Dear Fellow PYC Members,

 

Last night at the monthly PYC Board Meeting we reviewed the possibility of our volunteer run club opening in the next four weeks.

 

Directives from Federal, State and local leaders as well as, our insurance company needed to be considered. To make the decision, we started by reviewing the COVID-19 Risk Management Guide, put out by Gowrie Group, US Sailing�s insurance partner and our insurer. This guide is the most comprehensive directive to date. (A link is provided below if you are interested in more detail.) We went through, step by step, to determine if we had the ability to comply, adopt, implement and safely enforce the guidelines listed.

 

In addition to the new standard guidelines of 6� social distancing, gatherings no larger than 5 individuals and the required wearing of masks, a few examples of other requirements we would need to meet are:

• Thoroughly disinfecting all surfaces of picnic tables before and after each use.
• Cleaning common touch points (ie. hoses, hoist buttons, dollies, hand railings, cleats, chairs, docklines, club boats) as recommended and maintaining a checklist detailing the frequency.
• Securing access to the facility by monitoring and recording members daily visits.

 

These engineered risk requirements are uniquely challenging to PYC, as we are a volunteer organization.

 

The Board of Governors concluded, unfortunately, for the time being, Pettipaug Yacht Club must remain closed and private boats are not to be brought to the club.

 

This was not easy decision to make. We are all anxious for the club to open and a sense of normalcy to return to our lives. What better way to social distance than go for a sail? Our main concern is everyone�s health and safety which is maintained by following the current guidelines.

 

We recognize that COVID � 19 has created an extremely fluid, complex situation with data, guidelines and recommendations changing daily. Our hope is to salvage some sort of an active season. Officers will monitor the situation weekly and the Board of Governors will reassess the club�s position to open at the next Board meeting which is scheduled June 15^th.

Stay safe. Hopefully we will see one another soon.

Warm regards,