Convoy Procedures

BLACK DIAMOND RECREATIONAL 4WD CLUB INC CONVOY PROCEDURES 

1. Each Convoy will contain a “Trip Leader” who will lead the convoy and coordinate the trip's activities for the group. 

2. The Trip Leader is to brief the convoy members at the commencement of the trip on the day’s events and organise the members of the convoy to maximise control and communication. 

3. The Trip Leader will advise the convoy whenever they are to enter a new track or road. 

4. The Trip Leader is to decide when the convoy is to disperse. 

5. Each convoy shall contain a nominated “Tail End Charlie (TEC)”. 

6. TEC will advise the trip leader whenever they enter a new track or road. 

7. If there is a breakdown, TEC will wait and organise assistance. 

8. When travelling along busy thoroughfares, leave sufficient room for other vehicles to overtake safely. 

9. When turning into a new track or road, each member is to ensure that the vehicle directly behind him or her has identified the correct route. They will acknowledge by their blinker or flashing their lights. If there are multiple tracks the convoy should keep visual contact at all times to remove confusion. Radio contact for directions will be at the discretion of the Trip Leader. 

10. Each member is to maintain their position in the convoy at all times, except in unavoidable circumstances and then after having advised the Trip Leader. (Convoy members should identify themselves to the drivers of the vehicles directly in front, and behind them when the convoy is established.) In the event that the convoy needs to pass through gates, the following procedures will be used. If the gate is open the convoy will continue through with caution and without change. If the gate is closed the vehicle immediately after the trip leader will stop and wait at the gate until the TEC arrives at the gate the gate will then be closed and that member of the convoy will rejoin in front of the TEC this procedure will continue till all gates are passed. 

11. At a river, creek or water crossing, each member is to wait until the vehicle preceding has negotiated the obstacle before proceeding. 

12. Avoid travelling too close to the vehicle when ascending or descending steep hills. At the discretion of the Trip Leader, the individual convoy members may be required to wait until the preceding indicates that it is clear to proceed. 

13. In the interest of conservation, convoy members are to remain on gazetted or marked tracks. 

14. No vehicle shall leave the convoy unless the Trip Leader has been informed. 

15. A safe distance should be maintained whilst recovery equipment is in use, this especially applies to winch cables and snatch straps.