Medway and Swale Boating Association

Cruising Association Winter Talks

Clifford Mickleburgh writes “It’s crisp, fresh, a gentle breeze and blue skies as I motor gently down the River Medway and think that this is what boating is all about…”

The Kent section of the Cruising Association holds winter evening talks on the 2nd Thursday of each month at the Early Bird PH, Grove Green, Maidstone, just off Junction 7 of the M20 Tel 01622 734237 [SAT NAV ME14 5TQ]. Non-members are welcome.

The meetings begin at 19:00 hours for those that would like to eat with the talks beginning at 20:10 hours. The charge is £3.00 a head. It helps to know the numbers attending, but don’t let that stop you coming and please “bring a friend”, just a simple email to Ian will suffice. If you forget, don’t let that stop you turning up…….

Ian Galletti (the other Joint Secretary) can be contacted on 01959 562075 or 07721 411598 or email iangalletti @ btinternet.com

Our next talk is on Thursday 13 December 2012 – John Barry on the “How and Why of Tides”.

The First Aid course on Saturday 23 February 2013 is now full but the CA are intending arranging another First Aid course at the Early Bird on Saturday 2 March 2013.

Fresh start for MSBA

At the AGM on 4 December 2012, the Medway Yachting Association confirmed its change of name to the Medway and Swale Boating Association, with the single aim “to promote and protect boating (any waterborne sport or pastime) on the tidal Medway and Swale.”

Almost all current members were represented and a few more indicated their intention to join in 2013, including the Medway Queen Preservation Society and Discover Your Estuary. These groups represent boating activities (paddle steamer restoration and canoeing) not previously associated with the association.

We welcomed both the new chairman, Stephen Galpin and Cruising Representative, Bill Shepherd, from RYA South East. Also Clifford Mickleburgh attended as the Cruising Association’s new representative to the association.

The difficulties at Queenborough were discussed with some passion. Watch this site for updates as we get them. The All Tide Landing remains the sole responsibility of QYC and for the moorings you need to deal with QHT. Both groups will welcome visitors and it is hoped that a trot boat service will be operating in time for the new season. please remember to pay your mooring/landing fees, even if it means a search for the honesty box!

Keep watching this site for more news on Medway/Swale boating!

Criminal powers for harbour authorities: have your say, quick!

The RYA is opposing the Marine Navigation (No.2) Bill, which is currently going through Parliament. Through the Bill the Government is proposing to extend harbour authorities’ power to create criminal offences without making that power subject to the safeguards, checks or balances which are normally applied to law-making bodies.

Without any form of appropriate safeguard, a harbour authority would have the power to introduce a regulation that users of that harbour (including recreational boaters) would have no right to challenge.

Click here to submit your selected statement.

Closing date for submission is 31 December 2012.

More info about the Marine Navigation Bill on the RYA website: http://www.rya.org.uk/…

David Holden obituary

David Holden with Robin Knox-Johnston in Queenborough — David Holden with Sir Robin Knox-Johnston on Suhaili in Queenborough

For those who didn’t get along to David’s packed and moving funeral in September, here (below) is his obituary which was published in the December issue of Cruising, kindly provided by Clifford Mickleburgh.

2013 Spring Conference relaunch for MSBA

Tom Cunliffe key speaker at MSBA Spring Conference — Tom Cunliffe will speak at our Spring Conference

With our new name and clarified objective, we plan to start next year’s boating season with a splash. The keynote speaker at our Spring Conference on Saturday 9 March will be sailing guru, classic boat enthusiast, prolific author and TV presenter Tom Cunliffe. Watch this site for more details coming soon…

September crime update

At the beginning of the month a number of canoes and kayaks have been stolen from the east of the county. Two beach huts were broken into at Tankerton and kayaks taken. One kayak and road trailer were taken from a front garden in Westgate-on-Sea between 11th & 13th. One person has been arrested in connection with these kayaks after investigation by our Marine Specials, enquiries on going.

Four outboards were taken from Bow Bridge Marina, Yalding between 8th & 10th.

Gravesend Yacht club was hit overnight of 18th & 19th with seven outboards taken. Ranging from a £50 Seagull to a £1000 Honda 2hp. All engines were small, but overall ten outboards have been reported stolen this month.

The Unit will be at this Autumn’s Boat Jumble at Detling on 7th October 2012..

David LAVENDER PC 9829

Kent Police Marine Unit

Hoo Marina to merge with Port Werburgh

On 20th November, Hoo Marina was sold to Denis Swann, the owner of Port Werburgh, the residential marina. Hoo Marina will no longer accept visitors and its name will disappear.

What’s under your boat?

Carpet Sea Squirt found at Cuxton on River Medway in Kent — Carpet Sea Squirt found at Cuxton

The Medway Swale Estuary Partnership have asked us to look out for invasive species.

The Carpet Sea Squirt has been identified at Cuxton. This is a highly invasive non-native marine animal, thought to be originally from Japan. By smothering native species, it not only poses threats to conservation but also to the fishing and shellfish industries.

Description
Whilst similar to some native species, the following characteristics are useful for identification:
• It has a uniform pale orange, cream or off-white colour.
• The surface has a firm leather y texture, with a veined marbled appearance .
• Its surface has numerous open small pores, which close up out of water to produce pale spots.
• It can grow either as thin flexible sheets or hang down in long rope-like growths.

Habitat
Shallow waters, such as harbours and marinas. Usually found growing on hard surfaces, including the underside of jetties and boulders.

The leaflet can be downloaded from http://msep.org.uk/downloads.php

Look out, it’s a berm!

Kentish Flats wind farm south cardinal buoy

Following pressure from the MYA, RYA and East Coast Pilot, London Array has had special buoyage installed by Trinity House to mark the rock “berms” which were dumped over the electricity cables on Kentish Flats leaving less than a metre depth at low tide. Following a further request from the MYA, the southernmost buoy was replaced with a large south cardinal (see photo) and a north cardinal buoy was also installed.

See lal-n-to-m-amendment-to-buoyage-at-kentish-flats-britned-and-gunfleet-sands-1

MYA to relaunch with a splash

Following a thorough review, in which it was found that many involved with boating on the tidal Medway and Swale did not feel the MYA was for them, the Association will be relaunched as the Medway and Swale Boating Association, subject to ratification at the AGM in December. All clubs involved with leisure boating (sailing, rowing, motor boats, kayaks, whatever) are invited to join us in promoting and protecting our leisure activities. We also welcome berth holders associations and businesses such as marinas who support leisure boaters. Thirdly we welcome the growing number of groups who restore and use classic vessels on the tidal Medway and Swale.