BLUEMOMENT

I am firmly with the Poster who suggested just getting on with the Lockdown and protecting the NHS. If I don't get on the boat this year so be it - hopefully I will live to sail again next year.
I cannot think of a more selfish way of behaving than to drive up from where we live -(Nr Fleetwood) just so that I can have a bit of pleasure, sailing the boat. What if I stop for a pee at Southwaite and pick up the virus ? What if I'm carrying the virus and it bursts out whilst I'm in Ardfern and I've just been in the facilities, I've just collected the keys, I handled the guardrail on the way to the pontoon and somehow - I have infected someone. Unwittingly and unknowingly they infect someone else and before long I am the plague starter?
No thanks. I'll sit this one out.
And so should all the other stupid, selfish, short sighted sods who have supported the idea of getting sailing again on that stupid fekking website.

Its an old dog for a long race.

Apologies Alastair if I have differed from your stance but I really do feel very strongly indeed that we are so close to a 2nd coming of this love child virus and it really pisses me off when the self righteous pricks who have commented about how they are self sufficient and can take their own sandwiches and not bother anyone, forget that we are putting people at risk everytime we break the rules and more importantly the spirit of lockdown.
Rant over

claymore wrote:I am firmly with the Poster who suggested just getting on with the Lockdown and protecting the NHS. If I don't get on the boat this year so be it - hopefully I will live to sail again next year.
I cannot think of a more selfish way of behaving than to drive up from where we live -(Nr Fleetwood) just so that I can have a bit of pleasure, sailing the boat. What if I stop for a pee at Southwaite and pick up the virus ? What if I'm carrying the virus and it bursts out whilst I'm in Ardfern and I've just been in the facilities, I've just collected the keys, I handled the guardrail on the way to the pontoon and somehow - I have infected someone. Unwittingly and unknowingly they infect someone else and before long I am the plague starter?
No thanks. I'll sit this one out.
And so should all the other stupid, selfish, short sighted sods who have supported the idea of getting sailing again on that stupid fekking website.

Its an old dog for a long race.

Apologies Alastair if I have differed from your stance but I really do feel very strongly indeed that we are so close to a 2nd coming of this love child virus and it really pisses me off when the self righteous pricks who have commented about how they are self sufficient and can take their own sandwiches and not bother anyone, forget that we are putting people at risk everytime we break the rules and more importantly the spirit of lockdown.
Rant over

John

I'm in total agreement. I was a bit scunnered on hearing this afternoon's news that the shutdown, certainly North of the border, will continue for another three weeks.

I won't contribute to the website as I don't believe I want to give it oxygen.

All I want to do this year, whenever that is, is to see and hug the grandchildren. Sailing at the end of the day is a hobby and at best a sport. I know where my interests lie.

Keep well.

Donald

Had a quick look at both links. Both seem to be driven by a business with sailing interests ( sailingchallenge.org) under a banner of #Restartsailing

I'm not convinced that this is launched with the guy who potters in a 26' boat somehow. This is aimed at the bigger fish, racers and commercial interests. Won't get my vote. I'm thinking that I don't want to get this virus. I've been told that it's a particularly horrid way to die and that there are still too many deaths.

In Scotland R is too close to 1. What would happen if sailing was allowed in one area of the UK? Too many factors.

Sailing isn't a large earner in the economy. There are many, many more important things that need opened up.

Donald

Wully has threatened to turn me inside oot if he catches me sniffin around Ardfern. Knowing him, I guess he will turn me upside down as well, just to check my pockets....

I am torn. On one side I reckon I can reduce my virus risk to near zero while going to and out single-handed sailing, always provided my understanding of the virus behaviour is correct, and be of no risk to anyone. On the other hand I am inclined towards Claymore's stance that if we all do what Nicola says until it is deemed safe enough (though he didn't frame it that way) then that is the way to get out of this. Watching others do as they wish, and I admit to my own minor shortcomings twice in the last 7 weeks, raises the level of temptation to join them or to clype on them. I am trying to do neither but I find it mentally hard. It would be so much easier if everyone just stuck to the letter and spirit of lock-down.

I shall not be supporting Restart Sailing, opening golf courses, driving up to 50 miles for a country stroll, open sea swimming, nor any of the other "I'll be alright" ideas that have been published on the government ideas page. The idea that I could be responsible in any way for someone (or me!) catching this plague is an anathema.

I live in the most socially deprived area in Scotland. I can't reconcile swanning about pursuing my pretty exclusive hobby while less fortunate in my community struggle to get outside their front door to exercise.

Donald

Aja wrote:

claymore wrote:
No thanks. I'll sit this one out.
And so should all the other stupid, selfish, short sighted sods who have supported the idea of getting sailing again on that stupid fekking website.

I won't contribute to the website as I don't believe I want to give it oxygen.

Frustrating that the stupid, selfish sods on TOP have found out and are giving it oxygen there. Including one not living in Scotland and with no boat in Scotland, trying to find out how to "vote". Massive contrast in attitude on there compared with the thoughtful posts on here.

Aja wrote:I live in the most socially deprived area in Scotland. I can't reconcile swanning about pursuing my pretty exclusive hobby while less fortunate in my community struggle to get outside their front door to exercise.

Donald

I agree with this and also claymore's remarks.

Had the lockdown been announced a couple of days later I would be on my Mooring now. Probably the only one or two. I can esily get out to the Boat without walking, driving or coming into contact with anyone on Land and my Sailing is mainly single handed.

Although It's been disappointing to say the least given the cracking April Weather would I be comfortable being the only Boat on the Loch with the Travel restrictions for everyone else in place? frankly no.

When other people can also enjoy their chosen outdoor Sport or Hobby, fair enough but until them I will enjoy the peace and quiet as an alternative.

I can stroll across the Craobhie car park to my boat. She is ready for sea - once I bend on the sails.

I’m having to pay marina fees when a perfectly good mooring lies empty over the hill in Ardfern. I could nip round in a couple of hours and save myself enough money to keep Claymore in whusky for an hour or so. (Maybe)

But I won’t take the boat out until it is both socially , morally and ‘allowed’ to do so as I do believe we need to nail this virus down.

It is the height of selfish irresponsibility to want to go play with your toys at this time. Some of the arguments to justify going sailing are pathetic as well as ignorant.

Things will change soon enough.

I'm amazed TOP didn't crash the second Bee-Jay mentioned watersports. I'll be staying at home, even if some country needs more lerts. Always reminds me that wales us a principality, led by a prince. Scotland is a kingdom, led by a king. England is a country, . . .

I would like to be able to check the boat (its an hours drive away) and do some of the pre-launch work required, so I couldn't sail till that is done. I don't think a touch of lobbying by the site listed is detrimental. The politicians are limited by R, the numbers of new cases and the lack of a Test,Trace and Isolate setup. As someone who is sure they have had it, I would like that confirmed by a test, then I would have some assurance that I am not going to carry or pass it. Looking at the figures, and comparing with say France, it's a few weeks away till things will slacken off in Scotland, but I would like the folk in charge to let us out as soon as the golfers, caravaners or mountaineers are back about their pursuits. So I don't think waving a flag to say "remember us" is a bad thing.

If you are "sure" you have had it, why do you need a test to confirm? And you would need a test that does not yet exist. Look, I'm content that just about everyone on here is in the habit of making considered, risk-based decisions (maybe that's actually what stay alert is meant to mean, I don't know) and come to the right conclusions, but no way do I want the general picture to be that its up to individuals to decide what is and is not a "safe" activity. If we sailors are kept ashore because we are caught by wider measures that prevent genuinely risky activity by others because the gov has a single, simple message I'm happy with that. Although I think we no longer have that message despite 3 of the 4 nations tying to keep it that way.

Whether or not we are allowed to visit, work on and use our boats, the yards and contractors should be allowed to re-start work. The rural economy is being hit hard and anything that can protect and preserve employment should be encouraged. It will be more straightforward to have safe, self-isolating procedures for contractors in boat yards etc than in factories and offices.

The elected numpties who are trying to run the country and their pals in the media, are not showing the measures that were put in place in Asia to allow the controlled re-start of the economy there. Compulsory tracking (in China, using the WeChat platform), compulsory use of that app and temperature checking, compulsory use of masks in all public places (includign outside) logging the details of every entrant to work premises on a daily basis and very high standards of sanitation/disinfecting etc etc were all part of the return to work program. Daily checking by local govt officials (and there are may of them) and instant shut down if a business is found to be breaking the rules.

We are totally unprepared and lacking in the collective discipline that is a common thread in the countries that have this under control

We can be derogatory about the Asian countries, their lack of civil liberty and all the differences vs ourselves, but to reduce viral infection, it works.
Do I believe their data? No..... but they've got this managed down to an level that balances infection and economic activity

BlowingOldBoots wrote:Next Gate to pass through is up ahead, on the 28th of May. Let's see if this outdoor sports activity translates into sailing and out door work relaxing translates into boat launching. I hope so, but for the avoidance of being flamed, I hope so if the science dictates that.

I would think/hope that sailing(family groups only , return to home port,no overnighting especially to the islands)surfing, fish murdering, gowlf etc will be permitted.

Maybe they will start to launch boats that have a beam of more than 2 meters...

I took a wee gander at some of the submissions to the consultation (the original topic of this thread). Not all of them are a paragon of balanced reporting. Seems cruisers never need local facilities because they don't need to go ashore (for food, dispose of rubbish, do laundry) can always find somewhere safe to anchor (irrespective of how windy it gets), never need to go alongside (e.g. replenish fresh water, or pick up diesel). Perhaps the respondents all have 60+ foot boats with watermakers, massive diesel tanks, fridge-freezers, plus wind/solar/hyrovane powering it all etc. Or maybe they submitted on a rose tinted, best of all worlds "this is how I like to think sailing is" and ignore the actual practicalities. And that's before we consider anyone needing medical help (jammed finger in a winch), or hit the red button when dragging anchor (remember Lochaline a few years ago), or even running aground (I'm not mentioning Cleit Rock in particular). I'm fine with the idea of gentle lobbying, as long as its done on a balanced and truthful basis, and i also recognise some sailors are extremely self-reliant, these biased submissions (whether intentional or not) do not help decision makers come to a rational decision, and may actually delay rather than accelerate the return of proper sailing including overnight stays.