Maritime Safety & Youth Safeguarding Policy

This policy applies to every member, volunteer, instructor, board member, participant, guest and contractor taking part in any activity organised by Puerto Deportivo De La Kokkola ry, on the water or ashore.

A correctly fitted buoyancy aid or lifejacket is worn by every person aboard any association vessel, at all times, regardless of age, swimming ability or conditions. There are no exceptions for instructors.

Every activity has a named person in charge, a written float plan lodged ashore, a crew count taken before departure and repeated on return, and a working means of communication (VHF, and a charged phone in a waterproof case).

Activities are cancelled when wind, visibility, sea state, water temperature or lightning risk exceed the limits stated in the association's operating procedures. Instructors may cancel unilaterally and are never questioned for doing so.

Every association vessel carries serviced flares within date, a throwline, a bailer, a paddle or oars, an anchor with adequate rode, and a first-aid kit checked at the start of each season.

Alcohol and intoxicating substances are prohibited for anyone taking part in or supervising an on-water activity.

All instructors hold a current first-aid certificate. At least one first-aid qualified person is present at every session.

Every volunteer and instructor working with participants under 18 completes the association's safeguarding module before taking up the role, and presents a criminal record extract for work with children (rikosrekisteriote lasten kanssa työskentelevien osalta) in accordance with Finnish law. We record only the fact and date of inspection.

No adult works alone and unobserved with a child. Sessions operate with a minimum of two adults present, and boats carrying juniors operate within sight of the safety boat.

Adults do not contact junior participants privately through personal messaging or social media. All communication goes through the guardian or an association channel.

Photography and video at junior activities require prior written guardian consent, recorded per participant and withdrawable at any time. Photographs are never published with a child's full name.

Changing and washing facilities are supervised in a way that maintains privacy; adults do not enter while juniors are changing.

Bullying, harassment, discrimination and physical punishment are prohibited without qualification, whether by adults or between participants.

Any concern about the safety or welfare of a child — however uncertain — must be raised the same day with the Safety & Training Officer or the Member Representative holding the safeguarding brief. Contact is by telephone +358 50 368 0927 or email joyner-alphonsek@gmx.com marked 'Safeguarding'.

The person raising a concern is not required to investigate or to be certain. Their duty is to report.

Where there is reason to suspect that a child has been harmed or is at risk of harm, the association makes a child welfare notification (lastensuojeluilmoitus) to the municipal social services and, where a criminal offence may have occurred, a report to the police. The association does not conduct its own investigation in place of the authorities.

A person who is the subject of a safeguarding concern is stood down from contact with juniors while the matter is handled. This is a protective measure, not a finding.

Retaliation against anyone who raises a concern in good faith is itself a serious breach of this policy.

Every incident and near miss, on water or ashore, is recorded on the association's incident form and reviewed by the board at its next meeting. Trends are reported at the Annual General Meeting.

This policy is reviewed annually by the board, and immediately after any serious incident. It was last reviewed and approved on 18 March 2026.