St. Andrews Sailing Club Covid-19 Phase 1 activities 

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With the easing of restrictions in Scotland, we have set out below what activities can be undertaken in phase 1. These are informed by the RYAS guidance as approved by the Scottish Government. 

In summary during phase 1:

• we cannot return to club sailing or training or use club boats, club kayaks, club equipment, the clubhouse, changing facilities, toilets etc;

• the club sailing programme remains suspended until further notice;

• you are permitted to sail or kayak using your own equipment, either individually or in family groups, provided that you comply with the government’s restrictions, including those on social gatherings, travel, physical distancing, hygiene and the club rules below. 

Club Phase 1 Rules:

We have set out below phase 1 rules to follow from today if you are undertaking these permitted activities. These are aimed at ensuring your own safety and to help prevent the spread of covid-19. Please make sure you are comfortable with and understand them before you go out. Please also read the RYAS and Government guidance. 

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Key points

• Do not leave your home to sail, or access the yard, if Scottish Government advice means you should stay at home because you or someone you live with has or has had symptoms of COVID-19, or you are in the most vulnerable category and have been advised to shield from the virus.

• Do clean your hands after touching common surfaces– and always after coughing, sneezing and before and after arriving and leaving the club. Cover your mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing, and avoid touching your face, nose and eyes. 

• Maintain the minimum 2-metre physical distancing requirement for meeting people from outwith your own household.

• You should comply with restrictions on social gathering (no more than two households and a maximum of 8 people).

• You are strongly advised to keep your activity local to your household (broadly about 5 miles). 

• Be considerate of others: be mindful of the potential impact that you could have on other water users and local communities. Do not place unnecessary extra strain on the RNLI and emergency services.

• Be conservative of risk: help to minimise risk by taking an extra conservative approach to your activity. 

• All club-organised sailing and training remains suspended.

• You are not permitted to use any club boats, club kayaks or club equipment (including buoyancy aids and wetsuits). 

• The clubhouse (including changing rooms and toilets) and garage are closed to all. 

Sailing
General: 

• Individuals should only sail singly or as a crew with members of their household group and in their own boats.

• Individuals or household groups should use only their own equipment and arrive at the club ready to go afloat.

• Physical distancing applies to arriving, rigging, launching and recovery.

• Be mindful of others (including the public) and ensure physical distancing in the yard and when launching/recovering your boat or rigging/de-rigging on the beach.

Hygiene considerations:

• Bring disposable gloves and detergent for cleaning purposes. 

• Wipe the gate, padlock, hose, tap and any other common surfaces with detergent before and after use.

Access to the yard:

• Access to the yard is by coded padlock on the yard gate. The code will be emailed to all who own their own boat. Please ensure the gate is properly secured by padlock when leaving. 

Sailing considerations:

• There will be no safety cover provided by the club. You are responsible for your own safety.

• Do consider the safety implications for yourself and for others. Sailing is a potentially dangerous activity and even accomplished sailors can get into difficulties. Be sure you are self-sufficient, are able to recover from a capsize or equipment failure on your own and get back ashore. 

• Use righting lines, long painters and masthead floats.

• Limit your sail area. 

• Take proper precautions such as checking your equipment, knowing the forecast, having a plan, staying within limits of your ability and experience, taking means of contact such as a radio or mobile phone. Be conservative as to weather conditions.  If in doubt, don't go out!

• We recommend sailing in a buddy system to ensure safety but be mindful of physical distancing.

• Please check your boat over thoroughly – it has not been used for some time.

• Consider the validity of your insurance when sailing without safety cover.

• One day time activity should be undertaken and no overnight stays. 

• Make sure someone ashore is aware of your sailing plan. You can do that by posting on the Club Whatsapp sailing group (click here for link) or using the RYA SafeTrx app to advise someone ashore of your intended activity/anticipated time afloat and when you are back ashore safely.

Kayaking

• The club kayaks should not be used. 

• If you are taking out your own kayak stored in the yard, the codes for the container and yard gate padlocks will be emailed to you. 

• Bring disposable gloves and detergent for cleaning purposes. 

• Wipe the container, gate, padlocks, hose, tap and any other common surfaces with detergent before and after use.

• Please ensure the container and yard are properly secured before leaving. 

This is the very first stage of returning to the water under conditions that are new to us all. No doubt there will be many things that arise in practice that have not been thought about, so do let us have your feedback and suggestions for how things might be made more safe or improved upon by email. We will be regularly reviewing Government and RYAS guidance and keeping you updated.

Keep safe and well,

Lorna Drummond
Vice-Commodore Sailing,
St Andrews Sailing Club