Thorpe Bay Yacht Club

Tel: 01702 587 563

Positive News. TBYC Road Map as it appears currently and subject to the Government not moving backwards or forwards on their own road map and also taking into account current RYA guidelines updated on the 25/2/21.

Mon March 8th. Access lifted to dinghy park to allow members to get access to their own personal equipment only, to go sailing in line with Government guidelines. The Club slipway CANNOT  be used to launch and recover members personal boats as this would breach Government rules and RYA legal advice. Club work continues to be permitted on site and also paid work on members boats but access to members to work on their own boats is not permitted before the 29th March. The Government advice remains STAY AT HOME AND EXERCISE LOCALLY.

Mon 29th March. Outdoor sporting facilities open. Access to dinghy park and Club slipway for all members and sailing and racing can resume. The toilets will be open but the changing rooms will remain shut.

Thurs 1st April. lift in for support boats and any Cruisers or Sandhoppers that are ready and in a position to be lifted in.

Fri 2nd April. Dinghy boats can return to the dingy park although some may not go into their allotted slot until 2nd Lift in is sorted. Full Easter racing calendar will commence.

Mon 12th April. Club changing rooms will open. Alcohol can be served outdoors.We MAY decide to open the Club Bar a few days for limited hours during good weather if the demand is there.

Fri 16th April. Lift in for ALL remaining Sandhoppers and Cruisers. this gives all owners nearly 3 weeks, 2 weekends including Easter bank holiday weekend to sort their boats since access was allowed to all from the 29th March.

Tues 18th May. Club house reopens

Mon 21st June. National restrictions lifted no restrictions at the club.

Mon 9th -13th Aug. Planning for Cadet week is now actively underway.

Sat 4th Sept Summer Ball (Revised date).

As we progress throughout the year relevant Social distancing rules applicable to members attending the Club at that time will be updated and notified to all members.

If anybody needs to discuss then please phone me but it is worth looking at the RYA guidance first as this is what we have used to issue our road map as it currently stands and has been agreed by the General Committee.

Adrian Bunting

Commodore TBYC.

Our Web Cams that that are normally available on the sidebar link (https://www.tbyc.org/web-cam/), showing the Seafront have now returned. The work that meant they were temporarily unavailable has now been completed.
So you are now able to have that view that you have been missing whilst locked down at home.

We are sure you will be seeing some sailing soon.

The PLA and RNLI have invited us to these online workshops (using zoom, a link will be sent) whilst we are in lockdown. We have previously often had important Lifejacket and Safety presentations in the club which we can’t have at the moment so please try and take this opportunity this year.

It is with deep sadness that I announce that our dear friend Toby Speller passed away on Saturday evening.

Toby will be dearly missed by everybody at TBYC and the wider community who had the pleasure of knowing him.

On behalf of the club we send our most sincere condolences to Sara, Dano, L and all of his family at this very sad time.

Adrian Bunting

Commodore TBYC

The tide comes in today as any other but today there will be no sailing.

Today it took our collective strength just to put the flags up with love.

Rest in Peace our dear friend Toby.

Nick Elmore.

Dear Members

At this time the General Committee have decided that the access to free sailing from our Dinghy Park will now be closed and we ask members to comply with that decision.

In coming to that decision we have taken into account the following but it is not an exhaustive list: Current very high infection rates and hospital admissions in Southend. Government STAY AT HOME message including journeys for exercise should be local.Public perception.The spirit in which the Government rules were intended.The impact on emergency services should you get into difficulty.No pre organised activity is authorised.

We also took note of the RYA generic guidelines issued on 8/1/21. This was not deemed appropriate at this time in our case and hence the reason for currently closing sailing access.

If members wish to continue to sail in line with RYA guidance you may remove your boat from the dinghy park but will not be permitted to return it at this time until restrictions change. Any preparations needed or go afloat cannot be done on club  grounds and includes the use of our car parks.

The club slipway is private and therefore Goverment rules and RYA guidelines prevent this from being used. Access to the foreshore therefore can only be via the council slipway if that remains open.

The Dinghy Park and car parks are closed to all except those attending in a professional capacity i.e paid employment or voluntarily for the club to complete essential work which would otherwise be paid. Before attending those persons must first have booked it with our club secretary so a record can be kept for any required inspection.

The responsibility for your boats security is still with members. We would suggest that between classes a member is asked to periodically on behalf of the class and for this purpose only, access to the dinghy park will be allowed for a short period of time.

Social distancing must be observed at all times and there is to be no social congregation by any persons present.

Members as you will all appreciate these Government rules,regulations,RYA guidance and interpretations are being continually updated and amended. As these and local circumstances change our guidance to members will continue to be updated.

As a Club, safety of our staff, members and the public at large is our number one priority and this is foremost in our minds when making decisions on your behalf.

This notice supersedes any previous club notice regarding these matters.

Adrian Bunting

Commodore TBYC

The RYA update yesterday allows Free sailing but this is generic guidance for the UK bearing in mind Southend is currently Covid critical. If members sail this must not be an organised event in any way and members do so at their own risk with no safety cover provided.

You may go afloat with one other person i.e 2 Lasers. If you are sailing/ launching/ recovering with more than one other boat you breach Government rules.
Members when deciding to sail please take into account that Southend area is currently in a critical state with regard Covid infections and hospital admissions. You are also reminded that Government rules include staying at home , do not make unnecessary journeys and journeys for exercise should be local.

The dinghy park will remain open but the toilets will now be closed to all members. Use of the Dinghy Park is at members own risk.

Please follow the current Government rules for the benefit of all members and to avoid access to free sailing and dinghy park being removed.

Regards

Adrian Bunting

Commodore TBYC

Dear Members

Following tonight’s lockdown address we await further guidance from gov.uk, RYA and PLA in order to amend our advice to members of TBYC if deemed appropriate.

Regards

Adrian Bunting

Commodore TBYC