Notice to members – Return to Sailing Plan. Please read carefully.
Please note that your committee are working very hard to bring as swift a return to sailing and club activities as is possible. Whilst making allowances for the age range of members and of course all of the HMG guidelines including the important guidance from the PLA, the River Police, the RNLI and the RYA.
Following the PM’s announcement on Sunday and further information published today, it looks likely we will be able to bring about a gentle return to activities. The RYA have recommended that this return be a measured and careful return with clubs to take their time to protect all. We are keen therefore, not to rush this and to provide sensible boundaries and protection for all members.
Please bear with us we have all your interests at heart.
The Plan…
1. The dinghy park will be open to members from Saturday 16th May for members to return to their boats for pre-sailing seaworthiness maintenance and check over. Please do not use the dinghy park until then to allow for some maintenance to take place on the fencing and safety signage including increasing the size of the dinghy park. The opening of the dinghy park is for preparation of the Sandhoppers and Cruisers ready for lift in. Masts need to be raised and boats rigged. This time having been lost 2 weeks prior to the original lift in date due to the lockdown. For those requiring assistance with this, a mast lifting, isolated team will be on hand to do this for you. This needs to be done whilst observing government social distancing guidelines
If you are working on a dinghy, please take your boat into the grass car park – observing distancing rules, and work on it there. Returning it to your spot having completed your tasks.
The Authorities have now released water activities. We cannot stop you going sailing at this stage. However, and again to help with social distancing, hygiene and safety, protect the majority, we would ask that you be patient and not use your boats if they are in either the dinghy park or car park. We understand you are keen to get back on the water, as are we all. But to clarify; this is to keep the numbers down in the dinghy park during the early days and protect fellow members.
We would ask all members to support this request and not go afloat before the dates published below.
Please only park in the car park, not the dinghy park.
2. The next step is to launch the Sandhoppers and Cruisers for those who would like to go in the water for the remainder of the year. Some may choose not to launch and space will be found to store boats for the duration. It is very likely that your boat will be moved that being the case.
We aim to have both fleets launched by Friday 22nd May. This will be done with a selected and vastly reduced crew than usual. Members are requested to remain outside of the working area while this is happening. You will be requested to go onto the mud to secure your boat once the lift in is complete or nominate someone to do this for you. If you would like one of the launch team to do this, please let us know. Strict guidance will apply and you are asked to comply in all regards.
As previously noted, members are requested not to use their boats from the dinghy park or car park.
Club members wishing to bring dinghies to the club will be unable to do so before lift in has been completed on Friday 22nd May as there is currently no room and lift in cannot be conducted if there are further boats obstructing the way. These members will need to liaise with Nick Elmore before bringing their boat to the club to be allocated a dinghy space and date to return as it is unknown at present how many boats will be lifted in from the number currently in the dinghy park.
Please note, all members with a dinghy space allocated will be found a space
3. Saturday 23rd May will see the return for members to go sailing, paddle boarding or fishing etc and using their boats. Members are requested to always follow the HMG guidelines to distancing and help protect your fellow members. Depending on the rules that apply at this time (which may have changed from the time of writing), it is likely that you may only sail with a person with whom you have been isolated during the lockdown. This may restrict some members having access to the water.
NOTE: UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE; THE CLUBHOUSE IS CURRENTLY OUT OF BOUNDS AND THIS INCLUDES THE CHANGING ROOMS AND TOILETS.
BOTH THE CLUB CAR PARKS ARE OPEN.
THE CLUB IS NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE ORGANISED SAILING OR SAFETY COVER AT THIS STAGE. ANY WATER ACTIVITIES ARE UNDERTAKEN AT YOUR OWN RISK.
PLEASE BE AWARE OF YOUR OWN ABILITY, WIND AND TIDE STRENGTH & DIRECTION AND ABOVE ALL PLEASE SAIL SAFELY.
Ideally there will be some form of hand sanitiser available at the club but it is the responsibility of club members to provide their own hand sanitisers.
No club dinghies are to be used currently by members but this will hopefully change once guidance has been put in place.
We sincerely hope that in due course, we will be able to slowly return to racing. We aim to ensure that all the equipment necessary for this will be in place before the time comes so we are able to react swiftly and commence our sailing season. You may see the ribs and the displacement craft out being run. This will be for testing and good maintenance only.
We desperately look forward to being able to sail with you all and more so enjoy a social drink in the bar and all the usual wonderful banter that follows a great day on the water.
Further guidance notes to all activities will be available on the club website under a new Covid 19 tab.
