Trevor Peen

We are sad to announce that Trevor Peen passed away suddenly earlier this month. Trevor was the principal of Medway Watersports Trust and for many years an MYA/MSBA committee member who campaigned tirelessly for safety on the river.

Trevor’s funeral will take place on Wednesday 20th December at 2 pm at Gravesend Crematorium and afterwards at the Medway Cruising Club clubhouse.  All are welcome. No flowers but donations to the RNLI please.

MSBA AGM and Business Meeting, Tues 28 Nov 2017

Please ensure your club or organisation is represented at our AGM and Businss Meeting on Tuesday 28 November, 7pm, at Kent Boat and Ski Club, situated just past Cuxton Marina. As it’s nearly Christmas, there will be mince pies! You should have received a meeting notice and agenda; if not please let us know your up-to-date email address by email to secretary@msba.org.uk.

Harbour Controller Wanted for Queenborough

Queenborough Harbour TrustApplications are invited from enthusiastic proactive persons in the Leisure Boating Industry  to join the team at Queenborough Harbour Trust CIC in the role of Harbour Controller. The harbour is a not for profit Community Interest Company which is rapidly developing and expanding. The successful candidate will be responsible for the day to day running of the harbour, management of staff and plant equipment, as well as be part of the team developing the harbour. The successful candidate will also need to show evidence of a successful track record in the industry as well as qualifications, expertise and experience in management and marketing similar organizations. In order that there is a smooth transition from the current post holder the Directors wish the successful candidate take up the post as soon as possible.

Interested persons should apply, for full further details, in writing including a CV addressed to the Chairman, Queenborough Harbour Trust CIC by email to admin@queenborough-harbour.co.uk or by post to Queenborough Harbour Trust, Harbour Master’s Office, Town Quay, South Street, Queenborough, Kent ME11 5AF.

Applications should be received by Wednesday 20 December 2017. It is hoped that interviews for the post will be held early in the new year.

Blue yacht returns…

The windowless blue yacht, which displays no identification, has reappeared on Sun Pier, preventing its use by visiting vessels. It was previously evicted by Medway Council from Sun Pier and had been involved in more than one RNLI callout before being towed away to Sheerness by Peel Ports. The owner assured them that he had a legitimate mooring at Gillingham Pier…

UPDATE 16.11.2017: Hayley Taylor of Medway Council tells us that the pier is now clear and available for visitors. Let’s use it or we may lose it! Don’t forget that the nearby moorings in Rats Bay are also free for visitors and there is a dinghy rack on Sun Pier.

Queenborough Harbour needs volunteers

Queenborough Harbour Trust is looking for volunteers who will help us to strengthen our focus on developing good environmental practices. This would involve assisting us with:

  • Working with environmental agencies. Currently the harbour area comes under the jurisdiction of two Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs), Special Protection Area (SPA), Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Natural England. We are looking for volunteers to help us interpret their requirements and represent us to them.
  • Representing the environment in our written and social media. This would include assisting with words and pictures to go into the QHT Harbour Guide, Newsletter, QHT website and Facebook. Topics would include bird, fish, mammal identification, the dangers of invasive species, current and future schemes to preserve and enhance the environment.
  • Running events in conjunction with environmental organisations such as Kent Wildlife Trust to help raise the awareness of our mooring holders, visitors and the general public of the unique environment which is on our doorstep.
  • Carrying out practical activities such as bird surveys at different times of the year, auditing QHT’s activities for their environmental impact, e.g. waste management, organising beach cleans and so on.

If you are interested, then we would very much like to hear from you and discuss the help that you can offer and the support that we can give.  Please contact the Harbour Controller on 01795 662 051 or email operations@queenborough-harbour.co.uk

May target for new ferry service from Sheppey to Southend

Following a successful trial run this summer, and subject to approval from the authorities, Dave Wilcock of Sheerness plans to launch a ferry service from Sheppey to Southend next May. He has put down a deposit in a 197 seat vessel currently berthed in Cardiff. Already with an eye to the future, he has also applied for a grant for a £1.5m hovercraft.

Read more at Kent Online…