Dear Members,

Just a brief word of thanks as we come to the end of this year’s sailing season. This year has presented un precedented challenges to the running of the Club and sailing in general. No one could have guessed last March what disruption was ahead of us as we were preparing for the launch of the 2020 season and readying our club for the international spotlight of the GP14 World championships.

You won’t be surprised to learn that out of the depths of such disruption and uncertainty SSC as a group far exceeded the norm and rallied to hold our club together through this though season. The levels of commitment, flexibility, teamwork and positive attitude soared this year making us all proud to be members. Although it would not be correct to single out any one group for the success of this season, I would outline three main columns of support which galvanised with a common purpose.

The number of volunteers who enthusiastically engaged in all aspects of the running of the club is truly staggering. The number one priority this year was to ensure the safety of our members, friends and staff while executing on a huge list of activities. Teams engaged in Covid 19 Compliance, Equipment maintenance, Building update, Catering, Operational management, Sailing organisation and many other tasks which were hugely more complicated under the Covid 19 guidelines. Those of you who enjoyed the limited socialising this season in our refurbished interior have experienced a tase of things to come.

Your Senior and Junior committee members rose to the challenge driving the season forward with great innovation, many hours spent on virtual meeting calls and coordinating volunteer groups keeping the Club as active and vibrant as possible.

Finally, the main column of support without which none of the above could succeed is you the members. Your support by sailing when possible, attending social functions where possible, and direct financial support through payment of membership fees is literally keeping this club afloat.  We are deeply grateful to those members who have patronised through additional contributions in support of our key improvement projects.

Like every small business our Club has been severely restricted in the running of revenue generating events this year which normally assists in the financial burden. With the continued support of you the members we will emerge from this difficult period and return to the vibrant club which we always have been.

I look forward to seeing you all enjoy the 2021 sailing season, socialising in our refurbished interior and renewing your belief that SSC is a great club and community to be a member of.

Keep Safe and Keep Well

Liam O’Callaghan, Commodore.

Dear Sailors,

Due to the ongoing level 3 restrictions in Dublin through the remainder of October, our official sailing season has come to a premature end. As such we will not be rescheduling any dates for the remainder of 2020. 

When we think back to the start of the year, we probably did not expect to get any racing in during the summer, however we were lucky to get a window of opportunity to complete 4 months out of our regular 6-month season. We also saw some of the largest fleet numbers taking part in our club racing in recent years, with up to 60 people sailing on a Sunday morning and Wednesday evening, so given the challenges we all faced this year I think we can look back with some satisfaction of great summers sailing. 

Below are the trophy winners for the year, and also the points winners for the regular season series. As no laying up supper can take place this year, we are currently looking at potentially a virtual prize giving. Further details will be provided at a later time. 

Finally, I would like to thank all volunteers who have helped throughout the season, our rib drivers and their assists along with those who launched, recovered and tirelessly maintain our club ribs. The onshore team who created a safe and fun post sailing atmosphere to socialize outside the club after racing.  A special thanks to our race officers, Liam Dineen, Micheline Shiels and Helen Ryan as well as Kieran Branagan who has overseen the results process. 

Let’s hope 2021 brings some normality back to our regular season. 

Many thanks 

Doire 

Due to recent further Covid19 restrictions (Dublin raised to Level 3+) all club organized sailing is cancelled for the next three weeks. This decision will be reviewed at that time or once government advice is updated.

Sailing Secretary, SSC – dated Saturday September 19th, 2020

Monday, 7th September 2020 (this colour):

The Commodore and Committee of Skerries Sailing Club would like to thank all our members and friends for their support during the recent precautionary close down.

We are happy to announce the re-opening of the Club and its activities this week.  Punt, Sailing and Refreshment services will re-commence this week as per our social media and newsletter notifications. Please continue to observe all social distancing and traceability guidelines when entering Skerries Sailing Club premises.

Thank you, The Commodore and Committee of Skerries Sailing Club

Update (this colour) – Thursday, 3rd September 2020:

On advice it is notified that Skerries Sailing Club will to be closed for activities  through this weekend. We are hopeful of good news through the weekend and will review again on Monday with a view to opening during next week. Updates will be posted via Newsletter distribution and on our social media platforms

The Commodore and Committee  of Skerries Sailing Club would like to reassure our members and friends that all policies, procedures and guidelines to safeguard against the spread of Covid 19 have been in place and are being rigidly adhered to by the Club.

The Club was advised prior to last weekend that two of our members had been deemed a “casual contact” of a confirmed case of Covid 19.  Those members did not attend the clubhouse from that time.

We have been made aware of the possibility of a local cluster of Covid 19 in the Skerries area.  As a precautionary measure all club activities will cease with immediate effect.  We will review the situation later in the week, further updates will be posted on this website to keep members advised.

The Commodore and Committee of Skerries Sailing Club

The Commodore, Vice-Commodore and sailing secretary have decided, with consultation of our PRO, that due to the impending forecast coupled with the new Government restrictions it would be the safest option to cancel this years regatta. Many thanks to all volunteers who had put their name forward to help. 

Normal club racing will now be taking place Sunday the 23rd instead. Under the new guidelines all sailors participating in racing are asked to be extra vigilant in maintaining social distancing at all times, especially before and after sailing. We would also ask as to avoid congregations/ crowding after sailing that if you are not using the bar-restaurant facility in the downstairs part of the sailing club to avoid the area as to ensure sufficient spacing between tables, pods and groups.

While this is an unfortunate bump in the road we have enjoyed excellent sailing to date, with 28 boats on the water on the Sunday just gone, one of our biggest numbers in recent seasons. The goal from now is to finish out our season in a safe and fun manner.

The following document has been prepared based on latest guidance from the Government of Ireland and Irish Sailing (ISA). With that in mind the Commodore and Committee of Skerries Sailing Club is committed to ensuring compliance with Government pandemic emergency regulations and with the subsequent recommendations of sailing’s governing body, Irish Sailing, but warns members that these provide no guarantee that they will not contract Covid-19 while attending Skerries Sailing Club or participating in racing or volunteering in rescue boats. However, it is the duty of every member while on the SSC premises or on the water participating in SSC organized sailing to uphold personal responsibility to mitigate the dangers of transmitting COVID-19. SSC takes no responsibility should
any person contract COVID-19 on SSC premises or partaking in organized sailing activity.

Please note sailing in SSC is not a zero-risk environment.

Members Responsibility
Below is an assessment that each member should take when considering going racing or self-observed sailing. Please do not attend the sailing club if you or anyone in your household/ close contacts are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms.

Onshore
• Changing rooms will remain closed for Phase 3. All sailors should come dressed for sailing and have towels/ necessary material to use for journey home. This will be reviewed for phase 4.
• The Club will continue to remain closed including the bar for phase 3. This will be reviewed for phase 4.
• Bathroom facilities will be available, however, to reduce risk we would ask for members to make alternative arrangement where possible.
• Social distancing ashore in the yard/ on club premises should always be maintained.

On the Water
• The priority for SSC is to run sailing with minimum risk and promotes Social Distancing measures to be maintained and where possible same household crew for multi handers are encouraged.
• Sailing can take place with multi household crewed boats in “Pods” (see Irish Sailing document for definition). It is encouraged that boats are crewed by regular crews as much as possible. It is discouraged that last-minute crews/ swapping crews etc take place.
• Sailing will only take place if the winds are forecast for 15 knots or lower for the hours racing is expected to take place. This is to ensure no unnecessary rescues are forced to take place should the wind be too strong. This restriction will be reviewed for phase 4.
• Racing will be shorter than usual, 30- 40-minute races. It will be recommended to the Race Officers that they use simplified courses such as windward Leeward at least for the first phase. This is to allow minimal contact in rescue and mark laying boats. This restriction will be reviewed for phase 4.
• The Race Officer will have ultimate discretion as to run racing and can cancel at any time should they feel necessary.
• All Rules of racing as published in the 2019 fixtures list are carried forward to 2020.
• Punting will be controlled with small numbers of people at a time, please allow extra time to get to your boat to allow for this. For the safety of the punt driver please maintain social distancing if
possible.

Contact Tracing
• All members, helm and all crews, who wish to go sailing must register with the sailing secretary via text on the morning/ evening of the race. Preferably by WhatsApp if possible at 0877150071

Boat Rentals
• Boat rentals are allowed; however we recommend they are only used on a Wednesday or a Sunday during racing, this is to allow for sufficient time in between uses to mitigate the virus staying on the surfaces in between uses. However we ask those who rent wash down the boat at the start and end of rental.

ISA Return to Sailing Scheme Phase 3 is available by clicking on link.

to return for the following boats –

a) Single Handers,

b) boats crewed by same household members, and

c) Cruisers where Social Distancing can be maintained.

Start date – weekend of 4th/5th July. A fixture list is being drafted and will be published next week.

All club racing will be subject to full Government and ISA regulations.

To the Members of Skerries Sailing Club

Irish Sailing have published their interpretation and recommendations for how sailing activities may be resumed for Phase 2 on the 8^th of June.  A Phase Two roadmap for return to sailing outlines activities and compliance. The SSC sailing committee has met to interpret the roadmap for Phase Two and makes the following recommendations.  From the 8^th of June, for those living in the county or up to 20km from home, whichever is the larger distance:

• Social distancing requirements still apply.
• The Commodore and Committee of Skerries Sailing Club is committed to complying with Government pandemic emergency regulations and with the subsequent recommendations of sailing’s governing body, Irish Sailing, but warns members that these provide no guarantee that they will not contract Covid 19 while attending Skerries Sailing Club. We are relying on members fully respecting the provisions implemented by Skerries Sailing Club but we cannot guarantee that all members will be in compliance. Neither are we in a position to ensure such compliance at all times.
• To facilitate traceability entrants to the boat yard are requested to log in and out.
•  Apart from the yard facilities, no other club facilities will be available.
• A restricted punting service, to facilitate a cruiser crane in and adhering to social distancing, can be provided on request.
• By contacting the Sailing Secretary, Doire Shiels, SSC can provide supervised activity for single handed or household multi handed sailing. As per ISA recommendations, members should follow the fundamental principles for deciding to go afloat.
• SSC boats will not be available for hire during phase two.

Provisionally Phase Three return to sailing commences on the 29^th of June.  The Sailing committee will meet again before this date to analyse the roadmap for phase three.

Brian Mc Nally/Doire Shiels

Sailing Committee.