What on earth do I do now?

[johnalison]

We are on good terms with all our neighbours and one couple put a note through our door offering assistance, which in the interests of the public, we have accepted. Unfortunately, the boat is still in winter mode, meaning that it is sealed and dehumidified. The yard have promised to feed the meter, but they may not even be able to do this. However, this is a very minor point compared to those needing to sell boats. One friend had accepted an offer from a Dutchman a few weeks ago, but who knows if this will go through? I'm afraid that a substantial sector of the population are going to be out of pocket when it is over.

 

[Leighb]

Our boat has been in Ipswich Haven for the winter, planned to move back to the club marina at the end of this month - already paid for- now the club marina is closed so we can't move and will have to pay summer rates for however long to Ipswich, going to be an expensive summer and not even using the boat.!!
Still lots of people far worse off than us. We live in a pleasant village with friendly neighbours and as long as we can continue to get food we will get through this.
At least we both had our haircut last week as yesterday the hairdressers messaged to say they were closing.

 

[James W]

Our boat has been in Ipswich Haven for the winter, planned to move back to the club marina at the end of this month - already paid for- now the club marina is closed so we can't move and will have to pay summer rates for however long to Ipswich, going to be an expensive summer and not even using the boat.!!
Still lots of people far worse off than us. We live in a pleasant village with friendly neighbours and as long as we can continue to get food we will get through this.
At least we both had our haircut last week as yesterday the hairdressers messaged to say they were closing.

Speak to Ipswich Haven. They may well match your summer fees, as you’re only staying because you have no choice.

 

[Leighb]

Speak to Ipswich Haven. They may well match your summer fees, as you’re only staying because you have no choice.

I am planning to talk to the manager when I can get hold of her. Only spoke to the duty lass today.

 

[Rafiki]

Leighb, I'm in the same position , same club, as you and was working on my boat in Fox's yesterday for relaunch in a couple of weeks, but as you know travel for the purposes of working on your boat or moving it is surprisingly not a valid reason to leave the house. I have emailed the club suggesting that when all this is sorted out there needs to be an equitable sharing of the costs between members, none of whom can use the facilities. In any case with the government aid packages ( 80% of salary cost, business rates cancelled) won't the cost of running the club be greatly reduced. PS I would have 'private mailed ' you but don't know how to do that anymore.

 

[PaulRainbow]

Leighb, I'm in the same position , same club, as you and was working on my boat in Fox's yesterday for relaunch in a couple of weeks, but as you know travel for the purposes of working on your boat or moving it is surprisingly not a valid reason to leave the house. I have emailed the club suggesting that when all this is sorted out there needs to be an equitable sharing of the costs between members, none of whom can use the facilities. In any case with the government aid packages ( 80% of salary cost, business rates cancelled) won't the cost of running the club be greatly reduced. PS I would have 'private mailed ' you but don't know how to do that anymore.

Hover over the persons profile picture, you get a popup menu with the PM option.

 

[Nickm72]

My boat is still scheduled to be launched tomorrow...I can walk from my home to the boat yard, grab my tender and awes and row out to my swinging mooring as my daily exercise. I won't be in contact with anyone and won't go sailing but it would be nice to get out of the house and sit on the river for a bit before rowing back and walking home. Is anyone esle doing this? I can't really see any issue with it at the moment as long as i stay out of others way. What are your thoughts please?

 

[Daydream believer]

My boat is still scheduled to be launched tomorrow...I can walk from my home to the boat yard, grab my tender and awes and row out to my swinging mooring as my daily exercise. I won't be in contact with anyone and won't go sailing but it would be nice to get out of the house and sit on the river for a bit before rowing back and walking home. Is anyone esle doing this? I can't really see any issue with it at the moment as long as i stay out of others way. What are your thoughts please?

What happens when your boat breaks adrift in a gale?
Some do you know!!!!!! & we have had some really windy weather this winter. No one knows what summer will bring.

 

[duncan99210]

My boat is still scheduled to be launched tomorrow...I can walk from my home to the boat yard, grab my tender and awes and row out to my swinging mooring as my daily exercise. I won't be in contact with anyone and won't go sailing but it would be nice to get out of the house and sit on the river for a bit before rowing back and walking home. Is anyone esle doing this? I can't really see any issue with it at the moment as long as i stay out of others way. What are your thoughts please?

If your yard is like mine, you’ll get an email/phone call saying they’ve shut down. A boat yard/marina is not an essential business and they’re likely to shut. I’m a director of the holiday village where we live: we’ve shut down all work on the site, furloughed the grounds staff and the office staff are working from home and we’ve advised our cottage owners to get any guests to return to their main residences. I’d therefore be surprised if your boat got launched tomorrow.
As to using a visit to your boat as your “excercise” can’t see anything wrong with it but be prepared to have a discussion either with an inquisitive neighbour or the local police.

 

[Ian_Edwards]

I've paid for my summer mooring, April to end October 2020, at a different location.
The boat is ashore , the winter contract runs out at the end of March.
The Boat is ready and was was scheduled to be launched on Friday .
The yard closed at 5pm today.
I currently have no idea when the yard will reopen, or whether I'll be charged addition fees for onshore storage.
With the yard being closed, they are not providing the service I paid for.
What's the legal position ?
Is the yard in breach of contract ?
Is there some get out clause for the yard because it's a pandemic ?
I'm not looking to be unreasonable, I suspect it's uncharted waters, but it would be nice to know what the legal position is. It would help in any future negotiations about additional yard fees.

 

[langstonelayabout]

But then I was in Round Table & friendship had a real meaning. Things change

Missing Round Table? Why not join one of the successor clubs (41?) or, better still, your local Masonic lodge?

Freemasonry has plenty of opportunities and decent chaps. Quite a few sailing/boating lodges too.

 

[stevie69p]

Will worrying help you ? if not, be positive - you are still alive. You'll probably think "Daft old bugger" well perhaps I am but I've survived one or two unpleasant situations in my 88 years and I'm even more of an optimist because I'm still alive. I wish you good luck

You are quite correct, but I think it's just human nature to worry when circumstances change outwith our control. I had one sleepless night, then realised there's no point worrying, I can only do the best I can to mitigate things. C'est la vie, and all that

 

[Lightwave395]

You are quite correct, but I think it's just human nature to worry when circumstances change outwith our control. I had one sleepless night, then realised there's no point worrying, I can only do the best I can to mitigate things. C'est la vie, and all that

Absolutely, there's no point in worrying about things you can't change

 

[rogerthebodger]

Just had this memo from my club.

I have 2 boats one on my mooring and one in the yard. Me 800 Km away.

COMPULSORY LOCKDOWN MEMO Dear Members This is by far the most difficult letter I have ever had to write. On Monday night, 23 March at 6pm, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a country lockdown starting Thursday night 26 March at midnight for 21 days Essential services such as security, police, army, hospitals, doctors, clinics, food shops, refuse removals and fuel stations will be open, everything else will be on lockdown. No restaurants, no bars, no taverns, no clubs will be allowed to be open. The Zululand Yacht Club has been in contact with the police, port, customs and immigration to know how the new laws apply to us. We were paid a visit on Tuesday, 24 March by Col Olivier from SAP and he informed us that the military and police will not be taking this lockdown lightly. They will be doing patrols and they will be checking vehicles on the road. If you are caught not abiding by the law put in place by the government, you could be fined or placed in jail. The port has issued their rules during the lock down. NO vessel will be allowed to leave their mooring. There will be NO fishing and No sailing. If you get caught, your boat will be impounded and you will be fined. As from Thursday night at 6pm on 26 March, the Zululand yacht club will lock all the gates. The bars and restaurant will not be open. There will be no staff on the premises, except for Leon the manager and Clifford. Clifford will be present for entire lockdown. Members will be allowed access to their boats to check on mooring lines, pump bilges and run engines for one hour per day only. You will be given a slip to sign as per the instruction from Col Olivier, You have to carry this slip with you, and show the police if you are stopped. You will not be allowed to braai or picnic on the grounds of the Zululand Yacht Club. You cannot visit the club to fish or to socialize. We have no cleaning staff; no one to empty the dustbins, there are no staff at the club. The swimming pool and jungle gym will be out of bounds. The law requires social distancing. Only the current liveaboards will be allowed to stay on their boats. No new liveaboards will be accepted until after lock down. The law requires you stay in your house. We have arranged for extra security during this time. The committee will try to the best of our abilities to keep in contact and inform all the members of any new developments regarding lock down. We ask our members to bear with us. Please be responsible. This law was not put in place to punish us; it was not put in place to grant us 21 days holiday, it was put in place to protect you and your families. The committee’s obligation is to protect our members and our club. In an effort to avoid the club being implicated in any incident where the law has not been abided by, by a member, Security has been instructed to phone the police and report the member. Please be safe, keep in touch and God willing, we will have an end of Coronavirus party soon. Kind Regards EXCO

 

[Aja]

I forgot to mention I'm also a two-boat person (why? why??)- the Deb is needing prepped for putting on the market, and is sat on a mooring within walking distance. The Moody is up in Stornoway and out of reach now that Calmac is essential travel only.
I suppose I could, maybe, if I felt reckless, jump on the Deb with SWMBO and go and get the Moody. It could all be done without touching anything other than the two boats- raft up, cut the lines... sail back one boat each. But I know it's not sensible. Best just to wait this out and limit all possibility of travel and human contact.

Are things that desparate? Couple of months of disruption to our normal lives, if healthy, otherwise supporting those less fortunate.

 

[Kelpie]

That is very sad.

Are things that desparate? Couple of months of disruption to our normal lives, if healthy, otherwise supporting those less fortunate.

I know... just thinking out loud I suppose!