Page 32 - 2020 Yachting in Chicago

CROWLEY’S YACHT YARD

DURING A DUBIOUS

SEASON. By Marko Lucht

If the 2020 boating season had been a boat,
it would have been the Lusitania.

From the impatiently-anticipated June, to relief of boaters as well as
and too long-postponed season us at Crowley’s, the opening day of
opening of the harbors and through June 22 was announced.
the disputed safe use of the Playpen
Establishing new protocols from
and the cancellation of many of
scratch in the face of a worldwide
our favorite events such as the Air
scourge about which not much
Show, the Scene Party and the lake Diversey Yacht Club has a reputation for a fun bar and
was known for sure, Crowley’s
front fireworks displays, all of you fantastic events. We have been serving Chicago’s boaters in
took unprecedented steps towards
Chicago-area boaters had to make beautiful Lincoln Park since 1935.
opening safely so that our customers
the best of a fairly sparse season.
could prepare their boats and obtain
Live entertainment, year-round parties,
New regulations for our docks, parts and accessories from our
and excellent amenities make us...
mooring practices and even crew Ship’s Store. Wash stations were
Chicago’s friendliest, casual yacht club!
capacity were initiated by the City constructed and located at various
and Harbor system and adapted to points in the yard. Staff temperature
as best we all could. For the sake of tests were scheduled as a first step of Commodore
safety, the yacht clubs opened late, the work day. Disinfectant cleansing Pat Burke
and then had to limit their hours of frequently used areas took place
and accessibility, as well as many multiple times daily. Any staff/ Rear Commodore
favorite programs. As was the case customer interaction locations were Adam Karras
nationwide, most meetings were adapted for safety, including Plexiglas
carried out online. Each of us had shields in the Customer Service office Find out more at
to find a suitable room in our home and social distancing practices at the diverseyyachtclub.org
with a fetching backdrop to serve as Dockmaster house. And, of course,
a video studio for ZOOM meetings. masks were mandated wherever
We missed handshakes, hugs and personal interactions took place.
each other in person generally. Dr. Douglas James
The end of this truncated boating
Here at Crowley’s, we had to play season arrived all too soon for any Chicago Sail & Power Squadron
an anxious game of staging boats at of us, but we were all grateful for any
our dock without knowing for sure season at all during this incredible
whether or not Chicago Harbors year of uncertainty. We look forward
would open at all. For a certain to future boating seasons of the more
period, Westrec was going to allow normal variety.
boats to dock at 31st Street Harbor Be careful. Be safe.
just to sit unused while everyone Come back to us next year!
waited. Finally, in the middle of

32 2020 yachting in chicago