Yacht Bookings

INTRODUCTION

The REYC yachts are available for charter to serving Royal Engineers, Club members and members of affiliated Service Yacht Clubs. They may be used for private cruising and adventurous training, Trojan may also be used for racing with the agreement of the Rear Commodore (Offshore).

The yachts are managed and maintained by the volunteer committee for the benefit of the club and serving Royal Engineers. Spare capacity allows us to support wider service sailing but the priority for yacht use will always be accordance with the aims of the club as a charity.

LOCATION

The yachts are berthed at Hornet Services Sailing Club, Haslar Road, GOSPORT (PO12 2AQ). Access to HSSC, which is co-located with the Joint Services Adventurous Sail Training Centre (JSASTC) , is by prior submission of a JSASTC Visitor Notification Form. Visiting crews must submit this form no less than 24 hours in advance of arrival and must all carry photographic ID at all times when on this MOD site.

AVAILABILITY

Yacht availability can be checked, and bookings submitted, through the 'Book Online' page on this site, found here:

Royal Engineer Yacht Club : Offshore Yachts (sappersailing.org)

CHARTER RATES

Membership categories and charters fees are explained in the table below. REYC membership is broken into Full, Associate and Honorary memberships. 'Reciprocal' Membership refers to members of affiliated Service Yacht Clubs. For additional advice/information, the Charter Secretary, Jonathan Van Ingen, controls all charters and can be contacted by email at charters@sappersailing.org, or the RC(O), Lt Col Murray Smith offshore@sappersailing.org.

Charter fees as at 29 Jan 2025*

CREWING REQUIREMENTS.

Listed below are the minimum and maximum numbers and crew qualifications required for yachts. Maximum numbers are dictated by both the safety equipment provided and the MCA certification. CHARTERERS are reminded that exceeding these limitations will invalidate the yacht's insurance cover and that they may be liable for all costs in the event of an incident.

Trojan

X-34

Racing. Club yachts may only be raced by skippers who are authorised by the RC(O) or the Deputy RC(O). Yachts may be manned in accordance with the relevant Racing Instructions, but in no circumstances shall the maximum crew-load as per the yacht's Coding Certificate (SCV2) be exceeded.

NB. All skippers wishing to race Trojan or crew with the asymmetric spinnakers must arrange for specific briefing/training prior to the charter rate.

Adventurous Training. Those planning military Adventurous Training are reminded that the Club limitations do not supersede or negate the requirements mandated by AGAI Chapter 11.

Insurance. The terms of the insurance policy dictate that REYC vessels are only permitted to be chartered to Club members and members of a Service Yacht Club (ASA/RNSA/RAF SA) or affiliated club. Racing is only to be allowed through the prior agreement of the Offshore Rear Commodore or Racing Secretary. In addition, only a Yachtmaster (Offshore) or Yachtmaster (Ocean) may skipper Ilex in a race of any kind.

Handover / Takeover. The charterer must contact the Offshore committee at least 5 days before the charter. Collection of the yachts is Hornet Services Sailing Club, Gosport and handover will take place either in person or by tele-conference, by mutual agreement.

Equipment. Skippers will be required to muster the inventory at each handover, which should take no more than 30 min. Bills may be raised for damage or loss of equipment. Please take time to read the skipper's file detailing the operation of the yacht's equipment and ask any questions before you put to sea.

Customs Clearance. If you are going to countries outside the European Union you must obtain and complete Customs Form C 1331 Part 1 before departure. (Please note that the Channel Islands are not considered to be part of the EU). Customs procedures must be followed if going to or returning from the Channel Islands directly. If in doubt as to whether you need customs clearance, contact Portsmouth Customs by dialling 100 and asking for Free-phone 9522.

Yacht Status. In order to prove the ownership and status of your yacht whilst on charter the skipper must have a completed sailing authority letter (See onboard) with the boat documents at all times. This document may be requested at any time by UK or EU customs or police forces.

The Ships Log. Skippers are to enter the names of their crew in the log provided and maintain the log following normal protocols throughout their trip. Incidents of note or interest to the yacht's safety should be entered in full. Any faults observed should be noted in the faults book and highlighted to the Captain of Boats on your return.

Billing & Payment. Charter fees are to be paid in full before the charter commences. Online payments via GoCardless is the preferred payment method following the instructions detailed on the booking system or on the invoice; please confirm with the Charter Secretary once a payment has been made.

Life Jackets. All club yachts have in service adult life jackets on board primarily for the use of service personnel on Adventurous Training. In cases of private charters it is the responsibility of the skipper to ensure that all personnel on board have a serviceable and suitable life jacket. The REYC does not hold junior / infant life jackets.

Waterproofs. The club holds a number of sets of sailing waterproofs and boots which are included in the charter cost from this season.

Loss or Damage. Post charter, bills may be raised against skippers for cleaning, fuel, gas, loss or damage to the inventory or craft.. Skippers should check before the charter that their personal liability insurance will cover the amounts quoted below to cover major damage. For 2023/2024 the insurance excess for chartering Ilex is £2000.

Reporting of Incidents & Defects. Skippers must report any defects, damage, losses, groundings or collisions and fill out the Incident Form (part of boat documents on board) as well as the ship's log. If a line snags on the propeller or prop-shaft, the Captain of Boats, or Rear Commodore (Offshore) must be informed immediately and there may be a charge for the boat to be inspected at the end of the charter. All accidents involving personal injury are also to be written in the log and reported directly to the Rear Commodore (Offshore) on your return.

Flag Etiquette. A copy of the REYC rules are kept on board each yacht. Please familiarise yourself with the club's guidance concerning the flying of the Ensign and Club Burgee.

Overdue Return. Lastly, if due to unforeseen circumstances, you will be late in returning or are forced to leave the yacht in another port please phone either of the Captain of Boats or Rear Commodore (Offshore) as soon as you can.

Last updated 18:19 on 3 April 2025