Update VI Issued 10 July 2020

Dear all, Firstly, I must apologise on behalf of the Keelboat Section for what has been a flow of quite conflicting information recently.

Those of you who have been following this will know that we have been seeking ways of allowing crewed competitive sailing on keelboats to recommence. The tools we have been using for this exercise are, amongst other sources, advise from the RYA and the ever-changing guidance coming from central government on family and friends social interaction.

Published Tue 30 June 2020

It is with great pleasure that I am writing to announce a return of water-based activities at SYC.

The last few months have been very tough for many people and businesses and my heart goes out to any of the SYC family who have been directly impacted by this horrific virus.

On the plus side, the sacrifices we have all made since 23 March now seem to have taken effect and as many aspects of life in the UK start to return to the “new normal”, so can activities at the Club.

Published Mon 29 Jun 2020

Dear Fellow Members,

This update is hopefully the last from me on the topic of the lockdown and easing of lockdown for Members, Visitors and Staff of Our Yacht Club.

If things change for the worse, I will of course email you again but hopefully my future emails will be far more upbeat than the Coronavirus news sheets sent out to date.

Published Fri 29 May 2020

Dear Fellow Members,

I am pleased to be able to follow the Country in announcing the lockdown relaxation of elements of the club. Some of the changes will happen from tomorrow, Saturday 30 May, and some from Monday 1 June. 

The slipway at Shoreham will be open at weekends from tomorrow, Saturday 30 May, between the hours of 08:00 and 17:00 only.

Posted 16 May 2020

Allowed and hour for exercise each day during the national Coronavirus lock down, Steve Vyse chose to keep fit by clambering around the building site that is going to be the new Sussex Yacht Club house. He took a video camera with him.

The film is in HD so you can expand to full screen if you wish.

Published Tue 13 May 2020

We are as keen as any of you to get back on the water, but this needs to be done as safely as possible and only when Government guidance allows.

The Government guidance on ‘accessing green spaces’ was updated this morning and this gave positive news in relation to our water-based activities. The revised guidance is that:

“All forms of water sports practiced on open waterways, including sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, rowing, kayaking, surfing, paddle-boarding and the use of privately-owned motorised craft (in line with the guidance issued by the relevant navigation authority) are allowed.”

We have also received confirmation from Shoreham Port that they will now be allowing ‘leisure vessels’ to access the locks and Shoreham Port generally.

Published Tue 12 May 2020

Following the Prime Minister’s announcements on Sunday evening and a review with my fellow Flag Officers and the Club’s Virus Task Group which include our in house medical experts, I am delighted to be able to start the re-opening of our club, albeit in a very limited way at this time. 

I will be constantly reviewing guidance from our medical advisors, RYA, Port Authority and the Government and will amend and advise you of any changes as soon as I am able via these newsletters.

We are all aware of the Government guidance and instructions on social distancing and stopping the spread of disease, so I do not have to spell out what members should and should not do at this time. That said I have proposed a way forward that will hopefully avoid confusion, anxiety or anger with an aim to keep everyone as safe as possible as we move into a new phase of this crippling, and let’s not forget potentially fatal, pandemic:

Monday 19 April

Dear Members and Friends,

Just a short update on current affairs and an appeal for help if you are able, from our local care community.

The Club remains fully locked down including vehicular access to the boat yard. The barrier has been turned off apart from emergency access and Members are requested not to park in front of it in case emergency services are required to attend site.

One member of staff is on site each day usually during normal office hours and the club, yard and moorings at all sites are checked daily by either a member of staff or a Flag Officer.

If any member wishes to make contact, please use email in the first instance to secretary@sussexyachtclub.org.uk. This is being monitored by staff members.

Appeals For Help

We have been asked by a Club Member who owns and manages a residential care home locally to ask if any member has surplus equipment they might be prepared to donate to help key workers who are lacking in PPE (personal protective equipment).

Thursday 26 March

Dear Fellow Member and Friends,

I have to advise a correction to my last notification sent out this morning [Update #05} with regards to Shoreham Port only allowing designated commercial craft to use the lock. This is not currently the situation, with the guidance on the SYC website being revised to read; 'Your craft should not be used for recreational sailing and the port will encourage stake holders to follow government guidelines'.

Thursday 26 March

Dear Fellow Member and Friends,

I hope you and your families are keeping safe in these troubled times.

Following the taking of expert advice this evening [Wed 25 March], I would like to advise the following:.

We have a new Admiral – the inspirational eighty-five years young David Skinner.

David has been an active member of the Club since 1971, when he joined with his young family.  He was our Commodore in 1994 and, until recently, was still racing in his 42-foot ‘retirement boat’ with a crew of up to nine people.

Updated 17 March 2020

It is with huge sadness that we have decided to cancel the Royal Escape Race for 2020.

As of Wednesday 11 March

In response to enquiries about how the club is managing the impact of the developing Coronavirus situation, the Commodore has asked me to advise members of the following:

Current Measures:

As of Tuesday 17 March

Dear Member,

Further to the Coronavirus notification sent out last week, I wanted to up-date you on current and further contingency planning agreed over the weekend:

Current Measures:

As of Wednesday 18 March

Dear Member,

I regret the need to keep updating you on this but matters are evolving faster than anyone expected.

I will not repeat the content of the message you have already received but further to this: