RCYC
February 2009
| RCYC |
February 2009
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| Royal Cape Yacht Club | ||
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 Sailing NewsElliot BasinIRC News
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Notice BoardConductSecurity
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Portimao RescueShosholozaLetters
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Entry to the harbour, by road Inland-Waters Skippers & CoF. |
 FROM THE COMMODOREWhat a wonderful holiday season we have enjoyed at the club, hosting two international races, attracting participants from nine nations, and at one stage able to berth 48 competing yachts given our circumstances, was no mean feat. A big thank you to outside house for their efforts. As I sit writing this, here in Salvador, the South Atlantic Race has finished on a high note with all yachts and crew safely accounted for, safety is always at the top of the minds of the organisers and we are really grateful to the crews of the yachts that had problems for displaying the standard of seamanship to bring their boats home without assistance. From the feedback from the competitors, sponsors and the media, the race in their eyes was very successful and enjoyed by all. As expected, the two supermaxis created huge hype and excitement, and in the words of Mike Slade (Leopard) and George David (Rambler), the race was thoroughly enjoyable from the reception in Cape Town through the route and organisation to the reception and berthing in Salvador. These two gentlemen epitomise the true, hard racing fraternity, but at the same time, show the utmost humility and sportsmanship that I have not seen for a long time. Nothing was an effort for them and every publicity request was undertaken with a smile. Thank you for showing us what racing can be at the top end of the market. The decision to split the fleet into IRC and Cruiser divisions was popular, and from all reports the crews really enjoyed the St Helena stopover, both classes finishing in Salvador within five days and in plenty of time for the cut off. The smaller boats in the IRC fleet also gave us some very interesting racing to follow, with Hi Fidelity being the leader of the pack . Unfortunately Vineta dropped her rig and Ponty Leisure/Gumption retired with a cracked mast, then another hot favourite, Overproof had both rudder brackets disintergrate and were forced to retire. They, however, showed great seamanship in bringing the boat home with jury rigged steering, winning them the seamanship trophy for their efforts. Both Jacana and Voortrekker had mast problems, but fortunately also showed good seamanship in bringing their boats home in good handicap positions. The crew of Voortrekker made history, in that it was the first fully manned boat that came from a development training programme. They arrived here full of good spirits and attitude and achieved fourth place on handicap, which is no mean feat on a 40 year old boat. I salute them, their mentor R Adm Koos Louw for their incredible effort and their sponsors Grand West, MTU and MSC for showing faith in them. All that is left now, is the prize giving, and to say a very sincere thank you to Heineken, the title sponsor, the Governor of Bahia who provided such unbelievable support for the event, and without whom we could not have held this race at the international standard we did. The Bahian Government sponsorship is estimated at R 1.5m. The Commodore of the very elite Yacht club de Bahia for allowing us the facilities of his club, but most importantly for hosting the prize giving. Last but not least, Eric Wells for his incredible input and workload in ensuring the administration of the race worked, to Jeanne van Rooyen and her press team that ensured unsurpassed press coverage, and to Bruce Parker Forsythe and his team at World Sport for procuring the sponsorship and the co operation throughout the event. To the rest of the RCYC team, Brian, Vitor, Mariette, Marcus and his staff, you would be very happy to hear your praises sung by our international guests. Thank you. Now for the New Year and its challenges, starting with clearing up the Elliot Basin, finishing the SCB layout and then onto the old sponsorship hunt, VDO have withdrawn from their regatta because of the worldwide economic problem, Lipton Cup is also looking for a sponsor, the membership drive is ongoing and so the challenges grow, but are definitely not insurmountable. Any input from club members on membership or sponsorship would be greatly appreciated. Yours Aye |
 | WELCOME ! to the following New Members | ||||
Ordinary
| Family
Intermediate
Cadet
| Absentee Foreign
Junior
Corporate
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Meeting between RCYC GM & NPA Security Manager, Mr Thembani Gaqavu, Friday 16/01/2009 refers:
Although it's clear that that the future NPA security initiatives will impact on the members and business of the RCYC, the implementation of measures to enhance port security continue to be supported by the Club and it's members. Notwithstanding our support to this initiative, members of the Club need to prepare themselves for the transition between the current access process and the new, regulated procedures. As warned, the Oswald Pirow entrance is currently being utilised as the 'test' gate for the new regulated procedures. Albeit that we've all experienced varying degrees of difficulty when trying to use this gate, most of the issues have been promptly sorted out by Thembani and his crew (however, should you continue to experience issues, please inform me the same day). The same procedures and requirements as utilised at Oswald Pirow will also be instituted at all other NPA gates in accordance with the following program:
One issue that has been made very clear by NPA is their acknowledgement that there will be an impact on the RCYC (and Panama Jacks). As such, the NPA have sought solutions to our problems which, although easing our challenges, do not jeopardise the port security regulations. As such, the NPA have tentatively allowed for the following steps to be taken by the Clubs members and visitors:
More to follow. Regards |
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| SAILING NEWS |  |
A most incredibly busy time has now come to an end. Over the November/December/January period we were involved with assisting with the Portimao Race, the Volvo Ocean Race, AUDI Community Chest Twilight Racing, the CROCS Summer Regatta, and the 2 Heineken South Atlantic Race starts. The reports of these events have appeared on our and other websites, my Newsletters and else-where. So! at last life is getting back to normal with these events behind us, and in the opinion of many, very successfully done as well as showing the Club in extremely good light. As of now, many of the Club staff are off catching up on their leave that they could not take during this busy period. The CROCS Summer Regatta drew an impressive entry of 36 yachts, sailed in an extremely enjoyable event. The free drinks every night including registration, live music and even the odd meal, kept the Club "buzzing". Crocs supported the event with a great cash sponsorship and some interesting prizes. The Racing included a race to Clifton, a race to Koeberg and back, a race to Robben Island and races on the Bay in a brisk South Easter. The Robben Island start included the Portimao Round the World Race, start.The IRC Class had 15 quality entries and was won by "CROCS" from "A-L" and "PUMA Unleashed" the Club Rating Class 1 "Sheshisa" from "Rainbow Runner" and "Always Well" Club Rating Class 2 "Cabaray" from "Warlock" and "FTI Flyer".
Racing wind strength: if the average wind strength is 30 knots, it is unlikely we will race. We always do an actual inspection from the Bridge Hut at about 16h00 before deciding to race or not. The Action link Live Weather, from our Bridge Hut, through our website, relayed live as well to a screen in the Club House, (we really thank Bernard Diebold again for this incredibly useful facility he provided) can assist you in making up your mind whether to come to the Club or not. Incidentally, the site had 250 hits between lunchtime and 17h00 on the Wednesday, we cancelled the racing. (Is this an advertising opportunity or not? Please contact us). A Rotary Inter Rotary Club Regatta will be sailed on Sunday 15th February, if you would like to assist with a yacht and minimum crew please let me know. The event was initiated by this: "Please send out this challenge. IYFOR, in the district is not dormant; Rotarian sailors can be pulled out of hiding / retirement to have some fun together! The Rotary Club of Table Bay would like to put out a challenge to all the Rotary Clubs in the area (or anywhere if they can get here) to a sailing event with a bit of a difference. RCYC has given us a booking on Sunday the 15 February. Thank you, Doug Allison" Lion of Africa's Lady's Day: has been moved to 3rd October at their request. In its place on Saturday (21st February) we are going to have a Lady's Helm Race starting at 14h00, last time we had a similar race we had over 20 entries, so find yourself a woman! get a wife! But, do remember to enter on the Notice Board.
A Round Robben Island Race took place on 17th January in place of the Bay Race. 22 yachts took part in a brisk South Easter. The race was won by "PUMA Unleashed" from "8 Seconds" and "Lapwing" There are currently some changes to the published Sailing Programme and they are displayed on our website in (left hand side "Sailing Calendar"). We are also drawing the Sailing Programme for the next 18 months, and will welcome suggestions from anybody who has some new ideas or requests. Please let Ron know as soon as possible. Ron Keytel, RCYC Sailing Office 
HEINEKEN CAPE TO BAHIA
It has been a hugely different race from last time. This edition of Heineken Cape to Bahia race has been dominated by the presence of the super-maxis, ICAP Leopard from Britain, and Rambler from the United States has made the event truly international, in terms of both media and yachting interest. In the Nautical Centre, generously made available to us by the city of Salvador, the media releases are pinned up, and apart from the South African coverage, the reports from international media sites emphasize what an international event this is. Yachting World.com, Sailing Anarch.com, La Stampa It, Boating Oz.com, Yachts.com.au, XS Racing and etc make the point when they all publish stories of the race results. But the publicity goes to the prima donnas, with no mention of the South African entrants. A big contrast to last time, when it was virtually an all South African race, and there were certainly several contenders for the handicap winner, with Suidoos being in contention until almost the end, and a strong battle between Windsong, Gumption, Devonvale, and MTU. In this race the loss of Vineta and Ponty Leisure [Gumption] just a few days out was a blow for both them and the race. But in just the first few days of this race, ICAP Leopard had the ascendancy and simply extended their lead day by day. Rambler too sailed a hard race, and as it happens, a course far closer to the rhumb line. Eric Wells has plotted the report time positions, and while that of Rambler was all but a straight line between start and finish, ICAP Leopard takes a swerve south of the line, but on day 6 heads north-west for two days, crossing the line, and then turning more westerly again. In the process Leopard sailed 3440 miles, 110 miles more than the 3300 rhumb line distance, while Rambler exceeded it by only 40 miles. Eric ponders whether closer to the rhumb line course, Leopard may have taken under ten days. Naturally, both the super-maxis were pleased with their race. On Leopard, Mike Slade and crew had gauged their progress in times of miles lead on the water, while on Rambler, George David's crew took handicap lead. In Salvador, Slade and crew boasted their day's lead over their rival. And 24 hours later the Ramblers were celebrating a similar lead on handicap. But both yachts have been a boost for this premier long distance race that RCYC hosts, and the view of the Rambler guys is that were it not for the financial snafu in world markets, at least two or three of the big international yachts would have been on the start line. So maybe in 2012 they will be, and the format for the event is broadly on the right track. In the cruising fleet, both during the stopover in St Helena, and during the happy hour chat shows on SSB, there was a strong camaraderie between "our" boats and the World ARC fleet, which made the crossing a richer experience for both groups. People in the World ARC fleet I have met all spoke very warmly about their stop in Cape Town, in particular the Brazilian boat Angela II, and you can find owner Renato Plass's remarks on the race website. Renato had Augusto Streppel, Commodore of the Porto Alegre Yacht Club aboard, who presumably knows a bit about organizing events, and the work this entails, were all highly complementary about their stay in Cape Town and Salvador, and the race organization in general. Meeting some of the yachts arriving, I realized for the first time the huge amount of time that was put in by Eric Wells and John Martin and the other guys, waiting up at all hours of the night, and then still functioning the next day. Global warming may be a factor in the more unusual wind patterns, but at least, to judge by some of the emails, the fish are still there, providing not only a diversion but a meal on a number of boats. One feels the cruising guys have the best approach. |
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| THE ELLIOT BASIN
The expiry of the Elliot Basin (EB) lease is drawing closer, with the termination date still set for 30 April 2009. Albeit that the date draws closer, the RCYC have received the tender documentation form the NPA and has submitted a proposal in an effort to secure EB for future use. Although the Club has offered to take the new lease, two lease requirements limit the Clubs capacity in securing the new tender:
As indicated, the site must be handed back to the NPA on the date of lease termination. However, as required by the Lease Agreement, the site must be handed back to the landlord free of all items other than fixed structures. Therefore, in an effort to comply, all owners of vessels, trailers, containers, dry-sailed boats and other items have been requested to remove their respective articles no later than 24th January 2009. However, notwithstanding the fact that each owner has received no less than three letters of notice, there has been less than desirable effort and support from those concerned. The fact remains that unless there is support to the efforts of the Club, if the guilty owners are unwilling to move as required, the RCYC will be exposed in having to pay the new commercial site rental at the massively increased rates. The Committee have exhausted all reasonable steps to clear the EB hard area yet warn that the Club will not be exposed to any penalty costs due to owners not removing their items. In terms of the project, the following schedule has been planned:
SMALL CRAFT BASIN
In terms of the project schedule, the team have experienced challenges in achieving the key project dates. Most of the delays have been attributed to the strong wind conditions which inhibit the various shifts from taking place. One of the most influential factors contributing to the increase in the initial project span has been the requirement to replace the majority of the mooring chain used to keep the marinas in position. On inspection, it was found that most of the chain had worn to a size which left the Club no choice but to replace the chain. On the positive side - the replaced chain will provide the Club and boat owners piece of mind in terms of the safety and strength of the various marina's. Each chain and connection piece are inspected and validated by GMC. A further advantage is that the replacement will drastically reduce the required maintenance of the marina's and the Marina Manager will now be able to institute a regulated routine maintenance program. The top-side maintenance program appears to be running as intended. The Marina Manager and his team have done some good work on Q/R, N/P and J/K marina's, which, based on some positive feedback from vessel owners, is much appreciated. The maintenance project is aimed at tackling each marina as a complete unit, with G/H being refurbished at the present moment. E/F marina is scheduled for the next phase, followed by C/D marina. If marina users would like the Marina Manager to address an issue or to provide suggestions, please correspond with him at david The safety of divers and marina users continues to be a high priority for the Club. Fortunately we have not experienced any incident on the marina's but do caution all users to be extra vigilant during this period. All warning signage has been posted in the vicinity of the relevant area and members (and especially their guests) are asked to take note. All users of the marina's are reminded that they utilise the walk-on' s at their own risk - so be cautious, look out for each others safety. In terms of diving safety, it appears that the message has finally got through that the onus remains of the skippers to proceed with due caution when sailing within the various channels. However, albeit that there's signage at the Signing Out Register, on the website, on the marina's and at the dive site, there have been a handful of skippers that show less than the required levels of concern when it comes to the safety of the divers. The Club will take all necessary steps against those who threaten the safety of divers by any negligent behaviour. BE AWARE OF WHERE THEY ARE - IF IN DOUBT, ASK. The pencil buoys positioned in the channels mark the location of the various mooring blocks. Skippers are reminded that they are safe to manoeuvre between as they are up-and-down. However, should any skipper find plastic bottles floating in the channels, please inform the Marina Manager or divers immediately - they will be removed. In terms of the project, the following schedule has been planned:
Regards Marcus Reuter (General Manager) |
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Compulsory Skipper's Licence And Certificate Of Fitness For Inland Waters.
ZVYC is offering a power boat skippers course (for INLAND WATERS) on Sunday, 1 March, 2009. 8.30 to 13.30. The Galley will be open should anyone wish to purchase refreshments or lunch. Interested persons (over the age of 17) are invited to contact us to book a place on the course. Details and the required documentation will then be sent to those people. (If you are in possession of a sailing skipper's ticket, you can upgrade this to get your power boat skippers ticket by going to SAS and paying them R200.)
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 We've all heard about the retirement of both Vineta and Gumption yachts from the IRC fleet in the South Atlantic Race! If you haven't, consider yourself informed! Both had issues with masts. The good news is that everyone has returned safe and sound and a certain SA IRC Vice Chairman has failed in his escape plan!! (Along with a couple of others I know of!) I have yet to be informed of the Western Cape IRC Fleets intentions for the sailing of the WP IRC Provincials. Our WP Rep and IRC VC is languishing in Walvis Bay looking at broken/missing masts, so I'm still assuming they will be held as part of Table Bay Week? News from Durban Other than the above, our Class Association presently stands at 70 members (and that is only accounting for the owner of each IRC rated yacht. If we were to assume an average of 5 crew per yacht…we're accounting for 350+ active sailors with a further 30 yachts that have not revalidated as yet this season. Another 150 odd sailors? Further to IRC Class membership, I am of the opinion (and this was discussed at the AGM) that we should consider amending the SA IRC Constitution to state that the helmsman/skipper (if not the owner) should also be an IRC Class member for entry into IRC provincial and national events. This is the norm in most class associations and the extra cost is not prohibitive to major campaigns, and this action will actually strengthen our membership data/input base into this rating system by "sucking in" more of our top sailors. Coming back to the promotion of sailing in general. When thinking about it, we as essentially keelboat sailors and members of the IRC Class Association need to start keeping records of the number of new sailors introduced to sailing via the "rail" on keelboats sailing in club, provincial and national events. These sort of statistics would help us tremendously when lobbying for "anything" that may support any venture or programme we may need to drive in the future. I shall ask our administrator, Donald, to include a questionnaire to be included with the next batch of invoices for revalidation. I would want to know your crew numbers and any new people you have introduced into the sport of sailing in the past 18 months. NPO's such as Isivunguvungu in Cape Town and Sail Africa in Durban are doing a tremendous job in bringing new people into sailing and keelboats, and then we have the myriad of professional yacht sail training institutions also churning out sailors. I suspect that some of the provincial sailing bodies may look at their support/income base in a different light when presented with these facts!! (Sandy is laughing at me…saying sailors are incapable of filling in almost any form…never mind a survey form!! Help my asseblief!) Upcoming events are listed below. Please start planning for these now…..cancel all family arrangements and ensure all systems and crew are in working order for some great sailing:
Rob Samways SA IRC Chairman |
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| PORTIMAO GLOBAL OCEAN RACE - Press article from www.portimaorace.com
A perspective on Nico's rescue The dramatic rescue of Nico Budel is yet one more story of the immense solidarity shared by all sailors who take to the open ocean, be it alone on a small boat or aboard one of the world's largest freighters. The moment you cast lines ashore and point your bow toward the open horizon, you inadvertently join a fraternity that has been in existence since man first set sail. There is a common understanding that should you wonder, for whatever reason, another sailor will, without question come to your aid. The most striking example of this, of course, was the sinking of the Titanic. Within a few hours of the ship going down, the RMS Carpathia was on the scene to pluck survivors from the water. In the intervening years there have been other less well known, yet equally dramatic rescues. Nico was the most recent, but certainly not the last sailor to call for help and receive it thousands of miles from land. Captain Singson, Master of the 170,000 tonne bulk carrier CSK Radiance, the ship that rescued Nico Budel, said he was 'happy to help.' Certainly rescuing someone is a soul satisfying experience, but all of this begs the larger question. Should fellow sailors be required to divert to rescue someone in distress? And what responsibility do those who set off to sail across oceans bear? Indeed should these kinds of races even be allowed? All good questions worth considering. My perspective on this is perfectly clear. There will always be those among us that push the boundaries of life, be it aboard a boat sailing the open seas, a jet flying faster than the speed of sound, or something as simple as a child striving to create something extraordinary out of an ordinary existence. These unique individuals need to be cherished for they are the ones that ultimately make us a better people. Where would we be if Yuri Gagarin had not stepped forward to be the first human to orbit the earth? What about Robin Knox-Johnston who was the first to sail solo, non-stop around the world? By today's standards his boat, Suhaili, was ill equipped and hardly suitable for such an accomplishment but RKJ prevailed through personal tenacity and his love of Queen and Country. Along with these huge accomplishments, there have been equally huge travesties. The very same CSK Radiance that picked up Nico, was involved in an earlier rescue at sea. A Japanese single handed sailor in the middle of the South Indian Ocean. What makes this story absurd was that it was the third rescue of the same sailor in seven months. As far as the first part of my original question; 'should sailors be required to divert and rescue a fellow sailor?' That's an easy one to answer. For anyone who has stood on deck of a heaving vessel and witnessed the grandeur and power of the open ocean, the call to rescue a fellow sailor becomes academic; and an unequivocal yes. Once you have stood on a ships deck and watched a setting sun slip spluttering and sizzling into the ocean to the west, you are forever a changed person and questions like rescuing a fellow sailor are of little consequence. You know you will turn into the teeth of a howling gale to make a rescue, just as you would rightfully hope and expect someone to do the same for you. If you don't understand this sentiment, I have only one suggestion. Take up sailing. Sixty seven year old Japanese sailor Masayuki Kikuchi was first rescued off the west coast of South Africa when his 43-foot sloop foundered. The boat was salvaged, and after repairing the damage, Kikuchi set sail again only to have his keel drop off the boat. This time he was off the east coast of South Africa and was once again rescued by SA Search and Rescue who towed him to dry land. A few months later Kikuchi set off once again to continue his quest of a solo circumnavigation when the boat was capsized at a point, ironically, not far from where Nico abandoned ship last week. In the process Kikuchi broke both his arms and was unable to function, let alone sail the boat. Australian Maritime Safety Authorities were alerted, and with the help of local businessman Richard Pratt, who used his long range jet to locate the stricken yacht, SCK Radiance was guided toward a safe rendezvous and rescue. The ill fated yacht finally sank and along with it Mr Kikuchi's long held dream. While on the subject of Japanese solo sailor let's look at the accomplishments of our good friend Minoru Saito. At the start of the New Year starts Saito is currently 500 miles west of Australia on his eighth solo circumnavigation. In 2004-2005 Minoru completed a solo, non-stop circumnavigation, becoming not only the oldest solo circumnavigator, but he also set a record for the most number of single-handed circumnavigations. His current trip was meant to be solo, non-stop against the prevailing winds, a brutal voyage by any measure, but he was forced to make a temporary stop in Australia. Minoru Saito will be 75 when he completes this voyage. So let's take a step back and look at things. Should we hang Saito out to dry if a Southern Ocean gale tears his yacht apart and leaves him bobbin in his life-raft? Should we say, 'sorry Minoru, you should have been parked in front of a TV just like other people your age instead of trying to sail alone around the world-again!' What about the myriad of people across the globe that have drawn inspiration from this remarkable man? Does the amount of value added to their lives compensate for the expense of a mid-ocean rescue, and should it happen? Same for Nico Budel. At 69, when many people look longingly at retirement, Nico chose to push himself and undertake an extraordinary challenge. He failed, this time, most likely because of hitting a piece of debris that caused his keel bulb to come off. I can personally attest that Nico is an inspiration to many people, and he will continue to be an inspiration. It's impossible to measure the value of inspiration, but I would have to believe that the collective good done by people who were inspired by others such as Gagarin, Knox-Johnston and Saito, far outweighs the cost to society of rescues of the like of Masayuki Kikuchi. As a human race our lifeblood is the extraordinary accomplishments of those individuals who pushed the boundaries, and survived. That does not mean that they should not take responsibility for their actions. We all need to take personal responsibility for everything we do, but that should not stop us, or them, from pushing the limits. |
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| SECURITY
Security at the Club requires immediate attention, with the focus centred on two major areas:
With the turnstile removed from the Galley gate area and the old system restored, we find ourselves back to square 1 with contractors and some members allowing their guests to freely walk into/out of the Club. Notwithstanding that our Club's Lease requires all non-members to be registered (signed in), there appears to be little support in this requirement. Nevertheless, the GENCOM continue to investigate methods of allowing for this while minimising on the impact to those regulation abiding members (and their guests). Many members have pointed out that security "starts at the front door" and that's where the Clubs problems should be terminated. This is therefore where the team have concentrated, insomuch as the parking area will no longer be available to all but only to RCYC Club members. All non-members will be politely required to park in Duncan Road in the future - this therefore ensures that there is always parking for members while forcing non-members to enter the Club through reception. However, as they are no longer to freely use the side gate, many of the non-members (your guests), end up in reception without representation (i.e. a member signing them in). This has caused embarrassment for both the Club and especially the guest, as they are now forced to grab a cell phone and frantically call for the member to sign them in. If you're expecting a guest, sign them in beforehand. The Club security will no longer accept the following excuses:
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All upcoming Stormers Rugby Games will be shown on the Big Screen in the main hall. So come down to the club and watch the games in comfort and style! | Members please note that it is compulsory to have your photo on the back of your membership card! |
 Harley & Porsche Club Evening Friday 27th February The Royal Cape Rockers will be playing at the club on Friday 27th February and the Harley and Porsche Clubs have been invited to attend. It promises to be a great evening, so bring your partner down to the club for a drink and a meal and a great evening of rock! | have now commenced on A/B Marina. The shift of this A/B is expected to be complete by 09 Feb 09. Vessels are reminded to take proper care when transiting the channel.
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Dear Members As has been indicated in previous Newsletters and correspondence, the RCYC has found itself in the onerous position of having to address the long standing issue of debt and the process taken against those who fail to pay their accounts. Notwithstanding the contents of the RCYC Constitution in terms of accounts and when/how to pay them, it appears that there are many members who simply did not, or could not, meet this obligation. As such, and after due consideration and process, the GENCOM has regrettably taken final action against all members whose accounts were over 90 days due. As the list stands - there is over R560,000.00 indebted to the Club by various members. However, it should be noted that the Club has provided an amount of R250k in the accounts to compensate for this overdue situation. To effect, the GENCOM has struck-off 100 members (most of who had been displayed on the provisional list of debtors posted on the main notice board during December). It is hoped that this (overdue) action will be supported by the paid-up members of the RCYC, who will further champion the timeous payment of accounts. Thank you in advance for your support in this regrettable step.
| In the effort to implement a process in which the RCYC can have stronger insight and monitoring of the movement of moorings and costs involved, GENCOM has approved the following policy, which will be applicable as from 01 February 2009:
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MAINTENANCE REPORT - DECEMBER 2008
| WORK COMPLETED BY HANDYMAN
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 RCYC's Laundry is fully functional. Laundry tokens are available from reception at discounted rates for members. | Members can request the newsletter to be sent by mail. Please contact Harriet. |
The Club's current mooring space is at a premium and is expected to become even more scarce as the Elliot Basin project reaches its conclusion. The culmination of the absorption of the Elliot Basin vessels into the Small Craft Basin will have an immediate effect on our ability to accommodate both additional members, foreign and local visitors, but especially our ability to accommodate large regattas and races (i.e. Portimao, Cape to Bahia etc). Although the berthing has been readily available in most cases, the difficulty is experienced when visiting yachts take advantage of the rates by spending long periods of time on the RCYC moorings, further limiting our capacity. However, notwithstanding the fact that the RCYC's intent is to accommodate visitors, due to the limitation on future space in the SCB, the capacity to accommodate visitors cannot be continued at the detriment to members seeking moorings at the Club. As such, all visiting vessels will be charged mooring fees commensurate with their length of stay at the RCYC. To effect, all visiting yachts will be charged at normal visiting rates for the first two weeks alongside (average stay in foreign port), thereafter a sliding scale will be introduced in which a 20% escalation will be levied per additional week alongside. |
FUNCTIONS AT RCYC RCYC asks their members to please be patient with regard to film shoots and functions at the club. Both film shoots and functions bring CONSIDERABLE income to the club, which goes towards the running of the club and upgrading of the facilities. This income also contributes in a big way to keeping members' subs down. As far as possible, the club keeps film shoots and functions to dates and times that cause as little inconvenience to members as possible. We thank you for your patience |
Dix Family - Dec 2008 Hi to all our friends and family. It is time to update you on what we have been up to over the past year. That year has gone by so fast, I can hardly believe that we are about to enter 2009. It is coming up for 5 years since we moved, with a lot happening since then. We have been here long enough to be eligible for citizenship. When we left SA, the SA government did not permit dual citizenship but that changed a few years ago. Now we are able to get American passports and still keep our SA passports. The process is likely to take about a year. Mish is half way through her 3rd year of college. She has settled on elementary school teaching for her career and is progressing nicely. She has a permanent position as an assistant teacher at the pre-school down the road from our home. She works afternoons, Monday to Friday, with college in the mornings. She is working with 4-year olds and loving every minute of it. After a few years of the very erratic hours and pay of working for retail shops, she seems to have now found nice employment that will stand her in good stead for the future. Mish turned 21 in August. That is a big day here, not because of coming of age as in SA but because that is the legal drinking age. Celebration was dinner at a fancy restaurant with Dehlia, myself and her boyfriend Fred, with Mish able to have her first alcoholic drink in a public place. This is the first year since we moved, that we had no South Africans staying over for part of the summer. We are making up for it at the moment though, with Dee's sister Diana visiting for a month, including Christmas and New Year. We collected her at the airport in Washington DC, followed by a walking tour of the City. Two days later we had our annual cocktail party for friends, neighbours and boating industry contacts, very ably catered by Dee and Diana. Next afternoon (Friday) we all piled into my minivan (Dee, Diana, Mish, Fred and myself) and drove the 800 miles to Florida for a fleeting holiday before Fred had to be back for work Wednesday morning… We spent a day each at Kennedy Space Center, Disney Magic Kingdom and Universal Studios. We covered many miles on foot, had loads of fun, spent way more money than wisdom would have allowed and found that we are pretty fit. Mish, Fred and I also rode some awesome roller coasters. I spent November this year in South Africa, with visits to family, business contacts and as many friends as I could get around to. I spent time in Napier with Mom and my sister Dorothy. I was lucky enough to have pretty good 8-10ft surf at 4 different locations from Elandsbaai on the West Coast to Knysna. I took Mom with me to Knysna for a few days of holiday, just the two of us. I am grateful to Dorothy, Diana, Petr Muzik and Nick Taylor for providing a bed for me in their homes. I also visited my good friend Bryan Ferreira in hospital a few days after arriving and again just before leaving. Bryan is improving but he, wife Marie and their daughters can benefit from the prayers and wishes of all who know them. Bryan has a very long recovery road ahead of him. Dehlia took the opportunity, with me out of the house, to repaint the inside. While I was away, winter hit with a vengeance. Temperatures plunged to near-record lows for November but now seem to have recovered somewhat. We were hoping for a white Christmas but that is not going to happen this year. Statistically, this area has less than 5% chance of having a white Christmas in any year. In June we took two Paper Jet dinghies to the Wooden Boat Festival in Mystic Seaport. One was my prototype and the other was built by my friend Howdy Bailey. We took both boats to Newport as well, for a photo session with top sailing photographer Danny Black, for an article in Wooden Boat magazine. This design is now selling very nicely, with number of kits sold having moved from 9 in December 2007 to 26 a year later. Most of them are in USA, followed by SA and others scattered around the world. In 2009 we will again have my boat on the Wooden Boat Show but will also exhibit a sister from a Seattle builder at the Wooden Boat Festival in Port Townsend, WA. For now she is tucked away in my garage, waiting for some minor maintenance work before the spring.
We wish all of you and your families all the best for Christmas and a great 2009.
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NSRI Twilight Racing 2009: Round 2 was successfully sailed in pleasant conditions with over 50 yachts - the Club was packed. Round 3 however, was back to our usual problem with too much wind. The format of Spinnaker Class racing has changed and now it will be IRC Rating only, counting towards the IRC Summer Series, also when possible, a separate inflatable laid buoy will be placed either as a windward or leeward mark, depending on weather conditions. Any Non IRC yachts wanting to race in the Spinnaker Class will be scored on a Club rating, for interest only, and are not eligible for the Series.
