Blyth Park Resumption of Social Sailing
Published 7:14pm on 20 May 2020
Restart of Sailing Activities at Blyth Park
This document outlines the procedures for the first phase of restarting sailing activities at the Royal Yorkshire Yacht Club's Blyth Park site. The Government and RYA guidance now agree that sailing is an acceptable form of exercise. Therefore from 23rd May 2020 the Blyth Park site may be accessed for sailing subject to the following guidance.
This guidance is based on the RYA published 'Club Guidance on Restarting Boating Activity and Managing Covid-19'
In line with Government guidelines and RYA recommendations, social distancing must be maintained at all times. The Club buildings (including the cottage, transline, containers and blue block) and camping facilities will remain closed (except for one time access to the sail loft, see below) and, also in line with RYA recommendations, sailing will be for recreational purposes only, with no organised racing, provision of safety boats or use of the Club tractors.
The Blyth Park site will only be open at times pre agreed with the Rear Commodore Dinghies (Joe Franks).
General.
As the situation evolves, these guidelines will be reviewed and may be modified by agreement between the Club Commodore and Trustees, and the Dinghy Section Covid action team. Before going sailing, members must ensure that they understand these guidelines, and confirm such with a 'read and understood' message to the Rear Commodore Dinghies via WhatsApp. The site will be unlocked (and locked after sailing) by the Rear Commodore Dinghies, and therefore all sailing must be at times agreed with him. These times will be circulated by the Rear Commodore Dinghies via the WhatsApp group, approximately a week in advance.
Note that no person with Coronavirus like symptoms is allowed on Club premises, and persons who have had contact with a family group member with such symptoms is asked not to attend the Club for a period of 14 days.
For the purposes of this document, 'family group' means persons living in the same household.
Ashore before and after sailing
At all times members must observe social distancing of 2 metres from each other, take note of the signage provided and be conservative and considerate in their actions on site.
Members are required to make use of the hand sanitising stations provided on arriving at and leaving the site. In case these are not able to be stocked, members should ensure that they have provided themselves with adequate means of washing or sanitising their hands.
Members should avoid touching any shared surfaces and should not share water bottles or food.
Members must either arrive and leave dressed for sailing or change in the car park as the Club facilities remain closed at this time. Social gatherings are not allowed, and crews should not linger in the car park or boat park either before or after sailing.
Sharing of tools, spare parts or sails outside of family groups is only allowed if the equipment is left untouched for at least 72 hours.
One time access to the sail loft can be arranged through the Rear Commodore Dinghies to remove items currently stored there. Only one member or family group is allowed access at any time and they must wear face coverings while inside and use the hand sanitising station provided when entering and leaving.
To avoid cross contamination the Club hosepipe is not to be used
Launching, Recovery and on the Water
Launching, recovery and sailing for each dinghy shall be single handed, or restricted to a family group. While on the water members should stay in their own boats and continue to observe social distancing requirements. No Club owned equipment or personal flotation devices will be available for use.
Factors to consider when deciding to go afloat include;- weather forecast, temperature, wind speed & direction, sea state, visibility, participants' competence, type of craft involved and lack of organised safety cover.
In the absence of safety boats and recognising the difficulties facing the RNLI at these times, members must;- Be conservative, sail within your limits. Have a plan, ensure someone else knows what you are doing and where, when you plan to return and what to do if you are overdue. To prevent false alarms ensure that they know when you have returned safely. If possible take your own VHF radio with you. Note that the Club radios will not be available for general use to avoid cross contamination. Restrict your sailing area.
Whilst rigging, launching or recovering their dinghies, crews must be aware of the possible presence of members of the general public and maintain social distancing at all times.
P. Leach, Secretary, RYYC 20/05/2020
Last updated 11:46pm on 18 August 2023
