Gillingham Marina Open Day, 14 May
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Category Archives: Police
Diesel stolen from moored boats
With the rocketing price of diesel this was bound to happen! Several boats at Strood Pelican Cruising Club, near Rochester Bridge, have reported that fuel has been siphoned from their tanks. Please check your tanks and report to the police if you believe a theft has occurred. Also please inform info@msba.org.uk so we can share the information with other boaters.
Royal Navy pays Chatham a working visit
HMS Example visited Chatham Historic Dockyard this week. She is a P2000 Patrol Boat of the Royal Navy Coastal Forces Squadron, supporting some operational training with Port of London Authority and Met Police Marine Unit.
Dinghy stolen from Upnor
A dinghy was stolen from Upnor Sailing Club dinghy compound some time on Wednesday 31 March after 4.30pm. The police have been notified. It is scruffy, dark blue with a grey interior and marked NOC on the transom. The oars are marked NOCTURNE 34008.
If you see the dinghy or have any information, please contact info@msba.org.uk.
New signage for PWCs
This is a sample of one of the new signs designed in partnership with the Personal Watercraft Partnership (PWP) and local authorities. The signs will be set up at known launching sites for jet skis (PWCs). Most PWC users are responsible boaters but an irresponsible minority spoil it for everyone else and will be liable to prosecution. Peel Ports will increase the number of patrols using a harbour launch or RIB, including holidays, weekends, and during heatwaves. The patrol personnel will be equipped with body cams.
This chart shows the zones where there are speed limits, yellow for 6 knots and red for 8 knots. The purple zone from Cuxton to Wouldham is where members of the Kent Boat and Ski club have exclusive permission to water ski.
Missing swimmer at Harty Ferry
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/
Bomb alert by “yachtsman” causes closure of Kingsferry Bridge
Trains between Sheerness and Sittingbourne were delayed or cancelled yesterday from 11 am to 6pm after a yachtsman thought he saw a mortar shell in the water. The yacht then hit the bridge before running aground but floated off later and went on its way.
Have you seen this boat? FOUND
This little red boat called Glug Glug was deliberately cast adrift in the early hours of 24 August. It was attached to the fence outside Medway Cruising Club at Gillingham Strand. It probably drifted down the river and may be beached somewhere. If you have any information please contact info@msba.org.uk and we will pass it on to the owner.
UPDATE 26.8.2020: We understand from our friends at Queenborough Harbour that the boat was recovered from Darnet Ness yesterday and is now with Kent Police at Sheerness.
New boat for Kent Police
Dave Metcalfe of Lower Halstow YC informs us that Kent Police now have a new RIB called “Invicta”, based at Sheerness. It’s a 10 metre Parker Baltic Cruiser with twin 350hp outboards, which should enable them to catch some nuisance jet skiers. It even has a cabin. Here’s a video of one they prepared earlier…
Shock at threat to burn local author’s boat
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.