Chelsea SES Go Back To Chelsea Yacht Club.

On Saturday the 21^st and Sunday the 22^nd of November, members of the Chelsea SES Boat Crew were on the water to assist Chelsea Yacht Club at their long running ‘Four of a Kind Regatta’. Chelsea IRB 79 was launched from the Launching Place boat ramp at Carrum around 9.30am to head around the bay to Chelsea to be in position to assist with the weekend’s events. It was the first time that Chelsea SES had been back to the club since the catastrophic events of the morning of the 3rd of August this year when extreme weather conditions almost destroyed the club.

Chelsea IRB 79 arrives for launch behind Chelsea Transport.

Final checks complete; Chelsea IRB 79 is go for launch!

Heading down the Patterson River en route to Chelsea.

The Regatta is a unique opportunity for off-the-beach classes to compete in a handicap series where they not only have the chance to experience fleet racing and promote their class, but also have the opportunity to win cash prizes for their association. It’s the best value mixed fleet regatta going around with a nominal entry fee of $20 per boat for a weekend’s racing and the post race sausage sizzle is free! This was the first major event to be held at the club since the storm earlier this year.

Yachts Preparing For The Four of a Kind Regatta at Chelsea.

Taking To The Water.

Chelsea IRB 79 In Action Amongst The Yachts.

It has been a fantastic effort by so many people working together that has seen Chelsea Yacht Club back in operation so quickly. In the early hours of the 3rd of August this year, a micro burst occured almost directly above the club and in a matter of seconds the club and surrounding homes were left bruised and battered with the club itself taking the main brunt of the force. A microburst is a small, very intense downdraft that descends to the ground resulting in a strong wind divergence. The size of the event is typically less than 4 kilometers across. Microbursts are capable of producing winds of more than 160kph mph often resulting in significant damage. The life span of a microburst is around 5-15 minutes. Microbursts are often mistakenly called "mini tornados" due to their extreme force and damage potential; but like the old saying goes; a rose by any other name will still blow your house down.

Chelsea Yacht Club Following The Storm on the night of August 3rd 2009 That Saw Chelsea SES Working Throughout The Night.

It was great to be back at Chelsea Yacht Club and under so much better circumstances. Members Damian Kemp and Aaron Blamey were on the water aboard IRB 79, whilst Richard Jenner stayed on dry land in support with Chelsea Transport.