The Royal Madras Yacht Club was founded by Sir Francis Spring, the first Chairman of the Madras Port Trust in 1911. The club was formed to popularise the wonderful and eco-friendly sport of sailing by introducing them to the thrills of the water among the people of Tamil Nadu.
The club was accorded ‘Royal’ status by a warrant from the Sovereign of the United Kingdom. There are many such Clubs all over the world, Royal Bombay Yacht Club being the nearest one, located near Gateway of India, Mumbai. All such Royal Clubs are affiliated to each other, thus forming a great network of Clubs. RMYCEC is affiliated to the apex sailing body- Yachting Association of India (YAI) and is their first Accredited Training Centre in South India. The Club has an excellent training facility replete with radio stations, emergency radios, AIS based tracking solutions, rescue boats, life jackets and a modern classroom.
The Club has actively promoted the eco-friendly sport of sailing and other water sports and has a rich haul of international and national medals. Fishermen children and under-privileged children are trained free of cost too. Also, marine commandos of the Coastal Security Group are trained as well as the naval wing of the National Cadets Corps.
The Club regularly conducts annual beach cleaning drives, planting saplings and sea turtle conservation activity. The RMYCEC played a major role during the Chennai floods in 2015, by coordinating a massive rescue and relief operation along with the Indian Air Force, Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, Coastal Security Group and the Government of Tamil Nadu. The Club boats were on the streets of Chennai along with the staff rescuing affected people. A large quantity of food, clothing and medicines were arranged by the Club from all over the country and efficiently distributed to even remote places affected.
In the aftermath of the oil spill in Ennore, the Club immediately organised 900 volunteers through marine colleges who painstakingly cleaned the beaches and surrounding areas thereby minimising the damage to the marine environment and the beaches.
To recreate the first sailing that took place 100 years back in Ennore, held by the British between Ennore Creek and Cooum River
