SUSSEX POLICE OFFSHORE SAILING CLUB
General Information for potential, new & current Members
What does the club do?
Basically in a nut- shell, sailing. The rules of the club give the objectives ’’to encourage and train members to sail in offshore waters with a view to participation in cruising, racing and social sailing within the calendar of the SPOSC and other bodies.’’
Where are the rules, can I read them?
They are on the website and are fairly short and so worth a read!
When do you meet?
Generally on club charters. We also have an AGM each January to which all members and new members are more than welcome and encouraged to attend
Can I speak to anyone about the club and what it does?
Yes, please do. Any member of the club or a committee member will be more than pleased to tell you what we do. Details are on the SPOSC club web site.
How are club trips arranged?
The committee agree and publish a calendar of events at the AGM in January of each year. RYA qualified club skippers volunteer to run the trip. They finalise dates and the trip is then circulated by e-mail to all members. You would then reply to the skipper with a copy to the treasurer. Names are collected and once you have paid for the trip you are guaranteed a berth.
How much does it cost?
Currently each crew member pays £20 per day with £1 a day donation to the RNLI.
If a member of a 'Race Boat crew' the cost is £25 per day with £1 a day donation to the RNLI
What happens next?
The skipper and treasurer arrange suitable yacht(s) and these are then paid for. Chartering is expensive and so you have an obligation to commit yourself to the trip. Full/part refunds would only be considered by the committee in unforeseen circumstances. You personally need to ensure you have arranged time off. If the trip is a cross channel passage, that you have a current and valid passport.
What happens if there are too many going?
We will, subject to funds, arrange a second skipper and a second boat. Failing all this then you would be given priority on any further trips.
All sounds as though it’s now getting a bit serious?
Not really. We promote safe boating with an emphasis on learning and training under the Royal Yachting Association cruising scheme. However it is also about having fun in a safe and social environment. The trips are not ’leisure breaks’. Members are encouraged to buy a RYA Sail Cruising Log Book (cost £5.00) to record their trips and mileage. If you so desire you can work towards RYA sailing and skippering qualifications through these trips or remain a useful crew member, the choice is yours.
Do I need to be able to sail?
No. The crew are generally made up of experienced and inexperienced members. However consideration has to be given by the skipper on selecting a crew so that he/she has sufficient experienced crew members for the trip.
What happens next?
The skipper circulates joining times and where to meet. You need to get yourself to the marina at the specified time with the appropriate clothing and sleeping bag for the trip. You can contact other members going to share transport arrangements.
Where or how do we eat?
The skipper will arrange’ victualing’ of the yacht to eat on board and you may also eat out some evenings on the trip, so bring sufficient money. The cost of the food is divided amongst the crew together with any mooring charges and diesel for the trip.
Where do we sleep?
On board the yacht so you may have to share a berth with a colleague. Don’t forget your sleeping bag...and in some cases ear plugs!
Do I need my own lifejacket?
All the boats we charter are fully compliant with all safety legislation. Lifejackets and all safety equipment are provided for the charter.
Where do we sail to?
The charters are varied. In February we do 2-3 day trips in the Solent. In May there is the National Police Racing and a support boat for a week. A week’s owners rally in June and a passage trip of 5 days during the warmer months. We do sail to France so remember that a current and valid passport is needed. If funds are available then we will arrange other charters or training during the year.
What happens if I am seasick?
There are various medicines/pills you can take before departure. But do read the instructions carefully. You should let the skipper know if you suffer from any medical conditions or are taking medicine.
What happens if the weather is really bad is it cancelled?
More often than not we charter from the Solent area. If a passage trip was planned and it was too rough to sail cross the channel, then the skipper would amend the plan to sail in the Solent or along a coastal area where there would be suitable conditions and protection.
What happens if I break or lose something on the boat, are we insured?
The cost of minor loss or damage is shared by the crew. Serious damage is covered by the SPSA insurance. All club members, providing they are not negligent are also covered by this insurance. Details are on the web site.
Do I need special clothing?
Suitable sailing/outdoor protective clothing is required. On long passage trips you really need proper sailing gear to protect you against prolonged rain or cold. You could borrow these from a friend or sometimes the charterers hire it for about £10 a day. You could purchase your own or have a look at EBay. New kit is expensive.
Do I get any training?
The skipper on the trip gives everyone a full safety briefing before departure. You will also be shown specific procedures and how to use equipment such as winches and various ‘halyards & sheets’ on the trip. If you are new to sailing the internet is a mass of information and the Royal Yachting Association publish various books for training purposes. Also try your local library.
Can I gain specific sailing qualifications?
SPOSC arranges training under the RYA Cruising scheme. The scheme is based on theory Shorebased courses and Practical crewing and skippering courses. If there is enough interest we do arrange annual RYA practical course for Competent Crew, Day Skippers, Coastal Skippers and Yachtmasters. The RYA web site will give you further information on the syllabus for these courses.
You mentioned suitable kit earlier, what would you suggest?
The kit you bring will generally be dependent on the weather, so please be aware of the conditions and bring/wear appropriate clothing. Sailing often generates a lot of activity, so comfortable clothes and shoes (with no dangly bits!) are wise to wear. Also, wind chill factors get up considerably when you are sailing, so please bear in mind that several thin layers are better than one thick layer. As a suggestion:
• Warm clothing (multiple layers are better)
• Soft soled non marking shoes (ideally deck shoes)
• Wet weather gear
• Sea boots
• Sleeping bag
• Pillow
• Sunglasses
• Lip balm
• Cap or hat
• Sun tan cream
• Towel & wash kit
• Soft bag rather than suit case for storing your kit
• Sea sickness remedy
Okay I am now convinced, how do I join the club?
Email the club from this website or contact a Committee member stating your interest. If you currently pay a subscription fee to the Sussex Police Sports Association, you pay no further fee to SPOSC. If you are not a member of SPSA then the cost to join SPOSC is £20.00 per annum. He will send you full details including membership form, club rules etc.
As a new member how do I learn what’s going on?
Obviously you know about the club website and the club e-mails a newsletter ‘Scuttlebutt’ which as well as describing what is going on publishes articles from members of trips they have done with or outside of the club.
Club Skippers – how do I arrange a charter?
· The committee arranges the club sailing calendar at the beginning of the year and you can volunteer to skipper any of the trips as long as you have the appropriate RYA sailing qualifications.
· Once the committee have agreed for you to act as skipper, you need to arrange the trip. Finalise the dates and joining times and circulate these through the club secretary who has the definitive membership list. Membership replies are sent direct to you with a copy to the treasurer.
· When you have all the names and cheques the treasurer arranges the booking and payment of suitable yacht(s). Yachts will not be booked until all cheques have been received.
· You update the crew with all arrangements, joining times, passage etc. This way you control all arrangements and know fully what is going on with your trip and your crew.
· You can ring the charter the week before the trip to agree handover times of the yacht. Then it’s all about having a safe and enjoyable trip with your crew!
with Thanks to Alwyn Evans Treasurer 2009
Basically in a nut- shell, sailing. The rules of the club give the objectives ’’to encourage and train members to sail in offshore waters with a view to participation in cruising, racing and social sailing within the calendar of the SPOSC and other bodies.’’
Where are the rules, can I read them?
They are on the website and are fairly short and so worth a read!
When do you meet?
Generally on club charters. We also have an AGM each January to which all members and new members are more than welcome and encouraged to attend
Can I speak to anyone about the club and what it does?
Yes, please do. Any member of the club or a committee member will be more than pleased to tell you what we do. Details are on the SPOSC club web site.
How are club trips arranged?
The committee agree and publish a calendar of events at the AGM in January of each year. RYA qualified club skippers volunteer to run the trip. They finalise dates and the trip is then circulated by e-mail to all members. You would then reply to the skipper with a copy to the treasurer. Names are collected and once you have paid for the trip you are guaranteed a berth.
How much does it cost?
Currently each crew member pays £20 per day with £1 a day donation to the RNLI.
If a member of a 'Race Boat crew' the cost is £25 per day with £1 a day donation to the RNLI
What happens next?
The skipper and treasurer arrange suitable yacht(s) and these are then paid for. Chartering is expensive and so you have an obligation to commit yourself to the trip. Full/part refunds would only be considered by the committee in unforeseen circumstances. You personally need to ensure you have arranged time off. If the trip is a cross channel passage, that you have a current and valid passport.
What happens if there are too many going?
We will, subject to funds, arrange a second skipper and a second boat. Failing all this then you would be given priority on any further trips.
All sounds as though it’s now getting a bit serious?
Not really. We promote safe boating with an emphasis on learning and training under the Royal Yachting Association cruising scheme. However it is also about having fun in a safe and social environment. The trips are not ’leisure breaks’. Members are encouraged to buy a RYA Sail Cruising Log Book (cost £5.00) to record their trips and mileage. If you so desire you can work towards RYA sailing and skippering qualifications through these trips or remain a useful crew member, the choice is yours.
Do I need to be able to sail?
No. The crew are generally made up of experienced and inexperienced members. However consideration has to be given by the skipper on selecting a crew so that he/she has sufficient experienced crew members for the trip.
What happens next?
The skipper circulates joining times and where to meet. You need to get yourself to the marina at the specified time with the appropriate clothing and sleeping bag for the trip. You can contact other members going to share transport arrangements.
Where or how do we eat?
The skipper will arrange’ victualing’ of the yacht to eat on board and you may also eat out some evenings on the trip, so bring sufficient money. The cost of the food is divided amongst the crew together with any mooring charges and diesel for the trip.
Where do we sleep?
On board the yacht so you may have to share a berth with a colleague. Don’t forget your sleeping bag...and in some cases ear plugs!
Do I need my own lifejacket?
All the boats we charter are fully compliant with all safety legislation. Lifejackets and all safety equipment are provided for the charter.
Where do we sail to?
The charters are varied. In February we do 2-3 day trips in the Solent. In May there is the National Police Racing and a support boat for a week. A week’s owners rally in June and a passage trip of 5 days during the warmer months. We do sail to France so remember that a current and valid passport is needed. If funds are available then we will arrange other charters or training during the year.
What happens if I am seasick?
There are various medicines/pills you can take before departure. But do read the instructions carefully. You should let the skipper know if you suffer from any medical conditions or are taking medicine.
What happens if the weather is really bad is it cancelled?
More often than not we charter from the Solent area. If a passage trip was planned and it was too rough to sail cross the channel, then the skipper would amend the plan to sail in the Solent or along a coastal area where there would be suitable conditions and protection.
What happens if I break or lose something on the boat, are we insured?
The cost of minor loss or damage is shared by the crew. Serious damage is covered by the SPSA insurance. All club members, providing they are not negligent are also covered by this insurance. Details are on the web site.
Do I need special clothing?
Suitable sailing/outdoor protective clothing is required. On long passage trips you really need proper sailing gear to protect you against prolonged rain or cold. You could borrow these from a friend or sometimes the charterers hire it for about £10 a day. You could purchase your own or have a look at EBay. New kit is expensive.
Do I get any training?
The skipper on the trip gives everyone a full safety briefing before departure. You will also be shown specific procedures and how to use equipment such as winches and various ‘halyards & sheets’ on the trip. If you are new to sailing the internet is a mass of information and the Royal Yachting Association publish various books for training purposes. Also try your local library.
Can I gain specific sailing qualifications?
SPOSC arranges training under the RYA Cruising scheme. The scheme is based on theory Shorebased courses and Practical crewing and skippering courses. If there is enough interest we do arrange annual RYA practical course for Competent Crew, Day Skippers, Coastal Skippers and Yachtmasters. The RYA web site will give you further information on the syllabus for these courses.
You mentioned suitable kit earlier, what would you suggest?
The kit you bring will generally be dependent on the weather, so please be aware of the conditions and bring/wear appropriate clothing. Sailing often generates a lot of activity, so comfortable clothes and shoes (with no dangly bits!) are wise to wear. Also, wind chill factors get up considerably when you are sailing, so please bear in mind that several thin layers are better than one thick layer. As a suggestion:
• Warm clothing (multiple layers are better)
• Soft soled non marking shoes (ideally deck shoes)
• Wet weather gear
• Sea boots
• Sleeping bag
• Pillow
• Sunglasses
• Lip balm
• Cap or hat
• Sun tan cream
• Towel & wash kit
• Soft bag rather than suit case for storing your kit
• Sea sickness remedy
Okay I am now convinced, how do I join the club?
Email the club from this website or contact a Committee member stating your interest. If you currently pay a subscription fee to the Sussex Police Sports Association, you pay no further fee to SPOSC. If you are not a member of SPSA then the cost to join SPOSC is £20.00 per annum. He will send you full details including membership form, club rules etc.
As a new member how do I learn what’s going on?
Obviously you know about the club website and the club e-mails a newsletter ‘Scuttlebutt’ which as well as describing what is going on publishes articles from members of trips they have done with or outside of the club.
Club Skippers – how do I arrange a charter?
· The committee arranges the club sailing calendar at the beginning of the year and you can volunteer to skipper any of the trips as long as you have the appropriate RYA sailing qualifications.
· Once the committee have agreed for you to act as skipper, you need to arrange the trip. Finalise the dates and joining times and circulate these through the club secretary who has the definitive membership list. Membership replies are sent direct to you with a copy to the treasurer.
· When you have all the names and cheques the treasurer arranges the booking and payment of suitable yacht(s). Yachts will not be booked until all cheques have been received.
· You update the crew with all arrangements, joining times, passage etc. This way you control all arrangements and know fully what is going on with your trip and your crew.
· You can ring the charter the week before the trip to agree handover times of the yacht. Then it’s all about having a safe and enjoyable trip with your crew!
with Thanks to Alwyn Evans Treasurer 2009