Royals Yearbook 2019/2020

visibility made it difficult for
Reduced
race management team to monitor
the
race fleet. Great care was taken
the
competitors across the
shepherding
channel before and after races,
shipping
the reduced visibility made it
but
to see the whole fleet all the
difficult
Some races were cancelled
time.
of smoke on medical advice.
because
these challenges, the event
Despite
to be an enormous success both
proved
and off the water.
on
regatta again demonstrated the
This
support provided by our
tremendous
with over 60 volunteers
volunteers,
day. Not only this event but most
every
our Club on water activities would
of
be possible without them. We also
not
support to the ships visiting
provided
in February and March. So
Williamstown
a big thank you to all our
again
volunteers.
late February/early March, the
In
Williamstown Seaport Festival
inaugural
held. This was a very busy event for
was
with our Club being open to the
Royals
on their way to visit the Tall Ships
public
Workshops Pier. Many Club Members
at
the opportunity to sail on the 70m
took
Barque James¨ Craig, although
historic
Club booked sailing day had to be
our
because of COVID-19.
cancelled
Club has decided to return to
Your
its own food and beverage
running
Pier 41 provided good service
operation.
the past few years, but we have
over
with our new management
decided
to return to running our
structure
will be put in place on the Club’s
This
after our current COVID-19
re-opening
have been eased. We
restrictions
Pete Evans who will be
welcome
membership continues to grow
Our
last year’s AGM after the changes
since
the Rules, and we have recorded an
to
of just over 16%.
increase
floating marina development has
Our
put on hold. The financial risk of
been
was considered too great,
proceeding
because it would require the
particularly
of suitable wave and surge
building
to the north. The cost of this
protection
wall imposed a substantial
wave
to the project construction
premium
recent years we have noticed a
In
increase in ferry and shipping
significant
causing surge issues to all marinas
traffic
Hobsons Bay, and particularly Royals.
in
State Government has recognised
The
issue and tasked Parks Victoria with
this
the problem. Parks have
investigating
a consultant to study this
engaged
and recommend a solution
problem
protects all waterfront stakeholders
that
Hobsons Bay. This report and
in
were due to be
recommendations
in late 2020, however this has
delivered
been delayed because of reduced
now
caused by the COVID-19
traffic
The Club will reconsider its
pandemic.
in relation to the floating
position
when the outcomes of this study
marina
R Y C V Y E A R B O O K 2 0 1 9 / 2 0 2 0
managing this new operation.
cost.
are known.
bar and restaurant with our own staff.
P A G E 0 5