Regatta – Page 8 – Medway and Swale Boating Association

Medway River Festival, 4 July 2015

Excitement is reaching fever pitch in anticipation of the annual festival, run by Medway Council. The MSBA will have a stand at Chatham waterside for those who want to come and find out about any aspect of boating on the Medway and Swale. On the water there will be a Sail Past at 4.30pm with a variety of classic leisure and working craft. If you have such a boat and wish to take part, please call Brian Corbett on 07860 891395.

Medway Barge Match, Sat 23 May 2015

The course is from Gillingham Pier to the Medway Buoy and back. The first start is at 0730 for the Coasting Class, followed by the Restricted Staysail Class then the Bowsprit Class. The Committee Boat will be Song and Dance, a motor yacht operated by Swanning About Charters*, and one of Alan Pratt’s tugs (Christine?) will act as tender. Look out for historic tug Touchstone* and the sailing barge Centaur from the Thames Sailing Barge Trust* which will be competing.

For the best view of the start, enjoy breakfast from 0715 on the balcony of the Spinnaker Restaurant in Gillingham Marina*. Pre-bookings only, £5, on 01634 280022.

Prize giving will be at 1830 at Medway Yacht Club*, with the post-match report given by Nick Ardley, who spoke at the MSBA/RYA Spring Conference, followed by dinner.

Through the industrial revolution and Victorian expansion of London, the sailing barge evolved to be one of the most efficient small cargo carrying vessels of the world. Henry Dodd started the first official barge match in 1863 on the Thames. The Medway soon followed with the inaugral match held in 1880. With up to 20 barges competing, many over 100 years old, it is truly a sight to behold on our famous, industrial river.

According to the Society for Sailing Barge Research, barge racing has taken place in the Medway since at least 1872. In 1949 the Marina Club at Hoo (now known as Hoo Ness Yacht Club*) organised the first of 5 matches for yacht barges, and commercial craft raced again from 1954 until the Centenary Match. The modern series started in 1965.

MSBA race marks in use at Kent schools regatta

Both MSBA inflatable race marks were in use at the weekend when Medway YC hosted the Kent Schools Sailing Association (KSSA) Opening Splash Regatta. More photos on Medway YC Facebook page

If your club wishes to use the MSBA racing buoys please contact secretary (at) msba.org.uk

Peel Ports list of 2015 River Events

A Notice to Mariners lists boating events of which Peel Ports have been notified: NtoM No 13 of 2015 – River Events

Organisers of Events are reminded of Medway Ports River Byelaw 1991, No. 53, Boat Races and Regattas. The Organiser of any boat race, regatta public procession or similar event when a number of vessels are expected to assemble on the waters of the Port or Medway approach area are required to give not less than 28 days’ notice of an Event to Peel Ports Medway.

REYC Mary Race, 5 Sep 2015

For cruiser racers including gaffers, a date for your diary. See event calendar for details. This will be the 50th consecutive year of the annual Royal Engineer Yacht Club race to win 1 of 2 remaining original pewter tankards which were awarded as prizes to the crew of the cutter Mary which won an annual race from Gillingham Creek to Sheerness and back with 3 other REYC yachts on 16 May 1864.