Maidstone Mayor’s Court of Survey, Sat 11 June

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Swan being “upped” at last year’s event

This curious local event, organised by Hampstead and Yalding Cruising Club, reminds us that the swans on the Medway belong to the Mayor of Maidstone, not the Queen as elsewhere. The Mayor of Maidstone is carried on a flotilla down the river to the Hawkwood stone (halfway to Rochester) then back to Wateringbury where some swans will be checked and tagged by the Swanmaster.

If you would like to join a flotilla of motor cruisers from Rochester to meet the Mayor’s boats at the Hawkwood Stone, please contact info@msba.org.uk

Maidstone-River-Cruise-2022Download

Learn to sail at Medway YC

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Have fun this half term and learn a new skill. This 3-day course uses the club’s brand-new fleet of RS Zest dinghies. Royal Yachting Association Stage 1 is an introduction to the parts of the boat and the basic principles of how to get a boat sailing. If you are aged 8-16 years old and interested in learning to sail this course is for you.

MYC members can book and find more information here 

Non-members can book and find more information here £195 per child for a 3 day course.

The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee – Maritime Salute

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Peel Ports London Medway invites all vessels to participate in a synchronised salute from their horns at 12:00 on Saturday 4 June 2022 to celebrate the platinum jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. All UK ports have been approached by the Secretary of State for Transport to assist in the co-ordination of the tribute. Notice to Mariners No 27 of 2022 refers.

Note this is a nationwide maritime salute and is separate from the Queen’s Jubilee Pageant organised by Tiller & Wheel on behalf of Medway Council, which will include a 21 gun salute and “Grand Cacophony” at Chatham at 15:30.

Rochester Pier collapse

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Photo Sandro Vistosi

We have just been informed that the brow connecting Rochester Pier to the shore has suddenly collapsed. The public pier, maintained by Medway Council, has been closed since 2019 due to the dangerous state of the structure and lack of funds to repair it.

Biosecurity Workshops, 18 & 24 May

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It’s Invasive Non-Native Species Week. Peel Ports and Bangor University are hosting a virtual event to find out how your Leisure Boating Biosecurity can improve the environment AND your boating.

We’re hosting a new event, and we’d love to see you there. Join us for a fun, interactive Biosecurity for Boaters online event in our virtual marina. Register for one of the two dates we’ve lined up for you below:

6–8pm, May 18th  https://tinyurl.com/6pmMay18th

 12-2pm, May 24th https://tinyurl.com/12pmMay24th

Register soon because space is limited. We hope you’re able to join us!

Wednesday evening racing from Medway YC

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Wednesday evening racing for cruisers and dinghies starts on 25 May 2022 from the Medway Yacht Club line and is open to all. Warning signal is at 1850h for cruisers and 1900h for dinghies. The series will run through to 27 June and comprise of 10 races, six to count for the series win. The racing aims for an hour on the water followed by full evening galley service. Trot boat service is provided. Please see the MYC website or contact the MYC office (01634 718399) for the NOR and entry forms.

Medway yachtsmen enter Jester Challenge

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Two of the five entrants for the famous single-handed transatlantic race are members of local sailing clubs and have similar boats built in Kent. The Jester Challenge was created for skippers of small boats who want to test their skill and self-reliance and is a uniquely successful experiment in single-handed ocean sailing. This year it’s the “full” race to the Azores and on to Newport Rhode Island, starting at Plymouth on Sunday 8 May, 2022.

Bernie Branfield from Hoo Ness Yacht Club has previously competed in the shorter Baltimore Jester Challenge in 2017, across to Ireland. Bernie’s boat is Louisa, an Invicta 26. John Apps is a veteran solo ocean sailor from Medway Cruising Club. John’s boat is called Arelia of Hoo, a 25ft Invicta Mk 1.

John Apps has had to turn back after a massive wave knocked out his electrics. Bernie Branfield from Hoo Ness Yacht Club in Louisa is one of the two skippers still in contention. You can track their progress here: https://jesterchallenge.wordpress.com/jester-challenge-2022/