Social News
Social News
The Fitting Out Supper – Friday 15th April
The Lifting-In Supper was well attended. There being many sailors there who had put their boats in the water the week before, the after dinner talks were most apposite.
Will Taylor Jones from Fox’s Marine Service Yard in Ipswich presented its facilities for the refurbishment and repair of small boats up to 60 foot. They advised us to check rigging for any faults, the halyard wrap at the top of the mast, and any corrosion due to lack of articulation.
They have a checking service for life jackets which are continually improved. And we had the usual safety exhortation – to fasten the crutch strap.
Members of the RN&SYC may wish to note that there are summer offers available to them from 13th to 15th May
The Technical Director from Seago gave a display of life-jackets. A guide to divert water from the wearer’s mouth is one of the new features. He then treated us to a display of a four man Liferaft which was blown up to show its essential equipment – which certainly has our survival in mind. Now, a Liferaft has a tendency to go upside down when launched. To get it upright, we were reminded that the feet must be placed near the heavy gas cylinder so as it rights itself this otherwise lethal weapon misses the sailor’s head. There are ropes positioned to help righting the raft. Liferafts should be checked evey three years, and presumably after use.
That this was a stimulating evening was shown in the questions that were asked of the speakers, and the discussions afterwards in the bar about grab-bags and Man Over Board drills. We owe a thank you to the organisers.
Book Club – Thursday 7th April 2016
Most of the members of the Book Group met on the morning of Thursday 7th April for their monthly meeting but this month they celebrated their sixth Anniversary. Everyone enjoyed the delicious birthday cake decorated with six candles. Many people then stayed on to have lunch together at the Club. As usual a lively discussion took place about the book all had read this last month. The Book Group meets on the first Thursday of each month and the book of the month can always be borrowed from the Club office. Everyone is very welcome to come and join in to talk books to other enthusiasts.