Safely returning to OnBoard

Over the past couple of weeks, attention has understandably turned to if, how and when we might be able to get back on the water. Advice is changing almost daily and is differing across the home nations.

But we’re trying to make sense of it all so you get the right advice for the activities you want to (re)start. There are a number of key things – the RYA Guiding Principles - to take into account as you start to think about how the advice applies to you. These are…

1. The RYA will always follow Government advice. The COVID-19 preventative measures are vital to protecting health and wellbeing and to minimise pressure on frontline services. We all have a role to play by following the Government guidelines.

2. We will, as a boating community, take a considerate and conservative approach

• Considerate: be mindful of the potential impact you could have on other water users and do not place unnecessary extra strain on the RNLI and emergency services.
• Conservative: help to minimise risk by taking an extra conservative approach to your boating.

The RYA Return to Boating hub is your first port of call for information and advice your club or centre will need to ensure you can return to activities on the water as quickly and safely as possible. Online resources, including posters and graphics, can be downloaded for social media and to share amongst your members.

Other useful guides

Financial planning club guidance - includes advice on reviewing income and expenditure, how to utilise savings, plus ideas to help generate revenue. Clubs and Training Centres can also access a COVID-19 Financial Toolkit, which has been created to support those working on emergency planning and budgeting processes.

Guidance for Clubs and Classes - club and class guidance on restarting boating activity and managing Covid-19 for the different home nations. The health and safety of a club’s members, volunteers and staff should be the number one priority at all times.

Guidance from RYA Training - guidance for restarting RYA Training activity. Centres should only consider reopening if and when they are ready and able to facilitate safe activity, with appropriate social distancing measures, hygiene procedures and risk management practices.

RYA Welcomes Government guidance on outdoor recreation- enjoy the benefits of being outside, while protecting yourself and others from coronavirus.

RYA Coronavirus Hub – has become the ‘go to’ for all the latest updates on Coronovirus COVID-19.

Use your voice

Sometimes you need more than just a webpage or a video, you need to chat things through. That’s why the RYA has launched online regional Club Development Forums as a chance for clubs to come together to share ideas around a focused topic.

Topics so far have included ‘How can your club safely restart recreational activity?’ and ‘How can we safely return to sailing when lockdown is eased?’ There are also forthcoming forums on managing the financial impact of COVID-19 and how can your club plan to safely reopen its buildings.

The forums comprise a short presentation, sharing a case study from a club that has successfully been addressing the topic, then break into smaller groups to discuss the situation and explore the options to managing this, just like a face-to-face forum!

The dates and times of the forums vary from region to region so you can find your region’s here – Club Development Forums.

Help us help you

The RYA is asking clubs and Training Centres to complete a survey designed to help venues work through some of the help and support currently available.

This information will also help the RYA to target the most needed support and guidance, plus we will use your feedback to influence major stakeholders including the UK Government.

Whilst there are opportunities for us to return to the water in England, things are not yet back to normal. Please continue to be considerate and conservative and as always, stay safe!

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