In light of the government advice on Sunday night we have been considering how we may enable Club members use of the facilities whilst adhering to the Health Protection Regulations and the new government guidelines.
As you will all be aware, the new government advice is to stay alert:
- Stay at home as much as possible
- Work from home if you can
- Limit contact with other people
- Keep your distance if you go out (stay 2 metres (6ft) apart where possible)
- Wash your hands regularly
The health and safety of our members is the primary concern and all members are reminded of the need to practice and maintain adequate social distancing at all times. Whilst some of the rules on lockdown have been relaxed, we are still in lockdown. We urge members to exercise caution and common sense, only visit their boats in line with the government guidelines and maintain social distancing at all times.
There is a lot of guidance available (some of it conflicting) and so the General Committee has tried to take a common sense approach in applying them to the Club. We have spoken with the Harbourmaster of the Port of Blyth, considered the advice of the RYA, the Coastguard as well as consulting with healthcare professionals in order to try and navigate through these extraordinary times.
Club Facilities
- The Boatyard and Moorings will be open and available for members to work on their boats;
- The heads on HY Tyne will not be open nor available for use;
- Toilet facilities in the boatyard will not be available for use;
- The hoist may be used through arrangement with the hoist drivers however Members are reminded that they may only use members from their own household to help with launches or lift-outs.
We have taken the decision to open the boatyard and the moorings to enable members to come and work on their boats. We trust that members will not simply take this as an opportunity to socialise. That time will come, but it is not appropriate to see multiple people in order to catch up at this time given the current requirements for social distancing and specific government guidance to meet with only one person from outside your household.
Contractors working in the boatyard
We are keen to support local businesses where possible, practicable and safe. If members require external contractors to conduct work on their yachts then it is down to the member to ensure that they and the contractor observe social distancing and that the contractor has adequate PPE. Contractors may also need to complete risk assessments regarding the work however this is evidently a matter for the individual contractor.
Sailing
The RYA guidance states:
“Even though there is a clear distinction between what the law requires us to do and what the guidance advises us to do, these are unprecedented times that require unprecedented measures and in modern times considerable personal sacrifice. The RYA calls on all recreational boaters not only to comply with the regulations, but to act responsibly and to use their common sense by complying with the Government’s guidance to help fight the spread of the virus.
If significant numbers of people are seen to be taking part in recreational boating or going to their boats for whatever excuse they can think of while the general movement restrictions are in force then the Government might see fit to introduce a specific prohibition on recreational boating.”
We have consulted with the Harbour Master and he has expressed that he does not wish to see a large number of RNYC boats going out sailing. Members must also take heed of the coastguard’s position as the MCA continues to urge people to stay at home. Whilst members are currently permitted to use sailing as exercise and outdoor activity in theory, they may only do so with members of the same household (not just family members). We urge members to seriously consider whether sailing with members of their household is a necessity at this time in light of the government advice and the comments from the Harbour Master. The RYA has published additional guidance to Clubs reminding us all of the inherent risk (both potential and real) in going sailing and the potential burden that this will place on the Coastguard and/or RNLI. We do not encourage Club members to sail at this time and we understand that there will be further guidance issued by the RYA following consultation with the government this week.
We will continue to monitor the information available from the RYA and the Port. We understand the desire to get back out on the water, however we hope that all members will apply a healthy dose of common sense as to whether that is the right move in the current circumstances.
Other considerations to minimise the risk of transfer
Members must take responsibility for their own safety and this now includes using PPE where appropriate. We must try to minimise the risk of any transfer and so we would urge members to:
- Use their fobs instead of the keypads for entry;
- Wash your hands as soon as practicable after you have handled anything that may have been touched by other members; for example the lock on the boatyard, taps in the boatyard, handrails etc. We are considering if/how we may provide hand washing facilities when the heads are all closed and so please proceed for the moment by bringing your own hand wash and sanitising gel and use the taps available in the boatyard and on the pontoons;
- If the purpose of your visit is simply to check your lines then we suggest that you ask if another member who will be there could do it for you.
By way of reminder on other relevant government guidelines which are relevant to us re-opening parts of the Club:
- If you are presenting with any symptoms of Covid-19 do not come to the Club;
- If any member of your household has presented with symptoms of Covid-19 then you are still required to quarantine for 14 days and you should therefore not attend the Club;
- If you exhibit symptoms of Covid-19 within 5 days of a visit to Club premises, then please inform the Commodore so that we can arrange a deep clean as required;
- Social distancing means that you must be 2 metres apart from the other person and we now know that the government intends this to be on a one to one basis. We intend to reopen the boatyard and moorings on the basis that social distancing is strictly observed and we expect all members to enforce this and to help each other to observe this.
If we find that members are not adhering to or are unable to observe social distancing measures, then we will reassess which facilities are open to members and we may need to close some areas of the Club in order to ensure the safety of our members. We will continue to regularly monitor the situation in line with government guidelines, advice from the RYA and the communications that we are receiving from RYA North East and the Harbour Master.
We propose these changes in an attempt to offer members some much needed time with their boats, and near the sea. These strange times will not last forever, and the sea will still offer solace when we all need it, and when the time is right.
Best wishes and stay safe,
Helen Park
Vice Commodore
