For more information visit www.upnorsailingclub.co.uk
Upnor SC Open Day, 15 Oct 2023
EA news: Medway estuary and Swale Strategy
Over the summer the Medway estuary and Swale (MEAS) programme team has been busy working on the contracts for the 3 pieces of work which we will start with: the programme-wide enabling activities, and the 2 schemes (Elmley and South Sheppey, and Sheerness and Queenborough). This means that we can start commissioning work and developing options.
See below our latest briefing note which introduces the MEAS programme and sets out why we wish to work with partners from across the strategy area.
As we start this significant programme of works, we know that there is a lot that we don’t know, and that there will be great opportunities for us to achieve more by working with others. We’ll need help from partners working across the area to put the recommendations of the strategy into action, and hopefully achieve even more for people and the environment whilst doing so.
Please do get in touch with the MEAS team if you have any ideas, risks or opportunities that might interact with the programme: MEASS@environment-agency.gov.uk
RYA Clubs Conference, Guildford, 26 Nov
If your club is RYA-affiliated you should make sure at least one relevant person attends this year’s FREE “Connected” event. There’s bound to be lots of useful things to learn. Previous regional conferences were in Maidstone, but this year it’s in Guildford which is more central for the London & South East region of the RYA.
PS Waverley to visit Medway, 7 Oct 2023
The world’s last sea-going paddle steamer is due to visit the Medway on her annual round Britain tour on 7th October 2023. More information on the vessel and how to book tickets…
New wreck buoy in Rochester
Peel Ports have responded to a request from the MSBA for a buoy to mark a nasty looking wreck just upstream from Rochester Cruising Club, near Hathaway Court. The orange buoy is an interesting shape and is marked “WRECK” in red letters.
MSBA Business Meeting, Tues 26 Sept 2023
Please make sure your club or organisation is represented at our quarterly business meeting on Tuesday, 26 September starting at 7pm, which will be held at Medway Cruising Club, Gillingham Strand. Notices and agendas have been emailed to member representatives. If you have not received these please contact secretary@msba.org.uk straight away.
MYC Autumn Series
Midsummer Night’s Dream at MYC, 9 Sept
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..