To Sail or Not to Sail?

Having just read the RYA's latest document  RYA Lockdown Guidance I reached the following paragraph...

Can club boat parks and slipways remain open?
Our understanding is that boat parks and their slipways are part of a sporting facility and its amenities and therefore must be closed. However, we believe those that are situated in public outdoor places are not subject to the closure restrictions.

So, much as I'd like go for a sail this weekend, are SYC flying in the face of the RYA's guidance? There is no way that we can pretend that our slipways are in a 'public place'.

Fingers crossed

Alistair

A very fine line Alistair. The slipways are actually in the River Exe at high water. The Exe Port Authority has given written permission for use of the River and Canal for exercise and recreation as have other Port Authorities.The Harbour Master has not put any limitations on that permission. We must decide if, with conditions, we can allow Members to enjoy permitted pleasures. More tomorrow. Currently the site is still open.
Regards
Ian Purvis

I shall watch with interest how the Club's greatest minds managed to relocate the top of the slipways to a public place! 

See update on Member page

Oddly the sailing clubs at the large reservoirs (Roadford, Grafham, Rutland etc.) appear to be remaining open for sailing - but only for launching by "club members"

I think this is because the public are allowed access, by payment or otherwise, to the slipways on those reservoirs, i.e. you can pay a daily launching fee and go sailing there. Not something you could do at a SYC under our current conditions. But I'm not sure about the restriction to 'members only' if that is the rationale behind keeping them open.

Yep - that was what confused me. Surely it could only be open to non-members if the rules are applied.  Unless things have changed recently the public slip ways at Graham are not the same as the 'club' slipways.  

Oh well - trying to apply reason to this is only going to lead to madness!.