Month: August 2023

Early morning rescue at Rochester CC

Known to many on the river, Chris Murr spends time on his boat at Rochester Cruising Club. While on deck on Friday morning 25 August about 5am, he thought he saw a seal making a weird noise. He shone his torch and noticed hands, then realised it was someone in the water.

He couldn’t get to them at first so called the Coastguard. Quick thinking, he noticed a dinghy half full of water so got in that while on the phone to the Coastguard and rowed out to the person, who was under the water by this time and saved their life by pulling them into the boat.

The coastguard and police attended the scene. One less tragedy in the river, we’re all proud of you Chris.

Planning application to restrict access to the water at Harty Ferry – REJECTED!

Kent County Council has applied to “stop up” the road leading to the old ferry hard at Harty Ferry (Sheppey side) except for access by foot. This would make it impossible to launch small craft such as dinghies. It would be yet another loss of access to the water for boaters.

Tim Bell of the Isle of Sheppey Sailing Club says: Access to the water at Harty Ferry is vital for safety at this dangerous part of the Swale. This will affect all boat owners who want to use Harty Ferry in an emergency, and for the Isle of Sheppey Sailing Club for its coverage and safety of the Round the Island Race.

UPDATE: KCC’s Highway Department have now gone through the various comments/responses received as part of the consultation process. The council has decided not to proceed with the current stopping-up application and so the court hearing has been vacated..