Month: August 2022

More restrictions at Kingsferry Bridge, 18+20 Aug

An RMT strike may disrupt Kingsferry Bridge operations on Thursday 18 August and Saturday 20 August, plus periods outside of this day. Network Rail have a contingency plan to cover part of the disruption:
Thursday 18th August 2022.
Midnight – 06:00 Normal service will be maintained
06:00 – 07:00 No bridge lifts available
07:00 – 19:00 Contingency operator on shift – Bridge lifts available
19:00 – 06:00 (19th) No bridge lifts available
Friday 19th August 2022.
06:00 – 06:00 (20th) Normal service will be maintained
Saturday 20th August 2022.
06:00 – 07:00 No bridge lifts available
07:00 – 19:00 Contingency operator on shift – Bridge lifts available
19:00 – 06:00 (21st) No bridge lift available
Sunday 21st August 2022.
06:00 Normal service resumed

Priority will be given to commercial shipping, however, leisure craft will also be able to transit the bridge but it is advised to give as much notice as possible to avoid delays. If talks between employers and the unions are successful and industrial action is avoided a cancellation notice will be issued.

Mary Cup, now 2 Oct

UPDATE: The race has been postponed to Sunday 2 October 2022

This is an annual race for monohull yachts, organised by the Royal Engineer YC, and open to local cruisers with an NHC rating. Entry is free of charge. There are three classes: fast cruisers, medium cruisers and slow gaffers. The start line is in Gillingham Reach at 10.00 and there are 57 possible courses.

This is the oldest yacht race on the Medway and may be the last, so don’t miss it!

For further information, non REYC members should contact Charles Hessey (treasurer@msba.org.uk)

Bart’s Bash, 11+12 Sept 2022

The Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation (ASF) was established in 2013 after the tragic death of Andrew “Bart” Simpson. Andrew was a talented sailor who firmly believed in the benefits that participation in sport can bring to young people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.  ASF now exists to continue Andrew’s vision and to bring change for thousands of young people. ASF’s core purpose is to transform lives through sailing.  

Would your club/friends/family like to take part in Bart’s Bash 2022, ASF’s annual flagship fundraising race? 

Bart’s Bash is a global sailing race taking place at 100’s of venues, with 1000’s of sailors in 100’s of different classes of boat around the world. Founded in 2014, the event was verified by Guinness World Records as ‘The Largest Sailing Race in the World’. 

This year Bart’s Bash takes place on 10-11 September 2022 and is open to all venues globally. Each individual event is organised by a venue and organising authority for all activities at the site. Each of the Andrew Simpson Centres will be hosting events too, so if you would prefer to come take part at your closest centre, here are the locations:  Birmingham, Reading, Portland, Portsmouth. 

To find out more see the attached event guide and register yourself, your group or your club here. 

No fly zone over Monty, 21 Aug – 15 Nov

Tim Bell of Isle of Sheppey SC informs us that, in anticipation of work starting soon on the Montgomery wreck, the authorities have declared a no fly zone of one mile radius and up to 2500 feet altitude. The work is to make safe some 66 bombs and unexploded ordnance so far identified, scattered around the wreck, prior to removing the mast next year. The area must be made safe for the jack-up rig and crane to work alongside the hull.

When the SS Grandcamp blew up in 1947 in Texas it knocked a plane out of the sky. Because of the danger to light aircraft the MOD is restricting the air space above the wreck.

View the statutory instrument