Category: Medway Council

Sun Pier re-opened at last!

We’ve just heard from Adam Taylor of Medway Council that Sun Pier is open again following some “enhanced engagement” with the electricity supplier. Note that overnight mooring is not currently allowed but we should take every opportunity to visit the Pier and the nearby Rats Bay river moorings if we are to keep them. Use them or lose them!

Please note there is no restriction on overnight mooring for the FREE visitors’ mooring buoys in Rats Bay, close to Sun Pier. If coming ashore to experience the delights of Chatham High Street, leave your dinghy on the inside of the pontoon or in the dinghy rack. There is no charge but it will cost you a pound to buy a token from the machine to get back through the gate. Sun Pier House is well worth a visit for the cafe and art gallery with a spectacular view of the river.

Rochester Pier: electrics

Adam Taylor of Medway Council tells us that he is sorting out Rochester Pier’s electrics. Part of this involves inspecting the underside of the pier. Adam asks if there is someone with a small enough boat to help two contractors to survey underneath the pier. If any volunteers could contact Adam directly he’ll organise a time and date.

UPDATE 14.1.2019: work starts today on Rochester Pier electrics which will take up to 2 weeks to fix, in the meantime the pier remains closed including the upper section which has been open to the public. Hopefully we’ll find the fault and get it fixed once and for all.

Adam Taylor | Rivers & Paths Manager | www.medway.gov.uk/ | 01634333333 | Medway Council Dock Road Chatham Kent ME4 4TR

Medway/Swale Boating Conference, 9 March 2019

Liz Rushall

Dave Selby

Will your club exist in ten years’ time? Our 2019 conference will focus on the future of our local clubs, which still form the core of active boating on the Medway and Swale. A major report has highlighted a decline in participation in most but not all watersports. Sailing in particular is in free fall. So what exactly is going wrong and what are we going to do about it? Key speakers Liz Rushall and Dave Selby will present different views on how our clubs can adapt to a changing world. Other speakers will present how local clubs are successfully dealing with ageing membership and new styles of boating. Get your earlybird ticket here…

Mystery boat on Rochester Pier – gone!

A grey and orange vessel is moored on Rochester Pier without authorisation, the council have served a notice which expires on Thursday 15 November.

If the owner does not move the vessel off the pier, the council will seize the boat and sell it. If anyone knows who the owner is, please ask them to contact Medway Council as soon as possible to remove the boat from Rochester Pier.

UPDATE 14 Nov: The boat has now gone to Strood riverside but the mystery remains unsolved!

Rochester Pier closures, 14 + 20 July

Marion Phillips from Medway Council advises that Rochester Pier will be temporarily closed from 1pm on the following two dates for fireworks displays:

  • ·         Saturday 14 July – Last night of the Proms
  • ·         Friday 20 July – Medway Mile

The events organiser has given assurances that the pier will be properly cleared of debris after both events.