Covid-19 Bulletin: 30
Dear Members
Emerging from Lockdown
From the government announcements this week it is clear we are starting to emerge from lockdown; but just like the country, the yacht club will do this in a cautious phased way to protect each other, our staff and the community while the vaccination programme begins to have its desired effect.
Monday 29th March 2021
It is good news to hear that from Monday 29th March 2021, the Government will allow outdoor sports facilities to reopen, broadening the options for outdoor exercise and recreation; formally organised outdoor sports – for adults and under 18s - can restart from Monday 29th March 2021.
With this date in mind we plan to gradually reopen the club to help members get on the water from this date onwards.
Getting our boats ready
Recognising that it is imperative that boats have been checked by their owners and maintenance carried out so that boats can be prepared for use by Monday 29th March, members will be allowed back into the yard in a prebooked, controlled way to prepare their boats.
Our aim is to continue, as we always have, to work within the rules and we hope to be back in the club in various ways by Easter.
We’ll start with access to the yard and boats to restart the haul-out and members’ winter maintenance programme from Monday 8th March.
We strongly urge everyone to remain circumspect and not surrender this hard-won freedom carelessly.
None of your Committee ever wanted to prevent sailing, but we would urge you to check your boats carefully before the Club can reopen for recreational boat use on Monday March 29th.
Maintain social distancing at all times
- Maintain social distancing in clubhouse, on pontoons, in boats
- please do not approach staff – contact the office if you need help (staff may not have been vaccinated as soon as older/more vulnerable members)
- wash hands
- wear face masks indoors or for 1m+
- maintain 2m social distancing with anyone not from your household
- minimise contact (chatting) with other households indoors or outdoors
Yard and Haven
The haul-out programme will resume immediately for bookings already received; these members will be contacted by the office in due course. For new bookings, members are asked to contact the office, in the normal way.
As we restart activities, you can call the office to book a time for your visit.
From Monday 8th March 2021
- Members may book an appointment through the office to come to the yard and attend their boats including winter maintenance such as antifouling
- If you require to be lifted into the yard, please call the office to confirm arrangements
- Do not approach staff in the yard – if you need help contact the office
- Always remember to swipe in at the entrance gate
Boat inspections by others
Bearing in mind the above timescales, if you feel unable to visit the Club yet, the well tried and tested system of our staff colleagues (and night watch team members) will still operate the close inspection of boats in the haven for you, as now.
Sailing
From Monday 29th March
- Organised adult outdoor activity can restart (this is when club-organised racing and other activities can start)
- Maximum 6 people on the slipway at any time
From Tuesday 30th March
- Race 1 of Cruiser Early Summer Series (cruiser class captain and volunteer teams will contact those involved)
- With just 2 Sundays left in the Early Spring Sunday series, this series will be reduced to 2 races only on 4th and 11th April
From Thursday 1st April
- Dinghy sailors may bring dinghies that have not been stored in the yard over winter, to the club; leave in their assigned dinghy park space
- Saturday 3rd April – Races 1 & 2 of dinghy Saturday spring series
- Monday 5th April – Race 1 of dinghy Monday evening spring series
- Thursday 8th April – Race 1 of dinghy Thursday evening spring series
- Friday 23rd April – first Friendly Friday meet
Cruiser racing and dinghy racing will be conducted in line with lockdown rules and constraints on safety with regard to conditions such as maximum wind speed advisories will be communicated closer to the time.
Youth Training
The plans are being worked on to start some Youth Training as soon as possible. The Training Committee will be in touch with parents when this is finalised. It is very likely that there will be a staggered start to begin with.
House, Bar and Catering
The committee and staff are planning a phased reopening which will be very dependent on each step of the government’s process for reopening bars and restaurants. This will be communicated to you when ready, but no bar and catering will be available at the club until Monday 29th March at the earliest, even for take-away.
Other facilities
- Toilets open from Monday 8th March
- Beach gate unlocked from Monday 29th March
- Changing rooms remain closed
Keeping you posted
We will update everyone at the earliest opportunity as we proceed along the pathway.
The Q & A sheet has been updated on the Club’s website.
If there are any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Office, or myself.
This has been a long, long journey, but, there is now light at the end of the tunnel, but we must remember that the dates quoted above are dependent on continued progress on vaccinations, hospitalisation reduction and the other key indicators.
Thank you for your continuing understanding and support.
With very best regards
