On 18 March the Executive Committee held a monthly meeting principally dedicated to the impact of the Coronavirus on the club. This was an extended meeting due to the number of issues this national emergency has created.
This is the last Exec that will be held face to face for the foreseeable future to reflect the need for social distancing.
It must be emphasised that none of the decisions made were taken lightly and each involved significant discussion with a range of conflicting views. This very much reflected the difficulty of operating the club to both benefit members and in the interest of public safety.
In conjunction with advice published by the RYA and the Governments request for the avoidance of unnecessary contact, travel, and to maintain social distancing, it was thought prudent by the Executive to follow the guide lines, plus the likelihood that these measures may soon become law.
Resolutions
The following resolutions were passed. I have added some notes in italics to aid understanding.
Please note this information will be subject to review and edited to reflect the changing situation and learning. Hence, this has been incorporated within this web page so we have a common reference point.
- Club house – with immediate effect the club would no longer be open for social gatherings. The bar will not be opening on either Friday nights or Sunday lunchtimes.
- Cleaning the clubhouse – cleaning with special attention to detail in the Ladies and Gentleman’s toilets is of paramount concern. Our cleaner Jo has agreed to continue this work assuming the Government does not place everyone on ‘lock down’ and prevent her travelling to the club. The toilets will remain accessible to members. However we must ask everyone to consider the showers out of bounds and any members sailing should change and shower at home.
- Sailing programme – in light of the recommendations from both the Government and the RYA the club has suspended our sailing programme. This does not prevent individuals taking out their own boats, however this will be the responsibility of the individual member.
- Push the Boat Out/Discover Sailing – event cancelled.
- Sail training sessions – as they are not due to start until 23rd May, these sessions will be reviewed nearer the time. Social distancing would make this very difficult to achieve with special reference to recovering the dinghies and safety boats after sailing.
- Cruiser events – suspended
- Cruiser launching April/May – suspended. Following extensive consideration, and a test to see if it was practical, regrettably it proved impossible to launch cruisers and comply with social distancing.
- Summer layup – Any cruiser that would normally be launched but because of the virus the owners decline to launch will not be charged the layup fee. The cruisers that are long term storage will still be liable to the layup fee. Currently this applies to just three boats.
Your boat, your choice
It must be emphasised that members can use their own boats as they wish and every member will have to decide how they interpret Government advice, instructions and laws. Your Exec have looked at the club and our future programme. Overall we are doing our best to fulfill our responsibility to fellow members, the wider community and the NHS.
Cruiser launching, it proved impossible to maintain 2 metre social distancing due to the practical issues connected with our manual handling equipment.
If you would prefer to lay up your boat for 2020. Please contact our membership secretary David Willsmore if you (dinghy or cruiser owner) have decided you WILL NOT launch this year. There is a possibility we could stop your plaque fee (and mooring fee too for cruisers), being paid to the CHA. However, you must be absolutely sure as there is only until the end of March for us to ‘tear up’ your CHA mooring and plaque application forms.
Anyone who cannot launch will retain the same mooring for 2021. To do this the club will offer you the option of holding your mooring and/or plaque fee money on account to offset your fees for 2021. We would prefer to do this as its a lot of work for our treasurer to return money and cheques.
We need to establish the CHA’s attitude concerning refunds for plaques already issued – more details will follow – we are hopeful they will be understanding.
Laying up? You must act fast
If you decide you will definitely lay up this year, there is a very limited window to return your plaque to Dave Willsmore – which must be by the first week of April. The CHA’s rule has always been no refund without the plaque being returned. For members not wishing to have their money held on account by the club, our Treasurer will arrange individual refunds by BACS (bank transfer only) during April/May to allow time for the extra admin.