Author: Louise Johnsen

Dear GYC Members, 

After much discussion and consultation with public health, by-law, and other authorities, we have made the difficult decision to postpone Sailpast. We are monitoring the situation and exploring options for us all to celebrate the 2020 boating season. Stay tuned!

If you had a cradle on the property make sure you have picked up any wood blocks, supports, anything left behind from storing your boat. 

Thank you to all our Members for a successful virtual AGM. Below are the email addresses for your Board of Directors and assisting roles. 

New address – Commodore

commodore@georgianyachtclub.com      Travis Low

New address – Invoicing

invoicing@georgianyachtclub.com     Brian Macintosh

Insurance – boatinsurance@georgianyachtclub.com    Tom England

Secretary – secretary@georgianyachtclub.com       Becky Middlebrook

Treasurer – treasurer@georgianyachtclub.com       Peter Struthers

Newsletter – newsletter@georgianyachtclub.com     Louise Johnsen 

Membership – membership@georgianyachtclub.com      Joe Fryer

Utilities – karin.burrows@sympatico.ca Ross Burrows

Launch & Haul Out – mike@greybrucelaw.ca Mike Forcier

Property – treeguy_01@hotmail.com Chris Haslam

Planning & Development – twored71gtos@hotmail.com Ken Hearty

Mooring – dannjones@live.ca Dan Jones

Social & Clubhouse – paul_weitendorf@rogers.com Paul Weitendorf

Fuel Dock & Safety – harryh@xplornet.com Harry Hartrick

Past Commodore – rhachey1224@rogers.com Ann Hachey

The clubhouse remains closed, but you can access the upper floor. There you will find:

Small board put upstairs 

-new full members emergency contact list.  

-list of current Board 

-Marine distress notice 

-location of pumps and contact numbers for garage keys. 

-roof pump, electric

First aid kit 

boat board now accessible

AED installed 

Thanks to all of you for a successful launch!  Please remember to practice physical distancing and follow public health guidelines to help keep you, your family, and our frontline workers safe. 

Our Spring Newsletter was delayed due to the need to focus our communications on the AGM and Launch, but we will be publishing one over the next few weeks. Please send in your photos, stories and suggestions to newsletter@georgianyachtclub.com

See you on the water!

Your Board of Directors

Cradle moving will take place Sunday May 31st at  9:00am.

Practice physical distancing and follow public health guidelines.

 Names must be painted on all cradles, and no ladders attached to cradles.

We are always looking for people with 4x4s and trucks, so if you can help out please contact Mike Forcier mike@greybrucelaw.ca

For sailors who use the mast rack : Masts must be removed from the rack and the rack will be taken down. Please contact Mike Forcier for more information.

The GYC AED has now been installed in the club house. It is mounted on the wall by the men’s bathroom.

Many thanks to Ralph Suke for doing the installation.

Captains List can be found here

 GYC Launch – Saturday May 23^rd 2020

Dear GYC Members, 

Please read carefully:

Mike has organized a small but mighty crew for each crane in the morning as well as the afternoon.  This keeps our numbers down on the property, keeps everyone safer and keeps us within the rules at this unprecedented time. Thank-you for understanding. The Board is trying to do its best. 

Attached to this email is a list with your launch time, your check in gate and cell # for the gate crew. 

Arrive at least 30-45 minutes ahead of your launch time. (Those at 8am should arrive 07:40am). 

Remember that launch can get ahead of schedule, or behind schedule, so please be patient and ready to go when you’re called in. If you are not able to attend the launch of your boat, you must notify the Launch & Haul out Director Mike Forcier at mike@greybrucelaw.ca or his office at 519-372-0722 no later than Friday.  If any questions or concerns, contact Mike. If there is a problem on Friday night or Saturday you can also reach Mike at 519-372-5960.

Fenders, lines, and sling pads must be in place by Friday evening.  You must have a bow and a stern line at least 30’ long.  Please lead them down so they are accessible from the ground. 

Our major contact from the gate crew to you will be your cell phone and preferably by text, otherwise a cell call.  Please make sure your cell phone is up to date on the attached list of captains and boats. Please call Becky 519-373-6101 by Friday at the latest with correct cell phone so the list can be updated for the gate crews.   If you have no cell phone, then tell us that too. 

There will be one person working each gate.  

Please park outside the property, as near your assigned gate as possible. When you arrive at the vicinity of the club property, notify the gate crew by text or cell phone call (or walk up to speak to them at the gate) . You will be directed by the gate crew to drive into the club just prior to your launch time.  Please remain in your car and wait it out folks.   (No family/friends this year). 

 The gate crew will be in touch with the crane crew with walkie talkies to coordinate boat captains in time for their launch. 

You will be offered hand sanitizer at the gate entrances. We encourage members to wear a mask to protect your selves and your fellow club members and the crane crew.  There will be garbage available for safe disposal of gloves or face masks should you choose to wear them. Please bring your own mask if possible. A mask is preferable to a scarf but a scarf/large handkerchief is better than nothing.

Once your boat is launched, each boat captain will check their boat to insure a dry bilge and lines are secured, and moves vessel as necessary.  The Captain then leaves the property and can return late in the day or the next day.

Checks will be performed at the end of the day to ensure boats are safe and secured. 

Emergency sump pump will be up in the upper doorway of the clubhouse in case of emergency.  

Cradle moving will take place  Sunday May 31st at  9:00am  to allow more time for members to collapse there cradles and to do physical distancing. Names painted on all cradles. No ladders attached to cradles.. 

Reminder to all members preparing their boats:

APPENDIX “E” ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY 

Removal of bottom paints and structural component materials removed by sanding, grinding, or blasting methods are to be contained in a sealed cover of the given work area during the process as no dust is allowed in the air or on the ground. Collect all removed materials and place in sealed plastic bags for land fill disposal. Members who wish to remove material by blasting will be required to seek Board of Directors approval in writing including details of job plan, timing and assurance of containment. 

When power washing bottom paints collect any loose paint flake materials which were removed during washing and place in sealed plastic bags for landfill disposal. 

Reminder: Appendix D of Launch and Haul out. Don’t paint the hull the day of lift to avoid getting paint on others boats or the crane slings. 

The following was prepared in direct consultation with a manager from our local Public Health office, who is the spouse of a GYC member, as well as reference made to “Ontario’s Guidance on Health and Safety for Marinas during Covid-19” and in consultation with other Boat clubs. 

At this time, access to the clubhouse is restricted. The washrooms can be accessed only through the upper outside door as of THURSDAY MAY 21. Those washrooms will be cleaned daily and twice on launch day. The fuel dock washroom is already being cleaned daily and will be done twice on launch day. Due to the small space in our washrooms, please, only one person at a time. In addition to increased washroom cleaning, frequently used contact points such as key card boxes and light switches and doorways are also on the cleaning list. 

At all times, please keep in mind the following:

Social distancing of 6 feet

If new or worsening cough, fever, sore throat, difficulty breathing then please self isolate at home. 

Wash hands frequently and when unable to do so, use hand sanitizer. 

Please do not gather in groups because your health may depend on it and we are trying to avoid any closure that an outbreak in the club might trigger. 

Sanitizer has been located around the property, at the fuel dock and inside the upper clubhouse doorway. 

The upper clubhouse doorway will be unlocked as of Thursday May 21.

Tables will be setup to block access to the room in the upper level. 

The inside stairs leading down, will be roped off. The lower clubhouse door remains locked. The Commodore, Vice Commodore & Social/Clubhouse Director have clubhouse keys for urgent or administrative tasks. 

Signs will be posted for:

1. Handwashing reminder
2. Use hand sanitizer
3. Maintain social distancing
4. (Washroom door) One user at a time, Knock First

Due to the lack of running water and limitations to cleaning, the Port-a-potty will not be available at this time. 

Regrettably, picnic tables, chairs and club barbecues will be inaccessible in an effort to promote safe practices and for the same reason, the fridge will be unplugged while not in use at this time.

Thank-you for respecting those who may decide to wear a mask, in an effort to protect their families and others. 

We all feel fortunate to be able to launch our boats and look forward to enjoying them with our families. 

We hope that the measures above will display to you that the Board cares about and is striving to protect the members while ensuring continued access to the property as we move through these uncharted & changing times. 

Above all, to our friends of Georgian Yacht Club, Stay Safe.

The Board of Directors for GYC