English (UK) Flag Officers Friday Newsletter
Commodores Easter Message and News 
Gerallt Williams
Welcome to the Easter edition of the Clwb Hwylio Pwllheli Sailing Club Newsletter.
On behalf of myself, the flag officers and the members of the Management Committee I would like to wish you a Pasg Hapus Iawn - a very happy Easter, wherever you may be.
The key message of Easter is one of hope, a faith in the future and a new beginning. Never has this been more important than this year. The Welsh Government continues with its careful and phased approach to unlocking the current covid restrictions which we hope will enable us to resume our normal activities in the safest possible way. Our members in Wales have now enjoyed a week without travel restrictions for the first time in three months. The further easing announced this morning will mean travel to and from Wales to other parts of the UK and CTA (Ireland/CI etc) will be allowed from April 12th. The roadmap is also announced (but subject to confirmation during the tri-weekly reviews: as follows:
Outdoor Hospitality can open in Wales - April 26th
Organised activity (30 people outdoors) - May 3rd
Two households can meet indoors - May 10th
During this latest lockdown, our local volunteers, have been very busy maintaining and improving our facilities at Plas Heli. Some of the work undertaken includes clearing and rearranging the dinghy compound after a major resurfacing operation, clearing the event compound to accommodate two new shipping containers and the power washing of the Plas Heli pontoons. I would personally like to thank each and every one of them for their hard work and for giving up so much of their time to help the club. It has been a true example of the Club spirit.
I am currently trying to update our list of active volunteers and would be glad to hear from anyone who would like to be placed on our list. If you can help in any way please contact me at
Despite a short season last year and an uncertain one to come, it has been very heart-warming to see the volume of membership renewals and indeed new memberships being processed by our Honorary Secretary. It all bodes well for a great future.
The unusually quiet times in the harbour have been an ideal opportunity for our local RNLI crews and HM Coastguard to hone their skills in readiness for a busy summer season and both have recently used our Plas Heli pontoons for their training exercises.
Local RNLI crews training with their 43' water jet driven RIB “ODYN” on the Plas Heli pontoons.
HM Coastguard Flood Rescue Teams on a training exercise on the Plas Heli Pontoon
A special thank you to Vice Commodore Mark Thompson and Honorary Secretary Stephen Tudor for their tireless work in ensuring that the newsletter is published and distributed every two weeks.
Have a happy Easter, stay safe and enjoy the weekend. We look forward to seeing everybody back in Pwllheli soon.
Pasg hapus iawn I chi I gyd, arhoswch yn ddiogel a mwynhewch y penwythnos. Edrychwn ymlaen i weld pawb yn ôl ym Mhwllheli yn fuan.
Gerallt Williams – Morlywydd/Commodore.
Webcam
The club has a webcam mounted on the Plas Heli Bridge, with views of the harbour approaches - the live images can be viewed here, or at the bottom of the website home page.
An additional webcam will be installed later this year looking over the Plas Heli event pontoons and northern end of the marina and will be streamed in the member's area of the club website.
Welsh Government Alert Level 4
Travel within Wales now permitted (no cross border travel unless for work) - with outdoor sport allowed by up to six people (max 2 households) - note this is different to other UK nations
Cross border travel restrictions are lifted on April 12th
Organised outdoor activity allowed for U18's only
Elite training can take place
The Plas Heli compound and event pontoons are now open.
Next update 23rd April
Latest RYA Cymru Wales Q & A clarifying the announcement of March 26th is here
RYA News
Trading Boats between UK and the EU - news article here
RYA SafeTrx - Keep safe
App
The RYA SafeTrx app monitors your boat journeys and can alert emergency contacts should you fail to arrive on time. It is an app for both Android and Apple iOS smartphones that allows you to track your journey on your phone.
The app provides all recreational boat users, particularly dinghy cruisers, PWC users, RIB users, canoers, kayakers, wind and kite surfers and smaller boat users with an easily accessible and simple to use means that can inform HM Coastguard of their voyage plans and dynamic location in the event of distress.
This app is freely available to anyone who wants to be safer afloat. It is free to download and there is no charge to use it.
You can enter your journey details directly from your smartphone and plan a trip knowing that should you not arrive by the time given, a nominated emergency contact will be alerted and advised to initiate appropriate action.
Where an emergency contact calls HM Coastguard about an overdue trip, they will have access to your location and SafeTrx trip data through a secure SafeTrx server.
Since RYA SafeTrx periodically sends your location data back to a dedicated server, HM Coastguard's response team can get help directly to you, and quickly.
Whilst components of the GMDSS system remain the preferred means for communication and distress alerting, the RYA SafeTrx app is a useful backup and particularly helpful for those on the many small craft that do not have the ability to fit or carry standard GMDSS equipment.
RYA SafeTrx is an accessible tool that leisure craft users can use when going to sea. It does not replace GMDSS, EPIRB, PLB or AIS.
Website
In addition to the features the app offers, users also have access to the RYA SafeTrx website (https://safetrx.rya.org.uk). Here you can also manage your account, vessel details and emergency contacts, plus personalise checklists and review your trips.
For users who do not want to use the app, there is the option to register an account and vessel details online via the RYA SafeTrx website (https://safetrx.rya.org.uk). Please read the RYA SafeTrx user guide for guidance on how to register an account and add your vessel details. The details you enter will be kept in the RYA SafeTrx database and will be available to HM Coastguard if you ever need assistance.
On 4 July 2018, HM Coastguard approved RYA SafeTrx as its replacement for the official voluntary safety identification scheme, better known as CG66.
RYA SafeTrx builds on the advantages of the CG66 scheme to assist HM Coastguard with Search and Rescue and it provides enhanced functionality if used together with the optional RYA SafeTrx mobile app.
As part of the changeover, HM Coastguard stopped taking registrations for the CG66 scheme on 11 July 2018 but retained access to the CG66 database until the end of March 2020.
The data from CG66 has not been migrated to the RYA SafeTrx database. Therefore, anyone who wishes to make use of RYA SafeTrx will need to register on the RYA SafeTrx system when and if they choose to do so.
RYA SafeTrx offers the full CG66 database function with additional lifesaving technologies provided by the RYA SafeTrx app.
If you do not wish to use the mobile app, you can register an account and your vessel details online at the RYA SafeTrx website (https://safetrx.rya.org.uk). Please read the RYA SafeTrx user guide for guidance on how to register an account and add your vessel details.
If you choose to register this way, the details you enter will be stored in the RYA SafeTrx database and will be available to HM Coastguard should you ever need assistance.
You do not need to use the app for your details to be available to HM Coastguard if you ever need assistance.
BREXIT - RYA Guidance
Border force (customs) requirements for recreational boats leaving UK waters (for example visiting Ireland) are listed here with links to the forms etc
Gorsaf Bad Achub Pwllheli Lifeboat Station 
Training of our local crew continues with the relief shannon in Pwllheli
For a perspective of the impressive performance of the shannon, please see the videos (courtesy of the RNLI ) below
MÔR DEITHIO / CRUISING
2021 plans - update from Rob Smith and Stephen Williams
The latest cruising news is in the cruising section of the club web site here, and reproduced below:
There is still uncertainty regarding covid but hoping for further easing of restrictions that will allow organised activity.
Towards the end of last season we saw more cruising boats participating in racing and let’s hope that continues. We will be aiming to tailor more races for cruising boats with shorter simpler courses but centred upon just having fun on the water
We are also hoping to have a varied and interesting programme of events for all boats including Ribs and power. Ideas so far are:-
> Cruise and overnight stay at Porthdinllaen
> Day cruise in Cardigan Bay and early evening drinks at the Warren Beach Bar
> Lunch trip on RIBs to Porthmadog
> Cruise and overnight stay at Aberdaron – supper in the pub?
> Cruise and 2 night stay at Aberystwyth
> Cruise and stay at Greystones linking to ISORA. Possible involvement of Greystones Yacht Club and North Sails
Any other suggestions gratefully received - please email Rob and Stephen at:
A "Whatsapp" group to enable cruisers to discuss plans etc has been set up - Join your fellow cruisers and chat all things boating by emailing Rob or Stephen with your mobile phone number to join, or use the QR code below. (please introduce yourself to the group)
Cruising - back to the water - Useful Knots
Instructional Video 1 - Bowline Knot
Instructional Video 2 - Clove Hitch Knots
2021 Membership Rates
Membership of CHPSC for 2021
The membership year is from 1st January to 31st December.
2021 Fee Structure
Primary Member - £65
Joint Membership - £115
Racing Skipper - £125
Joint Racing Skipper - £180
Associate Member - £75
Student/Apprentice Member - £30
Youth Member - £20
Dinghy Storage
Small (Optimist/Topper) £55 (£48 early payment)
Medium (Laser) £65 £55 early payment)
Large (Merlin Rocket) £85 (£75 early payment)
Multi Hulls (Dart etc) £95 (£83 early payment)
Road Trailer £50 or £75 for 2 stacked
Box storage trailers under 10 feet £60 (£75 for larger box trailers)
You can purchase a club burgee or pay for your club calendar postage as part of your membership process!
Reasons to be a member in 2021
Pwllheli Sailing Club offers something for everyone, casual boaters, a base for cruising, racing and motor boating together with being a great venue for events, training and importantly a fantastic meeting place, with views, for friends.
In addition to all of the varied activities featured in this e-newsletter (123,700 individual e-mails sent in 2020/21 - see past copies here), membership of the club provides:
- Meeting place for like minded people in a friendly environment
- Affiliated membership of the RYA who safeguard recreational boating in the UK
- Helps to support youth sailing (CHIPAC)
- Training and Development - RYA courses run by club members
- Dinghy and keelboat racing opportunities
- Cruises in company
- Great social events - club members have priority
- Discounted berthing at Plas Heli pontoons,
- Dinghy storage in the refurbished and secure compound
- Access to CHIPAC for members children to learn to sail with experienced instructors teaching in the medium of Welsh and English
- Members can gain RYA qualifications through volunteering experience at club events.
- Advertise your Holiday Accommodation to a target audience of visitors to the area during events (small fee applies)
- Receive regular e-newsletters with useful information
- 10% discount at the bar in Plas Heli
- Easy membership (application/renewal) process all on-line and starting from £65 for the year!
- Racing Skipper membership includes all racing entry fees, except the IRC Champs and the ISORA element of coastal races.
Calendar Collection
2021 Calendars are available for collection - please email
Rasio/Racing
*** Due to Welsh Government Restrictions prohibiting organised activity, the Easter series is regrettably cancelled ***
The RYA are holding a series of "Webinars" to discuss all things rules. Further information can be found here
The 2021 racing programme has been developed by club Racing Captain Vicky Cox, and is published on the website, and the club activity calendar here
Stephen has developed a matrix of course and distance between marks and generally improved the racing resources which can be found on the club website here
The matrix is also reproduced below
Racing and event updates will be confirmed in the Friday newsletter when the applicable restrictions are known - Note - organised racing is not currently allowed under the current Alert 4 restrictions. Under the review on 1st April, the Welsh Government indicated that organised activity can commence on May 3rd.
However of course, the Commodore Challenge and Tremadog Triangle are available, so a good opportunity to set a time, and the marks are now laid
Club Racing at CHPSC is arranged under the guidelines of the RYA/RYA Cymru Wales and the latest charter is reproduced below.
ISORA are publishing its 2021 programme and further information and the race schedule can be found here
This includes the five race "Plas Heli Welsh Coastal Series" starting on April 17th . ( NB first race now likely t be May 3rd)
PLAS HELI
The indoor sections of centre are closed in line with Welsh Government Alert Level 4 restrictions, with authorised access now permitted to the pontoons and compound. The Café is now open for takeaway service (see below) In line with Welsh government Covid regulations, we advise the use of the "NHS Covid App" when visiting Plas any of the Plas Heli facilities.
Note: elite RYA squad training is permitted indoors.
In order that the club and centre can open re-promptly, there is some essential maintenance work being undertaken on the infrastructure of Plas Heli and both Plas Heli and CHPSC equipment by the Directors and Flag Officers, in line with Welsh Government Regulations. In addition, a review of the facilities is currently underway to best structure the centre for events, club and community use. Some areas of the centre are hired to local business and local authorities etc, and meeting rooms (for example) can be booked via the Plas Heli website.
As restrictions are eased, we will be looking for additional volunteers to ensure a smooth return to club activities. All voluntary activities will be managed to keep members safe, and all within allowable guidelines.
Bar and Cafe - Take away service has resumed:
Plas Heli - Event Pontoons
The pontoons are likely to be very busy this year with demand potentially exceeding capacity. A berthing plan has been drawn up and will be emailed to all Plas Heli berthing customers, with the planned location of their berth.
To apply for a berth (seasonal or short term) fill in the berthing application form on the Plas Heli Website here and also email
Once allocated a berth please make all efforts to stay in your allocated space, remembering boats out racing may be short crewed when returning to their berth. Any issues with berths, shore power or water please email
Many thanks to the volunteers who have jet washed the event pontoons - a sterling effort, they are looking great
J24's for sale - expressions of interest
A project is underway to look at the feasibility of replacing the two academy J24's with a lift keel sportboat, to use for race training, club racing and for CHIPAC sailors to transition to keelboats. It will also be available for charter into class events in the UK and Ireland, representing Wales.
The two J24's, with one good quality trailer, yard cradle and a good set of sails are available for sale as a package, please reply to this email if interested, or email
New codes on all gates - please don’t pass on these numbers. Anyone with a genuine need to access the pontoons, compounds or other gated areas will be provided with the code, combination or key. Email
Track and Trace is a Government requirement, please record your details on the sheet provided at the entrance to the bar, or send an email to
Plas Heli, the Welsh National Sailing Academy and Event Centre, has been awarded the venue rights for the 'IRC Welsh National Championships' for 2021 and 2022. The Championship is hosted by Plas Heli, and organised/managed by CHPSC and the RDYC.
We now are recruiting volunteers for event planning purposes and if you would like to contribute, or have any suggestions to enhance the event, please reply to this newsletter. The first planning meeting was held last month via "zoom" to agree the format of racing and framework to publish the Notice of Race. This is now complete and published with the online entry open at the event website here
Thought for the Day:
"The future is much brighter than the past. You just have to find the light switch"
For more information, membership links and the latest weather and webcam
go to:
www.pwllhelisailingclub.co.uk
Plas Heli Quayside Parking
The parking area on the Plas Heli Quayside is available for paid up CHPSC members and to authorised pontoon users.
The parking area is accessed through the gate adjacent to the old club building
The code to the gate is changed regularly and can be obtained through the plasheli.org website > Facilities> Parking. For convenience follow this shortcut link here
Fill in the details – put a tick in the box to confirm that you are a CHPSC member (have your 2021 membership number ready)
Then in the payment bit – use ‘I am a paid up CHPSC member and request permit for parking’ - Then Submit
You will then receive an automated return e-mail with instructions
Please make sure the gate is closed and locked at all times and that the padlock is never left open or with the code left on the dial
Note: the members parking area outside Plas Heli is temporarily closed due to some recent anti social behaviour, and will be re-opened at Easter, or when the centre re-opens
