Newsletter -May 2024

GHYC Commodore's Logbook May 2024

Please watch your in-box on Monday 13th for an important message from your Commodore.

Sailing Committee Corner

Summer Series

This year's summer was definitely a case of 'all or nothing' ~ we had great racing and cruising interspersed with more than our fair share of windless days or high winds. . A big "thank you" to everyone who took part in the summer programmes, not forgetting all the race management volunteers who give so willingly of their time and expertise.

A highlight of Summer had to be the WOWW (Women on Water Weekend) Regatta which was a resounding success, and made a considerable sum of money for the club coffers

Summer Prize Giving is on Saturday 18^th May prize giving /dinner buffet / live music. Please invite your crew and BOOK NOW as it is only a week away. We want to make it a great social occasion for sailors and sponsors who will be joining us.

Winter Race Series & Winter Cruising Series - ENTRY NOW OPEN

The full schedule of races is on the website under Documents, Sailing Calendar 2023-24

Both these series are very popular amongst members the racing series is an opportunity to enjoy competitive and social racing all in the one series, with results and day prizes at either GHYC or WBC (alternating)

The cruising series has proven so popular in its pursuit format that it now comprises 5 races. Afterwards, the bar will be open and everyone is invited to bring a plate or order a bacon buttie from the BBQ crew

We look forward to seeing you out there over winter..

Crew safety briefing checklist

https://gulfharbouryc.clubmin.net/uploads/1418721/public_download

YNZ has created a handy crew safety briefing checklist which can be used by skippers to brief crews on safety prior to departure. It is relevant to all boaties, not just sailors. This convenient checklist helps crew (new and old) feel more confident, which makes for a better day on the water. Of course if there is an emergency it means everyone on board is better equipped to deal with it.

The reasons behind this are:

1. Crew are becoming hard to find and a lot of people are new to sailing / boating.

2. Crew are often not familiar with the vessel and its particular hazards.

3. It ensures skippers knowledge is passed to crew.

4. This goes some way to fulfilling skipper's responsibilities under New Zealand maritime law.

Why not print and laminate a copy to keep it handy on your boat

GHYC Power Boat Squadron (PBS)

The Club now has a Power Boat Squadron comprising of 13 power boats. Not quite enough to assist very much in the evacuation of the British Army from the beaches of Dunkirk, but a formidable fleet nonetheless!

The name was decided upon at our inaugural meeting on April 4^th and the intention of the PBS is to, as much as will be possible, mix with the activities of the many members who are still (young enough!) to be sailing and racing. Most of the members of the PBS have, in recent times, dropped their sails for the last time and opted for the slightly easier pastime of motoring around the Gulf.

One of the number of suggested activities was that of holding navigation rallies which sometimes could be held at the same time as sailing races. These would be timed so as to make it possible to all meet up, either back at the Club, or at some beach, at the same time. And any boat with an engine can participate in a navigation rally, especially on windless days!

We shall be holding our first PBS function so that we can start to get to know each other better by having an evening BBQ at the Club on Wednesday 15^th May at 1800hrs.

For further information please contact :

Mike Pignéguy: Ph:027 33 88 248

E: gannet61@yahoo.co.nz

Coffee Mornings at the Club

There never seems to be enough time to just sit around and chat with like-minded friends and enjoy a cuppa at the same time. So lets make the time by re-instating our Coffee Mornings, and the first one will be on Tuesday 14^th May at 1030hrs and weekly thereafter. These are open to anyone so please do invite your neighbours and friends to join you - the only cost is to pay for your coffee

We shall again be having speakers, probably at every second week.

For our first speaker you should come armed with every question that you have about growing great vegetables as it will be Dee Pignéguy who will have the answers for you. Dee has written several successful books on organic gardening, is the garden columnist for Hibiscus Matters, the creator of several Community Gardens and continues to run workshops on every aspect of gardening. This will be an informal chat, but one in which it may pay for you to take notes!

Two weeks later, on Tuesday 28th May, our speaker will be someone who, with his wife and 1 crew member, had to take to their liferaft after their 35ft yacht sank during Cylone Bernie off the Bay of Plenty. They spent 4 days being tossed around in their liferaft before they were rescued. It's a tale worth hearing!

If you know of someone with a good seafaring yarn to tell, or another subject that would be interesting, please get in touch with:

Mike Pignéguy : Ph: 027 33 88 248 E: gannet61@yahoo.co.nz

Coastguard Boating Education Courses

In our recent Members' Questionnaire Survey, there were many of you who said that you would like to increase your boating education, which is really great to hear.

So, don't forget that we are now holding courses at the Club:

Day Skipper: June 17, 19, 21, 26 (evenings 1900-2200)

Boatmaster: Weekends Sept 7/8, 21/22 (0830-1700)

And don't forget that anyone who is operating a VHF set must legally have a Maritime VHF Operator's Certificate (MVOC), unless it's an emergency.

Unfortunately we have just had to cancel a MVOC course at the Club due to not enough numbers. However, it may be possible to hold an in-house course should we get sufficient numbers.

For more information please contact CBE Tutor :

Mike Pignéguy Ph: 027 33 88 248 E:gannet61@yahoo.co.nz

Social Scene Happenings

April was a busy month at the club and we were blessed with good weather for our two main outside events,

Sunday 28 April we held another CAR BOOT & BOAT BITS SALE. A big THANK YOU to all the members who donated items for sale on the club stall and the 20 plus volunteers it takes to make the day a success.

Heading into Winter we will be running a monthly QUIZ, Sunday Roast Lunches, themed dinners, a new members night, pub games and more. Details will be sent out in What's On and here are a few dates to note in your diary.

Friday 24 May Quiz Night

Thursday 6 June Speaker Evening

Friday 14 June Quiz Night

Thursday 20 June Speaker Evening

Friday 28 June Matariki Dinner and Welcome to New Members

Saturday 27 July Mid-Winter Dinner Dance

We'd love to have you join us, particularly if you haven't visited the club for a while, so please check out the What's On emails to find something that interests you.

How would you like the chance to win a trip for two to Barcelona to watch the 37^th America's Cup?! You can have that chance and at the same time, help Gulf Harbour Yacht Club raise funds for refurbishing our clubhouse it's a win win!!

More information coming soon.....................

Heading into Winter we have an exciting programme of fortnightly Speaker Evenings lined up. This year the bar will open at 5pm as usual, we are introducing light meals available from 6pm with the speaker session running from 7pm 8.30pm. Everyone is welcome so invite friends and neighbours along provide a good audiences for the speakers. Members free, non-members $5

Thursday 6 June: 'America's Cup champion to Paralympian'

Join Rick Dodson with Matt Mason & Joey Allan, all former America's Cup crew, for an insight into Rick's highly unusual career going from being a double America's Cup winner, diagnosed with MS, and his battle to become a Paralympian sailor.

Thursday 20 June: Campaigning to race 'Round the North Island'.

Winners of the first mixed team award, Anna Merchant & Aaron Hume-Merry talk about all things sailing from boat preparation, training, navigation, weather systems to the mental & physical preparations, and how to do it all with your partner.

GHYC Quiz Number 7: Part 1

Questions

1...What 2 frequencies does an EPIRB transmit on and what is the function of the lower frequency?

2...What VHF channel should a Pan Pan message be transmitted on and name two subjects which could be the reason for the broadcast.

3...How is medical advice obtained by using a VHF set?

4...What is a TR? When and to whom is it sent, and what information is in it?

5...What additional fog signal may be sounded by a vessel at anchor in fog after they have rung the bell and gong?

6...What lights should a vessel that is aground show?

7...At what distance should the navigation lights of a vessel with a length of between 12m and 20m be visible?

8...At what angle must a vessel cross a Traffic Separation Scheme? (There are none in NZ but several around the Australian coast).

9...Two vessels are in a narrow channel and one wants to overtake the other on its starboard side. What signal should they sound and what would they hear in reply if the manoeuvre is agreed to by the other vessel?

10...In restricted visibility, when two power driven vessels are approaching each other and there is a risk of collision, which one is the stand-on vessel?

11...What does an AIS tell the watchkeeper?

GHYC Quiz Number 7 Part 1

Answers

1..406MHz to satellite, 121.5MHZ for homing ships/aircraft

2..VHF Channel 16. Medical problem, engine breakdown, any problem that could put your vessel or passengers/crew into danger if not solved.

3..Call Maritime Radio Ch.16 , who contact appropriate medical authority and reply back to you

4..TR=Trip Report. Sent on Ch16 to either Maritime Radio or Coastguard radio, then to working channel. On departure: Vessel name/callsign, position, destination, number of POB and ETA. Advise arrival.

5..The letter 'R', short-long-short ,on the vessel's horn.(Rule 22.35 {e})

6..<50m 1 anchor light,2 red vertical lights. >50m add second anchor light at stern (Rule 22.30, 1 {a}{b},4 {a}

7..Sidelights, sternlight:2 miles. Masthead light :3 miles(Rule 22.22 {3}).

8..The vessel's heading must be at right angles to the TSS lane.(Rule 22.10{3}.

9..2 long blasts followed by 1 short. Affirmative reply: 1 long, 1 short, 1 long, 1 short blasts. (Rule 22.34 , 3{a},{b}.

10..There is no stand-on or give way vessel in restricted visibility. Navigate with extreme caution and manoeuvre as per Rule 19.

11.. An AIS receiver can tell you other vessels: COG, SOG, Name of vessel, type of vessel, position, closest point of approach (CPA) to you, time of closest point of approach (TCPA).

Mike Pignéguy Ph: 027 3388248 E :gannet61@yahoo.co.nz

The Mystery Anchorage is Dairy Bay, which is on the peninsula on the northern side of the entrance to the Mahurangi