In 2005 we intend to build on the well established timetable of organised races in May/Jume and September/October.

Sailing is fun, you don't need to be an Olynpic Gold Medalist to take part. The programme this year is focusing on fun/family events in addition to the established race programme.

• May 28th Raft Race Weekend: Racing will take place in Portrush, to include the RNLI Pennant Race forming part of this weekend of craic.
• June 4th/5th Portrush Festival of the Sea: Saturday will see two fun races. Sunday sees the first ever Skerries Sunflower, followed, weather permitting, by a BBQ on the island.
• June 11th: Inishtrahull Race will be followed by a BBQ on the island and an overnight stay on Inishowen.
• June 25th/26th Passage Race/Club Cruise to Islay: This event is aimed to encourage the maximum number of boats racing (or just cruising-in-company) to Port Ellen. Power boat/RIB users are welcome to join us for this trip.
• July/August see many boats head north to explore the West Coast of Scotland. For those who stay behind there are events on Foyle/Swilly/Moville/Greencastle to take part in.
• August 20th see what has become our best-supported event - The Annual Rathlin Race (and of course the now obligatory BBQ on the quay).

To end the summer in style, the Club Regatta will take place over the weekend of the 27th /28th August.

The six races of the Autumn Series kicks off on September 3rd. Two of these weekends will involve joining in with the fleets at Moville and Ballycastle. (Dates are yet to be finalised.) This year's programme should provide plenty of opportunity for racing and fun so, whatever your boat/ability/experience.

Good luck and fair winds!

NORTHERN IRELAND SAILORS CHOSEN FOR IRISH OLYMPIC SQUAD

Four talented sailors from Northern Ireland have been selected to the Irish Olympic sailing squad for the Beijing Olympics.

Debbie Hanna from East Antrim and James Espey, and Matt and Russell McGovern from Royal Ulster and Ballyholme will join the other seventeen sailors in preparation for selection for the  2008 team.

James will compete for a place in the very demanding single handed Laser division and has already begun training with SailCoach in France. Russell and Matt are the representatives in the high performance 49er skiff class which is widely regarded as the 'Formula 1' of Olympic sailing with a worldwide Grand Prix racing circuit and a presence in over 30 countries. Debbie will race the Laser Radial, a smaller rigged Laser designed for lighter weights and women. It has just been adopted as an Olympic class. 

All four are ex members of the RYANI Youth Squad and are evidence of the success of sailing development in Northern Ireland

Ends

Issued by Betty Armstrong, Regional Communicator, RYANI. 028 9146 5372/07879 645332
Notes for Editors

• The RYA is committed to promoting all forms of boating and making them accessible to everyone. For more information please refer to our web sites www.rya.org.uk or www.ryani.org.uk
• RYANI comprises all the affiliated clubs and organisations of the national organisation in Northern Ireland and can be contacted at the House of Sport, Belfast on 028 9038 3812

The Jubilee Sailing Trust is a UK based charity that aims to promote the integration of able-bodied and physically disabled people through adventure tall ship sailing holidays.

In June this year, Coleraine Yacht Club will provide the opportunity for three young people from the Coleraine area to sail with the JST on the Lord Nelson from Liverpool to Southampton.  The party will include two who live with physical disabilities and one who intends to make a career in working with the disabled.

The Jubilee Sailing Trust was established in 1978 with a donation from the Queen's Silver Jubilee Appeal Fund, following an idea conceived by it's founder, Christopher Rudd.

The aim of the charity is to promote integration between able-bodied and physically disabled adults through the medium of tall ship sailing.

This is achieved by enabling a mixed ability crew between the ages of 16 and 70 plus to crew a tall ship at sea. Voyages range between 4 and 11 days and able bodied and physically disabled people participate on as near equal terms as possible. There are no passengers; everyone works to the best of his or her ability.

Since her maiden voyage in 1986, the LORD NELSON has taken 16,395 people to sea. Of these, 6,617 people were physically disabled and 2,701 were wheelchair users. Their disabilities included: Cerebral Palsy, Multiple Sclerosis, Spina Bifida, Paraplegia and many more...

The LORD NELSON is unique in being the only purpose built tall ship in the world. Her many facilities enable disabled crew to perform their duties independently alongside their able-bodied shipmates.

Coleraine Yacht Club has been raising funds over the last year to provide this unique opportunity, but with the total cost in the region of £3000, more still needs to be done.   Watch out for fundraising events in the near future and support your club in the worthwhile endeavor. 

Firstly, on behalf of the out-going committee I would like to wish all our members and friends a Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year.  I am confident it will also be successful New Year for Coleraine Yacht Club.  It has to be said that my year as commodore has been one of somewhat mixed fortunes.  On a personal note, the sinking of Fintra on the 2^nd of January was not a terribly good start. However, the raising of Fintra provided a demonstration fellowship, teamwork and a generosity of spirit of which this club can be very proud.  Once again I offer my thanks for all the help and advice I received.  In particular I would like to thank Denzil for his help, and we are all very pleased to witness his recovery from the illness which laid him low during the year.

The year also began with the club premises in some turmoil as the long-awaited renovations to the bar got under way.  Led by the boundless energy of Jackie Hillis, a team of artisans and craftsmen laboured long into the winter nights, without so much as a sip of mineral water to wet their whistles, to bring you the masterpiece you see before you now.  (It will be finished soon!)  Many have been the comments praising the transformation this work has brought to the feel and atmosphere within the club.  Thankyou Jackie, and all your helpers. 

One of the highlights of my period as commodore also came at the dawn of the year  Burns Night.  What an great evening that was  with l Jim Millar addressing the haggis in his own inimitable style, and Mervyn Lyttle’s toast to the lassies, followed by speaker after speaker eager to stand up and entertain the gathering.  I’m already looking forward to a re-run in January.  Book your tickets now!  It will be a full house!

The Third Thursdays continued through the winter months with the high-light, I’m sure everyone will agree, being Joe Gaston and Andy Seaton’s presentation ‘St Kilda for the Weekend’.  (I’m still taking orders for videos and DVDs, in aid of the RNLI.)  And Joe recently continued his run of ‘sell-out’ nights by relating his adventures in the Orkneys and Scandinavia during the summer.  I have it on good authority that there is more of that story to tell  on a date to be arranged in the New Year.  As winter turned to Spring, what better time to have the Spring Ball. Thank you to Jim and Heather for organising such a wonderful event.  Are Big Ankles available for next year  book them now!

May turned into June and once again the 8 Hour Race, under Race Convenor Mevyn Lyttle, demonstrated that, while numbers were slightly down on 2003, it is developing into an event which not only provides an excellent day of racing for young and old.  Thankfully it was also a financial success.  I will shortly be convening the committee to prepare for the 2005 8 Hour Race and I am confident that the event will continue to go from strength to strength.

2005 had its low points too.  This year we mourned the loss of two stalwart members of this club  Eddie Tees and John Pegg.  It would take better than me to do justice to the lives of these to men  the obituaries which were carried in the club newsletter said more than I could ever say.  It is on this night of our AGM when John is particularly missed and I would like to thank Dermot Gordon for agreeing to act as chairman this year.  On a brighter note, the cruising section, under the leadership of Rear Commodore James Burnside, continues to develop, with new boats showing up at regular intervals throughout the year.  I do hope that the numbers are not being artificially boosted after the fashion of McCann Boats Incorporated  we would have some size of a fleet if everybody bought new boats and just kept their old one!! 

However, while Saturday cruiser racing showed a good regular turnout, Sunday dinghy racing suffered towards the summer and did not begin to recover until very recently.  The reason for this is clear  we have not been feeding the young sailors in at the bottom, while the experienced regulars have moved on to pastures new, be it university or just to the bigger boats.  However, with a renewed training strategy, and under the guidance of Gerry Knight as Senior Instructor, Ivor Paul, as Rear Commodore Training, Lenny as Club Principal, and a brace of new instructors for dinghys and powerboats, we can look forward to an exciting 2005.  However, development in this area cannot be left solely to the few who will be conducting the training.  John Millar has led the way by donating his Laser for use by the club.  It has now been refurbished and is in use every Sunday.  I have no doubt there are other similar craft, languishing in garages and gardens when they could be used by the club to develop the sport of sailing in this area.

It is also vital that we have volunteers to assist in areas such as providing safety cover, maintaining the boats and the club premises and in serving behind the bar.  The need for bar-staff in now an urgent one.  It is of the utmost importance for the long-term future of this club that the members and visitors can expect the premises to be open each evening.  Not only does this represent revenue to support the aims and objectives of the club,  it is also the shop window through which potential new members can see a vibrant and active sailing club on the River Bann.  With the impending refurbishment of the marina, we must be in a position take any advantage we can from our proximity to such a development.  Serving behind the bar here is not an onerous task.  If you can offer one night a month, please put your name forward.  If your name is already on the rota, please ensure that you get the bar open on your night and arrange a stand-in if you are unable to be here yourself.

On the subject of volunteers, this club relies on a number of personalities who continue to work away, year after year with a minimum of fuss and less in the way of appreciation.  I don’t intend to name everyone  you know who you are and you have my deepest appreciation for your support during this year.  As is the natural order at an AGM, certain individuals step down from a particular role, to make way for someone else.  On this occasion it is our House Convenor, Liz Knight, who hands over to Davy Hunt.    Thank you, Liz, for your hard work and support over the last few years.

Someone else who I will single out for a special word of thanks is Andy Sloan, whose work on the club web-site and the newsletter is, and will continue to be a key element in the development strategy of this club.  At this time he merits special congratulation as the CYC News has been chosen out of all the clubs in Northern Ireland to represent this Region in the competition for the RYA Communication Awards, which will be held at the London International Boat Show in January.  Of course we are not surprised because the quality of the design and content of both the newsletter and the web-site are of such a high standard. We expect nothing less than victory!! Congratulations, Andy, enjoy yourself at the show! Mine’s a pint!

Finally, I would like to commend to you, our Vice Commodore, Mervyn Lyttle, for election as Commodore.  Having worked with Mervyn over this last year I have become aware of his determination to see Coleraine Yacht Club develop as a vibrant, active and inclusive sailing and boating club.  I urge you to join me in giving him your support.  Thank you, Mervyn for your support during my year as Commodore of Coleraine Yacht Club, and I thank you all for putting up with me.   Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Recognising the growing importance of communication in our sport, the RYA launched the RYA Communication Awards 2004. Around a hundred entries were received and twenty four regional winners have been chosen; thirteen website winners and eleven newsletter winners.
All the winners will be invited to attend an awards ceremony at the Schroders London Boat Show 2005 on 15 January, but before they do the winners’ websites and newsletters will be judged by a national panel of experts.
Renowned website journalists, James Boyd from www.thedailysail.com , Kim Hollamby from www.ibinews.com and www.ybw.com , Mark Jardine from www.yachtsandyachting.com and the RYA website editor, Jake Frith will meet to discuss the thirteen websites and determine a national winner. The same will happen for the newsletter category when editor of Yachting Monthly, Paul Gelder, editor of Dinghy Sailing Magazine, Claire Read, Kate Brunel-Cohen of Motor Boat and Yachting and RYA Magazine editor, Deborah Cornick will choose a national winner and runner-up for the award. The journalists will also discuss the nominations for the best class website and newsletters.
At the Schroders London Boat Show, Dick Durham of Yachting Monthly will present the winners with a range of trophies and cash prizes at a special RYA Communication awards ceremony. Winners will also be allowed to carry a specially designed RYA Communication Award logo on their publication or website.

Winners of the thirteen regions who will go through to the National competition are:

RYA Regional Website Winners

East - Maldon Little Ship Club ( www.mlsc.org.uk )
East Midlands – Northampton Sailability ( www.northamptonsailability.org.uk )
North East – Northumbrian Windsurfing ( www.northumbrian-windsurfing.org.uk )
North West – Bolton Sailing Club ( www.sail.org.uk )
Northern Ireland – Carlingford Lough Yacht Club ( www.clyc.org )
Scotland – Largo Bay Sailing Club ( www.largobaysc.org.uk )
South - Mengeham Rythe Sailing Club ( www.mengeham.fsnet.co.uk )
South East - Whitstable Yacht Club ( www.wyc.org.uk )
South West – Porthpean Sailing Club ( www.porthpeansc.co.uk )
Thames Valley – Wembley Sailing Club ( http://www.wembleysailingclub.co.uk )
Wales – South Caernarvonshire Yacht Club ( www.scyc.co.uk )
West Midlands – Blithfield Sailing Club ( www.blithfield.org.uk )
Yorkshire and Humberside – Ripon Sailing Club ( www.ripon-sc.org.uk )

RYA Regional Newsletter Winners

East – Royal Harwich Yacht Club
East Midlands – Not awarded
North East - South Shields Sailing Club
Northern Ireland – Coleraine Yacht Club
North West – Leigh and Lowton
Scotland – Largo Bay Sailing Club
South – Royal Southern Yacht Club
South East – Channel Yacht Club
South West – Topsham Sailing Club
Thames Valley – Maidenhead Sailing Club
Wales – Not Awarded
West Midlands – Shustoke Sailing Club
Yorkshire and Humberside – Ripon Sailing Club

Speaking about the awards in 2004, RYA Regional Communicator, Garth Cooper said. “2004 has seen a higher number of entries in the website category and I suspect this reflects the growing use of the electronic medium for disseminating information among clubs and club members. In both the newsletter and website categories the standard is much higher than it was in 2002 when the RYA Communication Awards began.”

In the past year the RYA has expanded their own communications operation with the arrival of Jake Frith, the RYA’s Web Editor and Louise Nicholls, RYA Communications Manager. Speaking about communications in clubs and classes Louise said,

“Keeping people informed and up to date with the latest events, changes or news through web sites or newsletters is important in building a sense of involvement and ownership with members and participants and an excellent way to promote your club or class. In this way communications plays a key role in helping to keep our sport alive and thriving.”

Coleraine Yacht Club have elected a new Commodore and officers for 2005 at their AGM,held at the Clubhouse  last Thursday.

Commodore Mervyn Lyttle in his acceptance speech warmly thanked the outgoing Committee for their endeavours and undertook to continue with the effort of rejuvination that the club has been enjoying recently.  He emphasised that he and his officers would be continuing to reach out to other clubs, community groups and interested organisations who wished to have access to sailing or boating, for training or leisure in all matters nautical.  He said,  ^We are uniquely placed here in the tri-angle area with our ability to enjoy boating activities fifty-two weeks a year, on both the river or sea and I issue this invitation to all who have an interest in Messing About In Boats to come and join us and  be assured of a warm welcome, and helping hand.”

Dear fellow Shorebased Instructor,

Urban Truant is a yacht charter company based in the Solent. We’re offering an exciting race package for next years Fastnet Campaign that combines fun with comprehensive learning and genuine racing knowledge. Included in the package are two training weekends, three qualifying races and of course, the Fastnet Race itself.

Do you have any students (past or present) or other contacts, who might be interested in joining us? Full training will be given, so racing experience isn’t necessary, although enthusiasm and a desire to win are vital. This is an ideal opportunity for people who have a real sense of team spirit as they will join a crew who intend to pull together to do well in the Campaign and have some fun along the way!

Both the Race Skipper and Mate are RYA practical instructors, so everyone will be able to build miles whilst getting quality instruction and offshore race experience along the way. Please find attached a two-page PDF which provides more details about the package including all dates, price, and information about the Dufour 40 that the Campaign will be held on.

We would be grateful if you could find the time to tell your students about this during your next lesson. The student can contact us and we will be happy to supply all the relevant details.

Should you have any queries or require further information (including hard copies of the PDF), please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Kind regards,

Laura Holdsworth    Email: laura@urbantruant.com

Laser Radial becomes Olympic Boat

(Friday 12th Nov) The ISAF Council, meeting today in Copenhagen at the conclusion of the 2004 ISAF Annual Conference, voted by a 2:1 majority in favour of replacing the Europe dinghy with the LASER RADIAL as the WOMEN'S SINGLE-HANDED disciple for the Beijing Olympics. This brings to two (Laser Standard & Laser Radial) the number of Olympic Classes that are actively sailed in Ireland. Youth Performance Manager, Bill O’Hara, expressed his delight and commented that this decision really opens up Olympic sailing to girls in Ireland. Olympic Manager Garrett Connolly was equally upbeat ;“The Europe is a wonderful dinghy and has served Olympic sailing well, nonetheless I regard the ISAF decision today as very positive for sailing in Ireland. This is a second Olympic class in which we have active fleets in this country. That has to be positive for us.”  For a full report and news on other important decisions see http://www.sailing.org/Article_content.asp?ArticleID=8365

RYA at the Schroders London Boat Show 2005

When visiting the Schroders London Boat Show 2005 make the RYA stand (B100) your first stop. Located in the Boulevard, directly in front of the main (West) entrance, this area is open an hour before the rest of the Show. This is the perfect time to ask the RYA team any questions you may have, get advice on how to buy your first boat, find out about the best training course for you, browse the extensive range of RYA Publications or renew your membership.

In a new feature this year the RYA stand will feature ‘ask the experts’, a series of special guests on hand to talk about their expert areas of boating. The guests will be on the stand between 10.00  12.00 and 14.00  16.00 each day to chat with show visitors about their topic. Pick up your signed copy of the new RYA Powerboat Handbook and get powerboat racing tips from top powerboat racer Steve Curtis, talk to RYA Chief Executive Rod Carr about the latest issues, ask the RYA technical team for advice on the recreational craft directive (RCD), meet members of the Olympic team, talk about the new RYA Racing Charter or meet some of the best selling RYA authors.

A full timetable will be posted on the RYA website www.rya.org.uk, or come along to the stand to find out which guests will be featuring.

RYA Regional Young Sailor of the Year award ceremony will be taking place on Thursday 6. With a nomination from each of the 13 RYA Regions the award recognises British sporting excellence in power or sail and acknowledges achievement of any sort - such as breaking a world record, a phenomenal win, overcoming adversity, or showing exceptional courage. The RYA Regional finalists will go through to the final selection for the Raymarine Young Sailor of the Year.

On the pool visitors can watch the RYA UK Sailing Challenge and the Yachtmaster of the Year will also be awarded at the Show.  RYA members can take advantage of the RYA Members Lounge and anyone joining at the Show will receive a free gift. To keep up to date with all the latest RYA activities at the show check out the RYA website www.rya.org.uk.

Stolen Sailboats

Stolen from McCready Sailboats, Priory Park Holywood, Co. Down N.Ireland Between Saturday 23rd 15.00 hrs & Monday 25th 09.45hrs

2 laser sailing dinghies

Length 4.23m

Width 1.42m

White hull and deck

Sail number 180941 Hull Identification Number (HIN *) GB PSE LS 0583 E404

Complete with Road trailer and Launching trolley

Grey Top and Blue Bottom Covers

Sail number 180942                 Hin GB PSE LS 0579 E404

Complete with Launching Trolley and Top cover

*HIN Stamped in to hull on Starboard (Right) side of transom

If you have any information please contact Holywood Police station 028 90 650222 Or McCready Sailboats Ltd, Priory Park Holywood, BT196EW Phone 028 90421821 e-mail sails@mccreadysailboats.co.uk

Commission wants help in setting youth priorities'

Belfast Telegraph, 18.10.04, page 3

Northern Ireland's Children's Commissioner today called on everyone to shout and help make a difference to the lives of young people across the province.
Nigel Williams launched his 14 draft priorities this morning and he wants everyone in Northern Ireland to tell him what they think during a three month extensive consultation period.
Mr Williams said: "When my team and I conclude this consultation we will know the issues we need to focus on for the next three years.  But to get the right focus, we need everyone in Northern Ireland, and especially children and young people to tell us their views on these priorities."

Below is a link if you would like to make a response. Two sections in particular may be of interest ; Play & Leisure Child Protection
General NI Commissioner for Children & Young People web site http://www.niccy.org/

Consultation on priorities section http://www.niccy.org/shout/priorities/default.aspx

Bangor Week 2005
11th  15th July 2005
Northern Ireland’s Premier Yachting Event

IRC, PY Restricted and Unrestricted, One Designs, Sports-Boats, Small Keelboats, Classics, Wrinklies, Catamarans and Dinghies Classes.

 20-50 feet IRC and PY
 Sigma 33, Beneteau 31.7, Impala 28, Ruffian 23, Beneteau 211 One-Designs  1720 and SB3 Sports Boats  Squib, Flying 15 and Dragon Small Keel Boats  Classic Yacht Fleet  all sizes including Old Gaffers  ‘Wrinklies’ class  all sizes  racing Mon, Wed, Fri  Hurricane, Dart, Tiger (F18s) and Spitfire Catamarans  49ers, Fireball, Laser (all), Wayfarer and Topper Dinghies

Please contact us if there is a class you want included.

 Fully serviced top class international marina
 Possibly free visitor berthing  To be confirmed  Marquee bars, promotions and entertainment  All event drink at club prices  Bars and food at RUYC and BYC  Free Social Passes  Free transport from marquee to yacht clubs  Entry Fee - About £100 per boat

Great racing  Great Craic
Competition from all Ireland, Scotland, Isle of Man, England
www.bangorweek.co.uk email: info@bangorweek.co.uk

Greetings, All! Happy laying-up time!

As the evenings draw in and you (or most of you) put your boats to bed for the winter, thoughts turn to how to amuse ourselves on a Thursday evening.

The 'Third Thursday' programme commences on October 21st - next week - and I thought it would be interesting for us to share some of our experiences, and maybe some photos, from our summer cruises. Whether it was an afternoon cruise to Moville or 3 weeks with the family visiting all points north, I'm sure we all have a story to tell.

If each skipper, or a nominated crew, were to give a 5 or 10 minute outline of their trip, with a few photos for illustration, it would pass a very enjoyable hour or so. So could all those willing to take part please let me know by return email, indicating in what format you wish to display photos - I can dig up an epidyascope (how do you spell that?) if anyone really needs it.

Joe Gaston and his crew are excluded because the following month, November 18th, will be Joe's 'Norwegian Progress', which we are all looking forward to.

Another date for the diary is Saturday 23rd October - the End of Season Hoolie. Music by part of Blown Town and part of Big Ankles - they don't have a name yet apparently - (Blown Ankles?). Light supper - Members 2 quid, Guests 4 quid. Please support this & bring your mates. Last year was excellent! Regards Stevie

Our club relies solely on volunteer bar staff, and scrutiny of the bar rota, which is on display in the club, shows a number of blank spaces.  These arise from the necessary withdrawal of some long serving and loyal volunteers due to either ill-health or increased work commitments. 

Can you offer one evening a month, or a Saturday or Sunday afternoon?  The work is not onerous and previous experience is not required. Serving behind the bar is an excellent way to meet other club members and keep up to date with the ‘news’.  If you can be of help in this important role, please make contact with Ken Montgomery, Denzil Dinsmore, or any Committee Member.

Following a recent Marine Accident Investigation into the loss of a vessel, a potential problem with lashing of liferafts to vessels decks and related quick release mechanisms for these liferafts has been highlighted.The MAIB has recommended that owners and skippers of all fishing, merchant and pleasure vessels review the fixings for their liferaft (in particular the Stenhouse Slip), to ensure that liferafts can be deployed quickly if required.  RYA

An important seminar will be held in Antrim on the 10th November on the topic of Sports Nutrition. Key speakers from the world of sport have been invited to give presentations on topics ranging from the issues concerning dietary supplements to the importance of good nutrition in sport.
Ron Maughan, Professor of Sport and Exercise Nutrition at Loughborough University, will give the very latest information on ‘Uses and abuses of dietary supplements’ while Dr Cameron Ramsey, a general practitioner and medical officer to the Irish Football Association, will present on ‘the importance of diet and nutrition in sport’.
The seminar is aimed at providing sporting individuals, coaches and parents, accurate guidance on a topic which can create real problems if not handled in a competent manner. Tales of sports performers failing drug tests because of problems associated with the supplements they were taking have become a common occurrence in recent years. In contrast the need for improved nutrition for all sports men, women and children participating in strenuous exercise is often neglected.
The meeting, hosted by the Antrim Sports Advisory Association in co-operation with the N.I. Sports Forum, aims to inform a wide cross-section of individuals engaged in sport about these issues. 

Meeting Details

Venue:  Massereene Golf Club, Lough Road, Antrim (near Antrim Forum)
Date:  10th November 2004
Time:  6.15pm to 9.30pm
Cost:  £5 per person

To reserve a place please send your details and a cheque, for £5 per person to:
Dr Chris Elliott Antrim Sports Advisory Association
Antrim Forum
Lough Road
ANTRIM
BT41 4DQ

Cheques to be made payable to Antrim Sports Advisory Association.
For further information contact Chris Elliott on 028 9052 5625 or E-mail ctelliott@talk21.com

Betty Armstrong

Many members will already be aware that the University of Ulster at Coleraine have introduced charges for parking in the campus carparks.  This has led to some staff and students using the marina carpark instead, - a practice which Coleraine Borough are keen to discourage.

Contrary to some reports, neither the commodore nor any member of CYC management committee communicated any objection, either verbal or written, to Coleraine Borough Council or to the university, on this subject.  CYC is content for the council to manage the marina carpark as it see fit, under the terms of our existing agreement. 

That long-standing agreement provides for the use of 60 parking spaces by members and guests of Coleraine Yacht Club, when engaged in activities associated with the club.  Unfortunately, when not so engaged, CYC members have no more rights to the use of the carpark than any other member of the public.

Please note new MCA requirements for lifejackets, effective immediately.

In the event of a person who, for whatever reason, is no longer capable of helping himself fully, unexpectedly enters the water, the ‘oral-inflation-only lifejacket unless already inflated, will not give a reasonable assurance of safety from drowning, It is recognised that there are considerable practical difficulties in operating any vessel whilst wearing an inflated lifejacket

Manual gas inflation lifejackets will continue to be permitted under the Code, should the operator’s risk assessment concludes that they are appropriate.
       
In accordance with your (RYA) suggestions, we will change the wording of Sectionl3.4.5 of the Small Commercial Vessel Code, currently out for consultation, to Inflatable lifejackets for new vessels and new inflatable lifejackets for existing vessels are to of manual gas or automatic gas inflation type, fitted with oral top up valves. On existing vessels where orally inflated lifejackets (no compressed gas inflation) are carried, these are to be inflated at all times when worn on deck, and, at the end of their service life, should be replaced with manual gas or automatic gas inflation lifejackets, fitted with oral top up valves.

4. We will consider foam/air lifejackets in slower time.

5. We will reissue the General Exemption for Class XII vessels to take account of the “oral-inflation­only” lifejackets and will consult in due course.

6. MCA formally requests RYA to consider the advice it issues to pleasure yachtsmen in relation to ”oral-inflation-only” lifejackets, bearing in mind the possibility of a relatively large quantity of such lifejackets coming onto the second­hand market in the near future.

Claude Hamilton, Head of Code Vessel Safety Branch
Maritime & Coastguard Agency

On 30 March this year the Government brought into force new alcohol limits for professional mariners. The new limits mirror those on the road and put professional mariners over the limit it they have more than 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood. The testing regime is also the same as on the roads. This means that the police will be able to use the same equipment and follow the same procedures as they do on motorists
This means that professional instructors and skippers on UK registered vessels anywhere in the world, those serving on foreign vessels while in UK waters and on un-registered vessels in UK waters may be breathalysed and, if found to be over the prescribed limits, prosecuted. The limits will apply to all professional mariners when they are on duty and to Masters at all times when they are on board.

Marine officials, for example harbour masters, have been given powers to detain vessels pending the arrival of the police if they have reason to suspect that an offence is being committed, It is the police who will conduct the tests. The statutory penalties which could be imposed by a court for someone having
been caught exceeding the limit are either a maximum of a £5,000 fine and or 2 years in prison.

The new limits will mainly affect RYA Instructors teaching practical courses where the Instructor and students remain on-board overnight, because the Instructor may need to react to any emergency at any time, even when secured alongside for the night, and is never off-duty’.

The guidance from the police is that while it is unlikely they will conduct spot checks, they are likely to breathalyse after an incident and if they receive a complaint, for example of rowdy or drunken behaviour in a harbour or marina.

The RYA advice to RYA Instructors and professional skippers is to remain under the prescribed limits at all times when teaching, and in the case of practical courses for the entire duration of the course. The RYA may suspend and ultimately remove a person’s Instructor endorsement if they are proven to be over the limit whilst at work on board a vessel.