April 2009 Newsheet

Rockley CC and Redclyffe YC present

'A Talk with the RNLI'

At Redclyffe Clubhouse on Saturday 28^th March at 19.30.

Bring a bottle and some nibbles to share. Donations to the RNLI

Club walk at Nibbly Knoll, near Wotton-under-Edge.

~2.5 miles through woods Saturday 18^th April.
Meet at Wendy's house at 10.00
Pub lunch at 'The Black Horse'.

May Bank Holiday 2^nd- 4^th May - Local sail in Poole

Meet off Cross Channel Ferry Terminal at 12.00
But listen for (Alison) Romeo Charlie Charlie on- Ch 77 at 09.30 - 10.00 for final details

Harbour News

The first of new Harbour Liason Meetings - involving Yacht Clubs, the Cross Channel Ferry operators and the passenger boat operators - has been held, to 'Liase'!

• Mostly about the clashes between the evening races and the arrival/departure of the Cross Channel Ferries. Each others problems were aired with an outcome of understanding and proposals for the way forward - e.g. A full race timetable with start times of all classes and Ferry Captains to inform Poole Harbour Control of delays in departure. Communications RO/PHControl all important.
• Passenger Boat operators want pleasure boaters to show more control whilst waiting a bridge opening, although access to the quay from their point of view had improved since the introduction a 17.30 bridge. Would an additional 15.30 opening help? Passenger ferry skippers clearly don't understand yacht racing.
• Visits could be arranged to Poole Harbour Control and to the bridges of the ferries - for race officers. Just out of the harbour to return on the pilot boat! Passport required in case you end up in Cherbourg!
• Video of 'typical weekend activity in Poole Harbour' was shown. Very busy and generally satisfactory behaviour. The larger clubs may seek to use this for training purposes. Some video of near misses -with the large ferries - clearly showed some irresponsible behaviour. Never try to pass between the HM guard boat and the ferry!

PHA News.

• Progress on the HRO's is very slow with the order for Poole Harbour being stuck in Government. Are they saying they don't like it? Has the HM already got enough power? Resolution considered a long way off.
• Although the report on sediment management is awaited, all is considered ok.
• The Harbour Liason Meeting was considered worthwhile.
• New bandings seem to have been accepted for mooring charges. All reported to have the moorings required. This 'enlightened approach' was welcomed. PHC has set up a 'moorings contractor' to service moorings and are considered 'professional if a little expensive'.
• Oddly, the new proposals for drinking were discussed. The RYA are very worried and urge all members to let them know their feelings. At the moment, it seems that you can be breathalysed and charged whilst still tied up in a marina! AS well as the skipper, a crew engaged in sail handling can also be charged.
• A new windfarm is proposed to run from Poole to Portland -12 miles offshore.
• The seahorses in Studland are attracting much interest, with an 'environmental group' wanting to ban all anchoring! They are using the powers of 'Natural England' and the 'Marine Bill' and are considered 'thugs'. Studland residents are avidly opposed, but a -100 metre square for study purposes is the likely outcome. Apparantly they were only 'discovered' last year, but the fisherman have known they have existed for at least the last 20 years.
• A new chartlet of the East Looe Channel is available. It you sail directly between EL1/EL2 to EL3/EL4 you should expect a minimum of 1.4m and it appears as though you could wander considerably outside the buoyed channel - at your own peril!