Local canoeist, artist and photographer David Wise spent six weeks in 2012 camping (with the owner’s permission) on Darnet Island. His moving film “Otherness” is on his website and you can order his book, illustrated with atmospheric pinhole photographs at http://www.davewise.biz/new/summerontheestuary/page.html
Small-scale dredging etc now exempt from marine licensing
Recent changes to marine licensing in England mean currently licensable activities such as small-scale dredging and the laying of temporary marker buoys will soon be exempt.
Changes to marine licensing laws affecting clubs and centres in England
More crime…
Crime update for this week:
- 6-13 March: A Mariner 2 hp outboard and a Johnson 4 hp along with some marine items were stolen from a barn in Lenham, Maidstone
- 16-19 March: A generator taken from a yacht on moorings in Faversham Creek
- 16 March: Property described as metal body parts (boat, not human body parts!) taken from a boat at Hoo. Male has been arrested and positively dealt with.
PC David Lavender
Kent Police Marine Unit
When did you last check your lifejacket?
The RNLI Sea Safety team will be on hand to check your lifejacket on 11 May 2013 at Medway Yacht Club.
Unfortunately, the RNLI will not be attending Pirates Cave as previously advertised..
Isle of Sheppey News
Tim Bell of the Isle of Sheppey Sailing Club invites sponsorship of the Round the Island Race on 7 September.
It would help the race if as many as possible nominate it for the Yachts and Yachting promotion:- IOS Round the Island race, for sponsorship see #GetOutAndSail, [date of race 7th September,] [Sheppey Island race] [Isle of Sheppey Sailing Club] [leave classes blank]. The more nominations we get the more chance we have. Other clubs may like to nominate their event on another month.
Anyone interested in more information, history, great photos, and videos about the SS Richard Montgomery may like to see: http://www.facebook.com/pages/SS-Richard-Montgomery-The-Wreck/200095340014422?ref=ts&fref=ts
Also some great Pathe newsreels about the tragic sinking of the Royal Navy submarine Truculent and about Chatham Dockyard. See http://www.britishpathe.com/video/selected-originals-truculent-disaster-1/query/TRUCULENT+DISASTER
Queenborough: Blessing of the Waters, 14 July, 4pm (with surprise)
River Medway is crucial to area’s regeneration, says Leader of Medway Council at MSBA Conference
At the MSBA Conference on 9 March 2013, Cllr Rodney Chambers, Leader of Medway Council said “The river has played a key part in the area’s history and should once again be at the very heart of efforts to unlock Medway’s full potential.”
Delegates were told of the numerous projects, including a reinstated pontoon at Sun Pier that will provide landing access for tourist boats, private yachts and the potential – if a private operator can be persuaded – for a river taxi. The full text of Medway Council’s press release can be found at: http://www.medway.gov.uk/information/newspages/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=5151
Spring Conference 9 March 2013
This event, held in the Wardroom of the former HMS Pembroke, now part of the university complex in Chatham, marked the relaunch of the MYA under its new name. Many of the delegates were from other parts of Kent and East Anglia.
As well as a line-up of excellent speakers we were pleased that senior representatives from both Medway and Swale councils and Medway Ports came to tell us of their plans and answer our questions.
Feedback has been very positive and helpful suggestions have been taken on board for future events. Watch this space…
Full report here.
Crime Report – Feb 2013
A little quiet at moment on the crime front but a couple of reports of note:
- 26-27 Feb: A 28 ft boat trailer with metal mud guards and a 1 x 1.3 metre 1000 litre fuel tank taken from Sandwich Marina
- 28 Feb: 8 ‘pig iron’ blocks weighing approx. 1.5 tons used as ballast taken from a boat at Medway Bridge Marina.
- At end of February five boats were broken into at Medway Wharf Marina, Wateringbury in one night 26/02 to 27/02. Batteries were removed from under cabin soles. A total of 13 batteries were taken from the five boats, each worth in the region of £100.
PC David Lavender
Kent Police Marine Unit
Peel Ports Leisure Users Forum, 26 March 2013 (date changed)
Capt Jonathan Mills, Deputy Harbourmaster has informed us that the next meeting of the Leisure Users Forum will now be on the 26 March at Kent Boat & Ski Club starting at approx 1900. Agenda to be decided.