BLUEMOMENT

The yard where Contender lies, out on the hard, mast off, have just advised that launchings are suspended meantime. So my idea of self (immolation) [typo] self isolation, aboard cruising the west coast somewhere they don't prevent landings ashore, seems to have been postponed.
There's almost no sailing events still on the calendars, and more cancellations expected soon, to make it a completed list. So, that means having to decide where to sail to. If only there was a boat afloat to sail in!
Are all yards doing the same?

Is the yard shut? Seems strange they are not launching.

Luckily we got in the water yesterday...

Yard not shut, just not allowing any customers in during the hours they are there. So I can finish the preparations on weekends, but they're not launching any boats.
I read somewhere that Spain and France have banned leisure boating. I cannot think why they'd do that? Surely having people at sea keeps them isolated even better.

I'm probably in the same yard as you since I got a similar email. If they don't want customers infecting their staff, I wonder if they would launch you onto one of their buoys, and you could then dinghy out and take it from there. Its early days yet, I wasn't planning on launching until around Easter, but I'm happy to prepare for a later start to the season if it comes to it.

While I like to think of myself holed up anchored at the burnt isles while it all blows over, I can realistically only manage 7-10 days before running out of water.

Catching rain water must be a plan fraught with success in Scotland...

Ardfern are actively encouraging everyone to their yard, local shop and cafes and advertising that it is business as usual. You can make of that what you want. Some take the virus issue more seriously than others. I am likely shut down for a long time as my yacht will probably not get launched. I have more respect for the yard that is protecting it's workers, than one that thinks it is controlling the spread rate by cleaning the toilets more often.

mm5aho wrote:Yard not shut, just not allowing any customers in during the hours they are there. So I can finish the preparations on weekends, but they're not launching any boats.
I read somewhere that Spain and France have banned leisure boating. I cannot think why they'd do that? Surely having people at sea keeps them isolated even better.

But they are not at sea all the time, they have to come back in, they may also head to sea with the virus which could them become more complicated to manage. I think as part of the pandemic controls, banning unnecessary boat movements is reasonable, at the appropriate time.

Response from James Watt Dock today

"Good morning,

Following several days of consultation we have today made the difficult decision to close the marina office to all of our customers, contractors and visitors. This measure will take effect from 5pm this afternoon and will be in place until such time as we are confident that we can return to normal service. The office team will continue to deal with the day to day administration as will the night security team, however, there will need to be some adjustments made to some of the services that we provide you with. The marina, boatyard and undercover storage will remain fully accessible for now but we will continue to keep this under review.


Marina Office

There will be no access to the marina office under any circumstance for all customers, contractors and visitors from 5pm on Friday 20th March 2020.
Collection of keys or items in storage must only be pre-arranged by telephone or email.
No arrangements should be made for any mail or parcels to be delivered to the marina office. Any special arrangements must be made by request.
Payments of fees or for services will only be taken by telephone or by bank transfer. We will not be accepting cash payments until further notice.

Caravan and Motorhomes

We will continue to provide the service of having customer caravans and motorhomes moved out of storage for collection based on a request being made no later than 24hrs before the collection time, however, when returning the vehicle, access will be restricted to the secure parking area on the centre quay where the vehicle will remain for 48hrs before being moved back into undercover storage by a marina operative. There is no option available for customers to move vehicles back into storage by themselves.
Collection of keys for vehicles should be made in advance by contacting the marina office by telephone or email. Details for collection will be confirmed at this time.
Should your vehicle require connection to an electricity supply, please contact the marina office and we will have this carried out by a marina operative.

Undercover Storage

Undercover storage will remain accessible for now, however, I would ask that you respect the government advice relating to social isolation and distance yourself from other users.
Should any vessels need to be removed from storage, please contact the marina office at least 24hr in advance. We will continue to provide the service of having customer vessels moved out of storage for collection based on a request being made no later than 24hrs before the collection time, however, when returning the vessel, access will be restricted to the secure parking area on the centre quay where the vessel will remain for 48hrs before being moved back into undercover storage by a marina operative. There is no option available for customers to move vessels back into storage by themselves.
Should your vessel require connection to an electricity supply, please contact the marina office and we will have this carried out by a mrina operative.

Boatyard

The boatyard will remain accessible for now, however, I would ask that you respect the government advice relating to social isolation and distance yourself from other users.
The boatyard team will be contiuing to work to schedule with Spring launches and I would urge you to please leave them to work in isolation. Any bookings for re-launch or questions regarding boatyard operations should not be made directly to any marina operative and instead be made by contacting the marina office by telephone or email.
No customers should be present during any craning operations . Following a vessel being launched it will be moved to the approporiate berth by a marina operative when customers can then freely attend. Any special arrangements for attendance during craning operations should be agreed in advance with either myself or Dom Todd.


We are aware that by putting in place these measures there will be an element of inconvenience to you but I am confident that you will understand why we have had to do so. If you wish to discuss any of these measures, or indeed, anything related to the current siuation and how it may be affecting your plans for the 2020 season, please contact me by telephone or email.

We will continue to review the marina operations on a daily basis and keep you well informed of any further decisions.

Thank you in advance for your support at this time

Kindest regards
Graeme



Graeme Galbraith
Marina Manager


T: +44 (0) 1475 729 838
M: +44 (0) 7505 119 026
E: graeme.galbraith@jwdmarina.co.uk
W: www.jameswattdockmarina.co.uk

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BlowingOldBoots wrote:Ardfern are actively encouraging everyone to their yard, local shop and cafes and advertising that it is business as usual. You can make of that what you want. Some take the virus issue more seriously than others. I am likely shut down for a long time as my yacht will probably not get launched. I have more respect for the yard that is protecting it's workers, than one that thinks it is controlling the spread rate by cleaning the toilets more often.

That's a bit harsh on Ardfern - their actual statement implies that they are watching what is a developing situation and will respond and alter arrangements as necessary and as advised

We will keep monitoring these guidelines and the daily changing situation and will of course implement what ever else we are asked to do in order to protect all who work or visit Ardfern during this ever-changing and challenging period.

At the time of writing there have been no confirmed cases of the virus in the Argyll area and we politely ask that if you are feeling unwell please postpone your visit to the area until you are feeling better or have self isolated for up to 14 days as per Government guidelines.

Its tricky enough - I think we should lay off criticising anyone for their actions or policies because this really is management on the hoof.

.
I think those slow to shut down now will come in for severe criticism when this first spike gets out of hand.

Which it is going to.

We have Avy-J on a mooring, but not sure if we will get to sail her this year. Logic says that trips out to anchor overnight in the Black Isles are n not putting anyone at risk, but of course we are another potential call on emergency services, even if we don't call them.

Work on Fairwinds seems less than vital right now.

Kilmelford are launching (when they get the rails repaired that is).

Access to the office is not allowed which is a sensible measure.

skua164 wrote:Kilmelford are launching (when they get the rails repaired that is).

Access to the office is not allowed which is a sensible measure.

Any measure which reduces your opportunity for contact with David has to be a sensible one

The yards seem busy with folk working on their boats, dunno where they are all staying or what they are going to do since the pubs and eateries are all closed. Wish they’d all eff off home TBH.

The thing is - we are all going to get it sooner or later. Some of us really badly, most of us not so bad.

How long before one of those arseholes who’ve arrived here in droves in motorhomes and caravans call 999?

How long after that until some eejit is squealing on 16 for the RNLI to take them from some anchorage to hospital in Oban?

Will that clown Boris lock everyone down before we get that far?

wully wrote: ........ Will that clown Boris lock everyone down before we get that far?

Probably after, if form is anything to go on.

I have written this year off. Not expecting to do any sailing before August and probably not after then.