Club update news.
Dear All
I hope you are safe and well. In line with Government guidance and Padstow Harbour regulations, what follows is the current position about your Club, and recreational boating use of the Camel Estuary and moorings.
As from Wednesday 13th May non-motorised boating has been allowed on the estuary, and from Monday 18th May, private recreational motor boating will too (all within current safety and social distancing guidelines). Moorings will be also usable from Monday 18th May subject to each owner obtaining pre-approval from PHC, who will require a declaration of compliance with the requirements laid down in their local notice to mariners #11/2020 issued 13th May 21020.For those using the sailing club slipway this should be done at the Beach Masters hut on the quay during normal opening hours.
With the requirements for social distancing it will not be possible for patrol boat crew to undertake the tasks of laying marks or assisting boats and crew that are in difficulties. Consequently, it will not be possible for the Club to safely operate organised racing at this time.
Official advice is that sports equipment should preferably not be shared but if it is to be shared it must be thoroughly cleaned between each use. For this reason, it is considered impractical to make the Fusions or club ski equipment available for use at this time.
We do not feel that it is possible to operate a safe system of social distancing for members and staff within the clubhouse. We considered a likely flow of people around the club (indoors and outside) and identified where 2 metre distancing is not possible and we could not identify alternatives. Consequently, we believe it would not yet be safe to open the changing rooms, crew room and toilets on the ground floor. Likewise, whilst we might be able to operate the kitchen and bar, the club room does not lend itself to safe use by members. The Committee is considering what options are available to make this work safely but in the meantime the club will remain closed.
By configuring the openings (facing onto the landward balcony) to be serving points it might be possible to serve drinks and snacks whilst allowing only two people on the balcony at a time. The balcony could only be open for the purchase and not consumption of such items. It is unlikely that this will be possible to commence before early July and as guidance dictates.
Compliance with existing rules for no car parking on the quay beyond the pram racks would allow us to spread out the quay tables so people can eat and drink in family groups at a safe distance. Cars on the quay beside the pram racks would only be allowed there for the unloading/loading of pram dinghies and outboards. The pram and outboard storage allocations are presently being finalised. Members with allocated spaces can put their prams and outboards on the quay and in lockers from Monday 18th May. Please do this one at a time to allow safe distancing. The plan showing allocated pram rack spaces can be found here. If you think you have booked one, please check that you are on the plan. We have had one application with no identifiable personal information…
Discussions with the chosen contractor for the grant aided refurbishment of the ground and second floor to confirm likely scheduling of the work have been held. This will start towards the end of week commencing 18 May. The intention is that this would be completed before further relaxation of social distancing makes it practical to be able to re-open the clubhouse.
With Galley, Bar and Regatta income now forecast to be very much reduced through this year a detailed “worst case” cash flow analysis of the Clubs finances has been conducted. With the reserve built up in recent years coupled with the small business grant, the reduction of the business rates to zero for 2020/21 and the furloughing of staff the Club will remain acceptably financially viable through to the end of 2020. The situation for 2021 is more difficult to forecast but be assured the Committee will keep this under close scrutiny and update the membership regularly.
Stuart Robertson
Commodore
RSWSC
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