The Commodore's Newsletter May 2020
Covid-19 Bulletin: 15
Dear Members,
As I write this we are about to enter a whole new experience of lockdown changes tomorrow, Saturday 4th July, particularly in the hospitality industry. I’ll explain below a few of the things we can now do at the Club, so please read them carefully. This is not straightforward and your general committee has worked hard to take considerate and conservative steps forward.
The Rules for social distancing to be followed within the Club and on the water from 4th July
The main change in all our lives is the new one metre plus (1m+) guidance: this means that we should maintain social distancing of 2m whenever possible and not meet in groups of more than 6 people. However, if it is difficult to maintain 2m then the 1m+ rules require you to mitigate the increased risk as much as possible by actions such as:
- Meeting outside if you can
- Do not sit face to face
- Wearing face coverings, particularly inside
- Whenever possible maintain 2m social distance
Entry to the Club
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Swipe your card on entry
Just a repeat from Bulletin 14 that we ask that every member to use their swipe card on entry to the Club, even if the gate is open for a car ahead. This is part of our responsibility to be Covid secure in support of Test Track and Trace: during the pandemic, you must be able to tell us who was with you in your car.
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Signing in visitors
If bringing visitors, or members without a card, to the Club, they must be registered by sending an email to: signin@pooleyc.co.uk before arriving.
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Locking the beach gate
We must all ensure that the beach gate is kept locked, please.
We have noticed a number of members of the public wandering in through the beach gate, which puts our staff, members and Club reputation at risk. We must ask you to lock it behind you at all times, otherwise we will have no option but to padlock it until things settle down.
House, Bar and Catering
We are, as you know, using this time of “enforced closure” to undertake some maintenance work and upgrade in the Club House (Lounge) and we are planning to issue a fuller briefing on this aspect in the near future.
As we ease in gently to restarting the bar and restaurant service we will initially continue with the simple but tasty takeaway menu and system already in operation. Food and drink is served between 10:00 and 15:30, Wednesday through to Sunday for now. Consuming this on the patio is now officially possible in groups of up to 6 from no more than 2 households but please follow the one-way system to order and pick up, and dispose of your rubbish thoughtfully.
If you wish to consume on the balcony then this must be done in the marked area at the dinghy park end, with social distancing and leaving a clear access path to order food and drink.
The changing rooms and showers must remain closed until the Law allows.
Yard and Haven
There are no new changes to the Y&H with the launch service available until 19:00 at weekends (last service at 18:30); weekdays it operates from 09:00 to 16:00 (We are looking into extending the hours on weekdays and further advices will follow).
Sailing
From Saturday 4th July you may meet outdoors (e.g. in the yard) in groups of up to 6 from different households but following the 1m+ social distancing rules.
You must be able to maintain social distancing and the rules on household contacts on a cruiser.
You may now stay overnight on your boat within these rules, from Saturday 4th July, but must notify the Club by email at signin@pooleyc.co.uk including your car number plate if so doing.
Recreational Dinghy Sailing
We will continue to work within The Government and RYA Guidelines. As soon as further easing is announced, we shall not delay in advising you.
Our current risk assessment of this activity concludes, until further notice:
Distancing is not feasible in a dinghy so you should stick to the same household teams.
There should never be more than 6 people on the slipway (or anywhere else) in a group at any time.
Some members are getting in contact with each other to arrange to rendezvous on the water. If you do this you must ensure there are no more than 6 people in any group in the yard or on the slipway to rig and launch.
You must stay in your group of 6 on the water and return to the slipway as one group.
You must not mingle with another group of 6 and no more than 3 groups of 6 sailors from Poole YC are allowed to be in the yard and out on the water at any time.
Additionally, solo sailors are allowed to rig and launch away from any groups and must not form or join groups on the water.
Breaches of this will be treated very seriously by the Flag Officers, when we consider our responsibility towards our members, the wider Community and our Club’s reputation.
Club singlehanded dinghies (lasers and fusions) are available for hire as are two of our Rigiflex boats. Please go on-line via the website to book and follow the guidance on social distancing and cleaning.
Youth Training
The youth team is working out how best to start training within the necessary very restrictive guidance on numbers. Youth parents of the Start Race Group will be contacted in due course ready for a possible first Wednesday night of training on Wednesday 15th July.
Racing
With limits on groups larger than 6 it is difficult to see how we can restart Club organised racing just yet, but your Team Sailing are working hard on this and we will keep you posted as soon as we are ready.
Some final footnotes
It is proving to be a challenge to find our way through all this, so that we can safely and responsibly enjoy the type of sailing we all want to do and, step by step, “return to a new normal.” We continue to be driven by balancing our desire to deliver the Club and organised activity back to you, whilst needing to operate within the evolving Guidelines and the Law during this pandemic.
Your comments are always welcome.
Commodore
Covid-19 Bulletin: 14
Covid-19 Bulletin: 14
Thank you for all the messages of support for the steps we have had to take to stay within the Law and the Covid-19 Guidelines.
With the recent glorious sailing conditions and the number of dinghy sailors out yesterday evening, I must ask us all to exercise correct social distancing of 2 metres. If we are not able to do this on a voluntary basis, we will be forced to introduce measurers to minimise the risk to health and the Club’s reputation in the Community.
The Prime Minister’s statement made on Tuesday 23rd June, announced some new freedoms. However, the “devil is in the detail” and your Covid-19 Group is now studying the full supporting detailed documentation, ahead of further bulletins.
In the meantime:
Entry to the Club
Important:
With immediate effect, we ask that every member uses their swipe card on entry to the club, even if the gate is open for a car ahead. During the pandemic period, you must be able to tell us who was with you in your car. If bringing visitors to the Club, they must be registered by sending an email to: signin@pooleyc.co.uk before arriving (the visitor “signing – in” book in the lobby is not currently in use).
This is so that the Club can fulfill its duty to the Test Track and Trace system when it becomes fully operational.
Until July 4th, social distancing is still 2m. We will advise of further changes in our next bulletin
House, Bar and Catering
It has been exciting to welcome back Tom and Jack from their enforced absence to now start the process of opening up the clubhouse. Many members are availing themselves of the takeaway menu between 10:00 and 15:30, Wednesday through to Sunday.
Please follow the one-way system to order and pick up and dispose of your rubbish thoughtfully.
With the reopening of large parts of the hospitality industry from Saturday 4th July, we expect to be able to offer tables (appropriately spaced) on the balcony and patio. The aim is to re-open the toilets in the Club House shortly (regretfully, not the showers) and the portaloos will then be removed from the Club.
Yard and Haven
The Yard and Haven are now been operating normally which has meant many members are taking advantage of the fine weather. The launch service is now available until 19:00 at weekends (last Service at 18:30); weekdays it continues to operate from 09:00 to 16:00.
Sailing
We closely monitor both the government guidance on relaxation and the RYA advices. For now we feel it is too early to launch into club-organised activity, but we are preparing and as soon as we feel confident and comfortable we have volunteers poised and ready to get into action at very short notice.
As already announced, the club singlehanded dinghies (lasers and fusions) are now available for hire as are two of our Rigiflex boats. Please go on-line via the website to book and follow the guidance on social distancing and cleaning.
Some members are getting in contact with each other to arrange to rendezvous on the water.
If you do this, please respect social distancing guidelines and ensure you do nothing to draw unwanted attention to our Club. We are asking you to do this for the good of the Club and as a responsible member of our community.
The Rules for social distancing to be followed within the Club and on the water
These can be found on the Club’s website and on the Government site.
Please act carefully as we all try to maintain 2 metre social distancing to contain the risk of the virus spreading.
Additionally:
- Meet outside if you can
- Do not sit face to face
- Wear face coverings, particularly inside
- Whenever possible maintain 2m social distance
We will continue to communicate to you to provide detail when it is possible to take further steps.
Your Covid 19 Group and General Committee meet again next week and as we digest and review the Government Guidelines, (including aspects such as: “social distancing rules,” “extended family groups” and “sleeping on board overnight”), we will issue a further Bulletin next week.
I am so pleased that the Club is beginning, to return to some form of “normality”….we still have many stages to go through, yet.
Your comments are always welcome.
Commodore
Covid-19 Bulletin: 13
A message from John
Dear Members,
As the very credible Chris Witty (Chief Medical Officer) said at Wednesday’s Government briefing: “…. we are not at the end of this pandemic yet, we are right in the middle of it….”
With that in mind, your representatives on the Covid-19 Group continue to support a “considerate and conservative approach” as we implement steps to return to normal Club operating.
This may not feel fast enough for some, but it equally feels uncomfortable for others. The southwest region has had little exposure to the virus and our club membership has many who are in the more vulnerable demographic.
We continue to make steady and measured progress and will continue to operate well within the rules and guidelines. Regretfully, this means that there will be no organised events (racing or training) until guidance around larger gatherings changes.
We have the following updates for you:
Yard & Haven
The excellent work of our staff and members has meant the Yard and Haven are effectively operating normally with the Yard now pretty clear of boats which have returned to their berths and moorings. We are pleased to announce that the launch service is now available until 19:00 at weekends (last Service at 18.30). After Michael finishes his shift at 13:00 it will be covered by volunteers. Weekdays it continues to operate from 09:00 to 16:00.
Sailing
We closely monitor both the government guidance on relaxation and the RYA advices. Whilst our plans for a return to sailing and racing are well advanced, for now, we are not permitted to proceed with any club-organised events. We will advise on this, as soon as further announcements are made by HM Government. It is a delight that we are able to access our boats now!
The club singlehanded dinghies (lasers and fusions) are now available for hire as are two of our Rigiflex boats. Please go on-line via the website to book and follow the guidance on social distancing and cleaning.
Some members are getting in contact with each other to arrange to rendezvous on the water.
If you do this, please respect social distancing guidelines and ensure you do nothing to draw unwanted attention to our Club.
We also remind you that staying overnight on your boat is still not permitted.
House, Bar and Catering
We are now looking at when we might be able to start opening the bar and catering side of our Club.
Due to the current constraints, starting up elements of HBC will not be profitable. However, your General Committee agrees that to begin to re-establish suppliers and staff and to learn how to operate in the changed environment is an investment by all of us in the future of the Club.
Re-starting a form of catering means the club can provide some of the social opportunity that so many of us joined for, and enjoy, as part of our total experience of boating.
This will depend on relaxation of rules that will allow the hospitality industry to begin to open; that will probably not be before July.
However, we will be starting gently with perhaps takeaway offerings including separated tables outside if for example beer gardens begin to be allowed to open earlier. A fuller announcement from the House, Bar and Catering Team will be made this coming week, giving the details.
Guidance on coming to the Club
View the latest guideline for coming to the Club, and the up to date status of facilities.
Thank you!
We will continue to communicate to you to provide detail when it is possible to take each step.
We will let you know as soon as we are ready to “push the button” on the first steps of providing the Catering Service and all the other aspects of Club activity that we are working on.
Your comments are always welcome
Commodore
Please remember to use the Club Office as your point of contact for any queries and questions you may have; if Mark/Lorna cannot answer them, they will find someone who can. genmgr@pooleyc.co.uk 01202 672687
Covid-19 Bulletin: 12
A message from John
Dear Members,
Our last bulletin was on Friday 15th May which announced our removal of the barrier and opening of the Haven for members to go sailing. I am so pleased that many of you have been able to do so and take advantage of this fantastic weather.
Thank you for acting so considerately to others while we continue to be under restrictions to try to control this virus. It is because of your care in protecting staff, each other and our community that we are confident that it will not be too long before being able to announce the next steps towards on the water organised activity.
The statement made by the Prime Minister yesterday does not give us, quite yet, the green light we need to confirm dates of relaxation of further lockdown restrictions here at the Club.
But here is a flavour of the work we have been undertaking.
Organised sporting events are still not allowed. However, we are working on our “Back to Sailing” plan. We confidently expect, with appropriate risk assessments and adherence to social distancing, that it will be possible in the next month, to restart some of our organised activities on the water.
We will proceed with caution and organized activity may include racing with no spinnakers, a conservative maximum windspeed (nominally 15 knots), careful management of the slipway/beach for launching and recovery, among other things such as strictly same-household teams in boats, RIBS and the Race Hut.
Organised Events and Racing
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Recreational Sailing
This is well under way already with informal arrangements. This is great to see. (This is not Club organised activity.)
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Friendly Fridays
Will resume as soon as we are allowed to run Club-organised sailing.
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Adult Training
We are considering offering training with reduced numbers per instructor, as a first step when we are able.
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Club dinghy racing (and “Friendly Fridays”)
We have a potential plan for a simplified Poole YC Covid Cup Series, catering for single handers and some house-hold double handers, when regulations allow. A simplified combined NOR and SI will be published in due course.
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Club Cruiser Racing
There may not be many cruisers ready to race with a same-household team, even without spinnakers. But we know the R19s have a fleet so are aiming to offer a start as soon as possible. The R19s may also wish to hold their Friday single-handed series, which is self-run.
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Club Owned Dinghies
We hope to be able to offer these to members soon. Work is underway to ensure that they can be hired without risk of transmission. Further announcements will be made.
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Youth Training and Activities
Aaron Agnew, in the role of our RYA Principal, is working out how we could offer some Youth Training, when we have limited access to the changing rooms again, and plans to extend the training season potentially into the Autumn and Winter are being considered.
So you can see there is activity coming, but I must emphasise that we will ensure we have clearance from the relevant authorities before any of this happens. This will require us to demonstrate adequate mitigation of the Covid–related risks in any organised Club activity.
Yard & Haven
Now that we are well into restarting the cruiser haul-out and launch programme, the yard is starting to clear.
Thinking of our Club House
Whilst we are closed, we are working on the Lounge ceiling and attending to small jobs and “tidying up” that can be accommodated, together with some “re-modelling.” These will enhance the feel of the Club and our offering. We are looking at, and planning for, when we might be able to start opening the bar and catering side of our Club. This would depend on relaxation of rules that will allow the hospitality industry to begin to open. That will probably not be before July. We are looking at how we can start gently, with perhaps takeaway offerings including separated tables outside if for example beer gardens begin to be allowed to open earlier.
You may have seen the bright new paint job on the outside!
Guidance on coming to the Club
View the latest guideline for coming to the Club, and the up to date status of facilities.
Thank you!
I would like to thank the group of members that have been liaising and meeting on line during recent weeks working on the above plans to help us all manage through this emergency. I have lost count of the number of volunteer hours that have been put in by so many of our colleagues, together with the fantastic support from Mark, Lorna and our staff.
Thank you everyone.
We will continue to communicate to you to provide detail when it is possible to take each step.
Please remember, we may be beyond the peak, but to manage the spread and possible resurgence of the virus, we must take each of these steps with care.
Happy to receive your comments and questions.
Commodore
Please remember to use the Club Office as your point of contact for any queries and questions you may have; if Mark/Lorna cannot answer them, they will find someone who can. genmgr@pooleyc.co.uk 01202 672687
Covid-19 Bulletin: 11
A message from John
Dear Members,
Thank you to members who have come to the Club during the past two days with the opening of the Yard and Haven and co-operated so well and operated within the guidelines.
I am pleased to report that all has gone to plan and following further consultations we can now go to the next steps on our journey of bringing our Club back to life.
We must always keep in mind the reality that the country is still in the grip of a coronavirus pandemic and we must always apply the rules of social distancing to protect ourselves and the wider community.
The Plan
Previous Covid-19 Bulletins set out the sequence of steps we planned to take:
So Far
1. Contractors work in yard
2. Prepare to restart haul-out programme
3. Yard Staff begin to launch/haul out boats that are ready
4. Members work on boats in the yard
5. Members visit their boats for essential maintenance checks.
From Mon 18 May
6. Dinghies to the Dinghy Park, including YW Dayboats and other boats trailered to the Haven from Monday 18th May
Due to the need to stagger our restart including clearing the dinghy park and installing the YW Dayboat pontoons, trailered boats will be able to start coming to the Club from 9am Monday 18th May.
Please do not bring your boat to the Club until you have received your dinghy park allocation in the post, shortly
7a. Remove the barrier protecting the Haven entrance.
After consulting with relevant authorities we are very pleased to announce the removal of the security barrier. It will be removed later today, Friday 15th May, so boats may then depart and enter the Haven for recreational sailing. Always follow the rules on social distancing particularly only members from the same household (including children accompanied by adults) in the same boat.
7b. Launch Access to Swinging Moorings.
Under social distancing measures extra precautions have to be taken when using the launch to get to boats on swinging moorings. These are to protect you and staff operating the launch:
- If possible use your own tender to access your swinging mooring
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Launch hours will be restricted initially and from Saturday 16th May are:
Monday to Fridays 09:00 – 16:00 (on the hour) Saturday and Sunday 08:00 – 14:00 - Maintain Social distancing at all times
- Maximum 2 people and from same household plus driver in the launch at any time
- Maximum luggage one small pack or bag – plan your trip to bring the boat in to the waiting pontoon to load and unload provisions, people and equipment
- Follow the launch driver’s instructions
- Board the launch before the driver, sit as far aft as possible
- Climb aboard your boat from the aft step in the launch to maintain social distance from the driver.
- From Tomorrow, Sat 16 May, members may sail while following the rules on social distancing. Only members from the same household may be in the same boat.
- If you are feeling at all unwell, or have a fever or cough, please do not come to the Club.
- If you are in one of the vulnerable categories then please think very carefully about whether you should be leaving home and visiting the Club at all.
- Limit of family members from the same household in one car until further notice; this may include children but not in the yard except to access your boat on its berth.
- Members to keep minimum 2m separation from all other members, staff and other persons on site.
- STAY ALERT: Please enter the club with caution and if you feel it is getting overcrowded then please leave. We will be prepared to control numbers coming through the gate if need be.
- Only members from the same household to work on or board a boat at a time.
- All buildings, including the changing rooms, are closed. The only toilet may be at the north end of the maintenance shed. Please clean all surfaces you have touched after use. We will be providing a limited number of portaloos.
- Do not socialise with other members working or sitting on their boats.
- General Committee or General Manager or other members of staff may suspend access during very busy periods (i.e. lock the IN gate)
- People walking OFF the pontoons have right of way, members walking ONTO pontoons should step aside down the nearest finger to let them pass.
- No over-night staying on boats.
- If contact with the Office is required, please use the telephone: 01202 672687
- No members on site during the hours of darkness, other than those performing NIGHT WATCH duties. NIGHT WATCH shall be returned to normal operation from Sunday 17th May.
- For your own safety and that of others, if you are not complying with the above, you may be requested to leave the premises.
The Future
We continue to refine plans for the staged restarting of organised activities on the water (e.g. training and racing) as well as re-opening the Clubhouse and catering side of life at the Club when the time is right.
Thank you!
We will continue to communicate to you to provide detail when it is possible to take each step.
Thank you for your patience – it is due to your responsible behaviour throughout that we have been able to develop trust with the authorities to be able to take these tentative steps to get back to our Club.
But please remember, we may be beyond the peak, but to manage the spread and possible resurgence of the virus, we must take each of these steps with care.
I again ask for your continuing understanding and patience as we start to open up parts of the Club.
Commodore
Please remember to use the Club Office as your point of contact for any queries and questions you may have; if Mark/Lorna cannot answer them, they will find someone who can. genmgr@pooleyc.co.uk 01202 672687
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