Commodore of the Week


 

The following notes were drawn up to assist Commodores of the week to run a successful cruise.  The responsibilities are as follows:

1.   To plan the itinerary of the week with regard to -
    foreknowledge of start and finishing points.
    tides.
    the need to provision boats from time to time
    the time of year. (Late finishes are not recommended for Easter).
    distance daily and in total. (100 miles per week is a good objective.  It is rarely achieved these days, but it is easier to shorten course than to lengthen it.)
    the social needs of skippers and crews. (musicless pubs, quality beer, the         occasional large town, games rooms, coin-eating machines, etc.)

2.  To recognise that the plan will be changed at least once by

    being stormbound.
    being becalmed
    the power of the advocacy of skippers and others.
    lie-ins
    sinkings and lesser disasters.

3.  To cope with the problems arising from 2 above.

4.  To ensure, on the first day, that—
    batteries are collected/available.
    repairs from the previous week, eg sails, spreaders have been completed.
    all boats are fully equipped, particularly with life jackets, rond anchors, gas,       quants. (Other deficiencies . . . sails, mattresses, tea spoons . . . soon become             apparent.
    skippers, particularly junior skippers, are aware of the idiosyncracies of the boat           they are to sail. eg, Puck’s boom raising, Modwena’s roof lifting.
    dietary needs, medication, health deficiencies etc of crews are known
    to skippers (arid vice versa).
    an opportunity is provided for provisioning boats for the first couple of days.
    all crew have arrived.
(Perhaps much of this information could be obtained at a formal skippers’ meeting, but visits to boats and casual conversations on banks or in more comfortable surroundings are recommended. Remember, a mate often knows more than a skipper, particularly if the latter arrives late, or his health is temporarily impaired.)

5.   To enquire about the well-being of the crews regularly during the week, by
       observation and by chatting to skippers, mates, and crews themselves.  
       Forestall incipient mutiny, law breaking and dangerous or antisocial
       behaviour.

6.   To ensure that life jackets are worn between Stokesby and Reedham/St Olaves,
       and at other times in dangerous conditions.

7    To be aware of the availability of spare shackles, ropes whipping twine, sail                              repair tape, needles,  screws, baked bean tins, matchsticks, First Aid Kits, tools, 
       etc. (All boats and skippers carry these as a matter of course. Don’t they? And
       there is the Commodore’s Box. Failing these options, there is always one boat
       with a goodly supply. After all it frequently needs them.)

8.    To cause to be organised (ie delegate) group games, eq darts, on one or more 
       occasions during the week, and to involve the whole fleet.

9.    To allow sufficient time on the last day for  boat cleaning, and to ensure that
       the job has been done properly. (An inspection should not be necessary, but in
       recent times there have been complaints from follow-on skippers and owners.  
       Bilges, food lockers/containers seem to be the most neglected areas.

10. To arrange for :
       battery charging.
       repairs as necessary. (Of course this is the skipper’s job, but the commodore                may need to be involved.)
       last minute gas bottle replacement. (ditto)

11.   To inform the incoming commodore/owner of the arrangements in 10 above.

12.   To hold a skippers’ meeting.

13.   To ask skippers to telephone owners to report/discuss any significant
        damage/deficiencies. Indeed, I think skippers should always telephone
        owners to report the condition of the boat however goood it may be.
        Under some circumstances (eg sinking Golden Galleon) the Commodore must
         assume a higher profile.

1992