ANNEX A

COUNCIL MEETING

MINUTES

Annual Report - Household Division Sailing Association (HDSA) 2015, Dated 5 Feb 16

Chairman – Lt Col A P Speed MBE SG

Secretary – Maj D J Alkin GREN GDS

Objective. The HDSA exists to encourage and facilitate sailing by all ranks across the Household Division.

Membership. All serving members of the Household Division are automatically members and support the Association financially through subscriptions to Household Division Funds.

HDYC. Commissioned Officers of the HDSA can become members of the HDYC for an annual subscription of £20. The HDSA is actively seeking closer association with HDYC and will continue to support HDYC functions in an attempt to foster stronger relationships.

Main Outputs. The Association owns and operates the HDSA Yacht Gladeye (currently a Nautor Swan 395 moored at Fort Blockhouse, Gosport) and also makes use of other yachts from time to time. In addition, the Association organises and runs the annual HDSA Regatta at Seaview as well as organising and assisting in other sailing events that benefit the Household Division.

Last season, Gladeye spent 32 weeks at sea with 182 members sailing, covering 3600 nm with 3 weekend charters. This has included a six week trip to Kiel (including a battlefield tour in Ypres and the Menin Gate), a 3 week trip to the west of England, including Falmouth and Cornwall, and participation in Cowes Week. The boatswain ran 14 competent crew courses, qualifying 68 members of the Household Division and delivering 1200 man sailing days.

Current Refit. Gladeye is being refitted to a budget of c. £45,000. This money is coming from ASA hull replacement scheme (£25,000) and HDiv funds (£20,000). The work includes a complete stripping down and making good of external surfaces including replacement of faulty or broken parts, replacement of standing rod rigging and running rigging, service of steering gear. Below decks there will be new upholstery, a new heater and renovation of all surfaces. Decisions about further expenditure may need to be taken during refit, based on survey findings although there are currently no areas of concern. Gladeye will be back on the water in early April.

Foul Weather Gear. Costs are still being negotiated, but the intent is to furnish Gladeye with 16 new sets of oilskins. An application has been made to the ASA for new foul weather gear which will be augmented by HDiv funds.

Safety Equipment. There is a requirement for hydraulic cutters to deal with the rod rigging in an emergency de-masting situation (c. £1,200). Further, a Jon Buoy (c. £800) man overboard device would assist in an emergency. The decision to purchase these will be made once the refit is complete and the oilskins are purchased.

Sails. Gladeye has a full set of serviceable sails (4 headsails, main, spinnaker and cruising shute). The state of the sails will be reviewed periodically but it is anticipated that they will need replacing after the 2016 season. The last sail replacement cost £15,000 and we will not be eligible for any further ASA support so these costs will be met by HDiv funds.

Future. The re-fit will extend Gladeye’s serviceable life until the next ASA hull replacement fund bid can be made in 2020. The recommendation is to continue to extend the life of the current Gladeye whilst continuing to build a hull replacement fund.

Second Boatswain. The HDSA has a boatswain (LCpl Stevens) who is a serving member of the Household Division who acts as permanent crew and instructor. In the past there used to be three boatswains to provide redundancy but, with only one, Gladeye has no dedicated support during annual leave. Further it takes approximately two years to complete the necessary courses required to support Gladeye. In this way, HDSA output hinges on the fate of one man and this is a risk that shouldn’t be tolerated. The Chairman will therefore engage with Commanding Officers to consider options for an additional boatswain who can be trained up to provide a succession plan and redundancy.

Boatswain Allowance. There used to be a small annual clothing allowance for the boatswain to offset his clothing and equipment costs. It has been decided that the boatswain can claim up to £200 per year from HDSA funds in receipted personal clothing costs.

Summary. The HDSA is in a healthy financial position and is currently commissioning a great deal of work to extend the life of Gladeye. The major future cost to HDSA funds will be for new sails to be commissioned next year and this should then carry Gladeye through to the next ASA hull replacement grant with only running costs and minor fixes. Links between HDYC and HDSA are growing as is interest in the HDSA from serving members. The key risk to HDSA output is lack of redundancy for the boatswain.

I thank the Trustees for their continued support and trust that the HDSA is being managed in accordance with their interests.

Lt Col A P Speed MBE SG

Chairman

Household Division Sailing Association.