Agenda NECRA meeting
Tuesday 29 April 2008
8pm THYC
- 1) Present
- 2) Apologies
- 3) Minutes of last meeting
- 4) Matters arising :-
- 5) Tribute to Alan Cooper
- 6) NERR issues :-
- 7) Registrations update
- 8) ATF - NECRA Regatta arrangements - update
- 9) Future management and organization of NECRA
- 10) Sailing Instructions for Sunderland-Hartlepool and Whitby-Hartlepool.
- 11) AOB
Jimmy Carter - SYC
Nigel Robinson - WYC
Harold Usherwood - Treasurer
Jeremy Watson- RNYC
Larry Wilkinson - Chairman
Gordon Spenser - SYC
Agreed
The Chairman confirmed that Notice Of Race details have been updated and posted on the web. This includes updating of class boundaries and safety requirements for 2008. He also pointed out the new NECRA prescription, which permits a fixed VHF radio as an alternative to a hand held set.
It was noted that NERR has now published, on their website, the procedure for owners to follow if they have any ratings queries.
Larry paid tribute to Alan and his involvement with NECRA over the last 25 years. He will be a loss to NE sailing scene, and to NECRA in particular. He has been the NECRA Secretry for the last 2 years.
Ratings are required for 2 new (to NECRA) SYC boats, Midnight Cowboy and Tempus Fugit. It was confirmed that Dave Wheldon is still the SYC Ratings Oficer.
Alan Smith WYC informed NECRA that a rating for Esk Argo is in hand, but suggested,provisionally, to use the same as Jedi.
As of today there are 22 boats registered (of which 4 owners are new to NECRA this season). Registrations are similar in numbers to this stage last season. The pattern of registrations is also similar to last season, in terms of support from the clubs.
A flier has been sent to all owners on the NERA database describing the arrangements for this week end. Regatta entry is free to necra registered boats. THYC will be open for breakfast and evening meals over the three days. Racing will be round fixed marks in Tees Bay. All competitors will get a free drink and evening meal on Saturday evening. There will be an inter- club quiz on Sunday evening. The Sailing Instructions have been posted on the website.
Competitors are requested to inform NECRA of their intention to race 7 days before the event, either directly or via the website (Intention to Race) in order to be eligible for free moorings at Hartlepool Marina.
Larry suggested that club representatives begin to think about how NECRA is to function next season. A new Chairman and Secretary will be needed and clubs could be investigating potential replacements. Moreover, it was possibly also a good time to review the functions of NECRA- who are the clients? and what sort of racing do they want?
This season NECRA has changed the emphasis of its programme to try and meet the perceived needs of the sailing community, and whilst there are signs that it is more attractive to some owners, the only real measure of its impact will be the turnout on the water.
There was a discussion of the changing nature of the type of boats and sailing in some of the clubs (RNYC and SYC), whilst other clubs (THYC and WYC) appear to continue unchanged. It was suggested that it would be a good idea to hold another NECRA committee meeting before the end of the season (August time?) to review how this season was going.
Club representatives were asked to comment on and update draft instructions provided by THYC.
Jimmy Carter is continuing to investigate 'NECRA stickers' for distribution to ATF Regatta competitors.
The meeting closed at 9.10pm.