Medway and Swale Boating Association
The voice of boating on the tidal Medway and Swale
Today was the funeral of MSBA Treasurer Morris Tolhurst, who died on 18 July, aged 69. He owned Beacon Boatyard at Borstal, near Rochester, and was father of our Patron, Kelly Tolhurst MP. He leaves his wife Chris, two daughters and two granddaughters.
Morris, a quiet but gifted man, will be missed greatly by his family and his many friends in the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships and the Medway boating community.
Segas Sailing Club commodore John Molloy has returned safely back into UK waters arriving off Hugh Town in the Scilly Isles late this afternoon. Some time ago John left the UK to sail around the world in his yacht Aronele, a Rival 36. Martin Kuhn, Segas SC vice commodore, and Erica his wife, crewed with him on Aronel for the first leg down to Portugal. John then sailed single-handed to the Caribbean via the Canaries, intending to reach the Pacific via the Canadian North West Passage. He then worked his way up the East coast of the USA.
Unfortunately Covid struck and he had to abandon Aronele at a boatyard in Chesapeake Bay. John made it back to the UK on one of the last flights, just before the lockdown. Once he had had both Covid vaccines, John flew back to the States to re commission Aronele. His original plan to sail through the North West Passage had to be abandoned as the Canadian Government had closed it off to all yachts. Some weeks ago John set sail for the UK across the Atlantic Ocean, again single handed.
Emma Crompton, Manager at Chatham Maritime Marina, is looking for a Seasonal Team Member to provide additional resource during the busiest operating months. This role will be available for a fixed term period between April and October 2021 and will be working up to 30 hours per week, including weekends and bank holidays as required.
Further details on the MDL website
Medway Yacht Club is looking to appoint a Sunday trot boat driver. This is a paid position, hours are 0900 to 1800 on Sundays and Bank Holidays in the racing season (April – October). Power Boat L2 and SRC are essential qualifications, please contact the club office by telephone 01634 718399 or email secretary@medwayyachtclub.com to apply.
Thames Sailing Barge Raybel, moored at Milton Creek in Sittingbourne, is recruiting:
Assistant/Trainee Shipwright Full Time
With restoration work now underway we are looking for someone to join the shipwright team. A rare opportunity to work with a credited national expert on barge restoration, learn heritage skills, and contribute to the regeneration of Sittingbourne and Swale Heritage.
More details at http://adobe.ly/3ejJo3U
Artist in Residence £3600 based on 2 days a month of heritage-based community arts activities.
Applications sought from artists living, working, or with a strong connection to Swale. Timescale April 2021 until December 2022.
More details at https://tinyurl.com/hfruzhca
Socially Engaged Artist Mentorship 10 working days over a year.
An opportunity to work alongside Salford Makers, a highly experienced arts collective, commissioned to deliver a programme of heritage-based arts engagement during 2021. Would suit an early career artist living, working, or with a strong connection to Swale.
More details at https://tinyurl.com/3mwm6k3w
Medway Yacht Club is looking for an RYA Senior Instructor to take on the Chief Instructor role on a full time, permanent basis. The role requires a flexible approach with the successful candidate working a minimum of 37 hour contract over weekends, evenings and bank holidays as required. Typical working week Wednesday – Sunday.
The position is designed to lead and manage the existing Club Sailing groups: Junior, Youth, Adults, Royal Engineers, NAS school all operating from March to November with Winter Training Sessions mostly for the Youth team. The position will also involve delivering Powerboat, Stand Up Paddle-boarding, shore-based courses as well as Team Building days. The successful applicant will lead on training at the Club and report to the Commodore and Flag Officers. The applicant will work closely with the other employees and volunteers.
For a full job description please contact secretary@medwayyachtclub.com or follow this link: https://www.medwayyachtclub.com/2021/01/chief-instructor-vacancy/
Kent Police have asked boaters to keep a look out for a man who went for a swim in the Swale yesterday at Harty Ferry (near Oare Creek) and has not returned. A body has now been found in the water.
https://www.kentonline.co.uk/faversham/news/body-found-in-search-for-missing-swimmer-237090/
The MSBA is saddened and shocked that local author, Nick “ditch crawler” Ardley, has received a threat to burn his beloved wooden yacht following his expression of anger at boats anchoring overnight in Stangate Creek. Apparently someone believes Nick has “dobbed” them to the police. On his Facebook page, Nick has made it clear that he did not identify any individual or vessel, though at least two dozen were displaying their boat name on AIS on the late May bank holiday, thus incriminating themselves. Many boaters from both the Essex and Kent side of the Estuary have expressed support for Nick and advised him to take the matter to the police immediately. Whatever our views on the practicalities of the current coronavirus laws, such a threat is a serious criminal matter and cannot possibly be condoned.
Briggs Marine have been chosen by Peel Ports as the preferred bidder to provide a range of marine services at the Port of Sheerness. After completing the contract agreements they hope to start the new services in July. These will include Mooring Services (i.e. handling the mooring lines for vessels berthing and unberthing), which will include the provision of new line handling vessels, River Patrols, to include debris collection, and Workboat Services, for which again they will be providing a new work boat.
Briggs are recruiting for Mooring Coxswains and Mooring Assistants. Details are on the Briggs Marine website at https://www.briggsmarine.com/careers/
The Medway & Swale Boating Association exists to support the local boating community. We are looking for new committee members, especially someone to take on the role of Secretary. We also need someone with good IT skills. The committee meets monthly and is in constant communication. If you would like to learn more please contact the chairman, Brian Corbett, at chairman@msba.org.uk