The MSBA and RYA South East are bringing you another great boating conference on Saturday 7 March 2015. Only £15 including lunch etc thanks to our sponsors Peel Ports, Medway Council and BMF Kent & Sussex.
Tim Bell writes, “My group are absolutely delighted that Swale Borough Council are taking the Alternative Marina idea seriously. This is a first step, and has been recommended by the Local Development Framework Panel Meeting to put to the council meeting for adoption by the council meeting on 2nd March.” These are the reasons given:Proposals
3.1 As a result of, and in response to, the consultation responses received, it is proposed to strengthen the Masterplan Addendum to highlight that the area to the south of the Creek is to be safeguarded for future Creekside leisure, commercial and open space uses. This can be seen in Appendix I. This leaves open the possibility of the Alternative Marina Creek Plan being implemented once the promoters gain funding for their scheme.
Queenborough and Rushenden – Indicative Revised Land Use Plan Addendum to 2010 Adopted Masterplan
We are currently testing our CCTV system, recently installed by Tim Bell, a friend of Queenborough Harbour Trust. The system incorporates a number of cameras that enable us to see clearly day and night. We are able to monitor our facilities remotely and record up to 30 days of data. We expect this added security will be of benefit to our mooring holders and visitors. Once the trials and installation are complete, we plan to add “Live Viewing” to this website. The system has already proved itself by identifying an unknown person moving equipment about on the pontoon, it turned out to be one of our staff wearing a new jacket!
After more than 20 years of continual use, the walkway leading from Crundells wharf to the All Tide Landing (ATL) is being refurbished. Work on the timber decking and sub-structure will commence mid-March, with completion due by end of April this year. We will endeavour to keep the walkway open during the refurbishment, but inevitably there will be occasions when access is not possible. We do expect the walkway to remain open at weekends.
FREE Tokens
New this year, we will give a free ATL gate token to each crew member staying on an overnight mooring.
Free Wifi
A Peel Ports Notice to Mariners issued yesterday states that normal bridge operations have now been restored. Neverthless we understand that a major refurbishment is still required at some future date.
NtoM No 09 of 2015 – Kingsferry Bridge – Normal Conditions Restored
Martin Richley, skipper of the tug Endurance, now renamed Phoenix, has been sentenced to eight months in prison for serious offences under the Merchant Shipping Act leading to the death of crewman Steven Trice off Beachy Head while attempting to tow a motor cruiser from the Medway to Brighton in February 2013.
The judge said, “This was a catalogue of disasters, Mr Richley was prepared to take a chance. It was a disaster waiting to happen after a series of bad decisions.”
Captain Andrew Rudge, MCA Area Operations Manager said, “This was a tragic incident that should not have happened. Mr Richley should not have accepted to take on the tow as he was ill equipped, unqualified and his vessel was not suitable.”
Mr Richley immediately appealed against the sentence and is on bail for 28 days pending the appeal.
Allhallows Yacht Club is again hosting two powerboat races and a National Ski-Racing event this year.
The powerboat racing season starts with the Allhallows Shakedown race on Sunday 19th April, and is followed by the first two rounds of the National Offshore Championship on the weekend of 2nd and 3rd May. Sunday 17th May sees them host a round of the National Ski Racing Championship. Can you imagine being towed along at speeds of up to 75mph for races in excess of 45 minutes?
All are welcome to come along and watch what should be some thrilling racing, and enjoy the hospitality of Allhallows Yacht Club. For the more adventurous how would you fancy volunteering for assist with the Safety Fleet?
Contact John Gore, j.r.gore (at) btinternet.com for more details.
Five boaters lost in thick fog were rescued off the Isle of Sheppey by Sheerness RNLI on Monday evening. The group on board the 25ft motorboat contacted the coastguard around 9.30pm after realising that they were lost and moored up to a navigation buoy. The Sheerness inshore lifeboat Eleanor was launched and, despite the visibility of only 50 metres, they soon located the group in the Swale, and escorted the boat to Queenborough Harbour.
A petition, led by Trevor Peen of Medway Waterports Centre, to repair the last remaining public slipway and access road at Commodore’s Hard, Gillingham, has been rejected by Medway Council. Robin Cooper, the Council’s Director of Regeneration, Community and Culture, stated that the slipway had been recently cleared of mud and was in as good condition as the Harty Ferry slipway on the Isle of Sheppey. Trevor says he will appeal on the grounds that the petition has not been dealt with properly.
Commodore’s Hard is used to access the river by neighbouring sailing clubs, rowers, canoeists, dinghy sailors, sea scouts and other youth organisations.
Tom Banks oversaw the development of youth and adult sailing within the local community for over 25 years. During this time he dedicated his weekends to provide recreational sailing and racing for young and old alike. He inspired a dedicated team of volunteers at what is now the Medway Watersports Centre.
Tom’s funeral will take place on 3 March 2015 at 1000 hrs. It will be held at Medway Crematorium, Robin Hood Lane, Chatham, ME5 9QU. A wake will take place afterwards at Medway Cruising Club.
Medway Yacht Club has a vacancy for a trot boat driver:
The RYA Volunteer Awards, the MBE’s of our sport, recognise the outstanding contributions made by volunteers throughout the UK.
Nominations for 2015 awards now invited
Award winners and their guests will be invited to a special presentation ceremony and luncheon in London in November 2015. This is a great opportunity to recognise and reward outstanding contribution made to our sport by individual volunteers.
For further information and to download a nomination form please visit: www.rya.org.uk/go/ryavolunteerawards
or call or email the volunteering department on 023 8060 4199 volunteering@rya.org.uk
Written nominations should reach the RYA by Monday 27 April 2015