Greenwich Flying Squadron

If you fail your Cat 7 check and the equipment auditor has listed items in  “Outstanding Items” on your form please follow the procedure below:

1.      Rectify the problem

2.      Take photo or proof of the rectification.

3.      Send your form and the photo or proof to the auditor who failed you

4.      He will sign the form if he is satisfied.

5.      He will scan the form and send it back to you

6.      You then upload it to SailSys

Roger Gee, Safety Officer

Please check – Sailing – Yacht Racing Information (or here – GFS Skipper’s Briefing 17 Sept 25) for the information presented at the recent Skippers’ Briefing. If you missed the briefing it is compulsory reading.

Please note that Sailing Instruction SI 11 h was amended following this meeting.

SI 11 h.  Whilst a ferry is in the vicinity of Bay Street Wharf on Twilight race evenings, yachts should not load or unload crew at the club pontoon.   Colregs also require that yachts stay clear of a manoeuvring ferry – as shown in the picture below. 

GFS Sailing Instructions have been updated on the Racing Information page of this website

It seems each Series you enter in SailSys, you will need to attach your Insurance and Equipment Audit from your ‘File Library‘ (where it is stored in SailSys).

Click on the Edit button

                      Click to enlarge the images

and Save the file

There is only 1 Audit Day left in which you can present your boat.

Sunday 28^th Sept. 9 am till 12.00

This year special attention will be made to

1. Anchors and chains (both of which must be on deck).
2. Man Over Board (MOB) procedures for retrieval.
3. Nav lights. (Some races finish after dark  and so working nav lights are essential.)

Personal inspection of life jackets and fire extinguishers are acceptable (see link below for the fire extinguisher check list)

https://gfs.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/amsa707_inspection_of_portable_fire_extinguishers.pdf

The procedure will be to call GFS on channel 72 when approaching the Clubhouse and GFS will call you in when there is an auditor ready to inspect your boat.

Only Cat 7 Safety Audits will be carried out by GFS. Those wishing higher categories will need to be inspected by the club that is requiring the higher category.

Please download the Cat 7 Safety Audit Form and fill out prior to arrival. https://gfs.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Equipment-Audit-Form-25-28.pdf

On the Sailing – Yacht Racing Information page https://gfs.org.au/yachts/racing-information/ please find –

• Instructions how to enter each separate GFS Series
• Racing Rules of Sailing 2025 – 2028
• GFS Sailing Program – Yachts
• GFS Sailing Instructions
• GFS Safety Card
• GFS Cat 7 Equipment Audit Form
• GFS Saturday Course Sheet
• GFS Twilight Course Sheet

These can be downloaded and/or saved to a device.

There is a section under Sailing on the GFS website – GFS Women for passing on information – https://gfs.org.au/yachts/gfs-women/

Exciting changes are planned for the Women’s Helm.  This year there will be five races, held on the last Wednesday of the month except December.  This will provide continuity and mentoring, leading to better learning outcomes.

If you’re an experienced Skipper and would like to share your knowledge, please nominate as a Mentor.

https://forms.gle/VstY9QUnRwFioNaq8

If you’re a woman with some sailing experience who would like to helm, please nominate as a Helmswoman.

https://forms.gle/YqTUmKmvd5rGCsry9

As an added incentive for Boat Owners and Skippers, all entrants in the Women’s Helm will go into a draw.   Winners will get the opportunity to have an expert sailor on board during a future twilight race to offer tips and tactics.

Read more about the Women’s Helm here  https://gfs.org.au/yachts/gfs-women/ and keep an eye on the website for updates. 

Questions welcome and encouraged to either Steve Bradley  commodore@gfs.org.au or Leigh McLaughlin vicecommodore@gfs.org.au

The 2025 – 2028 Racing Rules of Sailing (Blue Book) are now current.

Go to https://www.sailingresources.org.au/rules-hub/rrs/ and download a copy.

You can also view and download a summary of changes from the previous version.

SailSys – https://www.sailsys.com.au/

The club committee after careful review has made the decision to move  to SailSys as the club’s race management program. SailSys is an integrated online race management system which has perceived benefits over that used previously.

SailSys is used by many sailing clubs including Sydney Amateurs, Manly, RANSA and Avalon Sailing Clubs which are similar in size and nature to GFS. As well Middle Harbour, Royal Sydney, Royal Queensland, CYCA and Sydney Combined clubs also use SailSys.

At GFS due to our large Twilight fleet this system will save a considerable amount of effort in collecting entries, setting up series and recording and and publishing results. It allows transportable PHS handicaps across fleets, series and clubs.

You may have already received an email from SailSys with a link to allow you to enter. Sometimes this email may go to your email JUNK folder. Please have a look.