FAQs

Of course! We welcome immediate family members, partners & close friends as associate members. They can charter yachts, sail on our cruises along with taking advantage of our RYA courses.

If there is spare capacity on non RYA courses and Cruises, non-member friends may be able to accompany you, but there will be a small surcharge for this.

Please contact us for further details.

Membership of Metropolitan Police Sailing club provides a friendly club environment in which to enjoy sailing, meet people with the same interest and develop your skills – from the first time you step onto boat, right up to Yachtmaster Ocean.

Our very reasonable membership fee allows you:

• Low cost daily, weekly or weekend charter our well maintained and equipped sailing yachts from our base at Mercury Yacht Harbour.
• Joining us on one of our many cruises, which range from a one day introduction to a seven day Channel Island.
• Access to a wide range of both RYA and club training courses, for both sailing and power at discounted prices.
• Sail from the beautiful river Hamble with direct access into the Solent. Arguably one of the finest sailing and training locations in Europe.
• Substantial discounts of Musto clothing.

Current membership is just £66 per year for full membership, or £75 per year for associate membership.

If you are a full member at the time of your retirement, you can retain full membership provided you make provision for the continued payment of your subs

Not at all. We welcome sailors with little or no sailing experience right up to RYA instructors, offering all a wide range of sailing opportunities.

We welcome close friends as associate members. A current full or associate member will need to nominate the friend via the application form which is then considered by the executive committee.

The offshore yachts are available for charter to full and associate members who have a minimum of a RYA Day Skipper Practical qualification along with an accompanying SRC radio certificate.

Day skippers are generally restricted to the Solent, with member holding Coastal Skippers certificates and above able to venture further afield. Experience is important, if you have query, please contact us for a chat.

Our yachts and Broadway base are at the heart of the sailing community at Mercury Yacht Harbour in Hamble, Hampshire which provides ready access to the Solent waters.

We hold our shorebased classes and some social events both at the base and in central London locations.

We also run RYA Powerboat courses on a chartered 8m ASTEC RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) owned by Teen Marine also based at Mercury Yacht harbour.

We try to be a welcoming and friendly club bringing people together through Sail days, Charters and Training.

If you’re not sure if this is for you give us a call or come and visit us at the Base and we will show you around and look at all the options open to you.

That doesn’t matter at all. Give us a call on the clubline for a chat on 07920 799 270 or 07931548947 & we’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have.

To be able to charter one of our yachts or abroad you minimum qualification is RYA Day Skipper Practical and to be the holder of an SRC Radio certificate.

Although it is easily possible to do this in one summer, members often enjoy the sailing and learning, completing the courses over a few years.

Have a look at the Training Courses page for full details of the courses.

Not at all. If you cannot swim you will have to wear a lifejacket, but you’ll find that the majority of sailors wear one at all times anyway.

One of the overriding aims of the club is to provide safe low cost sailing opportunities to our members.

Our daily charter rates are exceptional value as are our RYA courses, which will allow you to explore our coastline and enjoy the beauty of sailing.

We provide free all wet weather jackets and trousers along with commercially inspected lifejackets and equipment.

All ours yachts are fully insured to the recommended level for commercial sailing. Should you damage a yacht on a private charter then the skipper is responsible for the first £750.

On courses and cruises the yacht is under the command of a club skipper/instructor and no crewmember is liable.

Should you be involved in a sailing incident whilst on a private charter, then call the club line or list of emergency numbers provided on your joining instructions to report once it is safe to do so. We are here to help you.

The Metropolitan Police Sailing Club will endeavour to make your course, cruise or charter as enjoyable as possible, however it is recognised that not everyone will be completely satisfied all the time and the following paragraphs describe the complaints procedure of the MPSC.

1. In the first instance, it is best for all parties if any dissatisfaction with the conduct of a course / cruise or other aspect of a sailing trip it is initially raised with the Club Instructor / Skipper on board at the time. This gives each a chance to rectify things or perhaps further explain why something has occurred. The earlier this is done, the less chance there is of a minor issue becoming a major one, perhaps to the point of ruining a course for someone. The MPSC urges all clients to adopt early engagement with the Skipper / Instructor as their first step in resolving issues.

2. Should the above discussions with the Instructor / Skipper on board not be effective, or perhaps a grievance not realised fully until after completion of the activity, then contact the MPSC direct in writing. The online customer feedback form should be used and the grievance set out in detail. The MPSC undertakes to investigate fully any complaint made and to respond in writing with an update / resolution to the club member within 10 days. For RYA courses it is the Club Principal’s responsibility to review and respond.

3. Finally, should a complaint not be resolved to the satisfaction of the member by direct discussion, you have two options:

• For club charters, cruises, non RYA training courses & other incidents, a member of the MPSC executive committee will be appointed to investigate & respond in writing.

• For RYA courses, if the matter cannot be resolved by the Club Principal, you may send your complaint to the Royal Yachting Association Training Department who will also investigate the matter.

Their address is: RYA Training Dept RYA House Ensign Way Hamble Southhampton Hampshire SO31 4Y

Letting us know about any medical conditions before you head to sea

Before you start a course, cruise or charter with us, you need to tell us about any medical conditions you may have that would affect your ability to be safe on board.

Please be re-assured that all information is held in the strictest confidence.

Before signing up
We are very committed to helping as many people as we can experience the adventure of sailing. However, before all else, it is essential that you are in a fit state to be at sea where access to medical help is less and slower to access than on land.

Have a look through the medical questions below and if you answer ‘yes’ to any of them or have any questions at all, please call the clubline for a chat. The chances are you will still be fine to sail with us and common conditions such as diabetes should prove no barrier – but check first as pre-exiting medical conditions you know about may invalidate your insurance should you subsequently need to cancel.

Booking Form
When you book with us, you will be asked to complete and submit the medical declaration below (please do not submit it before this time). This gives us an up to date status on your medical wellbeing. Should this change prior to the course commencing, please let us know by email or call the clubline.

Aged 70 or over?
We are firm believers that age is no barrier to being at sea. So long as you are in a suitable physical condition, we will be delighted to have you on board.

Medical Declaration
Please let us know about your health and fitness by answering the questions below to the best of your knowledge.

In the last two years, have you received or been referred for any treatment, surgery, investigations of follow-ups at any hospital, surgery or clinic for any of the following medical conditions?

• Surgery
• Asthma requiring inpatient treatment, bronchitis or any other lung or respiratory condition
• Cancer or any growth or form of malignancy
• Diabetes mellitus or any blood sugar disorders
• Kidney or bladder disorder
• Have you been or are you being treated for any mental, psychological or nervous problems
• Any other medical condition that is ongoing or for which you have received inpatient treatment
• Have you ever had cardiovascular problems or other heart conditions, hypertension or any cerebrovascular problems
• Have you ever been diagnosed with a terminal condition
• Do you have any allergies or are you allergic to any medication
• Do you have or have you ever had an alcohol or drug addiction
• Do you have any problems with your hearing
• Do you have any other conditions or have you had any medical treatment or operations which you feel may hinder your ability to be on a yacht?
• Do you have any for allergies or intolerances that will affect what you will be able to eat on board?

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