SID Newsletter Sept 2008

Dinghy Racing

Lots of people were away during August and with windy conditions there were fewer SID entries. The best result in August was on the 19th when Simon and David came 2nd out of 12 competitors. On August 30th Jane and Ruben did well finishing 2’ond out of 3 in the 2’ond race.

Ruffian Racing

Sadly, Ruffin' It is still hors de combat after its accident on July 17’th and has not sailed since, but we are still in a respectable 13’th
place in a field of 25....

Cruising
Obsession ventured to the Isle of Man for the second time during the week of Aug 17th to 23rd. with Cearbhall, Martina, Nicola, Peter, Colm and Sheenagh aboard...
... and took a shorter trip to  Wicklow on Aug 30th and 31st... with David, Colin, Tom, Susanne D, Una and Bryan...
… and a still shorter trip to Lambay Island on Sept 5th to 7th, with Ann G, Cearbhall, Donal, Jo, Shane and Una
A cruise to the outer harbour in Dun Laoghaire is planned for October.

Keel Boat Safety course
Here is a report from Damien (Training Officer)

Six Sigma skippers recently attended a 2 evening Safety Course organized by Martina (Safety Officer). The course was give by Charlie Kavanagh of http://www.sailsoutheast.com/. The first evening involved an audit and review of the safety equipment on board Obsession and what to do in various emergencies e.g. Fog, de-masting (now an area of expertise for some members!), going aground, leaking, engine failure etc. The second evening was spent on the water practicing and perfecting Man Overboard recover under sail and under engine.  The second evening culminated in retrieving a man (Cearbhall in a dry suit) from the water. This involved experimenting with different pieces of on-board equipment and assuming the MOB was conscious and able to help himself and also assuming the victim was unable to help himself.  This exercise was very beneficial as it demonstrated the problems associated with trying to get a MOB back on board and highlights the importance of ensuring that you don't end up in that situation i.e. ensure that no crew falls overboard! Thanks to Martina for organising and to Cearbhall for braving the cold water!

Here’s a more detailed report.

Maintenance - You can help
There is now a maintenance page in the members section of our website. This contains details of work that needs to be done and also equipment manuals. You will see that there is a lot of on-going work to be done to keep out boats operational especially Obsession. Some of these tasks require no specialist knowledge e.g. bringing sails for repair, buying some spare parts in Viking or Western Marine.

If you can help with any of these tasks please talk to Donal, Wyn or Reuben.


Powerboat Courses
There will be a safety powerboat course on Collanmore on the weekend of Oct 3’rd.  Cost is 170 euro. Nigel will be instructing. A Level 2 powerboat cert is a pre-requisite. Instructor's credits are available for this course.

Also INSS powerboat courses for just e199:

Sat & Sun 11 & 12 October 11.30am-6pm.
Sat & Sun 1 & 2 November 11.30am-6pm.
Sat & Sun 6 & 7 December 10am-5pm both days.

Winter Training
Here are some suggestions for winter courses from Cearbhall…
*Yachtmaster - Shorebased*
Highly recommended.
Navigaton + Weather + Rules of Road + Safety. 20 week course usually runs to Easter. 2 hours per week and probably the same again in homework. Well worth doing even if you only ever sail in a dinghy. Experience of cruising is not necessary.
Providers - Newpark, GISC, DMYC + Others

*First Aid*
Must have for anybody who sails.
Providers - Almost any night class provider

*Marine Engine Maintenance*
Not the most exciting course, but it's good to know this stuff when you engine packs up at sea.
It all applies to your car as well for the most part, but don't try to drive in the sea unless your name is Bond.
Providers - Cabinteely Community School/Ringsend Technical College

and from Damien...
Cruise with Confidence

Push the boat out this year with a shore-based training course under the ISA Training Scheme
Have you found your cruising restricted by your lack of knowledge or confidence?
Would you like to go on a longer cruise holiday next year or to feel more confident and relaxed when re on holidays?

Are you tired of just crewing and want to skipper the boat but never get a look-in because the skipper always does the navigation?

If your answer is yes to any of these questions you should consider brushing up your skills with one of the s shore-based training course aimed at cruising sailors.

The shore-based training courses allow participants to learn and develop skills in the relative comfort of a classroom and by allowing
time to absorb and practice the course material away from a boat and all d distractions. On these course sailors will learn how to plan and implement passages. It covers course plotting, tide calculation, developing passage plans and identifying where you are as well as the principles of safety. Many of the courses are run over the winter months, often as an evening class.

End of Season Dinner
The end of season SID dinner took place on Tuesday Sep 23’rd in the Quay 16 restaurant aboard the Cill Airne, moored on the Liffey, with 23 people attending. Thanks to Sheenagh for organising.
In addition to the usual excesses and over indulgence, Martina managed to raise 270 euro for the Duchenne Ireland prize draw. This
organisation provides support and funds research into Duchenne's muscular dystrophy.

Forthcoming Events

The Frostbites, organised by the DMYC are coming....Jo will be organising a pre-frostbite training session in the near future.

The annual SID regatta will probably take place in October, again organised by Jo.

The Glenans Collanmore October Bank Holiday Weekend takes place on, well, the October bank holiday, October 24th to 27th. Doubtless SID will be well represented.