We're living in strange times and extraordinary circumstances require extraordinary decisions to be made.
After a great deal of discussion and thought we have come to the decision to not print the April issue of Afloat. It's a very difficult decision as it is the first time in over 30 years that we have missed printing an issue.

April issue was done and about to go on the press when we made the decision to put it on hold while we explored all options for print and distribution.
Sadly, too many of our major distribution points are closing indefinitely and those that may remain open will have reduced traffic.
 
We also don't want to impose advertising debts on our long-term clients in this time of economic stress. If you had an advertisement in the April Print issue you will not be charged for it.
 
In the meantime, WE WILL PUBLISH the APRIL DIGITAL eMAGAZINE on the Afloat website. If you have not already done so I encourage you (and your friends and family) to go to the Afloat website and sign up for the email Newsletter. It will come to your email Inbox and take you to the April eMagazine. We plan to release the April digital issue today Friday 27 March.
 
https://www.afloat.com.au/sign-up-to-our-enewsletter/
 
We have over 3,000 loyal readers signed up to the monthly Newsletter and we will do our best to grow these numbers. We will use the email Newsletter to communicate with our readers and clients giving them the best and latest boating news and links to Afloat articles published online and to reassure them that we will be here when the world returns to some semblance of normality.
If your business is operating as usual or in a changed capacity and you want to let the boating public know about it, you are welcome to advertise on our website and in the Newsletter.
Afloat will restart the print version when the worst of this crisis has passed. We wish you, your families and friends, and your workmates well in these trying times. Look after yourselves and we look forward to better days ahead.
 
The Afloat office will operate remotely (perhaps from the isolation of our boat) and we will be monitoring emails so stay in touch.
 
Stay healthy
 
The AFLOAT Team

MYC Covid 19 Update
 
Dear Members,

I wish I could pass on some fantastic news and say “see you at the club”. But alas I can’t, and we are now further into our new norm, “social distancing” and “self-isolation”. Words not even dreamt about a few months ago.

The sailing season regretfully is over,  while we may be in hibernation at the club, there is still much happening. We have to prepare our club for the future by carefully managing the present.  Your finance committee is working tirelessly behind the scenes to do just that.

We are currently in discussions with The Shire, our bank and our tenant Rob De Santis at The Rocks to navigate a course through this storm.  I can’t thank Andrew Klose, Mark Nicholson, Stuart Gooley, and Michael White enough for their efforts to date.  We are blessed to have men with their knowledge and passion for our club at our collective backs. The game changes almost on a daily basis and they are on the ball.

The office is still functioning, Sarah is still “on watch” and the bank account still accepts payments. Our next challenge is slipping day. The Club Captain, Rear Commodore and Vice Commodore are navigating our way through that. Skippers will be kept up to date. Thank you to the owners who have cleared their boats from the yard. Those who haven’t please ensure the gates are locked when you leave. A reminder, the clubrooms are “out of bounds”. Graham has given the place a top to bottom clean.

On a lighter note, we now have a fancy new lift.  Ironically it’s locked up and no one can use it.  Special thanks to Terrence and the guys from Southern Lifts for the seamless removal of the old lift and the refitting of the new one.

I am reminded of words from a Joni Mitchell song from the 70’s (Anyone under 50 years of age has probably never heard it).
“We are stardust, we are golden and we've got to get ourselves back to the garden.”
“Don't it always seem to go, that you don't know what you've got till it's gone.”
Take care of each other, we will eventually “get ourselves back in the garden”.
 
Stay Safe
Greg M
Commodore

Saturday Race Report – March 21, 2020

Wow! Its amazing how much things have changed in a week.

This corona virus is insidious . Not only has it created a health crisis for us all, the likes of which we have not seen for 100 years, it also attacks the very fabric of our sailing community. I don’t know about anyone else, but when things go pear shaped in my life,  there is always sailing to look forward to and to make you forget your troubles.  Now that has even been taken away.

I think Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor, put it well when she described how we are being asked to respond to this crisis, as a paradox,  where we are asked to show solidarity and apartness at the same time.  The natural instinct is to band together in these times, but we can’t do it in person. For the good of all of us we have to slow this thing down and give everyone the chance to sail next season. The good news is this will pass, it’s not clear how long it will take, but first we need to focus on more important things than sailing (yes there are more important things). When this is over, then we can get on with our lives and enjoy the less important but soul sustaining pastime that is sailing.

So that said I think we should be looking at alternative ways to keep in contact as a club. The club app. is a great tool to share your thoughts, concerns, photos and just to check on and support each other. Maybe we should all be using it more at this time to keep in touch -  go ahead channel your inner Kon !
Best wishes everyone and good luck over the weeks and months ahead.
For those that managed to get a sail in last Saturday here are the results.

Results

Line Honours
Windsong  - Jim Watson

Handicap Results

1. Beau Brummell – Tonia & Graeme Vertigan
2. Endless Advice – Rob Harrison
3. Tub Thumper – G.Heard & A.Creed
   

Dear Members,
 
I wish to advise you that the Board has decided to immediately impose the following regulations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

These are truly unprecedented times and it is important that we follow the strict measures put in place by the Federal and State Governments aimed at slowing down the rate at which the virus spreads. To this end the importance of hygiene and social distancing cannot be overstated and I am sure that many of us have already dramatically changed our daily routines in order to reduce the risk of spreading the virus in our communities.
 
We also have to recognise that the age demographic of our club puts many of us in a higher risk category.

• SAILING - All sailing for season 2019-2020 is cancelled forthwith.
• OFFICE - Sarah will be working at the club on her own (9.30am TO 3.30pm).  Tayla will be working from home on an hourly basis as long as we have work for her.  Anyone who needs to access the office must be mindful of the “Social Distancing” guidelines.
• MEMBERS BAR - Closed until further notice.
• MEMBERS DECK - Closed until further notice.
• MEMBERS KITCHEN - Closed until further notice.
• MEMBERS CHANGING ROOMS / DOWNSTAIRS AREA - Closed until further notice.
• SLIPPING DAY - Given the current situation we are likely to bring slipping day forward, we will keep everyone posted.

With all restaurants now closed the Rocks has decided to open for TAKE AWAY ONLY Monday to Saturday from 5pm-8pm & Sunday 12pm-3pm & 5pm-8pm.

It is important if you can to support our tenant and the many MYC club sponsors, every business will be feeling the pain.
 
The telephone still works, so as I said please stay in touch with each other.

An appropriate quote from Thomas S Monson.
“We cannot control the wind, but we can adjust the sails”.
 
Greg Martin

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Our Good News Bulletin... Until further notice, we are only bringing you good news!

Thanks for taking some time out to join us.

FROM THE COMMODORE
We live in interesting and challenging times. The Covid-19 Pandemic has forced us to carefully evaluate how we go about our daily lives.

After much consideration your Board has made decisions about the operation of the yacht club.  In making these decisions we are mindful of the Prime Ministers message of going on with our lives, but with some restrictions and precautions in place.  To this end we believe we as a club should continue to operate as best we can in the circumstances that we are faced with.  It is a focus for many individuals and we have a tenant to protect as well.

At this point in time we will not be closing the club, but we have necessarily cancelled some events and activities.  The landscape is changing constantly. We will keep updated if anything changes.


IF YOU ARE UNWELL OR SHOW ANY SYMPTOMS - DON’T COME TO THE CLUB!!!

SAILING
THE GEELONG DESINATION RACE is cancelled.
RGYC will cease all operations this afternoon
**THURSDAY NIGHT TWILIGHT PURSUIT - 19 MARCH 2020
At this stage Thursday night’s twilight pursuit will be run
**We will have a duck driver but loads are limited to five passengers so allow enough time to get your crew onto your boat. It may be advisable to use your own duck. All members and guests using the club duck, do so at their own risk.  

SATURDAY 21ST MARCH
We will run a Tower Light start Trophy race

SAIL TRAINING
Sail Training will continue at the discretion of the individual coaches.  Keep in mind our junior sailors are still attending school and mixing in large numbers they are the least vulnerable group.

SUNDAY OTB
Sunday OTB will go ahead

PRESENTATION DAY
Will be postponed to a date to be advised.

GOS
The GOS program will be postponed until further notice

SOCIAL

• The business lunch scheduled for the 3rd April will NOT go ahead.
• The get together with music and nibbles on Sunday 22nd March will NOT go ahead.
• Friday night members draw will NOT go ahead.
• The Club footy tipping will go ahead.  Andy will not be taking any entry money at this stage because of the uncertainty of the AFL season.  Enter anyway, tips can be emailed to office@morningtonyc.net.au
• The club is open for you to enjoy being mindful of the Government Guidelines re: public interaction and health in regard to “social distancing”.

As I said we live in challenging times and we must do the best we can with the cards that have been dealt.
Stay safe,
 
Greg Martin
Commodore

Saturday Race Report – March 14, 2020

Dear BOM,

I am writing to check if everything is OK between us. Have I done something ? Are you angry at me ?
I know from time to time I look at Seabreeze and even Willy Weather, but you will always be my favorite source of weather data.  Last Saturday the MYC fleet headed out to the start line, trusting your forecast of  15 – 20 knots decreasing during the afternoon. At one stage we even debated which headsail we would put up. As it turned out we had very little choice – number 3 headsail was required and then a reef in the main had to go in to keep us under control.  2  boats didn’t even make the start and decided to head to the bar as the wind built to 25+ knots.  A choice we contemplated seriously at the first top mark.

As the days racing progressed it was a war of attrition in Division 3. First there was 6, then 4 and then in dramatic circumstances we had a coupling between Phoenix and Himalayen Women. Watching on as we did was an anxious exercise, somehow, we knew it wouldn’t end well and when Dynsey lost his mast we were stunned. But as Dad used to say “people can’t always be fixed but boats mostly can.” Thankfully the human damage was restricted to pride on Saturday.

In the end we felt like Steven Bradbury. We were running last all day but purely by hanging in and staying out of trouble we managed to finish 3rd. Some may say last, but we prefer 3rd.
BOM, I feel we are going through a rocky patch at the moment and hope that we can get back on good terms soon. You’ve made your point. Let me know what I can do to make it up to you, we need a break from this weather.
Yours Always
Tim
 
Results
Line Honours
Division 1: Easy Rider – Reece James
Division 2: Arabelle – B.Levenspiel & G.Hailes
Division 3: Dark Side of the Moon – Steve Bolton

PHS
Division 1

1. Windsong – Jim Watson
2. Morticia – MCDonald/R.Kurz/G.Alexander
3. Easy Rider – Reece James

Division 2

1. Arabelle - B.Levenspiel & G.Hailes
2. Tonic – Ray Harvey
3. YT2 – Stuart Gooley

Division 3

1. Dark Side of the Moon – Steve Bolton
2. Tub Thumper – G. Heard & A. Creed
3. Mixed Nuts – Tim & Lisa O’Grady

AMS
Division 1

1. Windsong – Jim Watson
2. Morticia - MCDonald/R.Kurz/G.Alexander
3. Obsession Laurie & Michael White

Division 2

1. Arabelle – B.Levenspiel & G.Hailes
2. Tonic – Ray Harvey
3. YT2 – Stuart Gooley

 
CBH

1. Dark Side of the Moon – Steve Bolton
2. Tub Thumper – G. Heard & A. Creed
3. Mixed Nuts – Tim & Lisa O’Grady

 

A calm update on Coronavirus COVID-19

Dear members,
We would like to advise all members that we are closely monitoring the progression of COVID-19 and any potential impacts on our community.  While the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a concern,  most people displaying symptoms such as cough, sore throat, fever or tiredness are most likely suffering with a cold or other respiratory illness and not the Coronavirus.

However, if you do experience any cold or flu symptoms, please take it upon yourself to have a few days away from our club until you're feeling better (just as you should if you have a regular cold or flu, because believe it or not, nobody wants that either!).

We encourage you all to follow simple hygiene guidelines (wash your hands, sneeze into your elbow and stay at home/seek medical attention if you are sick), and note that the best source of information regarding the outbreak can be found on State and Federal Department of Health webpages.

For those of you planning on travelling overseas, we encourage you to review the Smartraveller website and subscribe for updates.

Also, just as a precaution, if you have travelled overseas in the last month to the high risk countries listed at www.health.gov.au/covid19-travellers then please do not return to MYC for 14 days upon your return. If you have returned from one of the moderate risk countries, monitor your health for 14 days and self isolate if you experience any symptoms. If you believe you have had contact with a possible case of coronavirus in the last 21 days then obviously self isolate.

Thank you, stay safe
MYC Office

Please see below the upcoming Australian Sailing Training Courses - we encourage any members to get involved. SheSails discounts are available.
 

• Keelboat Instructor course – 21st & 22nd March at Sandringham Yacht Club REGISTER HERE Reaccreditation – REGISTER HERE
• Powerboat Instructor course at Royal Yacht Club of Victoria – 4th & 5th April REGISTER HERE Reaccreditation – REGISTER HERE
• Dinghy Assistant Instructor State Sailing Centre/The Boatshed – 19th April REGISTER HERE
• Dinghy Instructor course State Sailing Centre/The Boatshed – 2nd & 3rd May REGISTER HERE. Reaccreditation – REGISTER HERE
• Club Race Officer Seminar -  9th May Port Fairy REGISTER HERE; 15th May State Sailing Centre/The Boatshed REGISTER HERE
• State/National Race Officer 20th – 21st June State Sailing Centre/ The Boatshed REGISTER HERE
• Sailing Coach course – 17th-19th July REGISTER HERE
  

Australian Grand Prix Green Fleet Sailing is back again in 2020!
 
As a part of the 2020 Australian Grand Prix, Australian Sailing through The Boatshed is offering the chance to be a part of the action through two exciting junior (strictly U14) events suitable for Green Fleet sailors. Entry is FREE for participants and includes entry to the Grand Prix for one parent/guardian. Limited places available so register NOW to secure your place!

The Australian Grand Prix Green Fleet Challenge on Saturday 14 March 2020 is suitable for all recent Tackers 3 and all new Green Fleet participants. It will include:

• coaching from 11:30am – 3pm
• a series of coach-lead Green Fleet Challenges from 4:30pm – 6:00pm.
• breaks 1pm - 1:30pm & 3pm - 4:15pm. 

The Australian Grand Prix Green Fleet Sprint Series on Sunday 15 March 2020 is suitable for all advanced Green Fleet participants. It will include:

• coaching from 12:30pm - 2pm
• coached sprint series style introductory racing from 3:45pm – 6:15pm (with a short break).

To register your participant, please click here to head to the website for further registration instructions.
 
The Boatshed’s fleet of Optis will be provided free of charge as well as instructors and lifejackets.
Entry to the circuit must be made at Gate 3 Pedestrian at 10:20am on both Saturday and Sunday. We will then distribute accreditations and enter the circuit as a group to drop bags/set up at The Boatshed as a group. Outside of the times listed above you will be able to enjoy the Formula 1® Rolex Australian Grand Prix.
 
Please contact Adam Gristwood with any further queries. Australian Sailing are excited to be providing this opportunity to the sailing community once again, in 2020.

Saturday Race Report 7 March 2020

Sometimes there’s nothing like a fresh pair of eyes to re-interpret what we all take for granted and make us see things differently.

Last Saturday we took a friend of mine for her first sail ever.  I thought it would be a good day to take her out as it was a trophy race around fixed marks with a tower light start. The weather was cool and cloudy, but we had a fairly constant 15+ knots of wind. There was plenty of wind at the start as the 8 boats jockeyed for position in the combined start. There was lots of talk as usual, keeping an eye out for boats and discussing our start tactics. As the countdown progressed through each stage 5;4;1;Go!

We were off to E buoy in a fresh wind. We tacked away to get clear air soon after the start and the fleet was split between those inshore and those that stayed out. We worked our way upwind crossing paths with other boats, calling for rights and giving way. We had a relatively good windward leg and then eased sheets for the reach out to D buoy. After rounding D buoy we headed for the S mark and hoisted our large kite in 15+ knots of wind and built up a fair amount of speed on the reach. After a hoisting the headsail and a usually well-managed kite drop, we headed for C bouy and then home to the finish.

To all of us this seems like a fairly average Saturday out sailing, but to our novice sailor it was nothing short of sensory overload!
How do you guys manoeuvre the boats so closely at the start?
How do you know where to go?
How exhilarating was the ride when we put up that colored sail?
How come we didn’t tip over?
How beautiful is the coastline? The harbour is stunning ,etc., etc., etc.

My point this week is that we sometimes forget what a great sport sailing is, the skills we all share and what a privilege it is to sail at Mornington.

Results

Line Honours

• Windsong – Jim Watson

Handicap Results

• 1st Windsong – Jim Watson
• 2nd Mixed Nuts – Tim & Lisa O’Grady
  
• 3rd Tub Thumper – A. Creed & G.Heard

STOP PRESS
Well done to all MYC Trailables competing in the Marlay Point race this weekend. Some notable results included:

• Pipalini -  1st place division C.
• Endless Advice – 6th place division C
• Zip – 2nd place division D
• Foam Fast – 3rd place division D

                                                                                                              Tim O'Grady, Div 3 Class Captain

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