site Plan of the Club
Accommodation
Accommodation Rates

See the "Accommodation" page of the club web site
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Appendix 5

List of General Committee Members
and RVYC Officers

See the "Contacts" page of the club web site
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Updated on 27/12/2004 by Richards Web Services