Dell Quay Sailing Club

Who would have thought, the Patio and Pontoon are 5 year old now.

Take a short trip down memory lane, at the pictures showing the process from old Jetty to new Patio and Pontoon.

Local Notice to Mariners No.17 of 2020

UPDATE - COVID 19 RESPONSE – RECREATIONAL BOATING

The guidance issued by DEFRA for ‘Using a Boat Inland and on the Coast’ will be withdrawn from 04 July 2020, meaning that there will no longer be any specific restrictions on waterways businesses. This includes skippered charter and passenger boat operations, as well as those wishing to stay overnight on their boat.

Boating operators are responsible for conducting a Risk Assessment drawing on the relevant sources of government guidance for Covid-10, available here.

Conservancy visitor berths are available for overnight stays. However, to comply with continuing social distancing guidelines the following restrictions apply:

• A maximum of two vessels will be permitted to raft on visitor moorings.
• No rafting of vessels will be permitted on visitor pontoons.
• Visitor berthing cannot be booked in advance and availability remains on a first-come-first-served basis.

To maintain safety in Chichester Harbour:

• Please follow social distancing guidance.
• Observe the signage on Conservancy jetties and hards.
• The ferry at Itchenor is now operating. The wearing of face masks is mandatory and strict social distancing requirements are in place.
• The use of tenders is identified as a high-risk activity, and we caution mariners to take extra care when accessing their vessels. Click here for advice.
• Rescues pose a risk to both the casualty and the rescuer. Please ensure that your craft is well maintained and that you sail within the limits of your abilities.   

We appreciate your continued support in maintaining a safe harbour.

Cancel LNTM 15/2020.

Richard Craven
Director & Harbour Master
03 July 2020

Dell Quay Rowing Boat Delivery date!

Despite the lockdown delay, our rowing boat build is starting shortly and is due for completion by 25 July. A delivery team us being assembled ready to move as soon as government restrictions on both sides of the Severn Bridge allow. Our new boat could be ready to row at Dell Quay by the last week in July.

Rowing is possible even now in lockdown.

Last Sunday the Binning family in fully compliant (in all senses) mode had a successful first rowing outing in the Itchenor boat. A beautiful day for rowing and 3 teenage Dell Quay members also got some coxing experience. Any Dell Quay household with a competent cox wanting to row please contact me and an outing can be arranged. The boat can be rowed as a coxed pair if you don’t have a full crew.

More news soon. The lockdown will be eased. There will be rowing all year round and everyone is welcome to get involved in this new on the water venture for Dell Quay.

A new Rowing tab on the website is being set up and more information will be posted here as the boat nears its delivery date.

Anyone interested in more information, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Message from Rear Commodore Sailing

Access to the Dell Quay harbour water is now permitted from the 13 May 2020 to exercise in sailing dinghies, SUPs, windsurfers, kayaks, windsurfers etc – providing current social distancing guidelines are followed. This is for open/recreational water based activities only -  please note, there is no organised club racing. 

Please make sure you have a current harbour sticker, (01 April 2020 to 31 March 2021) this is required even for recreational dinghy sailing, windsurfing,  as well as for canoes, kayaks and SUPs etc, that go on the harbour water.  Please see the Chichester Harbour Conservancy webpage for further details and the current rates:

GENERAL

1. The DQSC dinghy park will be OPEN to access your craft.
2. The DQSC Clubhouse, and changing rooms will remain CLOSED.
3. Please travel in your sailing kit or be prepared to change discreetly in your car.
4. The DQSC Club dinghies and SUPs will be NOT available for hire. Also, there is no hose available for washing down craft.
5. Please bring your own antiviral gel/wipes and use them if you have contact with communal surfaces, such as the dinghy park gate. Take your own trolley to the foreshore when launching and also recovering.
6. There is no DQSC patrol boat cover, and the responsibility for a crafts decision to participate on the water is yours alone – know your limits.

Mark Harper

Getting back on the Water

The excellent news is that on Wednesday 13th May, the government confirmed that use of boats is now permitted!  
It is subject to various restrictions. Please carefully review the guidance to ensure that you are able to meet it. A list of the various links appears below.  In particular, please note that:

1. You must not come to the club (or leave your home) if you or anyone on your house is showing symptoms;
2. You may only sail with members of your household;
3. You must maintain social distancing and good hygiene;
4. You cannot stay overnight on your boat.

At Dell Quay, we are not proposing to re start club events yet (e.g. racing or training). We are happy for members to use their boats, subject always to the government guidance.  We ask in particular that members note the following.

5. Safety - Give very careful thought as to whether you should be sailing taking into account:
   1. The condition of your boat;
   2. The prevailing weather conditions and your own level of experience and expertise – in short, is it safe for you to sail?  The last thing we want is to require any of the emergency services to attend a Dell Quay member.  Please re read page 8 of the year book (Sailing at Dell Quay Sailing Club- your responsibilities for going afloat.)
   3. There will be no safety/patrol boat cover.
6. Social distancing - Be patient with each other to allow social distancing:
   1. In the dinghy park, and maneuvering around the quay and slip way, keep 2m/6ft 6” apart when moving your boat (about the width of the lanes between the boats). ‘Give way’ to those leaving the dinghy park or the slip way (so that makes more room for those in it to move around).  Remember to wash your hands after touching the gate or other surfaces– please bring your own hand sanitizer for now.
   2. Limit use of the Club house to that which is strictly necessary – e.g. getting keys to the shed.
   3. Come to the club dressed and ready to sail.  Please do not use the changing rooms. And please do not go into the club if you cannot maintain social distancing.
   4. We’ll endeavor to provide some additional sanitizer and paper towels but, in the meantime, please bring your own and dispose of used paper towels in the outside bin near the barrier.
   5. The galley, honesty galley and bar will remain closed for now. Please be considerate in removing any food waste or rubbish from the club and its surrounds.
   6. The hot water is not on so please do not shower or expect hot water.

Government Guidance:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/coronavirus-guidance-on-access-to-green-spaces

This document states, amongst other things:

“The risk of the coronavirus being passed on to others outdoors is considered to be low as long as people maintain social distancing.

In England you can leave your home to exercise and spend time outdoors for recreation.

All forms of water sports practiced on open waterways, including sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, rowing, kayaking, surfing, paddle-boarding and the use of privately-owned motorised craft (in line with the guidance issued by the relevant navigation authority) are allowed. You can continue to use towpaths for walking, running and cycling, being mindful of other users and people living in boats along the water”

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do

This documents states, amongst other things:

“1.1 What can I do that I couldn’t do before?

There will be a limited number of things you can do that you cannot do now:

• spend time outdoors – for example sitting and enjoying the fresh air, picnicking, or sunbathing
• meet one other person from a different household outdoors - following social distancing guidelines
• exercise outdoors as often as you wish - following social distancing guidelines
• use outdoor sports courts or facilities, such as a tennis or basketball court, or golf course – with members of your household, or one other person while staying 2 metres apart
• go to a garden centre

At all times, you should continue to observe social distancing guidelines when you are outside your home, including ensuring you are 2 metres away from anyone outside your household. As with before, you cannot:

• visit friends and family in their homes
• exercise in an indoor sports court, gym or leisure centre, or go swimming in a public pool
• use an outdoor gym or playground
• visit a private or ticketed attraction
• gather in a group of more than two (excluding members of your own household), except for a few specific exceptions set out in law (for work, funerals, house moves, supporting the vulnerable, in emergencies and to fulfil legal obligations)

If you are showing coronavirus symptoms, or if you or any of your household are self-isolating, you should stay at home - this is critical to staying safe and saving lives.”

As always, stay safe (and alert!)

A number of you will already have heard of the sad death of Mike (Mick) Shaw. He died in a local hospice after battling a brain tumour for several months. Mike will always be remembered for his infectious smile and grin, and his friendly personality to all he met at the club, especially with his fellow Solo sailors.

Mike however was much more than a nice guy. He was born and lived in Chichester for most of his life. He was an accomplished musician and in the early 80's played professionally in Germany. More recently he frequently performed with his band in local pubs and clubs. As well as being a talented singer and guitarist he composed music and produced CD's. He chose not to be a full time musician and had a successful career as a maths teacher.

For most of his life his main water based pastime was windsurfing which he and his wife Jane were able to enjoy at their house in Spain as well as here at home. Mike joined DQSC in 2013 at which time he claimed not be interested in racing. Within a few months he was an avid competitor and did not take long to find his way towards the front of the Solo fleet. In the last 18 months he also joined the ranks of the DQSC Sailors on Bikes group to which he brought his usual enthusiasm. Many in the group saw, at first hand his condition decline despite his determination to fight this illness.

One of his notable characteristics was his attention to detail. His mountain bike, like his boat and the rest of his kit was always immaculately maintained much to the embarrassment of the rest of the group. Mike had a great sense of humour and rarely got upset or angry, although he might react to you running into his boat!. He will be greatly missed

No flowers please, instead donations to St Winifreds through this link please: 

https://www.reynoldsfunerals.co.uk/funeral/michael-john--shaw/

The first edition of Quay News for 2020 is now available on the Club website.

Clearly this is not the year we all planned, however your Committees are regularly reviewing the rest of the season and revising their plans, so we can all enjoy our wonderful Club and its facilities at the earliest opportunity.

In the meantime, sit back and enjoy this edition of Quay News.

Correction: The DQSC Optimist Open backup date is SUNDAY 6th September 2020 (not the 5th as stated in the recent edition of Quay News)

POSTPONED

Visit to Boatshed 4 and Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

Sunday April 5th 2020.

• Boatshed 4 - Free, guided tour and space to leave bags coats etc
• Fast Rescue Craft 102: - RAF Air Sea Rescue Boat - x3 trips approx1 hour each max of 9 persons per trip
• Group Rate tickets for any two attractions  

Note that we have to pay in advance to get this group discount rate, tickets have to be paid at least 10 days before visit date.
In your confirmation email you will be asked to pay by March 24th .
           

Itinary:

Arrive Old Portsmouth Hard outside the main gate 09:30
Dockyard Opens 10:00
Boatshed 4 by 10:15
Dockyard Closes 17:00

 Lunch not provided, there is a galley there or bring a packed lunch.

Book Now

The Clubhouse is now Fully Open

Thanks to Mark Moranne the new Vice Commodore for Project Managing and sourcing material in double time.

Also many many thanks to those who will hence forth be known as the "Ceiling Crew" who on Wednesday and Thursday replaced the insulation and ceiling tiles, pictured below just having put up the last tile.

Dave Few, Bill (the gaffer) Freshwater, Ron, Lawrence Kies and a gentleman who's name I am afraid I have forgotten, my sincere apologise for that, can someone remind me please.

Dell Quay member a World Champion

Huge congratulations to Dell Quay member and Firefly sailor Harvey Hillary, who was last week was crowned International 14 World Champion in Perth, Australia.

The International 14 is the formula 1 of skiff racing and Harvey and his helm Archie Massey performed consistently well in extreme conditions to dominate the series and win the event with a race to spare. The celebrations went on long into the night and both Harvey and the good ship ‘Zog’ are now on their way back home to the UK.

Harvey grew up on typical harbour racing at Chichester YC, where I first meet him as a teenager, back in the mid 1990’s when he started seriously racing his then Laser. He then moved into the Solo Class. He had one of the first all wood Gosling Solos, number 4004, which he let me have a sail in. It was electric downwind I recall, nothing like any other solo I had sailed before.

Harvey campaigned this Gosling Solo 4004, and a rig which was state of the art at the time, a Wavelength mast and a beautiful North laminate SM7, in 1998 he was just pipped by Jim Hunt to the Solo National title at Paignton that year. Harvey then moved into in a number of classes before going on to compete successfully in a host of international events in the 49er class, and then becoming an elite RYA racing coach.

In addition to campaigning the I14, Harvey can be found racing his blue Firefly at Dell quay will his 6 year old daughter. We look forward to seeing Harvey on the water, in the bar and in the classroom giving our junior sailors some racing tips!

Mark Harper DQSC