Mullingar Sailing Club

Fleet Captain’s Bulletin , Aptil 2007

Sailing season:           The season gets under way formally on Saturday 28th April, though many have been already out on the lake during the good weather.  There will be sailing every Wednesday (one race, gun at 7.30 p.m.) and on Sundays (2 races, first gun at 3.30 p.m.).  Bank Holidays have been added also this season – same times as Sundays.  Sailing on Friday evenings (same time as Wednesdays) will commence at the start of June.

Who makes a good sailing season, other than the weather man – you do.  Here are a few simple things everyone can do easily:

Get organised – arrange your crew.  We will assist.  If you are available to crew, please let me know & I will post details at the club & on the website.  If you need crew, arrange it – don’t arrive at the Club & expect someone to be there waiting for you.

Be on time – you need to launch 30 mins before the first gun. (3.30PM Sunday, 7.00PM Monday and Friday(Friday sailing June, July and August)

Participate in as many events as you can – the more participants, the more fun there is for everyone.

Competition:   We all like a little bit of competition.  The full list of the season’s tournaments will be posted on the website during the next few weeks.  We will kick the season off with a series for the month of May – 10 days sailing with 15 potential races.  To be nice to everyone, we will allow 5 discards. Presentation of prizes after racing on 30th May.  Fun series – handicapping will apply – details on Club notice board.

Rescue Boat Rota:    The rescue boat must be manned by two people to comply with safety & insurance.  Because of this, all members can expect to be scheduled at least three times during the season.  The rescue boat is for the benefit & safety of everyone on the water – all members must participate, irrespective of where you live or work, or how often you sail.  If you let me know when you are or are not available for the rest of the season, I will schedule accordingly.  If you are not available for your rescue boat scheduled day, it is your responsibility to arrange a swap with another member.  Do not phone me.  Your safety & the safety of all your fellow members dependson strict observation of this.  You need to be at the Club at least one hour before the start time to launch the rescue boat & set the course.  Please start races on time – do not wait for boats arriving late at the start line – they are aware of the start times also & will be on time after they have missed a few starts.

Sailing Regattas:       The Club will be hosting a Mirror regatta on Saturday 5th May.  If you can assist with the organisation, please contact James Hackettat 087-2566802.  We will be hosting the GP 14 Leinster Championships on 23/24 June.  We have also agreed to participate in strong numbers (min 10 boats) in one away regatta this season and are looking towards the Ulster Championships in Newtownards on 28/29 July as the most suitable.  More details will be posted on our website – www.msail.net.  We will be seeking your assistance to fulfil this commitment – we have been to Newtownards on a few occasions – a good weekend for all is assured.

Rescue Boat refresher course: Most members have completed a rescue boat course already, but many struggle to lay a racing course and are unsure of how to check the rescue boat before going out.  A refresher course has been arranged for Saturday 12th May for 2/3 hours commencing at 10.30am.  Please attend if at all possible – again see my contact details below to confirm your place. 

Rescue Boat courses:            We will run 2 courses on 19th & 26th May, thanks to Kieran Milner.  If you are a member of the Club, you must participate in the Rescue Boat rota.  If you do not hold a powerboat cert, please contact Michael Collenderbefore the end of April to book your place. 

Insurance:      Boat owners are reminded that all boats (GP14s, Mirrors, Cats, Fireballs, Lasers etc.) must be insured with a minimum third party liability €3 million.  Boat owners will be required to sign a declaration in this respect.  Mullingar Sailing Club accepts no responsibility for damage or loss.  In addition, the Club accepts no responsibility for loss or damage to boats & equipment.

Appearance:   MSC apologises for its appearance – the grounds took a battering over the winter from the highest water in decades.  Thanks to all the members who assisted in the tidy-up & levelling on Good Friday.  We will have to put up with the surface for this season – work commences next October on the new hard surface to permanently resolve the problem.  Also apologies over the lack of toilet facilities – again due to high water & not rectifiable until the level drops over the next few weeks.

Membership:  We need new member to survive.  Please talk to your friends about us – bring them down to the Club; take them for a sail – above all, encourage them to join the Club.  Application forms available on the website.  Maybe you may know people interested in our adult course, which runs 18th to 29th June (Mon, Wed and Fri) – you are our best advertisement!!  As many helms as possible are requested to help out as tutors on this course. Please contact either Kieran at 044 9342058 or Gearóid at 044 9347115

Have a fantastic season’s sailing.