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From the Bridge - Commodore’s Foreword
From the Bridge - Commodore
This is the second “From the Bridge” article that I have written this year. The first version now seems somewhat mundane referencing the challenges from of the previous two years, namely storm Emma’s destruction of the plinth for the hut and the new harbour fairway, and suggested that this year would be simpler. Little did we know! It seems like a life time ago when the afore mentioned issues were the primary matters of concern.
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I would like to start with some very good news.
AIB Private Banking are Dublin Bay Sailing Club’s title sponsor
We believe that this is an excellent fit for all parties and will yield fruitful results. I would like to recognise AIB’s support through these challenging times and their unwavering commitment to the sponsorship. This is deeply appreciated and will ensure help to ensure the continued viability of our club.
As you all will have seen the programme this year has been extended into September for mid-week racing and October for weekend racing. I would like to remind you all that we are running a comprehensive programme on Tuesdays, akin to Thursday to provide the opportunity to catch up on those missed racing days during lock down. The traditional four waterfront club regattas from early June to early July will not happen this year. Instead a joint regatta is envisaged and planning is underway. More details on this to follow.
This year two significant anniversaries will be celebrated. In Dun Laoghaire the National Yacht Club will be 150 years old. Plans to celebrate this achievement are currently underway. We also recognise the Royal Cork Yacht Club, reaching three hundred years. A fine achievement for the oldest yacht club in the world.
Notwithstanding the generous sponsorship from AIB, our club’s finances are under significant pressure due to both the reduced number of members and a lower boat entry fee. With this in mind the committee has acted to reduce cost where possible, while ensuring that our club continues to offer the very high standard of racing that we have all become accustomed to. The most obvious charges are as follows: A reduced number of marks have been deployed, the hut has not been put on station and the yearbook will only be distributed electronically. Every Euro saved counts.
As I mentioned in my Commodore’s report at the AGM last year, there have been comments that the new outer marks are sometimes hard to distinguish from each other. Due to the composition of the marks there is a difficulty in maintaining the correct colours, however it is hoped we have improved on this by using larger letters to aid identification.
Following last year’s major update to the Sailing Instructions this year’s changes are relatively small, focused on the changes to fleet composition and schedules as a result of the delayed start and reduced boat entry. After consultation with dinghy fleet representatives the dinghy SIs have been brought in line with the other fleets. Amendments from last year have been incorporated and the format of the yearbook updated. Before the crisis hit and after much deliberation at Committee, the decision was made that the time was finally right to stop posting course cards and yearbook. This move is in line with the universal trend of reducing waste, and reducing the significant postal costs.
The website continues its cycle of change. This year we have completed the migration to the new platform with online entry and other forms now managed in the same environment. This change aligns with the move towards an online only entry policy. There are numerous reasons, including improving data integratory, easier system integration and removal of any liability associated with handling cash and cheques.
We also do not want to forget a number of changes that were planned but are not relevant in the current circumstance. These include a re-imagined Super League, the reappearance of the Dublin Bay 21s and refinement of the course cards. Of these changes we are delighted to see these Dublin Bay 21s back where they belong in Dun Laoghaire and hope to see the fleet growing over the coming years. Fionán de Barra has written a short piece which can be found later in the DBSC Classes section.
Concluding, I would like to remind you of the many talented people, on and off the water, who have devoted their energies to help navigate our club through these challenging times. The effort has been immense and a heartfelt thanks to you all. Nor must I forget our volunteers, over forty of them (by the last count), who give freely of their spare time so that the rest of us can enjoy our sailing. Finally, it has been heartening to see the four waterfront clubs and DBSC coming together through this difficult period. I hope this is a new dawn of even greater co-operation.
