Click here for John Mansel's Safety Report Nov 2016
Click here for the January 2017 Midweeker Newsletter
Click here for Gill Cameron's report January 2017
Two matters stand out in terms of sailors' concerns: safety on the water and the "social" aspects affecting sailors, their families and friends. The meeting was called primarily to address the first of these, but devoted some time to more general concerns (see the notes) as well.
The sailing representatives felt the meeting was positive, as did Markerstudy themselves, and hope the notes convey greater clarity about what is happening. In fact, some developments emerged after the meeting which were perhaps not given the exposure they deserve. Despite the very public misgivings aired in the press, Markerstudy are taking safety seriously.
Having said in their Rules and Regulations that people come before boats, they point out that they are able to deploy a Commando quickly from a number of sources (explained in the meeting notes - and described by MSL as "provision of a limited rescue service") to rescue the person(s) involved and that if necessary, a Dory can quickly be sent to recover the boat.
Markerstudy are also undertaking to launch a Commando where the number of boats sailing dictates the need. This is understood to be 20, but they have launched for one. David Goddard, the Waterfront Supervisor, has offered to provide cover for the Midweekers on one occasion (not needed as it turned out) in addition to the Midweeker boat. David is a very experienced sailor and is proving to be a real asset, demonstrating concern and helpfulness.
After the meeting it emerged that in addition to the two members of staff scheduled to be trained to PB2, there are already 11 members of staff: rangers, waterfront staff and management who are qualified to PB2.
MSL have also secured the services of two individuals, Giles and Kyle (yes, yes), who are manning the boats. Kyle recently covered a full Saturday.
Provision of a RIB may not be possible in the short term, but Richard Goring's Coxswain Proposal is being given serious consideration by MSL and has attracted support from SB helms already.
Who said what about taking mobile phones on the water could be debated endlessly, or we could just state that MSLs (clarified) position is that doing so is simply a recommendation and leave it there. Mobiles could be a useful lifeline in last resort for lone sailors caught out by illness or freak conditions. Enough.
Finally, in the meeting, Richard presented MSL with a copy of the RYA Safety Boat Manual. This is of interest because it is quite clear in the the manual that RYA is not prescriptive about either mobiles on the water, or the choice of safety boat for the type of sailing concerned. It clearly states that RIBs are preferred for sea/coastal/estuary use and Commandos are fine for inland sailing.
Extract from Bewl Water Communication of 24.03.16
"Safety cover is provided by the Bewl water team, and a safety boat is always on standby and will be launched immediately when needed if one is not already patrolling on the water. Bewl do have a water Bailiff/Safety boat on the water from dawn until dusk monitoring safety and enforcing the fishing bye laws. A continual dynamic risk assessment, taking into account weather conditions, numbers and type of water user is carried out by the Waterfront supervisor or designate for all Sailing, Rowing, Canoeing and Fishing activity.
We will continue to encourage the voluntary cover provided by competent and qualified volunteers, using Bewl water and BSA safety boats during recreational and race events creating a securer and safer environment for all.
All persons under the age of 18 taking part in sailing (including board sailing), rowing and canoeing must be under the supervision of a competent adult.
The RYA have endorsed the Bewl rules and regulations that accompany the membership application forms. That said, any questions you may have please email to info@bewlwater.co.uk"
The Owner's Rules and Regulations require anyone sailing outside of support covered sessions to be a Competent Helm, qualified to RYA Level 2.
Production of the certificate can be waived if the sailor is assessed by the Waterfront Supervisor or other suitably qualified member of staff. At the Safety Meeting it was mentioned that Richard Goring had submitted to MSL (Lee) the "syllabus" formerly operated by BVSC. This is given below.
COMPETENT HELM ASSESSMENT. (CH)
26.02.16 - Andrew Daniells, Chief Operating Officer - Markerstudy Leisure states:
I have received the confirmation below from Aon regarding the use of MSL/Bewl safety boat and can confirm that the boat is listed.
"As long as the safety boat is on the list of boats notified to Aon then the Public Liability section of the marine policy will respond."
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The Sailors' Perspective
Any number of old hands can be found to tell stories of sailors with vast amounts of experience being caught out by freak conditions at Bewl, not to mention health issues. So, safety must be the prime concern of all sailors, regardless of their level of competence. Given provision of safety boats by the Owner, (and BSA as necessary), volunteer sailors man the boats with helms qualified to (at least) RYA Power Boat Level 2. The Midweeker and Flying Fifteen groups maintain lists of crews and have schedules in place for duties in the coming months.
2017 - July Newsletter
2017 - June Newsletter
Meeting with Andrew Daniells 29.11.16
Discussion with Charlie Guy 18.10.16
Midweekers Meet Markerstudy 10.08.16
Safety Meeting with MSL 22.04.16
Midweekers and Fifteens meet Markerstudy 26.01.16
Association meets Markerstudy 22.01.16
Times of Tunbridge Wells 13.01.16
KentOnline 15.01.16
Midweekers Meet Markerstudy 20.11.15
Although Bewl Sailing Association has affiliated to the RYA, training cannot resume as it was under the former club. This function has to be handed off to other training organisations, for example, Bewl Water Outdoor Centre (www.bewlwater.org). This means that we do not currently have the ability to offer certification to RYA standards. However, many sailors in the groups are qualified instructors and senior instructors who are happy to volunteer their experience to coach and train sailors up to levels that can be assessed by BWOC, who can then award certification. More details from Richard Goring.
Another route to training has recently been negotiated by the Association with Weir Wood Sailing Club who have trained 9 of our sailors to RYA Power Boat Level 2 - at a significantly discounted rate. This is excellent news for weekend sailors.
Commando support boats are provided, insured for volunteer operation - see Archive above. Two new Rigiflex 15 (Commando type) boats were purchased by the previous owners and have now been commissioned. Support boats are manned by volunteers for group sailing sessions.
In the period after BVSC closure a Phoenix Group was set up, initially to provide an entity for continuing communication between different sailing groups. This was subsumed into the Bewl Sailing Association (BSA/the Association) requiring a £20 annual fee to support racing, youth sailing and open meetings through affiliation to the RYA. Formation of a legal entity via a limited liability company enabled provision of public liability cover for support boat helms and the framework for open meetings. BSA has at its disposal two commando support boats acquired privately.
In the same period these web pages (Bewl Sailing Matters) were set up to offer a more general form of communication for sailors not belonging to racing, class or youth groups. The pages are complemented by mailing lists for the Midweekers who sail on Wednesdays.
Sailors are working with the owners to promote sailing at Bewl with particular emphasis on safety cover and issues concerning the social aspects of sailing.
Photo Archive
Sailing on Wednesday 17.08.16 Click here for photos from a benign day on
the water.
25th Anniversary Celebrations Click here for photos from a memorable day (Dropbox)
PDFs if Dropbox doesn't work Shot 1 Shot 2 Shot 3 Shot 4 Shot 5 Shot 6 Shot 7 Shot 8
Shot 9 Shot 10 Shot 11 Shot 12 Shot 13 Shot 14 Shot 15 Shot 16 Shot 17 Shot 18 Shot 19 Shot 20 Shot 21 Shot 22
Midweekers in the new meeting room.
13 of us appreciated the newly available room (aka the WAR room) provided by MSL, on a day where F5/F6 winds and the threat of rain prevented sailing for all but one catamaran and the Windsurfers who were obviously enjoying themselves. There goes the first month of Summer 2016
