Dear Member,
I am pleased to say that there has been some recent sailing, predominantly in cruisers by club members although it has to be said that following the early good signs the recent weather hasn’t been particularly conducive.
The recent continued easing of restrictions by HM Government from the 4th July has meant that the main committee has again reviewed the club’s response in terms of getting back to sailing.
The Government has assessed that outdoor activities can be increased but indoor sports venues/facilities cannot be made sufficiently Covid-19 Secure and should remain closed. Additionally, the RYA has published additional guidance stating that limited cruiser and dinghy sailing is possible providing that social distancing is maintained.
We are now allowed to gather outdoors in a mixed group of up to six, but still with social distancing.
Whilst we can gather in small groups the preparation and launching of our dinghies and crewing of safety boats will inevitably require individuals to operate closer than 2m apart and whilst one meter plus mitigation is allowable the committee do not consider that the required mitigation requirements are practical for sailing purposes.
Our guiding principal is the safety of our members, rather than what ‘could’ be done under the regulations. The upshot is that, for the month of July, the Main Committee has decided that
• The club and dock will remain open for personal sailing (subject to government distancing regulations)
• The Clubhouse will remain closed
Over the next couple of months we will continue to clean the Club in preparation for re-opening and in the meantime, I would be grateful if members could be mindful of the restrictions and understand that we are acting in the interests of our members
The main committee will continue to monitor the advice issued by HM Government and continue to review changes to the club’s sailing policy in response.
Stay safe and alert.
Andrew Walls
Commodore
Captain Barnacle
May292020
Notice to Mariners -Orsteds Wind Farm -June Update
Please be advised that the local ‘Regional Local Notice to Mariners’ concerning the forthcoming activities for ORSTEDS WIND FARMS in the Irish Sea will now be issued on a monthly basis with updates provided should there be a requirement for an addition NtM to be distributed.
This notice lists any changes to the Aids to Navigation Availability as well as any proposed Jack-up / maintenance operations in the region
Awareness items in the notice relate to the following wind farms:
Wind Farm
Abbreviation
Barrow Area and Cumbrian Coast
Barrow Offshore
BOW
West of Duddon Sands
WoDS
Walney Offshore Extensions 1 & 2
WOW 01 – WOW 02
Walney Offshore Extensions 3 & 4
WOW 03 – WOW 04
Liverpool Bay
Burbo Bank Wind Farm
BBW 01
Burbo Bank Extension
BBW 02 (EXT)
MAIN ITEMS OF INTEREST INCLUDED IN THE NtM
Introduction – Subsea Cables Information and KIS-ORCA Wind Farm Awareness Charts(Page 4)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Chartlet showing General Location of Operational Wind Farms as well as key contact details (Page 5)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
Notice to Mariners Summary(Page 6)
……………………………………………………………………………………………….
BARROW (Page 7)
Turbines A01 and A07 – Navigation lights extinguished
Nothing to Report
…………………………………………………………………………………………………….
BURBO 01(Page 8)
Navigation Light Extinguished Turbine BB42 – Fog Signal Inoperative Turbine BB38
Nothing to Report
………………………………………………………………………………………………..
BURBO 02 (EXT.) (Page 9)
Lighting and Marking Status
Turbine Position : A01 53°30.089’N 003°22.363’W Navigation Light Extinguished
Turbine Position : E05 53°27.871’N 003°18.323’W Navigation Light Extinguished
Turbine Position : F01 53°30.106’N 003°17.202’W Navigation Light Extinguished
Turbine Position : L05 53°27.889’N 003°12.047’W Navigation Light Extinguished
Nothing to Report
……………………………………………………………………………………………………..
WALNEY 01 & 02 (Page 10 & 11)
TRANSITION PIECE MAINTENANCE PROGRAMM
Transition Piece maintenance is being undertaken on both WALNEY 1 & 2, this programme will run for a provisional 4 months.
Sequence of locations and dates are unavailable as works will be weather dependant and coordinated to ensure no conflict with routine maintenance operations.
REQUEST FOR SAFETY AREA
Mariners are requested to observe a 500m distance Safety Area around the affected Turbine(s) while works are being carried out.
The CTV “Rix Lion” (picture attached) will act as Guard Vessel during this maintenance programme with the vessel broadcasting the Turbine ID, establishment/cancellation of the safety areas and seeking contact with marine traffic approaching of nearing the areas on VHF Channel 16 and 12.
When “Rix Lion” is operating in the Wind Farm, you can assume work is being undertaken on several turbines which will have the requested Safety Areas in place.
WALNEY 01
Fog Signal Inoperative Turbine A11
TURBINE POSITION B07
Mariners are advised that due to a fault on the turbine nacelle crane there is presently a suspended load at B07, position 54 º03.23’N 003 º30.760’W
For their safety, Mariners are requested to maintain a minimum 200m from this location until the suspended load is removed, which we expect to be within 72 hours.
PLEASE READ NOTICE ON PAGE 11
WALNEY 02
Nothing to report
…………………………………………………………………………………………….
WALNEY 03 (Page 12)
Turbine Position C01 Navigation Light Extinguished
Nothing to report
WALNEY 04 (Page 12)
Nothing to report
CARDINAL BUOYS – EXTINGUISHED
North Cardinal Mark in position 54º 03.42’N 003º44.99’W Light is extinguished.
West Cardinal Mark in position 54° 06.63’N 003°55.33’W Light is extinguished
South Cardinal Mark in position 54°00.21’N 003°34.66’W Light is extinguished
……………………………………………………………………………………………
WEST of DUDDON SANDS (Page 13 & 14)
Please note that the Jack-up ‘WIND SERVER’ is now working in the sector marked as Area 3 (Pink)
Please refer to the ‘Area Identification Chartlet’ which is at the end of the Regional Notice on Page 13
It is requested that fishing and laying of gear is avoided in the whole of Area 3 (Pink) until notified that the works are complete and fishermen are requested and advised not to set any gear close to any Turbine position inAREA 3 (PINK) as identified on the Chartlet.
Information on Safety Zones and specifications of Jack-up ‘WIND SERVER’ (Page 14)
Duration dates are dependent on weather and work progress
All Navigation Aids at WoDS are fully operational
PLEASE READ THE NOTICE FOR MORE INFORMATION
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you are unsure about any of the content or require any further information, also please pass this information to any of your colleagues who you think might be interested.
If you know of any fisherman who works the area and does not receive this information or anybody else who would benefit from this information please let me know.
Please be advised that the local ‘Regional Local Notice to Mariners’ concerning the forthcoming activities for ORSTEDS WIND FARMS in the Irish Sea will now be issued on a monthly basis with updates provided should there be a requirement for an addition NtM to be distributed.
This notice lists any changes to the Aids to Navigation Availability as well as any proposed Jack-up / maintenance operations in the region
Awareness items in the notice relate to the following wind farms:
Wind Farm
Abbreviation
Barrow Area and Cumbrian Coast
Barrow Offshore
BOW
West of Duddon Sands
WoDS
Walney Offshore Extensions 1 & 2
WOW 01 – WOW 02
Walney Offshore Extensions 3 & 4
WOW 03 – WOW 04
Liverpool Bay
Burbo Bank Wind Farm
BBW 01
Burbo Bank Extension
BBW 02 (EXT)
MAIN ITEMS OF INTEREST INCLUDED IN THE NtM
Introduction – Subsea Cables Information and KIS-ORCA Wind Farm Awareness Charts (Page 4)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Chartlet showing General Location of Operational Wind Farms as well as key contact details (Page 5)
Navigation Light Extinguished Turbine BB42 – Fog Signal Inoperative Turbine BB38
BURBO 02 (EXT.) (Page 9)
Fog Signal Inoperative Turbine C01
Wave Buoy in position 53º 30.11’N 003º21.66’W – Light Extinguished and Radar Reflector missing
JACK-UP OPERATIONS
The Jack-up ‘WIND ENTERPRISE’ can be expected on-site at Turbine position H01 on or around Sunday 3rd May until approx. Thursday 7th. May. Arrival will depend on weather as well as other commitments
PLEASE READ NOTICE ON PAGE 9
……………………………………………………………………………………………………..
WALNEY 01 & 02 (Page 10)
WALNEY 01
Fog Signal Inoperative Turbine A11
WALNEY 02
Nothing to report
…………………………………………………………………………………………….
WALNEY 03 (Page 11)
JACK-UP OPERATIONS
The Jack-up ‘WIND ENTERPRISE’ can be expected on-site at Turbine position F03 on or around Friday 8th. May until approx. Monday 11th . May Arrival will depend on weather as well as other commitments
PLEASE READ NOTICE ON PAGE 11
WALNEY 04 (Page 11)
Nothing to report
CARDINAL BUOYS – EXTINGUISHED
North Cardinal Mark in position 54º 09.72’N 003º49.58’W is extinguished.
West Cardinal Mark in position 54° 06.63’N 003°55.33’W is extinguished
South Cardinal Mark in position 54°00.21’N 003°34.66’W is extinguished
……………………………………………………………………………………………
WEST of DUDDON SANDS (Page 12 & 13)
The 10.1meter survey vessel ‘EGS WATCHFUL’ (picture and details attached on NtM)will be surveying at various Turbine positions in West of Duddon Sands Wind Farm.
Survey will be within the A3 (Pink) and A4 (Yellow) sections of the chart below (please note new chart) and survey can be expected to run for the next two to three weeks, depending on weather.
Survey operations will involve side scan sonar as well as highly sensitive, high resolution, multi-beam echo sounders. Safety Zone Safety Zone A wide berth, minimum of 500m and reduction in speed is requested when the vessel is operating in the wind-farm.
PLEASE READ NOTICE ON PAGE 12
…………………………………………………….
Please note that the Jack-up ‘WIND SERVER’ is now working in the sector marked as Area 2 (Green) but will shortly move into Area 3 (PINK) expected in next week to 10 days.
Please refer to attached ‘Area Identification Chartlet’
It is requested that fishing and laying of gear is avoided in the whole of Area 2 (Green) until notified that the works are complete and fishermen are requested and advised not to set any gear close to any Turbine position inAREA 3 (PINK) as identified on the Chartlet and to please begin to re-locate any gear already there..
Information on Safety Zones and specifications of Jack-up ‘WIND SERVER’ (Page 13)
Duration dates are dependent on weather and work progress
All Navigation Aids are fully operational
PLEASE READ THE NOTICE FOR MORE INFORMATION
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you are unsure about any of the content or require any further information, also please pass this information to any of your colleagues who you think might be interested.
If you know of any fisherman who works the area and does not receive this information or anybody else who would benefit from this information please let me know.
Ribble Cruising Club Special Arrangements due to COVID-19
We are indeed living in unprecedented times.
Just a couple of weeks ago I was looking forward to the new sailing season with enthusiasm, the club’s committees had planned an exciting programme of sailing and social activities.
Attached you will find your 2020 handbook with a packed programme of activities and a Newsletter with, amongst other things, a message from me endorsing the activities.
How much has changed in a fortnight.
I’m still looking forward to the new sailing season however as a result of the latest advice given by the UK Prime Minister, backed by the Chief Medical and Scientific Officers, our plans have had to be reviewed by the Main Committee and severely curtailed for an indefinite period.
This means that the clubhouse is now closed and there will be no group activities taking place there. All social, training and dinghy sailing activities are cancelled until further notice. The club’s committees will however continue to meet on a ‘virtual’ basis to maintain the management of the club.
Whilst the dock itself will remain open, so that members can continue to maintain and access their boats, the facilities, except for the toilet, will be closed. Launching and recovery will continue as normal, please contact the usual Dock Committee members to organise this. Notices will be posted to advise of the new temporary procedures in case of emergency.
All the social activities at the clubhouse are unfortunately cancelled in the short term, regrettably this means the Last Tuesday Talks as well as the bar being closed, so the clubhouse is not available for any bookings.
There will be no organised club sailing at Fairhaven Lake until further notice this year and we’ve decided and been advised by the RYA to cancel the ‘Try Sailing’ in May.
On a slightly positive note we may attempt to go ahead with the proposed 70th birthday party and barbeque planned at the dock for Midsummer’s eve, albeit in a slightly modified format. We may all need some sort of relief by then!
Ribble Cruising Club’s Facebook Group is the place to keep in touch with any club gossip and changes to the present situation. Notices will also periodically be posted on the website advising of any changes in circumstances.
Captain Barnacle
Captain Barnacle
Captain Barnacle
