CYCC HOLDS 30^th ANNUAL CONFERENCE

The Conference of Yacht Cruising Clubs (CYCC), which comprises 15 clubs* and associations representing some 23,750 members with 13,000 yachts, held its 30^th annual conference on 11^th January 2001 at the Little Ship Club under the chairmanship of Cdr. Colin Colby, Rear Commodore (Cruising) RNSA. The Old Worcesters Yacht Club, whose members are all master mariners, was admitted to membership, and provides greatly welcomed expertise from professional mariners.

The CYCC originally comprised clubs producing sailing directions, and this remains a central activity. In this regard, the heavy royalty charges now imposed by the Hydrographic Office for use of their charts has created a new and pressing problem. The conference also now concerns itself with tackling problems facing those who cruise yachts at sea. This side of its activities concentrates on maintaining the traditional posture of self-regulation that has served sailors so well to date.

The CYCC web site (www.cycc.org.uk) was originally created to provide publicity for their sailing directions and to provide web space for clubs without web sites. It posts and invites comment on proposed changes to Aids to Navigation. It also collects information on harbour changes. The CYCC makes great use of email to maintain communication between clubs and authorities between meetings.

The CYCC has sponsored with some success a number of experienced cruising people for election to the RYA Council to strengthen their interest in cruising matters.

The Conference expressed concern about rumoured closure of the Bracknell weatherfax broadcasts and will lobby to maintain this important facility for offshore cruising.

The Conference was addressed by Capt. Glass of Trinity House, John Pepper from the Hydrographic Office, Kathryn Burnett from RYA and Nick Ward from the Royal Institute if Navigation. Among the topics covered were the new 490kHz Navtex broadcasts, buoyage changes, development of AIS (Automatic Identification System, which will impact yachts before long), possible demise of red diesel and new chart products.

Ray Glaister

Honorary Secretary, CYCC

15^th January 2001.

*Membership comprises Bristol Channel Yachting Conference, Cruising Association, Clyde Cruising Club, Forth Yacht Clubs Association, Irish Cruising Club, Little Ship Club, Manx Sailing and Cruising Club, North West Venturer’s Yacht Club, Ocean Cruising Club, Old Worcesters Yacht Club, Royal Cruising Club, Royal Cruising Club Pilotage Foundation, Royal Navy Sailing Association, Royal Northumberland Yacht Club, and the Royal Yacht Squadron.