SID March 2009 Newletter
Summer is nearly here...
The Frostbites are now over and regular dinghy sailing has
started.
Congratulations to Nigel, who finished second overall in the
PY
class and to the other Frostbiters AnnMarie, Chris, Colin,
Colm, Georgina, Rachel, Suzanne, Jane. and
David who sailed
with him at various times.
Obsession has been sailing all through the winter. Here is a report
from Bryan on her recent activities (Obsession's, not Bryan's)
There has been a very good response to the recent
series of 'calls for
crew' for the Saturday sessions and while some of the planned sessions
had to be cancelled due to extreme weather conditions, over 40 places
have been taken by members and some visitors on sessions run over the
last couple of months. Perhaps the highlight of these was the session
planned for the 14th March but rescheduled for St. Patrick's day when a
full complement of crew headed across the bay to a location just off the
nose of Howth. Weather conditions were good with lots of sunny spells
and manageable S/E winds. On reaching our destination we heaved to,
brewed tea (once we got the cooker going) and had an 'on board' picnic
with lots of craic and sharing of all sorts of appetising delicacies!.
Although temped to do so, we didn't open and consume the bottle of wine
found on board...who's is it anyway?. After the picnic and with time
ticking away and air temperature dropping, rather than circumnavigate
base. Special thanks to Piero for the navigational assistance provided
enroute and for maintaining 'look out' all the way over and back. We'll
overlook the fact that by adopting a standing position at the shrouds on
the return trip, our arrival in Dunlaoire was delayed somewhat.
'Obsession' is really sailing and motoring well and
we find that with
every trip, we are getting to know her that little bit better. She does
however and will continue to require a lot of care and maintenance and
crew are asked to help out in any way they can in the overall
maintenance effort.
There are a few points worth mentioning:
i) When boarding and disembarking from the boat do so at the shrouds and
please try to avoid gripping the stanchions(vertical steel supports) and
guard rail.
ii) If you are ever unsure about something just ask the
Captain......don't take chances or make assumptions!.
iii) While 'on the water', a constant 'look out' by crew is key to
safe and collision free sailing together with a knowledge of the
'rules of the road'. Even though at times it seems that we have the
Bay to ourselves, it does not do to relax vigilance at any
time. Vessels of one kind or another can appear all of a sudden out of
nowhere and create a crisis situation necessitating fast evasive
action. Basically 'we don't want to go there' and so we must be
attentive at all times throughout the sail session.
iv) Places of very low LAT(lowest astronomical
tide) do exist around
the bay and close to areas through which we regularly sail. Details of
these locations are clearly marked on the chart and crew are urged to
become fully familiar with these locations and to keep well clear of
them during the course of a sail. Two locations as cases in point come
to mind these being as follows:
-Looking South, the Maiden and Clare Rocks and Lamb and
where chart readings as low as 0.4M can be seen.
-Looking North it's best to keep well clear to the East of a line from
the West pier lighthouse to Poolbeg. LAT readings of 2M are to be found
both behind the West pier and also in the vicinity of Poolbeg.
The consequences of not avoiding shallow locations will be obvious to all!.
A feature of all future sessions will be the pre sail safety briefing.
Safety always comes first and all crew must be able to operate life
jackets and be familiar with the 'on board' communications and safety
equipment as well as the 'man overboard procedures'. There is lots of
safety information on the SID website and also on the boat. Please find
some time to find it and then review it.
Finally, with increasing evening daylight and
general improvement in the
weather it is hoped to run additional sessions at w/e's and also during
the week. Details will be provided asap.
and after all that,
an armchair
experience of Obsession, thanks to Constance,
(and the Beach Boys)
Courses
from Damien...
SID have organised a RYA VHF course for members to
be given by David
Jerrard on Saturday 23rd May for the full day in the DMYC. The cost of
the one day course is 129 euro, which includes the VHF Certificate.
Please book this course directly with David Jerrard. This
course is approved for a 50 euro rebate off the SID 2010 full
membership fee (up to max of e100 refund).
David Jerrard (Seacraft), is an excellent and entertaining instructor
and the course is designed to show you the correct procedures for normal
and emergency VHF/DSC radio working. The course covers the use of both
fixed and portable hand held VHF radios and includes a session dedicated
to practical hands on radio operation with real VHF/DSC radios. A VHF
radio is a vital piece of safety equipment aboard a boat and all SID
members should know how to operate one correctly. Subject to passing a
test a RYA VHF certificate will be issued. Under international law a VHF
radio can only be operated under the control of someone who has a
certificate.
Bookings have to be made directly with David Jerrard but please let me
know so that I know how many are going.
Son of Ruffin' It
Ruffin' It has sailed off into the sunset (actually away from the
sunset) to a new life in
Damien reminisces...
Ruffin' It was the first yacht purchased by
Sailing In Dublin and
was with the club for about 10 years. It was the most used
Ruffian in Dun Laoghaire, with many glorious sails as far north as
Carlingford and as far south as Arklow, and many of our current and
past members learnt their sailing on it.
.... but now we have a new boat !
Peter reports on behalf of the Ruffian working group:
The boat concerned is "Ruff
Diamond" and our working group consider
this to be a suitable boat for the club and good value for money.
"Ruff Diamond" is one of the top ruffians in the
fit for purpose racing boat with a good racing pedigree and
meticulously maintained by its owner. Well done to the working group
of Donal, Damien,
The lift in is planned for this Saturday;
contact Peter if you are
available to help.
All we need now is some people to race our
new Ruffian;
so far 15 people have signed up. Racing is available to all,
irrespective of experience and takes place on Tuesdays,
Thursdays and Saturdays. Contact Damien if you would like
to take part.
Container
The Container Working Group is now looking at options for our new club
facility. A decision will be made in the near future and with luck we
should have a lot more space in the near future.
Publicity
Jessica, our Publicity Officer has placed the an article about SID in
the Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company newsletter.
AGM
The SID AGM will take place in the National Yacht Club on April 22nd
at 7 pm, Please try and make it if you can, as, in addition to the
usual formalities, this is your chance to suggest plans and ideas for
the coming season.
Ther will be a dinner in the NYC following the meeting; contact
Bronagh to see if places are still available.
Glenans
Glenans is celebrating its 40th birthday in Ireland this year. There
will be a special sailing weekend in Collanmore from May 15th to 17th
to commemorate the event. Contact Jane for more information or ring
the Glenans office on 028 20630 and talk to Bernadette.
Social
A SID walk from Bray to Greystones is planned for Sunday April 19th at
3pm (subject to weather and interest). Contact Bronagh for details.
The Volvo Round the World Yacht Race will be visiting Galway in May.
If you are planning to be there, contact Regina or Karina who
arranging a SID get-together during the visit.
Juliane has been trying to organise a discount deal with a local hotel
for this event; contact her to see if places are still available.
more Volvo...
The Volvo Dun Laoghaire
Regatta 2009 will take place from the 9th to
the 12th of July and is looking for volunteers to help out. Here is a
message from the Events Secretary:
The army of 300 Volunteers have been the key to the
success of this
event. The event is a major undertaking which requires an enormous
amount of volunteer time over the four days, and for many over the time
leading up to the event. It is not possible without this support and we
are very grateful to everyone who gives so freely of their time.
This year more than ever volunteers will be vital, as the event is
expecting to welcome a vast armada of 500 boats from Ireland, France,
Spain, Scotland, Wales, The Isle of Man and England and over 3,500
sailors. During the four days there will be 250 races run for the 25
classes as well as a host of onshore entertainment.
We would welcome Volunteers for both on the water and onshore. Don't
worry if you haven't been involved in the Regatta before - no
experience is necessary to become a volunteer just an abundance of
enthusiasm!
The racing will take place in 7 designated areas including Dublin Bay,
Howth and Killiney Bay. The classes range from IRC Cruisers, One Designs
to Dinghies and the courses to be sailed will be fixed mark course,
Olympic Triangle, Trapezoid and Windward/Leeward courses.
The onshore highlights will include fantastic social programmes hosted
by each of the four waterfront yacht club. The Jeanie Johnston, the
replica 19th century vessel and famine history museum will make her
usual appearance along with street entertainment including a carnival
with face painters and balloon men, numerous ladies fashion events, a
vintage car rally, live music from jazz to traditional Irish to marching
bands, local area restaurant and pub events, an evening of Irish
culture, music, food and dancing and a scheduled RNLI Air Sea Rescue
demonstration.
The event will be the highlight of this year's sailing calendar so
become a volunteer and get involved! The craic will be mighty and there
will be all the usual goodies for volunteers.
If you do nothing else this Summer join the fun and volunteer for the
Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta!
Contact Events Secretary Ciara
Dowling for more details.
Happy Sailing....