Mooring checks

What keeps us awake at night, when the storms of winter are blowing, is what's happening 25ft down on the seabed.

The problem of getting regular mooring checks has never been easy and seems to be getting harder. The gallant and often unpaid efforts of friends and divers has kept our boats safe for years. But it's a thankless and unrewarding job.

The Loch Broom Mooring Owners' Association by its own admission is primarily a tax collecting body, and while it insists owners check their gear, insure their boats (almost impossible for a boat left to overwinter, by the way) and register the mooring's position, it does not, despite what the name implies, actively help owners keep their moorings safe, or even regulate where they are laid. That is up to the reps in the various mooring locations, Loggie, Ardmair, Ullapool. The £40 we pay every year is cheap, but for what? A plastic tag giving us the right to lay a mooring; not the ownership of the sea bed, or the radius of the swing. Failure to pay risks having the right to the mooring rescinded and the mooring removed.

No one is suggesting this as an alternative; we are legally obliged to register and pay for the right to moor a boat, and membership of the LBMOA is obligatory and also gives us a welcome discount.

What has been suggested is that mooring owners in the three locations form separate bodies, perhaps paying a nominal sum each year which will go towards paying for regular inspections.

It is in everyone's interest that their neighbours' boats are well moored, so a communal fund would be used to ensure every mooring is fit for purpose.

The ad hoc arrangement has worked up until now, but is it not time to put things on a better basis?

This year we were offered the services of a professional diver to check our gear and clean our risers. That was an improvement, albeit a pricey one, as the fee did not include any remedial work.

Something to discuss over a pint or two at The Royal perhaps?

Latest Draft Committee Minutes

LBSC Draft Minutes 19 January 2019 page 1
Loch Broom Sailing Club
Minutes of Meeting 13th April 2019 at 16:00 in the Clubhouse
1) Present/Apologies
Present: Donald Buchanan (Chair & Commodore: DB), Paul Copestake (PC), David Dawson (Secretary: DD),
Apologies:, Adrian Morgan (Vice Commodore: AM), Gilly Meighan (GM), Sandy Osborne (SO)
The quorum is five members as only three present, the agenda was discussed.
2) Approval of Draft Minutes of Previous Meetings
The approval the minutes of the committee meeting of 2nd March 2019 was held over to the next meeting.
3) Matters Arising (not dealt with elsewhere)
PC to affiliate the club to the RYA – expected cost c£150 PC.
4) FF Update
Moorings: As last minutes - The club trot must be inspected annually with the last inspection in June 18. SO to approach Roy with a view of moving the trot at high tide for inspection at low water. SO
Club Boats: The club’s new ff, due to arrive this week. Per last minutes, it was agreed that we aim for the Club’s insurance cover three boats for the same cost, reducing the insured value of each boat so that the aggregate value is kept to the current £3k. DB
Meeting to be held to discuss FF sailing on Thurs 18th @ 19:30 in the Clubhouse. PC
5) Junior Sailing Update W/C 8th July
All per last minutes
6) Clubhouse Update
C/F from previous meeting Plans for a new upper floor were tabled and it was agreed that PC & DB and others meet planning officer Dorothy Stott to advise planning acceptability of proposal. PC DB
Clubhouse
LBSC Draft Minutes 19 January 2019 page 2
Building on the previous work of Adrian, it is proposed that the clubhouse receive a modern uplift. It is proposed that a budget of around £2,000 be allocated (having saved this amount from the intended contribution to the asphalt) .
In the main club room:
• Preserving limited essential items, dispose of all soft furnishings, bar and contents, shelf contents & carpet
• Ceiling, walls and woodwork professionally redecorated
• Floor professionally sealed and vinyl wood effect flooring installed
• Add wood bench seating along window walls
In the changing room
• Remove oars to the shed
• Add garage type interlocking flooring
Hall, kitchen and loo
• Floor professionally sealed and install vinyl flooring
Clubhouse Surrounds
Work Party on 20th April: Discussion of dinghy park and roadside wall organisation; possible numbering of spaces opening the possibility of charging for nominated spaces.
7) Treasurer’s Report
Held over
2020 Subscriptions
As agreed at the AGM, 2020 subscriptions to rise with inflation since 2014 – c 10%
It is not proposed to change any fees for less than one year
 
Category
Current Annual
Proposed Annual
Increase
 
Family (sailing children)
90
100
11%
 
Family (no sailing children)
65
70
8%
 
Family (>65, no kids)
55
60
9%
 
Adult
50
55
10%
 
Junior
25
25
0%
 
Concession
40
45
12%
 
Skiff Only
30
30
0%
 
Day Rate
Various
10
N/A
 
DB read out the names of those yet to pay their 2019 subscriptions.
8) Club Social events
Held over
9) Cruising Update
Held over
10) AOB
None
There being no other business, the meeting finished at 17:30

Notice of AGM on 30th March and Latest Draft Committee Minutes

Members should have a quick look at the latest approved minutes of the committee meeting held on the 19th January, posted above, along with the draft minutes of the 2018 AGM.

These will be approved (or not) at the 2019 AGM on 30 March, as outlined below.

    

Draft Minutes of Committee Meeting 2^nd March 2019 at 16:00 in the Clubhouse

1)      Present/Apologies

Present: Donald Buchanan (Chair & Commodore: DB), Paul Copestake (PC), David Dawson (Secretary: DD), Gilly Meighan (GM), Sandy Osborne (SO), Nat Wilson.(NW),

Apologies:, Dave Maxwell (Treasurer: DM), Adrian Morgan (Vice Commodore: AM), Anthony O’Flaherty (AO), Gill Wilson (GW).

2)      Approval of Draft Minutes of Previous Meetings

The proposal to approve the minutes of the committee meeting of 19^th January 2019 was proposed (PC & DB) and duly approved.

3)      Matters Arising (not dealt with elsewhere)  None

4)      Wee Pier Update

SO reported the completion of the work on the Wee Pier, Top of the slip widened, outer edge of the dinghy park concreted and rings added, rings also added to the roadside wall, the former bund round the bottom of the slip dug out. Letter of thanks to UHT sent.

The slime on the slip to be washed every four weeks by UHT using their deck scrubber.

More rings to be added at a lower level in the roadside wall DB/DD. Broken window catch in clubhouse to be replaced. DB

5)      FF Update

Moorings: The club trot must be inspected annually with the last inspection in June 18.

SO to approach Roy with a view of moving the trot at high tide for inspection at low water. SO.

Contact UHT with a view of asking for the divers that inspect the UHT moorings to stay for some extra days to inspect others. SO.

Club Boats: It was unanimously agreed that the club purchase Mike Connor’s ff , trailer and spares for £500 DB  C/F from last meeting - It was agreed that we aim for the Club’s insurance cover three boats for the same cost, reducing the insured value of each boat so that the aggregate value is kept to the current £3k. DB

Establish the cost of RYA formal affiliation. PC

Provisional launch date 20/4 PC Tin of antifouling rot club FFs SO/DB

6)      Junior Sailing Update W/C 8^th July

Possible extra instructor Jack Nutter a very experienced sailor. DM

Possible evening session with parents. AM/PC

It was agreed to buy an extra Topper rudder. AO

Club rib engine to be serviced by mobile engineer (work in progress) SO.

Two ribs needed for the week. DM.

With UHT permission it is hoped to keep the Pioneer at the pontoon permanently SO

Club rib cover needs some attention AM

Insurance cover is limited to two sailing instructors.

Mo & John to send out note to club members to see if any have children who want to attend DB

7)      Clubhouse Update

C/F from previous meeting Plans for a new upper floor were tabled and it was agreed that PC & DB and others meet planning officer Dorothy Stott to advise planning acceptability of proposal. PC DB

Smoke alarm sorted.

The possibility of development of the club house and facilities to include other groups was discussed. No conclusion, PC proposed forming a club group to agree LBSC’s position. Membership to be consulted before any formal proposal. – Held over.

UHT sorting our the railing following the crashed stolen Audi on the clubhouse roof.

Coldwater tap to be replaced. DB

8)      Treasurer’s Report

DM had previously circulated draft accounts for 2018 for use at the forthcoming AGM.

From the previous meeting: The club has around £11k ‘free’ after payment of £1.5k for insurance. In 2018 social events were financially neutral, Junior sailing small profit, Membership income £3.3k.

9)      Club Social events

AGM 30^th March @ the clubhouse followed by informal social event DB. UN to publicise the AGM DD. Authority to increase subscriptions for 2020 to be sought. DD/PC

Christmas event in 2019 as 2018 with changed venue on 14/12, the Seaforth to be approached. DB/GM

Family open day on 13^th July inviting Junior sailors’ friends and parents with aim to get as many boats sailing as possible, BBQ etc. ALL

Combine FF launch on 20^th April with clubhouse work day, curry night. DB

10)  Cruising Update

No formal plan yet, collate Club Calendar PC.

FF events AM

PC leaving for Ullapool circumnavigation in June, SO to St Kilda in May.

Campbell Cup 17^th August

Regatta 24^th August

Aim for Summer Isles cruise to coincide with Tanera open day. PC

Ullapool skiff regatta in May. 

11)  AOB

Membership secretary report to be added to future agendas DD

Membership forms are available in the clubhouse

More club burgees and sweatshirts needed DB

Future Committee Dates - None Arranged DB

There being no other business, the meeting finished at 17:30

LEDs and VHF Alert

Members of the club fitting LED lights should take note of these findings.

LED lighting found to interfere with VHF-FM radio and AIS reception

The U.S. Coast Guard has sounded the alarm over the potential for light-emitting diode (LED) lighting on vessels to compromise reception on VHF frequencies used for radiotelephone, Digital Selective Calling (DSC) and Automatic Identification System (AIS).

The distance at which the LED lighting starts to have an impact and whether the issue is limited to certain makes of lighting or navigation equipment, is unknown.

The U.S. Coast Guard has asked the U.S. marine industry to provide more detail of known incidents.
Due to their energy-saving capability and longer service life, LED lights are commonly used for navigation lighting, searchlights and floodlights, as well as interior and exterior lighting— including those used for visual effect.

The U.S. Coast Guard said that in one case, radio-frequency interference caused by LED lighting created a hazard that led to a serious safety incident.

‘The maritime rescue coordination centre in a United States port was unable to contact a ship that was involved in a traffic-separation-scheme incident by VHF radio. That ship also experienced very poor AIS reception.

‘Other ships have also experienced degradation of their VHF receivers (including AIS), caused by their LED navigation lights. LED lighting installed near VHF antennas has also been found to reduce reception.’

Strong radio interference from LED sources may not be immediately apparent to marine radio users, but there is a way to test for LED interference.

How to test for LED interference;
1. Turn off your LED light
2. Tune your VHF radio to a quiet channel
3. Adjust your VHF radio’s squelch control until the radio outputs audio noise
4. Re-adjust the squelch control until the audio noise is quiet—just slightly above the noise threshold
5. Turn your LED light back on
6. If the radio starts crackling when you turn on the LED lights, it is likely that the LED lights are affecting both your on-board VHF marine radio and AIS reception.