Message from the Commodore - Passage Planning Amid the Covid 19 Rough Waters
Published 6:28pm on 21 Apr 2020
Dear Members,
The committee and I hope you are all keeping well and using your lockdown time to refresh some your nav work or research new adventures for as and when we are able.
Without being too synonymous with government language I wanted to let you know how our thinking is shaping for as and when our activities can resume. As you might expect there is unlikely to be a flicking-of-the-light-switch moment, and we will need a gradual resumption that firmly adheres to national and MOD policy. We are considering how, for example, we can reduce the risk of Covid 19 transmission aboard our assets or on our activities, and in this area we should expect control measures on crew composition in terms of where people have originated from. We also need to consider how craft are properly cleaned between use. But these are only illustrative and as the HSE have now released reporting and categorisation for Covid 19 related transmission and illness we will, as you would expect, be taking no chances with our people, our assets, or Club liability.
From an Adventurous Training perspective the MOD has stated activity will not resume before 30 June 2020, but thereafter key factors will persevere: are marinas functioning, what is the national position of 'non-essential', and are facilities available (e.g. parts of Thorney are currently in use as Covid Response Cell HQs).
Please bear with us as we follow higher-level guidance. We have taken a flexible approach to yacht bookings and are as keen as you are to get activity underway again. As a collective we are good at pragmatism and the time will come, but to reiterate that unless we are certain we can proceed with full alignment to policy and the absolute minimum of risk to our bosuns and members then we will remain alongside. We are too early to understand how this year's Regatta will look and there are multiple factors in play: without question the Committee and I are all keen for it to go ahead in as full a format as possible and of course to continue our support to Yarmouth Harbour and RSYC as they emerge back into business.
I will keep you posted. In challenging times I do genuinely find the Club, our membership and our activity a huge source of inspiration and optimism. Now, back to those RYA Navigation Handbook questions!
Please do get in touch direct if you have any questions or concerns. E-mail link is on the website or fire me a message on social media.
Best,
Chris
Colonel Chris Gent
07701 048220
