Category: Classic motor vessels

Why is Gosport Ferry in Stangate Creek?

Gosport FerryIt has nothing to do with the old Gosport ferry terminal pontoons being at Queenborough Harbour. According to Wikipedia, the ‘Portsmouth Queen’, built in 1966, was sold to Absolute Charters and left Gosport in February to start a new life on the River Thames in London. She will be renamed ‘London Queen’.

VIC 96 steams to Ostend

VIC96VIC 96, a WW2 Admiralty “puffer” was seen today under steam leaving Stangate Creek for Ramsgate, en route for the Ostend At Anchor classic boat event before going to Vlissingen. This year’s  trip will commemorate the voyage of the Defiance in May 1816, by Captain William Wager, who steamed from Margate to the Netherlands with the aim of introducing steam ships to Holland and Germany.

Classic Yacht & Motor Boat Festival, Queenborough Harbour, 8 Oct 2016

Queenborough Harbour Trust are organising a number of events with the purpose of generating interest in boats, boating and our local waters. One of these events will be a classic yacht & motor boat event open to all boats built or designed before 1970. If in doubt as to whether your boat qualifies please send a photo and a short description.

Without classic boats we will not have an event so we are delighted to offer free berthing for up to 2 nights for qualifying boats that register with us before 31st August. Registration is on a first come first served basis and we are able to accommodate approx. 30 boats (depending on size).

The harbour will be open to the public to view boats and meet the skippers and in addition we will be arranging a number of shore based activities.

This event is being organised with the help of:

  • Brian Corbett – Medway Yacht Club & MSBA Vice Chairman
  • Yvonne Mitchell – Old Gaffers Association

To register your boat for this event please call 0770 373 2774 or email operations@queenborough-harbour.co.uk

Tug Kent in dramatic helicopter rescue

A superb video by Ted Ingham

A man who had become ill on the tug Kent was rescued by a Coastguard helicopter near the Montgomery wreck on Monday. The veteran 1948 tug was returning from a maritime festival in Ipswich. Also on the scene were the Kent Police RIB and the Sheerness all-weather lifeboat. A pilot cutter also offered assistance. Your webmaster also happened to be passing and watched the drama unfolding from a distance. The casualty was treated on board the tug by a paramedic from the helicopter, then airlifted to Ashford. We understand that, happily, he has now been discharged.

Tug Touchstone hosts Hoo Ness YC raft-up

Tug Touchstone and Hoo Ness Yacht Club
Photo by Gordon Pickett

Some of the most enjoyable, interesting and satisfying boating events happen when one MSBA club or group helps another. For the third year running, the crew of the veteran tug Touchstone hosted a floating barbeque and party for crews from Hoo Ness Yacht Club. Most of the nine sailing boats, half of them multihulls, had raced down to Stangate Creek on Saturday and raced back up the river on Sunday morning.

Medway Queen goes to Ramsgate

Medway Queen
Medway Queen on way to Ramsgate, photo Wil Pretty

At midday on Sunday 17 May the Medway Queen departed from her berth on Gillingham Pier for Ramsgate, towed by the tugs Christine and Nipashore. After anchoring for the night off Margate, she arrived on Monday morning to commemorate the venerable paddle steamer’s role in the 1940 Dunkirk evacuation, codenamed Operation Dynamo. She is due to return at the end of the month. For updates, see Medway Queen Facebook page

John Kempton and Alastair Hand to throw themselves off building for the Medway Queen

Chatham Marina manager Alastair Hand and lock-keeper John Kempton will be abseiling down the side of the Premier Inn in Canterbury on Saturday to raise funds for the restoration of the Paddle Steamer Medway Queen. John has been a volunteer for the charity for 30 years. To find out more and to donate please visit www.justgiving.com/John-Kempton