COVID 19 Guidelines
GWSC have prepared thorough guidelines for this event. Please read the document carefully and make sure that you understand the risks and restrcitions and that you are happy to take part with these systems in place.
We cannot remove all risk from the event and all competitors must take resposibility for their own safety and for acting in a way that does not endanger others.
Grafham Water SC COVID 19 Operating Procedures
Please also make sure you are familiar with the latest government guidelines:
If you are unwell with the symptoms of Covid-19 do not attend the Club.
If you have had contact with a family or household member who is unwell with the symptoms of Covid-19 do not attend the Club for a minimum of 14 days.
You are advised to bring some disposable gloves with you and use them if touching common surfaces. Also consider bringing a first aid kit with you so you can attend to minor cuts and injuries yourself.
Arrival and Parking:
The barrier will be closed and if it fails to open phone 07950 590754 for assistance.
When you enter the site, there is a pole flying an orange flag that is 2 metres long, to indicate the necessary social distance. Please make sure you park well apart from the next car, sufficient to ensure social distancing when getting in or getting out. That may mean you need to park further away from your boat than normal.
Rigging and access to the water: adhere to the social distancing principle of 2 metres separation. If somebody in the adjacent berth is rigging their boat at the same time, come to an arrangement with them whereby you can both do this safely. At this time the Government guidance to be followed allows groups of up to six people, adhering to the 2 metre separation guideline. Larger gatherings are not permitted and this must be observed in the boat park. NO RIGGING ON THE SLIPWAY. Please rig your boat (with sails up) in the dinghy park.
When launching be sure to adhere to the 2 metre separation guidelines. Remain away from the slipway until the person in front has returned their trolley to the grass area and is afloat. Do not stack trollies on top on each other.
As a guiding principle you should avoid touching other persons’ boats or trollies at any time. If you have to do so, e.g. to help somebody launch where otherwise it would be impossible for them to do so, wash your hands (or gloves) immediately afterwards. Please avoid queueing on slipways and please do not park trollies for others unless it is unavoidable. The water level is particularly high at present and there is no beach so launching may be more difficult than usual, particularly given the need to do so unassisted as far as is possible.
The Clubhouse is closed: access is limited to the toilets and hand-wash basins. There are no changing facilities or showers.The one-way system devised to maintain social distancing must be used. There will be signage at the toilets indicating the procedures to follow. You should enter the toilets by the outside doors on the half landing facing the roundabout and leave by the fire-escape door in the changing room. Do not attempt to enter via the fire-escape or leave by the front door.
There will be no facility for changing on site. You should arrive ready changed or change in your car. You may want to invest in a dry robe or similar.
Please do not use the toilets for changing or enter the areas of the changing room behind the barriers.
There is no access to the Coxswain’s shed or the other club buildings.
Cafe:
The Café is operating a take-away service with a one-way system. If entering the cafe please wear a face-covering.
Ordering: Menus are on display on the windows. To place an order enter through the door on the West side of the Clubhouse. There is hand sanitiser available by the door.
Only one person in the café ordering at any time. Place order at the servery – stand behind line on floor. Move forward to pay when asked – card payments only.
Food Collection: Follow the one-way system to the collection point. Only one person in the café collecting food at any time. Collect your order from the table. Exit through the door on the East side of the Clubhouse. There is hand sanitiser available by the door.
Eating: Please move away from the vicinity of the Clubhouse. Respect the guidance on social distancing (2 metres) and the regulations on gatherings (no more than six). Rubbish – please place in the bins.
There is also a limited amount of seating available inside, for those consuming food and drink from the cafe. Please sanitise your hands and sign in at the west entrance. Please only sit at a table with members of your own household. Order at the window as for takeaway, then sit down, your food will be brought to you. If eating at a table inside you do not need to wear a face-covering.
Thank you: we are confident that with your co-operation we can get the service to work.
Sailing:
On the water:
Single-handed sailing, or sailing in the same boat by persons living together in the same household or within the same support bubble, is permitted.
Beyond that double handed sailing may be possible in accordance with the following:
As a Club our policy is to follow Government and RYA guidance. The Government has published revised guidance on social distancing to take effect from 4 July, recognising that 2m separation may be decreased to 1m in certain circumstances and where appropriate mitigating measures are adopted. The RYA have issued a guidance note on double handed sailing. In the light of these developments the Club’s revised policy is as follows:
Double handed boats at Grafham come in many shapes and sizes and it is not appropriate for the Club to issue blanket guidance covering all. Double handed sailing is clearly consistent with Government guidance for those living in the same household or within the same support bubble. In other cases individuals will need to make their own judgements as to whether they can sail their boat in a way that is compliant with Government guidance. Before making a decision to sail together we would expect individuals to have considered all the issues concerned, and be in a position to justify their actions if challenged. The RYA issued detailed guidance on the possibilities for double-handed sailing on 29th July and this should be taken into account deciding on double-handed sailing.
In addition, where a particular class has issued guidance specific to that class, we would expect individuals to adhere to this guidance.
Safety Cover: There will be a coxswain on site, but safety cover is extremely restricted. In the event of emergency, priority will be given to people over boats/equipment. Only go on the water if your sailing skills are of a standard commensurate with the red & white flag i.e. you are able to right your boat unaided and return to the shore under the prevailing weather conditions on the day. The flag system will operate more conservatively than in normal circumstances. The red & yellow flag may be used i.e. Lake open with restrictions, to limit the permitted sailing area. Where this is used the restrictions will be posted at a number of points on the window of the café and on the website. Avoid crowding round the notices, always maintain 2 metres social distance. Consider using your own VHF radio to make contact with the Coxswain, on channel P4. This should be a VHF marine radio, with a handset attached if you prefer.
Safety is paramount: the flags displayed by the Coxswain must be observed. RIB support is very limited so the sailing area may be restricted. The Coxswain is entitled to impose limits based upon people’s level of skill which will vary according to weather conditions; these limits will be applied more conservatively than usual. It is suggested that boats (excluding keelboats) that normally are crewed by two, when sailed singleton use mast head floats.
Boats should maintain two metres distance on the water. Be careful of people hiking or out on the wire especially when crossing tacks.
Government guidance updated 31 May states that it will remain prohibited in law to:
spend time outdoors, including for exercise, in groups greater than six people – subject to limited exceptions. You should continue to practise social distancing with anyone from outside your household, including while playing sport
The restriction on gatherings mean there must be no large groups of boats – only boats containing a maximum of six people may sail the same course at a separation of two metres. Any other boats must maintain a much greater distance. Be conservative.
Compliance with these Operating Procedures is a requirement of the Club Regulations.
In the unlikely event that there are observed misdemeanours, a member of staff or Club Officer may ask the person(s) concerned to desist. If a further request is not complied with, the matter will be reported as a disciplinary matter and be dealt with in accordance with the Club Rules.