Covid modified Keelboat and Trailer-sailer Sailing 2020

With Covid restrictions now relaxed to allow access to the yard and preparations for our 14th November slipping day we now draw your attention to racing with current Covid restrictions.


SAFETY

• All members and visitors are to familiarise themselves with and follow club Covid procedures (on club web site).
• Everyone is to use hand sanitiser which will be placed at gates and entry points to club.
• Masks are to be worn at all times in the yard, club, deck, ribs, tenders, Retriever and yachts.
• Social distancing (1.5 metres) must be observed at all times, this includes yachts, tenders, ribs and club boats.
• Qr codes with operating instructions will be placed at each entry point to the club, on arrival every member must scan this which will take them to a web page in which they will fill the details on the page.  By using this the club can track who is in the club.
• All members must strictly observe the mandated number limits in club rooms, bar and deck.

CLUB RACING

• Our Thursday action group is currently working hard to get the racing marks painted and tackle checked for positioning on the course. Once the marks are in position, we can commence racing.
• Racing will commence on the first Thursday or Saturday after the marks are laid.
• All races until January will be standalone races and not part of a series.
• Sign on with crew names needs to occur at least 15 minutes before scheduled race start time.
• A skipper or crew from each boat must attend the race office and verbally give the boat and crew details to the duty personnel in the office, who will record it. or use the QR Scanner code (info to follow later on that).
• There is a maximum of 2 people allowed in the race office, so do not enter if it is already occupied, please wait with social distancing in mind.
• There is a maximum of 2 people allowed in the race tower, this will create a big work load for volunteers during race starts and finishes so please be patient on the radio.
• Race sign off will be as previously with the club observing finishing boats at the finish line.
• All races till January will be white sail only (no spinnakers), exception is Capel Sound distance race on Saturday 5ht December. This is to allow for disparity in crew numbers allowed on boats.
• All Saturday races until January will be tower light starts and around fixed marks.  This negates the use of course boats and associated COVID compliance and allows duty crews to sail.
• For social distancing requirements the maximum crew (including skipper) allowed on each boat is:

Less than 30ft     3 crew (incl skipper)
30 to34 ft              4 crew (incl skipper)
34 to 38 ft             5 crew (incl skipper)
38 to 41 ft             6 crew (incl skipper)

• Australian sailing has stated that Etchells can have a maximum 2 crew and Flying 15s can only sail if the adult crew is from the same family.
• Australian Sailing recommends all crew must socially distance on the boat 90% of the time.  This means the crew must spread out 1.5 metres apart, but can come together temporarily for tacking/manoeuvres and then separate again.
• The club reminds all skippers and crew that particularly when the boat is in the harbour or near the pier  that it is in full view of the observing public.
• Social distancing must be strictly observed whilst transiting to and from yachts in tenders and ducks.  Many privately owned tenders are too small to have even 2 people on them 1.5 metres apart.  Owners will have to carefully measure their duck and calculate how many people it can carry on one journey.  This could entail lots of trips, and Lachie Weber has generously volunteered to run Wally as a taxi on Saturday afternoons.
• The club would suggest that everyone set out for their yacht earlier than normal due to the limitations on tender capacity.
• Some owners might find it beneficial to come to the pier to pick up and drop off crew.
• As racing will commence before slipping day (we have 7 boats coming back from wintering elsewhere) the club encourages any keel boats on cradles which are ready to splash go down the slip asap to join the racing and clear yard.
• As the Navigators race, our most popular distance race is scheduled when all our boats are not on the water, the night race on 29/01 will be dropped and the navigators moved to the 30/01.
• Due to numbers allowed in the bar and deck no prizes will be awarded for races until January. Race results will be published on the website.

The sailing committee will be meeting in December to discuss the challenges and changes required to get us back to some normality in January, restrictions allowing.


The club understands this is not ideal racing being presented, but think it suitable for the COVID environment and restrictions we are currently in.


Please monitor the club website, app and emails for any changes which can occur if restrictions change.


Hope to see you all out on the water soon!


Thank you for your understanding and patience,
Rear Commodore
Bill Bennett