Joint Commodore’s Sail Past

Joint Commodore’s Sail Past

This was held on Sunday August 31st at Weybridge Mariners clubhouse as part of a weekend of joint activities.
Russ and Mary attended WMC on Friday evening, along with Terry and Mandy, and were instructed on manning the bar. By all accounts, they performed admirably, and will be an asset to WMC in this regard in the future.

Members gathered variously at the Thames Court moorings (or, in the case of the Commodore, at the WMC mooring) on Saturday, in preparation for a supper at WMC that evening, organised and catered by Mandy, with the able assistance of Sharon, Sally and Terry. This was a splendid event, with a choice of chicken or lamb shank (with veggie option) deliciously cooked by the aforementioned “crew”. We were well entertained during and after the meal by a talented singer / guitarist.

The following morning, members moved their boats to the bank side moorings opposite WMC
The dress code was “club formal” with gentlemen in whites and club blazer and ladies in club polo shirts and white slacks or wearing club scarves. Rob Fry (WMC club secretary) had provided a Program and Order of Passage as detailed below:-

 
Sail Past2025 Program
1100 hours.       Assemble at the EA Weybridge Riverside.
1130 hours.     A briefing may be held for skippers, if requested.
1200 hours.     Depart from the EA Weybridge Riverside moorings at 1200 hours, cruising in line astern through Desborough Cut, returning to the clubhouse via the main river passing Lady Lindsey's Lawn to the north of Desborough Island and D'Oyley Carte Island to pass the clubhouse at 1230 hours. While cruising in line astern all boats should keep station at a safe distance, "three boat lengths" astern of the boat they are following. Keeping station is important to ensure that non-participating craft cannot join the flotilla.
1230 hours.  
Pass the clubhouse and salute the Commodore (Commodores) by lowering your boats Red Ensign, raising it again after passing the clubhouse. The red ensign flying on the clubhouse flagpole will be dipped "lowered & raised" to return your salute. While your ensign is lowered, all skippers & crew should greet their Commodore by raising a glass (or saluting with the traditional naval salute if wearing a nautical cap) or in any other way you feel appropriate.
Immediately after raising your ensign, proceed upriver to a safe distance from other boats to come about and return to the EA Weybridge Riverside moorings. After mooring, take the ferry across the river to the clubhouse where a buffet lunch will be served from 1330 hours.
1330 hours.      Reception and complimentary buffet lunch.
Flag Etiquette.     All craft should fly their club burgee from the main mast and their ensign on the stern. No other flags, burgees or bunting may be flown.
Fenders.                  All fenders must be up while sailing past the clubhouse & saluting the Commodores.
Dress code.      Gentlemen should wear no' 1's “club blazer, club tie, white shirt, white trousers”.
Ladies may wear whatever they feel is appropriate, adorned by their club scarf & lapel badge if they so wish.
 
Order of Passage
Alouette                                     (WMC)
Festivity                                     (WMC)
Lady Farrington                            (Terry & Mandy)
Lotte                                              (WMC)
Santiago                                     (WMC)
Muachina                                     (WMC)
What Knot                                     (WMC)
 
Scotch Mist                            (David, Linda, Sharon)
Laird Tommy                            (John & Geraldine)
Zephyr                                     (Geoff & Sally)
Beatrice Rose                            (Robbie & Jill)
Blue Dimension                            (Russ & Mary)
Lady Farrington                            (Terry & Mandy)
 
Kalipso                                      (Rob Fry. WMC secretary)

Lady Farrington sailed past twice, as Terry and Mandy belong to both clubs.
Roy Nash (Commodore WMC) and Tony Rogers (Commodore Albany MYC) accepted the salutes of the participating vessels from the balcony of WMC’s clubhouse.
The event concluded with a very convivial buffet lunch, catered by Mandy, once again.

I would like to offer a heartfelt thank you to all Albany members who attended, making it a truly memorable event for me. I would also like to thank David and Linda for attending and crewing Scotch Mist for me.
Special thanks must be given to Roy Nash for the original invitation to Albany to join WMC for this event, and to Mandy for suggesting it be extended to make a full weekend of activities. Mandy must also be congratulated for the excellent catering throughout the weekend (ably assisted by Sharon and Sally)
As this was such a marked success, I will be in touch with Roy Nash to see if we can make this an annual event.