The big news is that Bangor Marina opened at noon on Tuesday 19 May following strict safety protocols. There will be a different feel to the experience as the staff and customers still have to conform with social distancing rules. The full conditions are the subject of Notice to Mariners No. 4 of 2020, all Skippers/berth-holders will have been informed of the rules but for the army of winch grinders, galley slaves, foredeck expendables, stainless steel polishers and head unblockers the full text of the notice can be read here. Boatfolk has also produced a very informative  COVID-19 leaflet. Please respect the guidance and stay safe.

Please find below the latest information from RYA Northern Ireland.

"The NI Health Minister last night (19th May) signed the amendment to Coronavirus Restrictions permitting Outdoor Activity from today.
 
We continue to seek clarification from the Government Approach to Decision Making announcement, specifically with terms of ‘some water activity’.   In the absence of any further guidance from Government Departments, our current interpretation is that this does permit all forms of boating activity (sailing, windsurfing, powerboating etc) but only when safely:

• undertaken by individuals or members of the same household;
• there is no sharing of hard surfaces (including all types of boat);
• public health guidance is followed at all times;
• strict social distancing can be undertaken.

The RYA have now outlined the 'guiding principals' that will shape its detailed response to the Governments plans for easing restrictions.

A huge congratulations and happy birthday to Michael McKee who turned 90 yesterday and was treated to a socially distanced chorus of “Happy Birthday” by some of our members! Many Happy Returns Michael!

In compliance with Government legislation, due to the ongoing Covid 19 situation, the clubhouse is currently closed to all members and visitors.

Our Club Manager is still available and can be contacted by email.

The situation is under constant review and we will be in contact with all members as soon as there is any change to the situation..  

To keep up with Club news, please make sure you have signed up to our Telltales newsletter.  If you are not currently receiving this and you wish to, please contact Nicole.

The sailing committee and officers have been looking at the effect of the current pandemic on the clubs sailing programme in 2020.

With the current Government advice in mind it has been decided to cancel or postpone all sailing at RUYC until at least the end of May 2020.  We are currently monitoring all advice and will review this decision as the situation develops.

Should things ease we will work at putting together a revised programme for members, similarly if there is no let up, we will postpone events as necessary.  This is done to ensure the safety and health of the members.

The events that are affected are:

• The Easter Cruise in Company
• Spring Series
• Opening Day
• First 5 Thursday nights of the early season points
• The Ardglass Race, &
• The Round the Copeland Islands Race

Our regatta is currently planned for the 13^th June 2020 and we are going to approach the Lough Conference to try and move our regatta to the 11^th July, when hopefully we will be in a position to hold a successful event.

In the meantime, please stay safe and healthy

Jim Coffey

Hon Sailing Secretary

Further to Monday night's Government statement and the subsequent curbs imposed, we have no choice other than to close the club, with immediate effect, until further notice.
 
The General committee will continue to review any further instructions from the Government and take whatever action is appropriate to comply.
 
While the office will now be closed to members, Nicole will still be working from home and will be contactable via email at nicole@ruyc.uk, or in the case of something urgent, the club office office phone has been redirected to her mobile.
 
The health and wellbeing of all our members and staff is paramount and we thank you for your support and understanding during this very challenging time.
 

The Club Officers and General Committee have over the last few weeks been actively considering what steps should be taken in the face of the coronavirus pandemic and the restrictions being generally imposed.

Regretfully the decision has now been taken that the Club’s catering and bar facilities have to be closed with immediate effect from tonight the 18th of March.

The Club itself will still be open between 0900 and 1630 daily for those who want access to the Office or Snooker Room.

The scheduled Saint Patrick celebrations and the Quiz on Thursday are the first social events to fall victim to COVID - 19.

Upcoming events are:

• Mothers Day next Sunday. Please note in the interests of hygiene it will be table service, not a Buffet/Carvery as previously announced.
• Club night talk on Wednesday 1st April, Hal Sisk "Back to - the future - Dublin Bay 21's."
• Ladies Lunch Saturday 4th April.
• Easter weekend and monthly Sunday Carvery 10th - 12th April.
• Easter cruise in a company on Belfast Lough.
• VE day 75th Anniversary Ball on Friday 8th May.

Given the current crisis, it would be impossible to predict the outcome of some or all of these events. Be assured the Officers will be meeting regularly and monitoring Government advice to make the best decisions possible.

 No doubt in some cases prudence will prevail so if members decide to cancel a booking please inform Catering sooner rather than later.  
 02891465002 or email michael.mcginn@ruyc.uk.

A new lunch menu is now available from 26 February 2020.

Objection to Planning Application

The Rear Commodore would like to draw the attention of Members to the lodgement by King’s Fellowship of an Amended Planning Application for their site at the junction of Seacliff Road and Ward Avenue.  Unfortunately very little has changed from their original proposal to make it anything like appropriate and acceptable not just for the Club but also for the area as a whole.

Members who sent in letters of objection to the original Application may be assuming that their objection is automatically carried forward and will apply to the Amended Application.  Unfortunately that is not the case and it is necessary to send in a further letter of objection to the Applicant’s new proposal even though little has changed.  It is also open to Members who may not have objected to the original Application to now do so in relation to the Amended Application and they are encouraged to make the effort and do this.  The more objections that are submitted then the greater are the prospects of preventing this completely inappropriate development for the area.  Click Here for suggested content of objection letters