Month: September 2022

More restrictions at Kingsferry Bridge, 8 Oct (UPDATED)

Yet more rail strikes will disrupt Kingsferry Bridge operations on Saturday 8 October, plus early the following morning. Network Rail have a contingency plan to cover most of the disruption:

Saturday 8 October 2022
Midnight – 06:00 Normal service will be maintained
06:00 – 08:00 No bridge lifts available
08:00 – 13:00 Contingency operator on shift – Bridge lifts available
13:00 – 06:00 (Sun 9 October) No bridge lifts available

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

NOTE that further restrictions are expected on Sunday 30 October for a film shoot.

RYE Race Officer Course, 8+9 Oct

The Regional Race Officer course, to help clubs with the delivery of the Race management for their special events and open meetings, is being held at Downs SC near Deal in Kent on 8/9 October. Full details for the course are on the RYA Race Management website or contact Martin Styles on 07515 164874

MSBA Business Meeting, Tues 27 Sept, Queenborough YC

Please ensure that a representative from your club/organisation can make it to our business meeting, at Queenborough Yacht Club on Tuesday 27 September 2022 at 7pm. This is at 7 High Street, Queenborough, ME11 5AA. There is plenty of parking nearby.

Your club’s nominated contacts should have received an email with the agenda and June minutes. If not, please contact Diane Jury at secretary@msba.org.uk

GM Boat Jumble CANCELLED

We are disappointed to announce that due to lack of take up of pitches we will be cancelling Sunday’s Boat Jumble.

However, we do propose to run another one early next year. We will keep you update with the plans.

Have a great winter season and look forward to welcoming you to next year’s Boat Jumble.

We thank you again for those of you who registered for a pitch and sorry to disappoint you.

Kind regards

Gillingham Marina Management

Open Races at Greenwich YC in 2023

18+19 February: Frostbite Race overnight at Erith YC with dinner ashore
Sun 9 April (Easter): Gaffers’ Race from Garrison Point to GYC followed by dinner ashore
Sun 28 May: Duke of York Challenge followed by dinner ashore
Sat 9 September: R.T. McMullen Cup single handed race followed by dinner ashore
Mooring on GYC pontoon is free of charge for competitors before and after the race.
For more information or to enter a race, please email cruiser@greenwichyachtclub.co.uk

Queenborough Classic Boat Festival, 10/12 Sept 2022 (UPDATED)

UPDATE: out of respect to the late Queen, the festivities have been cancelled but many of the classic boats have already arrived and the harbour will be open to visitors.

Following the return of our annual Classic Boat Festival last September, we’re busy planning our annual Classic Boat Festival again, welcoming visitors to discover historical vessels on the pontoon over the weekend of 10-11 September 2022. We’ll be joined by several historical vessels, with visitors getting the opportunity to climb aboard and learn more about their history and how they work.

Throughout the weekend, our friends at Jetstream Tours will be offering trips out to the wreck of SS Richard Montgomery. These will depart from the All Tide Landing,  offering the chance to share with locals and visitors the fabulous views and scenery of the harbour. 

Our weekly harbour market will be making a special appearance on the town quay during the weekend, with a variety of food, drink and locally-made products and services on offer. 

More information…

MDL Marinas now demanding non-refundable payment for advance bookings

At least two local clubs have been put off booking rallies to Chatham Marina by demands for full payment in advance, even when the booking is for many months away. Fortunately other local marinas are available.

MDL have confirmed that these payments are non-refundable though bookings may be changed to other dates at their discretion. The change is the result of a new online booking system that issues an invoice per boat for each booking. The booking is automatically cancelled if payment is not made within 48 hours.

This unrealistically rigid requirement goes against the tradition of club cruising in the UK, which expects flexibility to allow for the vagaries of British weather and all the other uncertainties of boating. How long before MDL’s management realise their catastrophic mistake?

UPDATE: See below for replies, including from MDL’s Sales and Marketing Director, Tim Mayer. We understand that better arrangements will now be put in place to accommodate advance group bookings.