MPSC Info update

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Metropolitan Police Sailing Club
Clubline: 07920 799270 Email: contact@mpsc.london Internet: www.mpsc.london

Date for MPSC AGM
1830hrs Monday 4th March 2024

Dear Member,

In order to give you some notice, please can you note that the date for the Club Annual General Meeting has now been confirmed as Monday the 4th March 2024.

We are still in the process of identifying the most suitable location but anticipate a meeting time of 1830hs for a 1900 start.

A full notice of meeting will be sent out in due course. We fully anticipate that the accounts for 2023 will be available for circulation prior to the March AGM date.

The full Notice of AGM will invite submission of questions, but please feel free to email the Club in advance of this if there are specific questions or issues you may want raised.

With thanks for you ongoing support,

The Directors and Staff

Spend an evening with Tracy Edwards MBE at the Little ship club

Please see the attached link and words below from Jenny Whelan (MPSC member and our very own Arctic Explorer)

"Having sailed in the Arctic last month with explorer Jim McNeill, I know that this event is going to be inspirational.
As it is taking place at The Little Ship Club, a club the at MPSC are affiliated to, I thought it would be good to advertise, and meet up with other MPSC members new and old"

Please note, Tickets can only be booked direct from the link below and are not available from the MPSC or the Little Ship Club
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/yachtswoman-tracy-edwards-mbe-interviewed-on-stage-by-explorer-jim-mcneill-tickets-661878455277?aff=efbeventtix

Yachtswoman Tracy Edwards MBE interviewed on stage by Explorer Jim McNeil

Global yachtswomen Tracy Edwards MBE who skippered the first all-female crew in the Whitbread Round the World Yacht Race, becoming the first woman to receive the Yachtsman of the Year Trophy and was awarded an MBE honour. Extraordinarily inspiring! Raising awareness and funds for The Maiden Factor Foundation and Ocean Warrior.

FEATURING the music of Helen Habershon - Global Warrior's composer-in-residence.

ICONS INTERVIEWED SERIES - A warm, friendly and entertaining evening where explorer, Jim McNeill explores the life and times of a truly remarkable, iconic person. And you, in a small gathering and amazing surroundings, have the chance to get up-close and meet that person. With rare footage, beautiful photography and thorough research, Jim discovers what really makes them iconic; behind the familiar public face.

After huge success with Sir David Attenborough, Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Hon Alexandra Shackleton, Sir Chris Bonington, Polar Explorer Felicity Aston MBE, Shipwreck Hunter David Mearns OAM, Ireland's most prolific climber Pat Falvey and around the world yachtsman, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, explorer, Jim McNeill, returns to the stage to interview more icons of our time.

This event is raising awareness and support for Global Warrior and Maiden Factor Foundation.

Due to unfortunate circumstances we have 2 places available for courses in Oct 2023.
We have a place available on each of the following dates.

Monday-Friday 2nd Oct - 6th Oct inclusive RYA Comp crew or RYA Coastal Skipper.
Sunday-Thursday 15th - 19th Oct inclusive RYA Comp crew or RYA Coastal Skipper.

For full details of the courses please see our website. www.mpsc.london or email Melanie contact@mpsc.london or call Melanie on Training and RYA enquires 07437 914054

Also available

RYA Day Skipper Shore based theory course
This will be held on Mondays and Tuesdays 9am -5 pm on the following dates:
Mon and Tues 30th and 31st Oct
Mon and Tues 6th and 7th Nov
Mon and Tues 13th and 14th Nov

Venue: Paper Court Sailing Club, Ripley, Surrey.
Instructor: Dave Bell - MPSC

Please note you will have to be able to make all dates. Cost £350 with a maximum of 6 students. Minimum of 4 for the course to run.

RYA Practical Courses for 2024
All Practical Courses run at approx. a third of the cost of commercial courses outside of MPSC.
I am in the process of putting the schedule together for 2024. If you would like to take an RYA practical course have a think about what dates would suit you and I will try to plan for this in the program. Things to consider.
• Dates must be Monday-Friday
• Avoid bank holidays!
• Avoid school holidays!
• Avoid June- Aug inclusive as this is prime charter time.
Please see website www.mpsc.london for more details to ensure you enrol for the correct course for your level of experience.
Quick ref:

RYA Competent Crew Practical- no experience needed but an essential course prior to taking Day Skipper, this is a great chance to learn the ropes and see what is involved in doing Day Skipper as this can be combined with Day skipper.

RYA Day Skipper Practical- RYA Day Skipper theory or a good working knowledge to this level is essential prior to taking this course.

RYA Coastal Skipper Practical- RYA Coastal/Yachtmaster Offshore Theory course is highly recommended prior to taking this course.

Thanks
Melanie Calvert
MPSC Chief Instructor

Crew Vacancy On a Club Charter - Afternoon of Tuesday 4th to Sunday the 10th September

We are three club members who have booked Pride of Broadway for a private charter next week and have a last moment space for a fourth person. We would very much welcome someone to join us, for a good mix of sailing and some nice social time away. The charter commences at 4pm on Tuesday the 4th September and concludes at approx 4pm on Sunday the 10th.

The sailing plan is to be determined once we have a weather forecast, however likely to be a mix of some short coastal hops and a practice of YM sailing skills. All three of us are looking forward to getting a few miles in, but also having the opportunity to improve sailing skills. One of us is a day skipper, and the other two coastal skippers - one of whom regularly skippers the club sailing days and cruises.

The costs will be a quarter split of the charter fees and also a share of berthing and food costs.

If anyone would like to join us, either for some social sailing, or a great opportunity to develop sailing skills, then please drop Mark Power an email on mpower373@gmail.com or alternatively call on 07703 316109.

Thanks
Mark, Ian, and Dan

These notices are to help keep you safe, informed and help cut down on damage.

Crew experience and weather, to go or not to go that is the question?

Since we are experiencing changes in the weather patterns, particularly the wind strength, all skippers need to be aware of the ability of their crew and the vessel when deciding if to depart your destination.
The passage plan needs to be kept under review at all times to either return to port or find an alternative destination. Consideration should be given as to which port would be safer and easier to reach, this could be further than the planned destination. i.e., Sailing back down wind might be the safer option than hacking on with press-on-itus up wind to your planned destination!

If you are a DAY SKIPPER, I would advise you NOT TO LEAVE your port, even with a strong crew, if the wind was actually MORE than a FORCE 5, particular attention should also be made to the gusts expected i.e. their force and frequency.

The club would rather you did not sail if you feel you and your crew are not of suitable strength (number of Crew) and experience (be of comp crew at least). Your charter could then be moved and booked for a later date. This does not mean if it’s a Force 4 and raining you can expect a refund if you decide to cancel the charter, it is the wind strength we are interested in.

How do you furl the foresail??

It has been brought to my attention that there is a very un-seamanlike and unsafe practice within the club of furling the foresail while into the wind. This will damage the sail and damage anything attached to the mast i.e., the Radar.
PLEASE DO NOT GO INTO WIND TO FURL THE FORESAIL.
To furl the foresail in this should be done when on a broad reach while being shadowed by the Main sail or if the main is not up and you are sailing only on the foresail you should still sail on a board reach as this reduces the apparent wind and so makes it easier to furl the foresail.
The foresail should NEVER be furled USING the WINCH as if there is a problem with the furling mechanism this could then break the drum.
If you are out and you find you are unable to furl the foresail, then go forward while the sail is flying out to the side of the boat out of harm’s way to see what the problem is at the drum. If you cannot free the problem, you will have to drop the whole sail by unfurling it completely and releasing the genoa halyard. The sail can then be tied to the deck.
If it is completely stuck, then you will have to sail in circles to wrap the sail round the forestay to at least stop the damage of it flogging on the mast and shrouds. This can then be sorted out once in port.

Any one on any of my courses and also Adam's courses learns the following and it works well:
To get the sails down;
• ENGINE ON
• FURL FORESAIL off of the wind
• Then go INTO WIND to get the MAIN SAIL DOWN.

Please adopt my little saying when doing anything with the main sail, HMMV in this order ONLY.

H- Hatch over (stops crew falling down companionway)
M- Mast (Crew member to mast up high side)
M-Main sheet released (allow the boom to raise up to the sail and not get caught in wind)
V-Vang off (allow boom to raise up to sail and helps to de-power sail.)

I hope you will find this helpful and it helps to keep you and your crew safe.

Thanks
Melanie Calvert
MPSC Chief Instructor

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Civil Service Offshore Racing Club (CSORC) have a late availability berth for this year’s Fastnet race. The boat for the campaign is Merlin, a First 40 with a great sail wardrobe. CSORC’s skipper for the campaign is MPSC member and skipper Will Sutton.

This is the 50th edition of the Fastnet and should be a really special event.

The crew meet all the qualification requirements for the RORC so you don’t need to hold any particular qualifications, but ideally you should have solid sailing experience as it’s straight into the Fastnet.

Dates are: 21 July for boat prep etc, 22 July race start, plan to return to UK by 30th July.

Contact MPSC member Amy Clements for further details including berth fee (amy.clements@gmail.com), and provide a short summary of your sailing experience.

PSUK REGATTA 2023
Monday 9th – Friday 13th October
Hosted by Island Sailing Club, West Cowes, IOW

• 5 Days of “Round The Cans” yacht racing
• Evening Socials with colleagues from UK policing
• Matched 37’ Beneteau Oceanis Yachts with Asymmetric Spinnakers
• Suitable for Experienced Racers or Novices
• *Only £400pp

If you are a serving or retired Police Officer and would like to join a fun and competitive crew who will represent the Metropolitan Police, please contact:-

Race Skipper – Roger Knight
M – 07912 963912
email – roger.knight@met.police.uk

*possibility of MPAA support for those with 2 x MPFC lottery shares

Being ever hopeful that we will get some bright, sunny, dry days and if you fancy some summer sailing, we still have some spaces available on the following dates:

1 day sail £50 pp

19th July 2023
17th August 2023
18th August 2023

We will be looking to add more dates later in the summer and into early autumn and we will circulate these and update the website as soon as they are programmed in.

To Book visit our website www.mpsc.london

Do any of these sound familiar to you?
I struggle to get a crew together
I haven’t sailed for a while
I would like some more sailing experience
I just fancy a day out sailing

If you can say yes to any of these then why not come along to one of our members sailing days. We will take some the hassle away from sailing, we supply a club skipper, waterproofs and safety equipment, we even supply light refreshments, but you will need to bring your own lunch.
All you need to do is come along be part of the crew and enjoy the day.

We will meet at the Broadway Base for 08:30 get you kitted out and after a safety brief and a cuppa set off for a day sail around the Solent arriving back at the base for late afternoon.

All this for only £50 pp for a day sail

More dates will be but please feel free to ask if you have a date that would suit you.
For more detail contact the club via email or call one of the club lines.
contact@mpsc.london
Tel: 07920 799270 or 07931 548947

New summer dates
Summer seems to have arrived, so there is no better time to book some days out on the water, we are pleased to be able to offer some more dates for Members to get out sailing, including single day sails and 2-day sail.

1 day sail £50 pp
13th June (one place left)
21st June
22nd June
19th July
28th July (two places left)
17th August
18th August

2 day sail midweek £160 pp
5th - 6th July (0ne place left)

2 day sail weekend £190 pp 5pm Friday to Sunday afternoon
29th - 30th July (two places left)
More dates will become available and we will circulate these and update the website as soon as they are programmed in.

For full details and to Book visit our website www.mpsc.london

Do any of these sound familiar to you?
I struggle to get a crew together
I haven’t sailed for a while
I would like some more sailing experience
I just fancy a day or more out sailing
If you can say yes to any of these then why not come along to one of our members sailing trips. We will take some the hassle away from sailing, we supply a club skipper, waterproofs and safety equipment, we even supply light refreshments, but you will need to bring your own lunch. 
All you need to do is come along be part of the crew and enjoy the day.
Day sails
We will meet at the Broadway Base for 08:30 get you kitted out and after a safety brief and a cuppa set off for a day sail around the Solent arriving back at the base for late afternoon.
2 Day sails
We meet from 5pm the evening before and have 2 days and nights on board.
More dates will be but please feel free to ask if you have a date that would suit you.
For more detail contact the club via email or call one of the club lines.
contact@mpsc.london
Tel: 07920 799270 or 07931 548947

For full details of the below courses please see our website. www.mpsc.london or call Melanie at MPSC on Training and RYA enquires 07437 914054

RYA Practical Courses

All courses are £550 per person for a 5-day residential course.
Please visit our website www.mpsc.london for more details to ensure you enroll for the correct course for your level of experience or give me a call.
Please note Comp crew is combined with Day skipper or Coastal to get a good crew balance.

RYA Competent Crew- no experience needed.

25th-29th September Two places available

RYA Day Skipper- Day skipper theory needed or knowledge to level of to enrol

25th-29th September Two places available

We look forward to hearing from you.
Melanie
Chief Instructor/Principal MPSC

New summer dates added
Being ever hopeful that summer is on its way, we are pleased to be able to offer some more dates for Members to get out sailing, including single day sails, 2-day sails and a 4-day mini cruise.

1 day sail £50 pp
5th May
16th June
28th July
31st July
1st August
21st August
2 day sail midweek £160 pp
15th -16th June
5th - 6th July
22nd - 23rd August
2 day sail weekend £190 pp 5pm Friday to Sunday afternoon
29th - 30th July
4 day mini cruise £335 pp 5pm Monday to Friday afternoon
18th - 21st July

More dates will become available and we will circulate these and update the website as soon as they are programmed in.

For full details and to Book visit our website www.mpsc.london

New dates added
Do you fancy some early season sailing to blow out the cobwebs? Being ever hopeful that we will get some bright, sunny, dry days, we are pleased to be able to offer some more dates for Members Sail Days:

1 day sail £50 pp
5th May
12th June
13th June
2 day sail £160 pp
3rd - 4th July

More dates will become available for Summer and we will circulate these and update the website as soon as they are programmed in.

To Book visit our website www.mpsc.london

Do any of these sound familiar to you?
I struggle to get a crew together
I haven’t sailed for a while
I would like some more sailing experience
I just fancy a day out sailing
If you can say yes to any of these then why not come along to one of our members sailing days. We will take some the hassle away from sailing, we supply a club skipper, waterproofs and safety equipment, we even supply light refreshments, but you will need to bring your own lunch. 
All you need to do is come along be part of the crew and enjoy the day.
We will meet at the Broadway Base for 08:30 get you kitted out and after a safety brief and a cuppa set off for a day sail around the Solent arriving back at the base for late afternoon.
All this for only £50 pp for a day sail 
More dates will be but please feel free to ask if you have a date that would suit you.

For more detail contact the club via email or call one of the club lines.
contact@mpsc.london
Tel: 07920 799270 or 07931 548947

New dates added
Do you fancy some early season sailing to blow out the cobwebs? Being ever hopeful that we will get some bright, sunny, dry days, we are pleased to be able to offer some more dates for Members Sail Days:

1 day sail £50 pp
15th March
29th March
30th March
6th April
13th April
9th May
10th May
25th May
26th May

2 day sail £145 pp
15th - 16th May

More dates will become available for Spring and early Summer and we will circulate these and update the website as soon as they are programmed in.

To Book visit our website www.mpsc.london

Do any of these sound familiar to you?
I struggle to get a crew together
I haven’t sailed for a while
I would like some more sailing experience
I just fancy a day out sailing
If you can say yes to any of these then why not come along to one of our members sailing days. We will take some the hassle away from sailing, we supply a club skipper, waterproofs and safety equipment, we even supply light refreshments, but you will need to bring your own lunch. 
All you need to do is come along be part of the crew and enjoy the day.
We will meet at the Broadway Base for 08:30 get you kitted out and after a safety brief and a cuppa set off for a day sail around the Solent arriving back at the base for late afternoon.
All this for only £50 pp for a day sail 
More dates will be but please feel free to ask if you have a date that would suit you.

For more detail contact the club via email or call one of the club lines.
contact@mpsc.london
Tel: 07920 799270 or 07931 548947

Members Sail day’s
Do you fancy some early season sailing to blow out the cobwebs? Being ever hopeful that we will get some bright, sunny, dry days, we have added 9 more dates for Members sail days including some 2 day sails. To make sure of your place, visit the website to see all dates and get booking before they go.

Do any of these sound familiar to you?
I struggle to get a crew together
I haven’t sailed for a while
I would like some more sailing experience
I just fancy a day out sailing
If you can say yes to any of these then why not come along to one of our members sailing days. We will take some the hassle away from sailing, we supply a club skipper, waterproofs and safety equipment, we even supply light refreshments, but you will need to bring your own lunch. 
All you need to do is come along be part of the crew and enjoy the day.
We will meet at the Broadway Base for 08:30 get you kitted out and after a safety brief and a cuppa set off for a day sail around the Solent arriving back at the base for late afternoon.
All this for only £50 pp for a day sail  or £145pp for a 2 day sail
More dates will be added, so keep an eye on the website, but please feel free to ask if you have a date that would suit you.

Charters
So far this year we have seen an increase in the number of booking for Charters, really great news for the MPSC. To avoid disappointment we recommend that you book your Charter as soon a possible so that you can get the dates you want to go out and explore the Solent and beyond.
Both boats have undergone a comprehension programme of improvements over the winter including all new running rigging on Pride as well a new Radar.

Tall Ships Youth Trust
We are hoping that you will help us fundraise for the Tall Ships Youth Trust to enable disadvantaged young people to take part in a potentially life-changing voyage.

The combined MPSC and LSC teams of 24 sailors will be crewing 2 yachts and, braving the challenges of the Solent in the late winter months, they will participate in the Tall Ships Youth Trust 2023 Round the Island Race on Saturday 4th of March 2023. Both clubs hope that you will support all those taking part and help them raise some much needed funds for the worthy cause.
The Tall Ships Youth Trust has been changing young lives at sea for more than 65 years. They work with 1,000 young people who haven’t had the same life chances as their peers due to learning, mental or physical disabilities, behavioural or emotional difficulties or because they are from low income families. These voyages enable young people to develop the life skills, social skills, confident and self-esteem needed to raise their aspirations and make positive life choices.

So far we have raised over £1300 Please help us to help Tall Ships Youth Trust continue with their inspirational work.
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/mpsc

Serving or Retired Met Police Officers: 
If you don't already, can you consider supporting the MPAA Lottery as they obviously provide tremendous support to the MPSC.  Details can be found at https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/metropolitanpolicefc/  
Application forms can also be requested by emailing:  mpaa@met.police.uk 

Thank you. 

Round the Island Winter Fundraising Challenge
Friday 3rd to Sunday 5th March 2023

Crews taking part in the challenge will be crewing the Tall Ships 72ft Challenger yachts, with the aim to:

• Be the first to sail round the Isle of Wight and raise the most money for the Tall Ships Youth Trusts vital youth development work.
• Smash last years winning time of circumnavigating the Island in just under 6.5 hours, reaching speeds of up to 10.5 knots.

The cost of this event is £229 per person plus Insurance (approx. £25) and we still have a few space left, but the main purpose of this email is to ask if you could help in fundraising for this event.

To help this, we have set up a ‘Just Giving’ page and would ask that you offer any support that you can, whether this is a personal donation or by circulating this request to others you may know.

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/mpsc

Any help would be appreciated by both us and by the Tall Ships Youth Trust.

As always, your help and continuing support is much appreciated by the Club and we look forward to seeing you out on the boats or at the base in 2023.

With thanks,
The Directors and Staff
Metropolitan Police Sailing Club

For full details of the below courses and locations please see the website and book via website. As ever if you have any questions please don't hesitate to call training at MPSC.

RYA 1^st Aid Course
Open to all, £60 one day course, at Paper Court Sailing Club, Ripley, Surrey
January 27^th Friday
February 25^th Saturday

RYA Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Theory Shorebased Class
Open to all day skipper theory holders upwards only one place left. Cost £395 with a max of 4 students.
This course will be held at Kingston Police station, over 3 weekends on Saturday and Sundays with a 2 week break between weekends please note you will have to be able to make all dates. This will be held on Saturdays and Sundays on the following dates:
11th & 12th Feb, 25th & 26th Feb, 11th & 12th March.

RYA Day Skipper Shore based theory course
This will be held at Paper court, Ripley, Surrey, on Thursdays and Fridays on the following dates:
2nd& 3rd, 9th&10th,16th & 17th March

Please note you will have to be able to make all dates. Cost £350 with a maximum of 6 students.

Theory courses currently being arranged.
VHF one day course we have filled 2 courses and we are looking to arrange a 3^rd.shortly.

Date for MPSC AGM 1830hrs Monday 4th March 2024

Spend an evening with Tracy Edwards MBE at the Little ship club

Date for MPSC AGM
1830hrs Monday 4th March 2024