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
May172020
RCC Clubhouse and Dinghy Sailing Covid-19 updated bulletin
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.
Stay safe and healthy!
Andrew Walls (RCC Commodore)
Captain Barnacle
Feb062020
Eskmeals Firing Details 3-14 Feb 2020 updated 13.02.20
We don’t seem to have had any entries to the Photographic Competition this year so If you have submitted a photo please and we have missed it please resend to Richard Blackburn for it to be considered.
In the absence of any entries our current plan is to chose a photo that has been loaded to our Website or our Facebook pages and award the owner of that photo the prize.
So get your skates on if you really think you have a masterpiece.
Captain Barnacle
Captain Barnacle
Richard Hoad
