NOTICE FOR RETURN TO SAILING

Published 10:47 on 15 May 2020

We are keen to encourage and support our members back onto the water, but this will only be possible with members' co-operation.

It is essential that as a club, we adhere to current government advice, particularly with regard to social distancing, hygiene and the potential impact on the emergency services.

It is also essential that we are seen to be keeping within these guidelines by the general public.

In line with RYA advice, we ask you, when considering whether or not to sail, to take an extra cautious approach to your sailing and other water based activities. This will help minimise the risk to yourself and others, as well as avoiding potential strain on the RNLI and other emergency services.

We also ask that you are mindful of other people's health and concerns and do not visit the Signal Station or compound if you are experiencing any symptoms related to Covid-19 or if you have been in contact with anyone with Covid-19 within the last fourteen days.

To help achieve a safe and enjoyable return to sailing for our members, while keeping within government advice, we have prepared the following guidelines for independent sailing. We will continue to follow Government and RYA advice closely and to review our guidelines accordingly.

We are currently finalising our guidelines for supported sailing.

Independent Sailing

• Club members are free to access their own boats but are asked to adhere to government policy and recommendations relating to social distancing while in the compound and on the slipway

• Please remember that the actions of members reflect on the club. It is essential that the public have no reason to doubt that club members are complying with current government policy.

• Sailing without safety support is at your own risk.

• We recommend that you sail in groups of two or more boats.

• Sailors are asked to minimise the risk of the need for rescue by only sailing in Force 2, 3 or 4 ONSHORE winds.

• Sailors are advised to take a mobile phone or radio with them, and/or to ensure someone knows they have gone out and their expected time of return.

• All members accessing the club at any time must follow the requirements outlined below regarding use of the Compound and Signal Station.

The following protocol should be followed at all times:

Compound

• Social distancing must be carried out at all times

• Some change to berths may be needed in order to facilitate this

• Where possible, members should come down changed, sail and either go home as they are, change in the compound or change on the beach

• Sailors should only touch clubhouse doors, container doors and any club equipment such as hoses etc if wearing full finger gloves

• Sailors should bring their own PPE if they feel they need to use it in the compound masks, gloves etc

• Sailors are asked to spend the minimum time possible in the compound before moving their boat onto the beach to complete rigging

• No cars should be parked in on or near the slipway at any time.

Beach

• Boats must be placed at least 2 metres apart on the beach to ensure social distancing

• Care must be taken not to block the promenade and public right of way. Boats must be set at least 2 m away from the promenade to enable members of public to pass comfortably

• Sailors should only recover their own trolley/boat or that of members of their household

Signal Station

• The bar and galley remain closed in the Signal Station until further notice.

• A deep clean of the changing rooms, toilets and showers was completed on 15 May 2020.

• Surface cleaners will be provided for members to use on any surfaces they touch

• Access to the toilets is through the grey access door

• The showers remain out of bounds and should not be used under any circumstances

• A maximum of one member (or two from the same household) should use each of the changing rooms/toilets at one time

• Personal items may be left in the changing rooms while sailing. Care should be taken to ensure these are stored away from those belonging to other members

• Members are required to use the sanitisers provided to disinfect all areas of contact before and after use of the toilets/changing rooms.

• Members using the changing rooms/toilets are asked not to spend any more time in there than necessary.

• Signs will be posted on the exterior doors to show whether they are in use.

• Markers will be set at 2m distances outside the signal station for queues for the facilities.
• If you require a key to access the Signal Station please notify the Commodore.

If the club is to remain open it is essential that these guidelines are followed by all members.

Our priority must be the safety of all our members and that of members of the general public impacted by our activities.

Thank you for your co-operation.

Last updated 19:56 on 21 March 2024