Gillingham Marina “On the Water Weekend” brought out the sun and smiles

Posted on May 24, 2013 by admiral

Gillingham Marina’s On The Water Weekend, run on the 27/28 April in association with Medway Watersports Centre, marked what seemed to be the start of the boating season in regard to the weather by getting prospective boaters on the water. The nationwide boating and watersports event was launched by the British Marine Federation (BMF) to encourage more people of all ages and abilities to get on the water and try something new.

Clinton Lyon of Gillingham Marina said “We are very pleased to spread the addiction to boating on the Medway and put a smile on a number of faces. To top it all, the sun finally came out.”

Trevor Peen and the team from Medway Watersports Centre had a very productive weekend recruiting a number of adults and youngsters to join the weekend dinghy sailing session which runs until December from the Strand, a site next to Gillingham Marina on the River Medway.

If you missed the opportunity to join us during the On the Water Weekend, come along to the fourth Gillingham Marina and Clarke and Carter’s “Medway Boat and Chandlery Fair” to be held over the 6/7 July where, as well as the on the water experience, the marine trade will be on hand with demonstrations, technical advice and question and answer sections. There will be an array of pre-owned and new sail and motorboat to be viewed with Clarke and Carter along with RIBs, dinghies and kayaks in the Chandlery.

It is hoped that a connecting shuttle bus service from and to the Medway River Festival on Saturday 6 July, on Chatham waterfront, will swell the numbers at both events.

Medway Council intend the festival to be bigger than ever, with the landing of a seaplane, races and river processions, colourful displays of yachts, rowing boats, historical craft, barges, tugs and kayak demonstrations. On shore amongst the children’s entertainment, live music, food and trade stalls you will find the Gillingham Marinas Boat & Chandlery Fairs stand directing show goers to the bus and booking On the Water sessions. Please do come and join us for what promises to be a very enjoyable weekend.

For further details relating to the Boat & Chandlery Fair please contact Clinton Lyon on 01634 280022 or Clinton@gillingham-marina.co.uk

Trimaran recovered from Joss Bay

Posted on May 20, 2013 by admiral

Photo by Wil Pretty

A Telstar 8-metre trimaran, formerly owned by Wil Pretty, was successfully salvaged from Joss Bay at North Foreland by a team from Hoo Ness YC at the weekend. Contrary to some inaccurate media reports, the Dutch skipper did not make a distress call and did not receive any help. In fact the reverse was the case. The police forced him to abandon the vessel where he had safely beached it after taking on water and the coastguard unhelpfully removed the engine and gear, which made the salvage more difficult. The trimaran is now on a Medway mooring and will be brought ashore at HNYC within the next few days.

Full story here

Crime Update

Posted on May 20, 2013 by admiral

A 17′ Shetland Fishing Boat had been reported stolen from Queenborough Yacht Club. This has been located in a driveway and one male has been arrested. However it appears that he innocently brought it from a man at the roadside in Rainham. Vessel has been returned to owner.

A yellow 7′ red single cockpit kayak has been stolen in the middle of the month from premises in Hythe.

We have been made aware of three large outboards taken from the secure compound in Brightlingsea, Essex at the end of last week. These had been cut free from boat transoms causing large amount of damage and include 60, 100, and 135 hp engines.

PC David Lavender
Kent Police Marine Unit

Good News from Kent Police Marine Unit

Posted on May 3, 2013 by admiral

A couple of issues to report from the last couple of weeks.

A small vessel was seen adrift from Gillingham Marina by Coastguards
which had been stolen from Gillingham Pier. The vessel was returned to
owner but with some property missing.

On 12/04 six boats reported batteries stolen at Bow Bridge Marina. A
total of 11 batteries were taken to the value of £1,355. Though we
cannot be sure of the exact date of the break ins, as owners have
reported different dates that their boats were last checked, it is
likely to be on the same night.

17/04 a report of a Yamaha GT1300 PWC and trailer taken from a Caravan
Site at Leysdown. Again it was sometime after the owner last knew it was
there.

15/04 to 16/04 Medway Yacht Club boat Marganita was broken into,. a
fish finder and 8ft Avon inflatable was taken. Please be aware, those
that are now doing the nightly security patrols.

Good News

The Marine Unit recently located a stolen boat from over a year ago and
was able to return it to the owner. With it was an outboard motor
relating to a separate crime and will shortly be returned to it’s owner.
Further enquiries are being carried out.
The boat had been identified as the owner had marked it with a post
code and the owner of the OB had recorded the serial number.
A reminder to mark property and record serial numbers.

PC David Lavender

Queenborough Harbour appoints new staff member and free trot boat service

Posted on April 29, 2013 by admiral

Queenborough Harbour Trust would like to inform everyone that following the appointment of Phil Shaw as our latest member of Queenborough Harbour, the harbour will be manned Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Mondays from 08.00 to 10.00 and 16.00 to 22.00. He will be available to assist with enquires and provide a free trot boat service.

Phil has spent most of his working career on the water both in the Royal Navy and the Merchant Navy. He was stationed on the Royal Yacht Britannia for two years and comes to us with a wealth of experience.

Contact should be made by radio channel 08 call sign “Sheppey One”.

I hope you can all spread the word about this service and we look forward to further meeting the needs of our mooring holders and visitors whenever we can.

When ashore Phil will be based in the Harbour Look-out on Crundels Wharf, if anyone would be interested in volunteering to assist Phil I am sure he will enjoy the company and help. Just contact Queenborough Harbour Trust or call in and see Phil who will take your details for us to get back to you.

Eddie Johnson
Director QHT

FREE On the Water Weekend 27/28 April

Posted on April 22, 2013 by admiral

Bring the family and enjoy a dinghy sailing or power boating taster session for FREE over the “On the water weekend” on 27 & 28 April. Run from Gillingham Marina by Medway Watersports Centre.

To book, phone 01634 338754 email office@medwaywatersportscentre.org

Six weeks on Darnet Island

Posted on April 10, 2013 by admiral

45 days on the Isle of Beauty Local canoeist, artist and photographer David Wise spent six weeks in 2012 camping (with the owner’s permission) on Darnet Island. His moving film “Otherness” is on his website and you can order his book, illustrated with atmospheric pinhole photographs at http://www.davewise.biz/new/summerontheestuary/page.html

Small-scale dredging etc now exempt from marine licensing

Posted on April 3, 2013 by admiral

Recent changes to marine licensing in England mean currently licensable activities such as small-scale dredging and the laying of temporary marker buoys will soon be exempt.

Changes to marine licensing laws affecting clubs and centres in England

More crime…

Posted on March 22, 2013 by admiral

Crime update for this week:

6-13 March: A Mariner 2 hp outboard and a Johnson 4 hp along with some marine items were stolen from a barn in Lenham, Maidstone
16-19 March: A generator taken from a yacht on moorings in Faversham Creek
16 March: Property described as metal body parts (boat, not human body parts!) taken from a boat at Hoo. Male has been arrested and positively dealt with.

PC David Lavender
Kent Police Marine Unit