Reintroduction of Club Racing
Plan Overview…(correct at time of communication)
Please register online via https://www.carrickfergussc.org/racing/summer-series/ and complete the required information for Helm and all Crew.
Dinghy Racing to commence on Wednesday 12th August and finish on Wednesday 2nd September (4 weeks)
Cruiser/Keelboat/Ruffian Racing run on Thursday nights only commencing on Thursday 13th September and finish on Thursday 3rd September (4 weeks)
There will be a single start for all classes on each evening run from the starting battery.
Sailing Instructions are available on the Website.
Competitors should note that all activity should be consistent with the government guidance regarding health, social distancing and hygiene.
The RYA interpretation of ‘contact’ means coming within Social Distancing measures (currently guidance is an optimum 2 metres, but 1 metre with appropriate mitigations in place).
Current Guidance for Keelboats
Boating by members of different households in larger craft (e.g. keelboats, motor cruisers) could be considered where:
- Social distancing can be adhered to and any contacts between individuals are brief (less than 10 mins);
- There is still the aim for no shared contact with hard surfaces e.g. equipment and suita-ble cleaning and public hygiene elements should be in place and consideration to vari-ous touchpoints around a boat;
It is the responsibility of the members concerned to ensure they adhere to social distancing measures when sailing together. Clubs should encourage safe sailing, but are not responsible for enforcing social distancing measures between members on the water sailing together in the same boat.
Current advice for Dinghies/ Powerboats/ Smaller Craft
For recreational activity in smaller craft, the risk should be assessed case by case. With the correct mitigation in place, it may be possible for 2+ people from different households to sail certain dinghies and smaller keelboats.
These mitigations could include (in addition to being outdoors):
- 1m separation marks on the deck
- wearing gloves
- use of face coverings
- avoiding face to face contact
- cleaning procedures for equipment
- following public health measures (e.g. hand washing & hand sanitiser)
- standard of individuals involved
It is the responsibility of the members concerned to ensure they adhere to social distancing measures when sailing together. Clubs should encourage safe sailing, but are not responsible for enforcing social distancing measures between members on the water sailing together in the same boat.
Starting Procedure
In order to try and mitigate the level of risk and help reduce the number of shared hard surfaces there will only be 1 start on each night of racing. Simply there will be less requirement to move/change course boards, flags etc.
Rescue Cover
There will be appropriate rescue cover in place for each night of racing. The rescue boats will be crewed by members of the same household, with cleaning protocols put in place for the boats and equipment after use.
Thank you to all those who have volunteered to provide cover and allowed us to get racing back underway.
Please note competitors should remain cautious and consider their experience and the conditions when deciding whether or not to participate in racing. Do not put yourself or other members at unnecessary risk.
Thank you to all members for their support and patience through these unique times, with every changing parameters. The Committee are delighted to restart the racing and hopefully this will continue with an Autumn series.