Cruising Association Winter Talks

Cruising Association Kent Section

Clifford Mickleburgh writes “It’s crisp, fresh, a gentle breeze and blue skies as I motor gently down the River Medway and think that this is what boating is all about…”

The Kent section of the Cruising Association holds winter evening talks on the 2nd Thursday of each month at the Early Bird PH, Grove Green, Maidstone, just off Junction 7 of the M20 Tel 01622 734237 [SAT NAV ME14 5TQ]. Non-members are welcome.

The meetings begin at 19:00 hours for those that would like to eat with the talks beginning at 20:10 hours. The charge is £3.00 a head. It helps to know the numbers attending, but don’t let that stop you coming and please “bring a friend”, just a simple email to Ian will suffice. If you forget, don’t let that stop you turning up…….

Ian Galletti (the other Joint Secretary) can be contacted on 01959 562075 or 07721 411598 or email iangalletti @ btinternet.com

Our next talk is on Thursday 13 December 2012 – John Barry on the “How and Why of Tides”.

The First Aid course on Saturday 23 February 2013 is now full but the CA are intending arranging another First Aid course at the Early Bird on Saturday 2 March 2013.

Fresh start for MSBA

At the AGM on 4 December 2012, the Medway Yachting Association confirmed its change of name to the Medway and Swale Boating Association, with the single aim “to promote and protect boating (any waterborne sport or pastime) on the tidal Medway and Swale.”

Almost all current members were represented and a few more indicated their intention to join in 2013, including the Medway Queen Preservation Society and Discover Your Estuary. These groups represent boating activities (paddle steamer restoration and canoeing) not previously associated with the association.

We welcomed both the new chairman, Stephen Galpin and Cruising Representative, Bill Shepherd, from RYA South East. Also Clifford Mickleburgh attended as the Cruising Association’s new representative to the association.

The difficulties at Queenborough were discussed with some passion. Watch this site for updates as we get them. The All Tide Landing remains the sole responsibility of QYC and for  the moorings you need to deal with QHT. Both groups will welcome visitors and it is hoped that a trot boat service will be operating in time for the new season. please remember to pay your mooring/landing fees, even if it means a search for the honesty box!

Keep watching this site for more news on Medway/Swale boating!

Criminal powers for harbour authorities: have your say, quick!

The RYA is opposing the Marine Navigation (No.2) Bill, which is currently going through Parliament. Through the Bill the Government is proposing to extend harbour authorities’ power to create criminal offences without making that power subject to the safeguards, checks or balances which are normally applied to law-making bodies.

Without any form of appropriate safeguard, a harbour authority would have the power to introduce a regulation that users of that harbour (including recreational boaters) would have no right to challenge.

Click here to submit your selected statement.

Closing date for submission is 31 December 2012.

More info about the Marine Navigation Bill on the RYA website: http://www.rya.org.uk/…