Conditions of Use – Ratanga Park – Century City
These terms and conditions is subject to any rules, terms and conditions set by Century City Property Owners Association and where conflict exists between these conditions and any rule, term or condition set by the CCPOA, the latter shall prevail.
Designated RC Sailing Area
Radio Controlled Model Boats may be launched from the “launching area” indicated by the Flag Officers of Centurion Model Boats and only sail in the water body indicated in Map 1 – DMBP (Designated Model Boat Pond).
Radio Transmitters & RF Interference
All radio transmitters must operate in the 2.4GHz transmission spectrum allocated and licensed by ICASA. No other transmitters are allowed at Centurion Model Boats due to user conflict.
In the case of models with 27MHz transmitters, they will not be allowed to operate unless the channel used does not interfere with other boats on the same frequency.
It is recommended that only 2.4GHz transmitters are used after 4 August 2024.
Permitted Boat Types
The following boats are strictly prohibited:
- Nitro, Petrol, Diesel or Gas powered boats.
- Brushless Speedboats longer than 450mm.
- Any model which a Flag Officer determines to be too noisy for the event.
Boats must be constructed of plastic, wood or grass fibre. No steel hulled models are allowed.
Boats must be fitted with flotation or buoyancy devices, such as foam or pool noodles to prevent it from sinking.
Noisy boats must be fitted with sound damping material to reduce noise levels from the electric motors. Where sound modules are fitted, the sound transmitted from the module must not be audible further than 3 meters from the water’s edge.
No boats longer than 2,1 meters are allowed.
Rules of the Road
While operating your model RC boat, you must observe the “rules of the road” as it applies to ships in real life. This is to prevent damage to other boats on the dam as some models are expensive and well taken care of.
A Sail boat always gets right of way. This means you need to pass a sailboat from its rear or stern and not in front of it (the bow side).
In a head-on approach, the “kept right” rule applies. This is called a Port-to-Port pass. Your boat will pass the approaching boat on its starboard side (you turn right to pass its left side).
When a boat is approaching from the side, the following rules apply:
(a) If the approaching boat is on your 3-o-clock, you pass behind it and it keeps going.
(b) If the approaching boat in on your 10-o-clock, you continue going and it will pass behind you.
Batteries & other waste materials
No batteries may be disposed in the rubbish bins installed at Ratanga Park. This applies to all types of batteries. If your batteries run flat, take it home and dispose of it as directed by the manufacturer.
LIPO batteries
Only the number of LIPO batteries needed for the day are allowed on site. Do not bring your entire stockpile of LIPO batteries at it poses an unnecessary fire hazard.
All domestic waste, such as bottles and cans, plastic bags etc, must be taken home and disposed of. Due to the unpredictable wind and uncontrolled access to the dam, we do not want our members to be blamed for plastic bags or bottles floating in the dam.
The Environment
All boats must be operated in a responsible manner. As Ratanga Park is home to a number of bird and fish species as well as plants, the conservation of thereof is part of being an Authorised User.
No boat may be used to deliberately chase or hunt any bird or fish. During breeding season, tiny ducklings frequent the water. Any person found chasing these ducklings with a model boat will be removed from our membership and placed under sanction.
Bait boats are not allowed in South Africa. Kindly note that any form of fishing at Ratanga Park is illegal.
No boat is allowed to encroach the plant life near the water’s edge and the dam wall. Boats may get stuck and the retrieval thereof causes damage to plant life. Any boat stuck in the reeds will have to be rescued from the water, either by another boat or a one-person kayak, which are only available during Ranking Events.
Until further notice, no gazebos may be erected as shade cover.
It is advisable to bring a sun hat or cap and use sun block during summer.
Local Residents
The DMBP is located opposite a residential complex and noise must be limited to the minimum, particularly on Sundays where the ambient noise is much lower. For this reason, the following best practice rules are appliable:
All boats with electric motors must be fitted with noise suppressing material or liners.
No revving of electric motors on land.
Toy grade models tend to make more noise than professionally built models. Noise levels must be kept within acceptable levels. No shouting, loud laughing or music is allowed (general rule of all parks).
Do not address a complaining member of the public, but refer them to a Flag Officer.
Keep written record of any complaints received and pass it on to the Club for immediate follow-up.
Public Safety
The public safety requirements at Centurion Model Boats are not negotiable and any member, guest or visitor who fails to comply with these rules will be requested to leave the designated model boating pond and launching area.
Emergency Procedures
In case of Emergencies, you agree to obey any lawful instruction issued by authorised emergency personnel and/or a Flag Officer.
You agree to evacuate the premises as directed without interference, demand or obstruction of Emergency Personnel.
Safety & Security
You agree to take responsibility for your own health and safety and including your family members and guests and ensure they adhere to any and all reasonable instructions issued by the Flag Officers or any CCPOA Authorised person.
Conduct
The possession, use, consumption and/or sale of any controlled substance and/or alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited unless expressly stated at the Skipper’s Meeting. In any and all such cases, this allowance shall apply for a specific event and given with the written authority of the CCPOA.
Indemnity
By virtue of covenants and agreements between Century City Property Owners Association and the Cape Town Scale Model Boat Club as the authorised Event Organiser, you hereby irrevocably indemnifies and holds harmless CCPOA from and against any and all losses (consequential or otherwise), damages, injuries, deaths, costs, interests, and expenses which CCPOA may be called upon to pay, incur, or sustain in connection with any actions, proceedings, or claims instituted against it by any party whatsoever, including participants, directly or indirectly arising from or related to these events and/or the relationship arising therefrom.
Date of Issue: 25 July 2024.
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The Access Card is issued by the Model Boating Association of South Africa on behalf of Centurion Model Boats in the interest of health, safety and security of residents of Century City and in terms of the agreement with the CCPOA. Failure to present this card to authorised Security Personnel at Century City may result in your removal from the premises.