Breaking News: Queenborough’s new pontoon expected Wednesday!

Posted on July 17, 2014 by admiral

Excitement on the Isle of Sheppey is reaching fever pitch as the massive 60 metre x 9 metre 800 ton refurbished concrete pontoon is NOW on its way from Portsmouth harbour to Queenborough, currently expected to arrive Wednesday evening 23 July or early Thursday. Follow tug DOCKMAN’s AIS track

Save Cliffe Lakes for sailing: object today!

Posted on July 14, 2014 by admiral

Today is the last day to object to Brett’s proposal to “ecologically enhance” Alpha Lake by filling it in, which would result in loss of the lake for sailing. Many kids from the Medway area learn to sail and windsurf on the lake but this activity is not mentioned on their proposal. Please register your objection.

Marine mammal code of conduct

Posted on July 3, 2014 by admiral

Click here for Code of Conduct

Honda RYA Youth Rib Championship, 2 August 2014

Posted on July 2, 2014 by admiral

The 2014 Honda RYA Youth Rib Championship, South East Regional Final will be taking place on 2 August at Medway Yacht Club. For more information on how to take part visit www.rya.org.uk/go/hondayouthrib

Westerly Owners Rally to Medway, 1-3 August 2014

Posted on June 16, 2014 by admiral

Westerly Owners (and there are quite a few of us) are invited to join the rally, mustering at Harty Ferry on Friday 1 August then proceeding to Medway YC for dinner on Saturday. Contact John Elliot (Water Gypsy) at johnrelliot (at) btinternet.com

More details at http://www.westerly-owners.co.uk/ev_thames_events.php

Endurance tragedy report released

Posted on June 7, 2014 by admiral

The Marine Accident Investigation Board has released its chilling report on the circumstances leading to the tragic death of Medway crewman Steven Trice from motor tug Endurance (now renamed Phoenix) in February 2013. Among many lessons are the need for training, wearing lifejackets, and taking heed of marine weather warnings. The report is also critical of Medway Ports.

The key safety issues identified were:

Endurance was not certified to operate in the sea conditions experienced.
The skipper was not qualified to operate the vessel during the coastal sections of the intended voyage.
The skipper was not trained or qualified in towing operations and did not follow good practice.
Decision-making and behaviour on board were likely to have been affected by fatigue.
Safety was afforded a low priority on board.
Issues relating to the roles of the vessel’s Certifying Authority and the port authorities were also identified.

Read the MAIB report

Medway Barge Match 2014

Posted on June 2, 2014 by admiral

This year’s barge match will take place on Saturday 7 June, see http://medwaybargematch.co.uk/

Finesse Rally visits Chatham

Posted on June 2, 2014 by admiral

Report and photo by Nick Ardley

The second Finesse Rally took place, as advertised on the Medway & Swale Boating Association web site some time ago, over the late May Bank Holiday weekend, with boats either collecting at Queenborough, for own convenience, or in Stangate where I anchored my Whimbrel, a Finesse 24, around noon on Friday to await the hordes.

Later two other boats arrived. One was seen to go on up to Chatham during the day and a phone message said, “…there’s two of us in Queenborough…” things were looking good: two were due to come over from Leigh-on-Sea on Saturday.

A pre-supper drinks and nibbles get together was held aboard Whimbrel for the crews of boats in Stangate. I have to say I had a glorious sail in my tender later as the evening ran on towards sunset… It had to be done. Another owner also went for a row along the marsh edges … its one of the area’s joys.

Saturday saw us moving off a little behind the two Queenborough craft and we sailed up river, in a line, to the lock at Chatham’s comfortable marina … one of the earlier boats had waited and we all locked in together. Chatham Marina loves this and several staff appeared to view clinker painted hulls and bright varnish … Bob Cox especially appreciates the sight. There was a feast of wood in Chatham: the Dunkirk Little Ships were meeting too!

A BBQ was enjoyed on the Saturday evening. With crews from eight craft and around seven others who travelled by road we were a bit of a crowd, but not rowdy I hasten to add… People had travelled from afar as Poole, Littlehampton and Leicester – River Soar area. I was greatly pleased with the enthusiasm of all.

On Sunday we enjoyed a visit from the yard manager of Robertsons of Woodbridge, who with ‘our own’ Alan Staley of Faversham, are reasonably well versed with these craft. There was also the Little Ships to visit and in the middle basin there was dragon boat racing. It all made for a good rally and gave people options other than the Old Dockyard Museum to keep them amused. Some just lazed in the sunshine, nattering and drinking tea(?).

The day was rounded off with drinks hosted by a member who has a ‘big’ boat based at the marina and a buffet at a Chinese within the complex.

As dawn came trundling along the first of our crowd were away, and others from the washes that slapped our sides. At a little before six, poked a head out of our fore hatch and watched another leave … then it was just us! We left late morning for a sail round to the South Deep … a quiet night with light drizzle, ahh but it was grand.

Dunkirk Little Ships come to Chatham, 24-26 May 2014

Posted on May 23, 2014 by admiral

The 2014 Commemorative Cruise will see the Little Ships visiting Chatham on the River Medway. Over 20 Little Ships are expected to attend from the Medway, Thames, South and East Coast.

Little Ships will be mooring on the Home & Communities agency (HCA) pontoon which is located in Basin 1 by the HMS Chatham Bridge, access to the pontoon will be through MDL Chatham Maritime Marina lock on River Medway.

For more information see http://www.adls.org.uk/t1/content/commemorative-cruise-2014-chatham-kent

Queenborough All Tide Landing open again

Posted on May 21, 2014 by admiral

Some intrepid yachtspersons (including your webmaster) have once again been able to walk ashore with dry feet at Queenborough thanks to repairs being made by Queenborough Yacht Club. Once these repairs are complete, the ATL will be handed over to Queenborough Harbour Trust. Meanwhile please take great care on the walkway.

Phil Shaw says that short stays (up to 4 hours) on the visitor moorings are free but the trot boat is £1 for a return trip to shore. If you pay for a mooring the trot boat service is included.