On Sat 15 July and Fri 21 July Medway Council will be using Rochester Pier for fireworks: 15 July for Castle Concert Proms, 21 July for Medway Mile. For safety reasons access will not be allowed from 10am each morning for a 24hr period.
Month: June 2017
Missing inflatable and outboard
Has anyone has seen a grey Avon Redstart inflatable dinghy with silver Honda 2.3hp outboard, which went missing last night (Tues/Wed) from a yacht on the Hoo Ness YC moorings? The owner believes it came loose by itself but has searched for it today without success. The tender is marked “T/T Aurai” but this is very faded. If you have any information, please call Charles Hessey on 07720 147010.
UPDATE: the dinghy has been found, minus the outboard, near Sun Pier. It is now clear that this was the work of thieves.
Demolition of Kingsnorth Power Station, 27 July
Capt Ian Clark of Peel Ports has informed us that the two remaining boiler structures at Kingsnorth Power Station will be demolished by use of a controlled explosion on 27 July 2017 at 15:00hrs. No date has yet been given for demolition of the chimney.
Boatyard burglars arrested
Two men have been arrested following a burglary early on Tuesday morning at Shoregate Wharf Sailing Club (an MSBA member) near Upchurch. Several boats were broken into. Stolen items including power tools were recovered by police near to the scene.
MSBA Business Meeting, Tues 27 June 2017
Please make sure your club or organisation is represented at our quarterly meeting on Tuesday evening, 7pm, at Hollowshore Cruising Club, which is based at Youngboats at the head of Oare Creek near Faversham. You should have had an email with agenda etc. If not please contact webmaster@msba.org.uk
Stolen hovercraft now found
This 2013 BHC Marlin II ‘Extreme’ was stolen over the weekend of 17 June from Broadstairs in Kent. It’s very distinctive in being one of only three in this colour scheme – black hull and red trim. It’s fitted with an upgraded ‘Rampage’ engine and was taken on its trailer, so could very well be launched on the Medway or Swale.
UPDATE: The stolen hovercraft was found by police in a Ramsgate yard, severely damaged by attempts to disguise it. Read more…
Pirates Cave Open Day, Sat 24 June
Medway in Flames, Sat 17 June
Medway Council’s spectacular finale to the Battle of Medway commemoration will take place on Saturday evening. During the fireworks display, a section of the river from the Upnor Pier to Whitewall Creek will be cleared from 21.40 to 22.40 hrs, see Peel Ports’ Notice to Mariners. Controversially, boats on the RNSA and REYC moorings are required to move out of the exclusion zone.
UPDATE: At 17.30 a sail past will start in the vicinity of Chatham Ness / Sun Pier and “parade” to Upnor Castle. MT Kent will lead the fleet, followed by the steam ships SS George Stephenson, flanked by VIC 56 and VIC 96 (3 steam ships together on the Medway, probably the first time in 50 years). These will be followed by other classic/historic vessels.
Also on Saturday, Queenborough will be celebrating Independence Day with a flotilla, music and other events. The Medway Queen Preservation Society will have a Fun, Food and Craft Day at Gillingham Pier.
Dutch fleet 2 arrives
Now that the warships and tall ships have gone, a fleet of nearly a hundred Dutch yachts were led up the Medway past Upnor Castle this afternoon by the SS George Stephenson blowing her steam whistle. The MSBA has coordinated the task of finding temporary moorings for the vessels.
Don’t miss the SS George Stephenson, this week only at Chatham
MSBA Chairman Brian Corbett was treated to a personal tour of the indescribably weird and wonderful steamship SS George Stephenson. The beautiful vessel is the brainchild of eccentric Dutch owner Vaas Stik who used hundreds of recycled components and materials, some more than a hundred years old, in her construction. The ship has both a steam engine and an eight cylinder 1950s Gardner diesel engine, both wonders to behold in their respective immaculate engine rooms The ship is moored on the waiting pontoon in the river at Chatham Marina and is free to visit this week only, so don’t miss the opportunity!