Carrickfergus Sailing Club

Friday 29th May saw the final set of races in the inaugural Virtual Summer Series. Ryan Seaton was the clear winner with a nine point lead over Rick McCaig in second, only beating Steve Atkinson to third by a single point. The racing was all very close with place changes regularly taking place throughout the races and frequently  on the final run to the finish line. The craic has been good with some spectators joining the Zoom call each week to watch the racing being streamed.

There has been sufficient interest for us to continue on and run some more racing through the next stages of lockdown. The format of four races in an hour seems to have worked, although there has been some discussion about the preferred day for racing.

We all need to do our best to stop the spread of Coronavirus and the best way to do this is to STAY AT HOME

Please:

• only go outside for food, health reasons (collect medicines or for daily exercise) 
• if you go out, stay 2 metres (6ft) away from other people at all times; ensuring a maximum number of six from separate households (outdoors)
• do not travel unless necessary; 
• you can ring NHS111 for information or advice and they will help you decide if you need to contact your GP; 
• wash your hands well and often, and avoid touching your face

Remember STAY HOME, STAY SAFE 

If any of our vulnerable or elderly members require assistance or support, please contact secretary@carrickfergussc.org or contact us via social media

For up to date advice please refer to:

www.publichealth.hscni.net/news/covid-19-coronavirus    

www.gov.uk/coronavirus

The popular Thursday night quiz finished just before lockdown for the season. However, while the club is closed we are going to run a virtual quiz fortnightly, on Zoom, starting 7:30 pm Wednesday 3^rd June. There will be 4 rounds of questions, including general knowledge and some specialist subjects…should last no more than an hour. Please register your interest by email to secretary@carrickfergussc.org 

Good news this week, the NI Health Minister eased Coronavirus Restrictions, permitting Outdoor Activity, including “some water activity”. The RYA has interpreted this to permit all forms of boating activity, including sailing, but only when safely:

• undertaken by individuals or members of the same household; 
• there is no sharing of hard surfaces (including all types of boat);
• public health guidance is followed at all times;
• strict social distancing can be undertaken.

The health and safety of our members is our priority and we ask that any activity be carried out in a conservative and considerate manner to help safeguard public health and not put any additional pressure on the emergency services.   

Please note there is restriction on the number of people who may gather outdoors from separate households of six (adhering to Social Distancing).    

The slipway contractor remains onsite and while the final works complete the boatpark remains closed. It is hoped that the works will complete over the next few weeks. However if anyone needs to physically access the boats that are not within the contractors compound in the short term please contact yard@carrickfergussc.orgwith some advance notice for access. We request that if you are in the grounds of CSC that you adhere to social distancing, i.e. 2 metres apart from anyone who is not from your household.

Please note that the Clubhouse and Boatshed remain closed and there is no access to toilets or to water. Anyone visiting their boats should ensure they have adequate sanitiser and PPE. Please DO NOT come onto Club premises if you or a member from your household are presenting with any symptoms of Covid-19.

We would like to thank everyone for their patience, please bear with us as we try to restore as many services and facilities as we can in a managed and controlled way.

We will be running a virtual series of racing starting on Friday 15th until 29th May.

The first race each day will be at 19:05 with up to 4 races run over an hour. 

Further details on the website at https://www.carrickfergussc.org/racing/virtual-sailing/

If you are going to compete please fill in the entry form with the details requested, so that we can add you to the WhatsApp group. This group will be used for race management such as notifying the access code for the custom race, and the timing of subsequent starts. We also plan to host a Zoom session to give some more social interaction during racing. The link for this Zoom conference will be published in the WhatsApp channel as well.

The Committee hope that everyone is well and coping with lockdown. It is hard to believe the Club has been closed now over 8 weeks. Essential maintenance works and checks are ongoing to ensure we are in a good position to reopen when the time comes.

The vice commodore and treasurer sorted through the bar stock and last week we donated soft drinks and snacks to those in need through the food hamper appeal, managed from the Cricket Club.

Missing sailing?  The Sailing Secretary is organising a virtual sailing series. This will be open to all ages and abilities and will be easy to access on your phone, iPad or laptop. While no replacement for the real thing, it should be a bit of craic and a chance for some social interaction. If you are interested, please email sailing@carrickfergussc.org or comment on the Facebook page.

The general and sailing committees are also using technology to continue to meet by zoom as well as keeping in touch by phone and email.

Access

As the government still advises no unnecessary travel, the club and grounds remain closed. Access, if absolutely necessary, can be arranged in advance by emailing yard@carrickfergussc.org    

COVID-19

As ever the health and wellbeing of our members and staff remains our priority.

We all need to do our best to stop the spread of Coronavirus and the best way to do this is to STAY AT HOME

Please:

• only go outside for food, health reasons (collect medicines or for daily exercise)
• if you go out, stay 2 metres (6ft) away from other people at all times;
• stop all unnecessary travel;
• do not meet with friends and family – keep in touch using remote technology such as phone, internet, and social media;
• you can ring NHS111 for information or advice and they will help you decide if you need to contact your GP;
• wash your hands well and often, and avoid touching your face

Remember STAY HOME, STAY SAFE

If any of our vulnerable or elderly members require assistance or support, please contact secretary@carrickfergussc.org or contact us via social media

For up to date advice please refer to:

www.publichealth.hscni.net/news/covid-19-coronavirus  

www.gov.uk/coronavirus             

The Contractor (CIVCO) returned to site last week and following preparation works they then undertook two further concrete pours this week on Tuesday and Thursday; the new slip is now nearly complete to boat yard level. The final pours will be completed early next week and the contractor will then take approximately three weeks to complete the positioning of rock armour, removal of the coffer dam and general reinstatement works and should have the slip complete by the end of May.

Today marks the 75^th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day. An opportunity for us to reflect on the bravery and sacrifice of those who gave their everything on the front line and at home during World War II. We remember that heroic generation that gave their today for our tomorrow.