The Plas Heli pontoons are accessed through a key code protected access gate. The codes will be issued by different criteria depending on the type of berth contract; annual, seasonal, monthly, and short stay or Clubs or Groups.
Security is important and necessary to protect all the assets on the pontoons and on the Quayside area. There is balanced between the need for a good customer experience and the security of their assets. We aim to keep code changes to a minimum and we have therefore devised varying levels of access controls for the Quayside and Pontoons.
This Policy will explain what is expected of Plas Heli when setting, sharing and changing the codes, and what is expected of all users to protect the codes and everyone's assets.
Annual and Seasonal Berth-holders
The code to the Pontoon gate, and Quayside barrier, will be issued to the registered berth-holder after their application process has been completed and the berth has been confirmed by Plas Heli.
The berth-holder and their nominated responsible crew member will be encouraged to join the ‘Pontoons WhatsApp Group’, This is a ‘community group’ where Security notices are posted along with other pontoon related news.
Berth-holders can share the code with their crew, but not with anyone else. The code must not be posted on the ‘Plas Heli Pontoon WhatsApp Group’ or any other public forum. Please do not shout out the code so that others can hear.
This code will be changed every two months, or earlier if there is a reported security issue or concern. The more the codes are shared with unauthorised users the more frequent the change to the codes will become! Keeping the codes secure is in everyone’s best interest.
Annual and Seasonal berth-holders can also request a new Boat specific code for the Quayside barrier and Pontoon gate (same code for both). This is a new feature for Autumn 2022. There is less likelihood of this being changed, unless the security alert is boat related.
Please note that the access codes given to Short Stay and Visiting customers will be a totally different code. This Short stay Visitor code will be changed weekly, or even more frequently, if there is a reported security issue. See below.
Code Change for Annual and Seasonal Berth-holders
The codes will be changed every two months or earlier if deemed necessary for security reasons.
The process that will be applied to a code change is as follows:
• There will be an initial notification on the ‘Plas Heli Pontoons WhatsApp Group’ informing customers of the intended time and date of the proposed code change, and that the new code will be sent by e-mail to the registered, authorised berth-holders. Customers are advised to look out for the code change e-mail.
• Prior to the change a personalised e-mail will be sent to all registered users with the new codes, and any associated instructions.
• Plas Heli will also confirm by a WhatsApp notification that the e-mail has been sent and that the change is imminent.
• After the change there will be another WhatsApp notification to confirm the change, and to ensure that all users have received their new codes. This will give an e-mail address if there are any questions. This notification will remind all customers 'Not to share the code beyond their crew, and the codes should NOT be shared on this WhatsApp Group or any other social media.'
• There will be a note near the key pad to say that the codes have been changed.
Clubs, Associations and Community Groups
Authorised Clubs, Associations and Communit groups will be given separate group codes to the Pontoon Gate and to the Quayside Barrier.
Group/Club or Association specific codes will be issued to the leaders or officers of the clubs and it is their responsibility to ensure that their group/club users keep the codes secure and that the codes are not shared beyond their group leaders, instructors and other delageated responsible persons.
The code must not be posted on the ‘Plas Heli Pontoon WhatsApp Group’ or any other public forum. Please do not shout out the code so that others can hear.
This code will be changed every two months, or earlier if there is a reported security issue or concern. The more the codes are shared with unauthorised users the more frequent the change to the codes will become! Keeping the codes secure is in everyone’s best interest.
Please note that the access codes given to the Plas Heli Annual and Seasonal berth-holders and the Short Stay and Visiting customers will be a totally different code. The Short stay Visitor code will be changed weekly, or even more frequently, if there is a reported security issue. See below.
Changes to these codes will be issued to the club /group nominated responsible person who is encouraged to join the ‘Plas Heli Pontoons WhatsApp Group’.
Event Specific Code
During large events the Organising Association and Class Representatives will be given a separate 'Event Specific Code' to the Pontoon Gate and to the Quayside Barrier.
The Organising Authority for the Event will be issued an 'Event Specific Code' and it is their responsibility to ensure that the users keep the codes secure and that the codes are not shared beyond their group leaders, instructors and other delageated responsible persons.
The code must not be posted on any other public forum. Please do not shout out the code so that others can hear.
This code will be changed after every event , or earlier if there is a reported security issue or concern. The more the codes are shared with unauthorised users the more frequent the change to the codes will become! Keeping the codes secure is in everyone’s best interest.
Please note that the access codes given to the Plas Heli Annual and Seasonal berth-holders, Short Stay and Visiting customers, and the Clubs and Associations will be a totally different code.
If it becomes necessary to change the 'Event Specific Code' for Security reasons the Event Organising Authority will be informed of the reason for the code change and the new code.
Short Stay Berth-holders and Visitors
The Plas Heli Pontoons is available to short stay customers, and visitors, who apply on-line.
The short stay code will be issued by e-mail when the application and payment have been completed.
This does increase the need for regular changes to the codes for security reasons. These customers are not given the Annual or Seasonal berth-holder codes.
Code Change for Short Stay and Visitor Berth -holders.
Short Stay and Visitor berth-holders will be informed of the change if the change is within their contract period.
Overview of Plas Heli Security and code Policies
This document has been prepared to set out the reasons why areas of Plas Heli are protected by different security codes and keys. It outlines what is expected of Plas Heli in setting and changing the security codes and will also explain what is expected of all customers, user-groups, and group members in protecting the integrity of the security codes.
Plas Heli acknowledges the need to balance the accessibility and use of facilities with the need to provide a safe and secure environment. Convenience must sometimes be compromised to maintain security. Each user group member must share in the responsibility to assure security for all users and property.
The Academy provides facilities for community use ranging from fund raising activities, to boating experiences for local school children, the provision of a training centre for local, regional and UK sailing squads and meeting rooms for community groups and clubs. These clubs include the Local Youth Sailing, Clwb Hwylio Pwllheli Sailing Club (a registered Community Amateur Sports Club)
Plas Heli also provide a home and storage facility for the Rowing Club, Paddling Club and Surfing Club.
Plas Heli works closely with the Officers and responsible persons of the following user groups in setting and updating the codes.
- Clwb Hwylio Pwllheli Sailing Club (CHPSC) and CHIPAC (CHPSC Youth Section)
- RYA CW,
- Pwllheli Sea Cadets
- Clwb Rhwyfo Pwllheli Rowing Club
- Paddling Club
- All other Class AND Association that use the facilities.
Updated 25th February, 2023