LSC Covid-19 Update, from July 19th 2021

As the covid pandemic continues to evolve, the government has made the decision that fromMonday 19th July many legal restrictions will be removed. They have however made it clear that the progression and severity of the current wave now lies in the hands and decisions of the people, rather than laws.

As with every other organisation, LSC are now having to make decisions about what is "reasonable" when we organise our activities. After looking at the government guidance as well as guidance from the RYA, we have concluded that as of

Monday 19th July :

• We are NOT back to normal, there will still be precautions to take.
  As a club, a community, please respect the circumstances of your fellow members - remember "hands, face, space" and take measures such as mask-wearing if requested, even if not required by the rules.
• Mixed household sharing of dinghies will now be generally permitted.
  Everybody, but especially people who are at-risk, should do their own risk assessment before sharing. The RYA have a risk assessment for that purpose - search " RYA Guidance on sailing & racing with participants from different households during COVID-19 in England" for the latest version.
• Sharing safety boats is also possible, as long as both parties are comfortable with the idea and the normal precautions are taken.
• The changing rooms will continue to be restricted - you are encouraged to come to the club ready to go on the water, on return to change at home or outside, and to shower at home. If you do use the changing rooms and showers then please minimise time within. Initially the restriction of only 2 people or 1 household in the changing rooms will remain in place.
• Outside of bar hours, access to the clubroom will be available without restriction, but please have a mask ready to wear if requested.
• The bar will be open to its normal schedule, bar service will resume.The requirement for following direction signs, being seated at tables, social distancing, and sanitising will remain. There will still be a requirement to wear a mask while moving around the clubroom, including ordering at the bar. Cash payments will still not be accepted.

Please be aware that these rules are based on our interpretation of government and RYA guidance - and they may change if that guidance changes (could be more or less restrictive). Please visit the covid section of the website for the latest information : COVID-19 Response

The Covid team may be contacted by emailing covid@langstonesc.org.uk

The Covid Team

16th July 2021

LSC Covid-19 Update, May 15th 2021

As the country moves into phase 3 of the lockdown roadmap there will be a number of changes to LSC club life, in addition to those already announced for Phase 2

As the restrictions ease away, please be respectful of your fellow members - not everybody has been vaccinated, not everybody is confident in the return to normality so please don't impose on others that you meet around the club.
You are recommended to maintain social distancing and to frequently wash or sanitise your hands.
You are recommended to wipe down tables/contact surfaces when you arrive and are requested to do so when you leave.

In the clubhouse :

• The bar will be opening on its normal schedule from Wednesday 19th of May.
  As alcohol is being served, there will only be table service and any consumption must be whilst seated.
• Indoors, groups are restricted to the rule of 6 (or 2 households).
• Outdoors a single group can not be bigger than 30.
• Once the seats are full then the bar is full - it is not permitted to stand amongst the tables, nor to go to the bar to be served.
• Payment only via card - no cash.
  Access to the bar should be made via the exterior staircase although the lift will also be available for those who need it (single household only). All rules applicable to pubs and restaurants apply.
• The clubroom and terrace will be available for personal use outside of bar opening hours - but during the bar opening hours the bar rules apply as alcohol will be available.
  Access to the clubroom outside of bar hours will be via the internal staircase or lift - but please do not share the lift or cross other members on the stairs.
• The changing rooms have just finished their refurbishment and will be available for use. There are still rules around how many people can simultaneously use them - both men's and ladies changing rooms are restricted to no more than 2 people at a time, or one household. To avoid queuing, where possible please come to the club dressed to sail and get changed once at home after sailing, or in your car or the boat park.
• Showers should only be used where necessary - to reheat a cold sailor for example. Please spend the minimum time possible in the changing rooms, especially when there are lots of people at the club.
• Fob in when you visit the club for any reason or scan the QR code with your phone for 'test & trace'.

Outside :

• Maximum group size outside is 30 people.

On the water :

• Entry to all LSC on-water events, including races, must be booked online in advance. Booking forms will be made available on the club website.
• Mixed household sailing will be allowed only under certain circumstances. Juniors and beginners are not permitted to share a boat outside of their household and there will be no training where mixed households share a boat. Experienced sailors who would like to share a dinghy should refer to the RYA risk assessment and follow the guidance around risk mitigation: RYA GUIDANCE during COVID-19
• When signing up for a LSC on-water event you will be asked to confirm you have read and will follow this guidance if sailing mixed-household.
• Safety boats should only be operated by single-household crews.
• You are recommended to sanitise contact points on safety boats, club dinghies, and trolleys prior to use with the provided Zwype sanitiser - and are requested to do so after use.
• If correctly cleaned, the boats can be used by a different crew the following day.

Please be aware that these rules are based on our interpretation of government and RYA guidance - and they may change if that guidance changes (could be more or less restrictive). Please visit the covid section of the website for the latest information : COVID-19 Response

The Covid team may be contacted by emailing covid@langstonesc.org.uk

Tim Wilyman, Commodore

15th May 2021

Watch the website for the latest news & events.

LSC Covid-19 Update, April 10th 2021

From Monday 12^th April the rules are relaxing slightly. The ways in which Langstone Sailing Club are affected are:

• You will be able to use your cruiser and stay overnight on it.
• The toilets, (but NOT the changing rooms) are open again, (but not for getting changed).
• Dinghies, SUP's rowing boats, kayaks can all be used subject to the LSC Covid 19 rules put in place last summer. (No mixed households unless 2 metre distancing can be observed).
• The galley remains closed.
• The bar is not opening for outside service yet. This may change and we look forward to reopening for inside service on or soon after 17^th May
• The terrace may be used subject to compliance with social distancing and the limits on gatherings (rule of 6/2 households).
• Fob in when you visit the club for any reason or scan the QR code with your phone for 'test & trace'.

Lift-in continues as required but will be suspended at weekends to allow space for other craft. Please let Nigel or Ray know when you are ready for a launch.

Remember 'Hands' (wash them, sanitise them!) 'Face' (use a covering as appropriate) and 'Space' (social distancing).

All other Covid-19 rules and advice apply. Hand sanitiser and spray cleaners will be made available as before.

The above is the interpretation of the Covid Taskforce. As ever, the Government guidance can change unexpectedly and it is up to members to be aware of the current position.

The Covid team may be contacted by emailing covid@langstonesc.org.uk

Tim Wilyman, Commodore

10^th April 2021

Sailing is back on!

Watch the website for the latest news & events.

LSC Covid-19 Update, March 11th 2021

I'd like to remind everyone that Langstone Sailing Club remains completely closed at the present time and you should not be visiting except in these circumstances:

• To carry out essential maintenance to your boat.
• To allow an external contractor access to work on your boat.
• On club business with the express consent of the Covid Taskforce.

As I am sure you all know, there does now seem to be light at the end of the tunnel and with it the prospect of sailing our boats this year.

From 29^th March, (or later date if the Government delay it):

• You will be able to visit your cruiser and work on it, but not stay overnight.
• The toilets, (but NOT the changing rooms) will be open again.
• Dinghies can be used but must be returned to where they are currently berthed afterwards. There is unlikely to be any lifting in over weekends but if you see tractor movements please check it is safe to move your dinghy, kayak or other craft.

Lift-in will commence on or very soon after 29th at the discretion of the Mooring & Berthing Officer and will be spread over several weeks. Please let Nigel or Ray know when you are ready for a launch.

Don't forget, all other Covid-19 rules and advice apply. Hand sanitiser and spray cleaners will be made available as before.

The above is the interpretation of the Covid Taskforce. As ever, the Government guidance can change unexpectedly and it is up to members to be aware of the current position.

The Covid team may be contacted by emailing covid@langstonesc.org.uk

Tim Wilyman, Commodore

11^th March 2021

LSC Covid-19 Update, January 7th 2021

As we are all only too aware, the whole country, (barring some islands) is in lockdown or Tier 5 as it is now being called. It seems likely there will be little change in the next 6 weeks, or even until late March according to some. We are all being asked to stay at home.

Langstone Sailing Club is now completely closed and we ask that you do not come at all, except in very limited circumstances.

You can visit the club only:

• To carry out essential maintenance to your boat.
• To allow an external contractor access to work on your boat.
• On club business with the express consent of the Covid Taskforce.

Rules regarding taking exercise in boats are rather confusing but currently it seems that you can launch a craft from a public slipway. This means you would have to bring it from home as you cannot visit the boat park except as above.

This notice is the interpretation of the Covid Taskforce. As ever, the Government guidance can change unexpectedly and it is up to members to be aware of the current position.

The Covid team may be contacted by emailing covid@langstonesc.org.uk

Tim Wilyman, Commodore

7^th January 2021

LSC Covid-19 Update, 16th May 2020

Dear Members

Following the Government's lifting of some of the lockdown restrictions, and a risk assessment and mitigation measures put in place, we are delighted to be starting a phased reopening of Langstone Sailing Club. This reopening is on a pilot basis and variations will be made with experience and further government or RYA advice - both tightening and relaxing of the restrictions are possible. The latest advice will be found at: www.langstonesc.org.uk/club/covid-19-response

Please read all the text below before coming to the club:

GENERAL

1. From 07:00 tomorrow, Sunday 17th May the Club will be open for access to the water for permitted exercise in dinghies, cruisers and other watercraft.

2. Access will be allowed to: the car park, boat park, wooden boatshed, slipway and tender pens.

3. The Clubroom, bar, restaurant, upper terrace and changing rooms remain CLOSED to members. The only access upstairs is for equipment maintenance and committee members accessing the office.

4. The toilets are open subject to: only one person in each toilet area at a time (Mens/Ladies/Disabled). Wash or sanitise your hands before you enter and wash your hands before exit.

5. Please bring your own antiviral gel/wipes and use them on any communal surfaces.

6. You must be self-sufficient with people from within your household for; launch, sailing and recovery. Please do not go out if you need external help, for example to recover your boat.

7. Please travel in your sailing kit or be prepared to change discreetly in the car park.

8. Club dinghies will be NOT available for hire and club motor boats are not available.

9. Please do not touch other people's equipment.

10. No overnight stays on boats either ashore or on the water

LAUNCHING

1. Please be prepared to queue to launch or recover, especially at busy times.

2. Only one household launching or recovering at one time - please wait until the slipway is clear.

3. Keep to the right on the slipway.

6. Washdown facilities should only be used by one household at a time.

7. The pontoon should only be used by one household at a time.

8. Picnic benches and tables will not be available.

SAILING

1. No organised racing or training at present.

2. No Safety boats will be available.

3. Single handers, or 2-handed dinghies with helm and crew from same household, can sail.

4. Single handers might sail with a buddy dinghy for safety.

5. Cruisers can do same-day sailing from home berth with crew from same household.

6.Tenders must only carry people from the same household.

7. Sailors make their own decision whether to sail, but the Club recommends adhering to an upper wind speed limit of 16 knots (maximum of force 4 on Beaufort scale).

8. The Club recommends that dinghies, SUPs, kayaks etc stay within sight of the Club at all times.

9. Once finished and packed away please leave the site promptly.

LIFT-IN

1. Lift-in 2020 will potentially commence on Wednesday 20th May with a reduced number of launches each day - affected owners will be contacted individually and informed of the schedule and CovidSecure launch procedure that will be used.

2. Due to the reduced intensity the slipway will still be available for other users during lift-in. Please be mindful of boat movements with the tractor and follow government guidelines at all times.

3. Tractor and hoist operators must contact Mooring & Berthing Officer for specific Covid-19 requirements before operating equipment.

KEY POINTS

1. All areas and equipment at LSC are a potential source of infection - please follow Government guidelines and respect 2m social distancing AT ALL TIMES

2. Do not come to LSC if you or any member of your household feels unwell

3. If you feel unwell whilst at LSC please go home immediately

4. If you are confirmed Covid-19 positive within 7 days of your last visit to LSC, please advise the club.

4. Regularly wash your hands or use hand sanitisers.

5. The Club will not be able to enforce the guidance above and so we rely on all members' judgement and courtesy to ensure that these guidelines work for all.

6. It is members' responsibility to keep themselves safe, and they choose to come to LSC and get on the water at their own risk.

REMEMBER

1. Latest guidance will always be on the LSC website, www.langstonesc.org.uk/club/covid-19-response - please check regularly and before coming to the club.

2. For any questions or comments around the LSC Covid response, please email covid@langstonesc.org.uk

3.This is an evolving situation. We will continue to monitor all Government, RYA, Chichester Harbour Conservancy and other related announcements and keep you informed of any changes. More details and information will be published as they become available.

4.The Club encourages everyone to be considerate and conservative in their actions in and around the Club.

We hope this will be the start of another enjoyable if somewhat delayed season.

With best wishes

Your General Committee