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

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

Skipper forced to abandon trimaran by Coastguard and Police

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 on HNYC website

and 2-page feature in Summer 2013 issue of Yachting Monthly

Follow the discussion on YBW.COM

Crime Update

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

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