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Any enquires about NSWRA's equipment should be
directed to the Equipment Officer (currently Paul Stein, see the Committee page for details)
What do we own?
This is only a summary. The lists in the
"Where is it?" section below are more complete.
- The trailer
- Catering Equipment. This includes tables, gas bottles and stoves,
cooking utensils & weapons, cleaning materials, water bottles.
- A large plastic water tank.
- Administration. A box of sundry pens, paper
etc. Result hangers, bunting, loud hailer.
- Safety. First aid kit, spare batteries, Epirbs
- Course Related. Flags and Intention Boards.
Where is it?
Please notify the Equipment Officer of any updates
needed to these files after each event. If an item of equipment is missing, let
us know.
Safety - Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs or "e-pirbs")
NSWRA has two PLBs, which are available for use by course setters, vetters, flag hangers and flag collectors.
Our safety officer (currently Peter Cox, see the Committee page for details)
looks after the PLBs and if you need to use one, you should arrange it through him. They can be sent in the post overnight,
but please allow a few days to make sure it gets to you before you are heading out.
There are three people listed as emergency contacts for the NSWRA PLBs. If you have to activate a PLB, then the emergency authorities may contact these people for further information.
Currently (November 2009) the emergency contacts are:
- Peter Cox
- Paul Stein
- Alan Mansfield
Documentation associated with the PLBs is also available here:
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Unit Two EPIRB rego 11 Mar 09AMSA6.doc
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EPIRB 1
manual_20090319110007.pdf
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EPIRB 1 pos Rego_20090319105257.pdf
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EPIRB 1 rego doc_20090319105525.pdf
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EPIRB 2 manual_20090319111205.pdf
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EPIRB 2 pos rego_20090319110919.pdf
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EPIRB 2 registrat_20090319111106.pdf
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EPIRB
Unit1_20090319103537.pdf
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Unit One EPIRB rego 11 Mar 09AMSA6.doc
Surplus Food
Food such as tea, coffee and sugar that is
not going to be affected by heat and is not heavy can be stored in the
trailer. Anything else should be transported and stored by other means.
A Surplus
Food Listing will be maintained here so that future caterers can make use
of it..
Helpful hints for users of the Trailer - Julian
Ledger 8/2002
Download a Word version.
The trailer was built to rogaining
specifications in the mid 90's to both store and transport equipment to
events. The great advantage of the trailer is that it keeps everything
together and saves truck hire, finding storage and loading before and
unloading after events. For it to used successfully it does need some
care and respect. Read on! It has had at least one major overhaul and
being a registered vehicle is maintained to a high standard requiring a
pink slip every year. In the event of damage or breakage
occurring this must be reported to the Club Equipment Officer. It
should never be towed if it is not road worthy.
Towing
The trailer is heavy and suits a six
cylinder vehicle although it has often been towed by a Camry (2.2
litres). If a smaller car is all that is available then equipment not
required can be removed to reduce weight. With more powerful vehicles
like larger four wheel drives care should be taken - the trailer is not
unbreakable.
When connecting the trailer use a second
person to guide the reversing driver. Use the jockey wheel to lower the
trailer onto the tow ball making sure that the trailer is properly
connected and the pin engaged. Remove the jockey wheel and store it in
your car. Connect the safety chain to the car - if length is a problem
there are spare links in the wooden tool box.
The trailer has a flat seven pin
connector. There are adaptors in the tool box for older style round six
and seven pin connectors. When connecting use a second person to ensure
that brake lights, side lights and indicators are working.
Due to its size the trailer has a braking
system to assist the towing car's brakes. This works off the horizontal
towing shaft. For it to be engaged the small hinged metal lug must be
swung in the up position to allow the shaft to move back and forth. For
reversing only, the metal lug should be in the down position. This
ensures the brake is not
engaged. Failure to do this runs the risk when reversing of the trailer
popping off the tow ball and damaging the car rear bumper.
Finally before departing ensure that the ratchet brake is let off by lifting the
lever.
Allow extra time for journeys as towing
the trailer should not be rushed. Take it easy on any steep, windy
sections or off road access to the event. Do not unhitch the trailer
and leave it in any public area en route to an event as it is a simple
thing for anyone to steal it. (A complete orienteering trailer with
equipment has been lost in the past). The trailer is best at the event
the day before as the organisers will need access to it. Last minute
trailer arrival leads to unnecessary stress.
Loading/Unloading
The trailer is custom designed and makes
remarkable use of a limited amount of space. It must be loaded
carefully and in the specified manner. If this is not done there will
be pile of equipment left over which does not fit. At the event the
person who unloads the trailer should also be available at the end to
help loading. This task cannot be rushed. Equipment must be loaded
clean and unless it is unavoidable always dry.
There are five padlocks which are keyed alike.
The bottom tray contains tables, cooking
benches and wash stands. These fit ingeniously together and
instructions on the bottom of tables indicate how this must be done.
When moving equipment in or out ensure adequate assistance to avoid
back injury.
The two main doors are heavy and must be
raised/lowered with care. The hinges and arrest arms are relatively
light weight and must not be strained. Closing the doors can be done by
one person however is best done by two. It is never necessary to force
the doors.
The very top narrow tray is for signs and
notice boards. The road directional "Rogaine" signs are best put in a
car before the trip for easy access. The two main top trays are mainly
used for storing water containers. They are not suitable for heavy
equipment as for towing the centre of gravity is better kept low. Once
all the water containers are removed the wooden benches are taken out
to gain access to the blue plastic containers and general equipment.
The BBQ plate and the wooden box with the
two hot water urns are both a two person lift. When reloading put them
in first in their places marked on the trailer base. Other equipment
then fits around. Gas containers must be secure and not able to move
around. Check also that valves are tightly closed. No
perishable food or garbage should be left in the trailer. To make the
best use of the space soft items such as the banner and the bunting can
be stored last.
At the event the trailer should be parked
on level ground with the jockey wheel firmly fixed and a stone chocking
a wheel. Always also set the ratchet safety brake. The trailer can be
used as a speakers rostrum. It is not suitable for children to play on.
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