Early morning rescue at Rochester CC

Known to many on the river, Chris Murr spends time on his boat at Rochester Cruising Club. While on deck on Friday morning 25 August about 5am, he thought he saw a seal making a weird noise. He shone his torch and noticed hands, then realised it was someone in the water.

He couldn’t get to them at first so called the Coastguard. Quick thinking, he noticed a dinghy half full of water so got in that while on the phone to the Coastguard and rowed out to the person, who was under the water by this time and saved their life by pulling them into the boat.

The coastguard and police attended the scene. One less tragedy in the river, we’re all proud of you Chris.

Vacancy at Queenborough Harbour

Queenborough Harbour Trust is looking for a Harbour Operative to join their enthusiastic and professional team, supporting the day to day running of the harbour operationally and administratively as well as being involved in its future development. See below or contact Danielle Russon for more information.

Bernie comes home

Fresh as a daisy, Bernie Branfield is seen here on Tuesday mooring up his Invicta 26 “Louisa” at Hoo Ness YC after returning from the Jester Challenge single-handed transatlantic race. Another of the five competitors, John Apps from Medway CC, also with a Kent-built Invicta, returned a month ago. Both intrepid sailors had to retire from the race after being beaten back by storms in mid-Atlantic. Bernie enjoyed the Azores so much he stayed there a while to enjoy the scenery before returning. Respect!

Brian Corbett funeral, 1 August

Brian’s family have announced the funeral arrangements as follows:
Monday 1st August 12pm at St Nicholas Church Strood, all welcome
Crematorium 1pm, family only
Wake at Medway Yacht Club, all welcome from end of Service at St Nicholas
We would like to try and get a gauge on numbers, please email Rachel1203@live.co.uk
We would love to meet with you and share this sad time together

Brian Corbett

We are very sad to announce that our beloved chairman Brian Corbett died on Tuesday 29 June after a long illness that caught up with him very quickly in the last few weeks. Hard to believe, in his eighties Brian was still working for the NHS and regularly racing his Herreshoff half-rater Winifred, pictured. A true old-school gentleman and generous to a fault, Brian earned the respect and affection of all who knew him. He championed the interests of all forms of boating locally and elsewhere in the UK, with a special interest in classic sailing yachts and was a leading light in the Old Gaffers Association, the Association of Yachting Historians, the Maritime Heritage Trust and the Heritage Harbours movement. Brian was instrumental in Medway becoming Britain’s first Heritage Harbour. We will miss him.

Some of the many tributes we have received are in the Replies to this post.

Brian’s funeral will be on 1st August, see details in other post.

Gillingham Marina is hiring

To help us deliver exceptional service we are looking to recruit a Marina Operative to join the Berthing Team. Working as part of a small hard-working team this role will include, but is not limited to:

⚓ Assisting with safe boat lifting and yard operations

⚓ Carrying out Lock Keeper duties

⚓ General maintenance around the site

⚓ Regular site patrols and maintaining site cleanliness

⚓ Welcoming visitors and serving fuel

A good knowledge of boats and experience driving plant would be a significant advantage but not essential as training, where required, will be given.

If you feel you could be part of our team please send your CV with a covering letter to:

📧 berthing@gillingham-marina.co.uk