The Dun Laoghaire Flying Fifteen fleet held their AGM last night, chaired by the outgoing Captain, Jill Fleming and attended by seventeen members with representation from the three Dun Laoghaire clubs which have “Fifteens” on their decks, the National Yacht Club, the Royal St George Yacht Club and Dun Laoghaire Motor Yacht Club.
A minute’s silence was observed at the start of the meeting to mark the passing of former members Ciaran Crummey and Ben Mulligan.
A brief report by the Captain, referenced the 69 races sailed in the 2022 season, including DBSC, the Captain’s Prize, the race to Dalkey, involvement in the “Women on the Water Regatta”, and the Frostbites.
She referenced the campaigning in UK waters of John Lavery & Alan Green (4083) and wished them well for the Worlds to be sailed in Fremantle in March 2023.
She also reported that Keith Poole will represent the Class on the 2023 DBSC committee.
The “election” of officers will see the following individuals manage the affairs of the fleet for 2023;
- Captain: Robin Hilliard.
- Vice-Captain: Joe Hickey.
- Secretary: David Mulvin (returning).
- Treasurer: Peter Sherry (returning).
- Safety Officer: Adrian Cooper (returning).
- Recorder: Peter Murphy (returning)
- Trophy Secretary: Ronan Beirne (returning)
- Technical Officer: Alan Green (returning).
Peter Sherry, Treasurer, reported on the financial affairs of the fleet for 2022 and advised that the finances are in a healthy condition.
In his absence, Jill Fleming presented the report of the Safety Officer, Adrian Cooper, who raised a number of issues in his report
- the requirement to have whistles and safety knives on board each boat (per crew member)
- the requirement to have buoyancy bags inflated inside buoyancy tanks and advised that a small pump for the purpose of inflating the bags was available in the NYC boathouse
- the protocols for operating the winches in the NYC and,
- the use of paddles when operating under reduced sail.
- The meeting also discussed the need for a session on man-overboard recovery and the requirement that crews helm the boat out to and in from the race area so they are competent to helm in an emergency situation.
A discussion on calendar dates took place but is subject to liaison with the FFAI, the national committee.
"particular concern at different DBSC classes converging at leeward marks"
Under any other business, there was a robust discussion on the format of the DBSC races with particular concern at different classes converging at leeward marks at the same time despite having used a separate weather mark.
The meeting closed with a reminder that the DLFF fleet prize-giving is scheduled for Friday night at the same venue – the Royal St George Yacht Club, with a warning signal at 19:00.
