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.
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.
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.
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/
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.
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.
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…
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.
With small inflatable boats making their way across the English Channel we will get an insight as to how the UK Border Force deal with this problem and how we can help them.
We are all invited to these excellent Kent Cruising Association talks, which are held at 8pm at the Dog and Bear, Lenham, near Maidstone. It’s a good idea to book a meal (by 5pm please) on 01622 858219 for 7pm, before the talk. A special CA menu is available.
Rachel Marshall, Ports Engagement Officer in the Frontier Engagement Team, advises that the Kent Police website has been revamped with some new facilities. The address is www.kent.police.uk and the home page has new options including report and Tell us about.
You can report crime, antisocial behaviour, stolen vehicles etc. If you click on the report tab, perhaps to report a crime, another box will come up fr you to live chat with someone in our Force Control Room. So this also gives another way of reporting without having to phone and you will get a human response.
On the Tell us about tab you can let us know about possible terrorist activity and there is information and a guide to assist people reporting.
The tabs are easy to follow and give different options depending on what you want to report but I thought it is worth telling you in case there is something you are concerned about.
On the home page if you type in campaigns it will show all the campaigns that are running and one of those is our “Don’t ignore it, share it” campaign. There you will find updated information and also our short film clips.