CRUISING SECTION NOTES

INTRODUCTION
 
The group exists to promote the enjoyment of cruising, to enable us to share expertise and experiences, and most importantly to encourage members to make new friends.
In the past our cruises have usually incorporated some sort of activity – a meal out, a DIY barbecue, a raft up party, beach games or a walk.

2011 CRUISING PROGRAMME

In recent years we have had fewer club cruises to local destinations, particularly local drying harbours. 

Our membership has changed and we now see more longer cruises. These cruises sometimes involve travelling in company, sometimes are solitary and frequently involve meeting other PSC boats while on passage, often resulting in ad hoc social gatherings.

In 2011 we have a limited number of local club cruises arranged at this time. We hope that this programme will be added to as the season progresses. To this end we must:-

Keep in touch - tell others about your intentions, however provisional

Consider initiating a local muster - day trip and barbecue - overnight at anchor - local harbour - treasure hunt -whatever

Although we have fewer local cruises please do get in touch if you are interested in cruising and meeting others while cruising.

Cruising Committee
              o      The cruising committee is chaired by Phil Ranner - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
                       and also consisting of :
                       Don Smith - 
                       Angela Bayly -    This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  
                       Dave Dewsbury - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
                       Brian Edmonds -   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   
 
Communication
o     The Yahoo Forum that we have been using since December 2002 is now linked to the club website and it is hoped that it will be used by all club members
o     The Yahoo forum helps us to stay in touch, plan events, send newsletters, share photographs and files, discuss trips and much more.
o     For those that do not want to receive the email correspondence there is an option to restrict your individual membership to web access only. All of the correspondence can still be read on the associated Yahoo web site.
o     The Yahoo forum membership is controlled; membership is restricted to club members and invited guests.
o     To join, send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .ukgiving your membership number and name as given on your club card.
o             You will receive an email invitation to join
o             Follow the instructions included with the invitation
 
Cruising Trophies
o     The Gimblet Rock Trophy is awarded annually to a member for something significant within the cruising environment. The Passage Cup is awarded in recognition of a significant passage.
 
o     The Gimblet Rock Trophy was awarded to Bohdan Borzykowski in recognition of his numerous outings and his trip from the east coast of Scotland in his new boat.
o     The Passage Cup has not been presented yet for 2010. The cruising committee have agreed to whom it will be awarded but it will not be publicised until the presentation is made.
o     Fun prizes were awarded to several members at our end of season meeting.

There must be many cruises by club members that we never hear about. Please share your experiences and plans with the group. 
 
 
LAST MINUTE PLANS
 
Some of the best trips are arranged at the last minute when there is more confidence in the conditions. A group trip can be more fun. Please make use of the Yahoo forum as well as the club notice board and our Friday evenings in the bar. Please keep in touch and contribute to our exchange of information.

 
MEMBERS CRUISES 
 
Have you considered notifying others of your intended passages? Other club members may be planning a similar passage and you may consider loosely cruising in company, make contact while on passage or simply meeting for a drink at some harbour or anchorage. We are not looking for members to lead a cruise in company. Each boat will be responsible for all its own arrangements. It would be good if members with similar plans could swap ideas. It may well be worth talking to members who have been there before or who may have similar plans.
 
How about using the club forum to share your ideas, plans and aspirations.

Jangle                  Dave has been based in Portugal for some years now but he is intending to bring Jangle back to the UK this season..
 
Dewdrop             Dave and Hilary are intending to cruise to the west coast of France as far as La Rochelle.

If you wish to discuss any of the above and do not know the skipper please use our forum or contact a member of the cruising committee
 
 
SOME OTHER EVENTS OF INTEREST
 
Ÿ Sunday 20th  March                   Northern Boat Jumble. Open 10:00.       Middlewich, Cheshire.

 April 29th                                  We are also very pleased to receive the Royal Caernarfon Yacht Club cruising group who will visit Pwllheli for the weekend - a chance to share experiences over a drink in the bar.                                     

Ÿ June 10th - 12th                        Abersoch Jazz Festival
 
Ÿ June 25th   16.00 BST                Three Peaks race starts at Barmouth

Ÿ July 2nd - 3rd                            Barmouth Country Music & Linedancer Festival
 
Ÿ July 8th - 10th                           Wakestock Festival
 
Ÿ Sunday 31st July                        North Wales Boat Jumble. Bodelwyddan Castle, Bodelwyddan, Rhyl
  
Ÿ September 16th - 25th                Southampton boat show
 
Ÿ Sunday 11th September              Northern Boat Jumble. Open 10:00. Middlewich, Cheshire. 
   
IMPORTANT NOTES
 
1       You are reminded that the decision on whether to take part in any cruise and the responsibility for the safety of the boat and its crew is that of the individual skipper. Neither PSC, nor the organisers can be held responsible.
2       Always comply with the safety requirements commensurate with the sea area in which you intend to cruise.
3       You are strongly advised to study the coastguard site at www.mcga.gov.uk and to take note of the recommendations of the MCA publication SOLAS V
4       The full SOLAS V text is available on the MCA website at
5        http://www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/solas.pdf
6       Do not assume that because you are in company with other vessels you are safer. In adverse weather it is “every man for himself” to a large extent. Other yachts may not be able to assist you. Adverse weather has the unpleasant habit of arriving once you are at sea.
7       Help the coastguard help you by completing the form CG66 (safety identification scheme) Send the completed form to the coastguard or fill it in on line at https://mcanet.mcga.gov.uk/public/cg66/
8       As appropriate inform the coastguard of your passage plan and crew details.
 
 
Club Insurance - Conditions of Policy
 
PLEASE NOTE. It is a condition of the club’s insurance policy that the Cruising Section should make it clear to their members participating in any event that it is the participants’ own responsibility to check weather forecasts and decide whether conditions are suitable to set off.
 
Good sailing and good company in 2011 - The Cruising Committee