Rockley Cruising Club

May 2010 Newsheet

Our thanks to Moyra for again editing and producing 'The Bulletin'. Please do try to write a little of your own experiences this season for inclusion in the 2011 edition! Your experience may be of interest to others, even little bits such as the cycle track from Cowes to Newport. So please contribute; your experience can be enjoyed.

Forthcoming events.

Sunday 2^nd May	Bluebell Walk in the woods at Bere Regis. Meet at 10.00am in the Manor Farm Car Park - behind the Shops at Bere Regis - Map Ref 486 927. Lunch at The Drax Arms, Bere Regis at 12.00. mid day.	Maureen
Monday 3^rd May	Arthur's Last Sail. Pat would like members to join with her and friends in a trip to Old Harry for Arthur's Last Sail and afterwards meet at a Pub. Details are still to be finalised and depends a bit on 'Corky' being ready. Offers of lifts to Old Harry for friends would be welcomed! Please contact Pat for final details. If the weather is poor or Corky isn't ready, this may be postponed until August. Please confirm with Pat. Day sail in Poole Harbour. Tony will be joining Pat and friends. But. If there is a hic-cup, e.g. with 'Corky', Tony will lead members on a sail in and around Poole Harbour. Meet at the Ro Ro Ferry Terminal at 09.45 - 10.00. There will be a 'Plan B'	Pat Tony and Debbie. For the latest info, details and weather etc, listen to Ch 77, or call Romeo Charlie Charlie at 09.00 - 09.15.
Saturday 29^th May	Depart for a week's sailing in The Solent, ending with 'Old Gaffers' in Yarmouth, before we return to Poole.	Tony and Debbie. For the latest info, details and weather etc, listen to Ch 77, or call Romeo Charlie Charlie at 09.00 - 09.15.
June 12/13^th	Bar-b-que up the river at Wareham at Dave and Reeta's pad.	Reeta and Dave
July 17^th	Bar-b-que in Studland	Tony and Debbie
August 15^th	Bar-b-que	Pat and Pete

News from the PYA/PHC Meeting

The second bridge. The contract signing has slipped a little from what was expected, but, it is going ahead with a start now expected in July. Those mooring in Holes Bay, will be affected during the build. During construction, traffic will be directed through a 19m wide channel. This channel, together with the existing bridge, will be controlled by 'IALA standard' traffic lights. Note. This means you could be prosecuted for misdemeanours! There will be no Bank Holiday working, safety will be monitored by CCTV linked to the harbour office and a PA system will be installed (to clarify situations). There will be temporary pontoons installed for the second phase of construction and the spans will be raised at weekends. A LNTM will be issued at the start of these works. Note. This means you could be prosecuted for misdemeanours!

For those with mooring within the harbour, the Crown Estates charge will remain the same as last year. For the next 10 years, any increase will be linked to the Oct. RPI (up only!). In future, payments may be possible online.

The HRO saga rumbles on, but it is hoped to get it resolved during 2010! New byelaws prohibiting fishing and diving from bridges and to enforce the IALA bridge signals are to be introduced.

Sediment management within the harbour has shown no adverse effects.

The 'Marine Maritime Organisation', formed on the 31^st March, is likely to get involved in the Marine Coastal Access for Poole - for which the right to roam will not apply. This is headed by a retired Rear Admiral from the navy who is thought to be more than a match for the chairman of Natural England. Leisure sailors may get some voice!

The offshore wind farm and navigational channel through, is causing some concern. Not least that it is thought that it will be 27years before there is positive input after energy used in building, installation, maintenance and disposal and that the expected lifetime is 25 years!

News from the Harbour Safety Meeting

Enclosed are two leaflets, about eelgrass and seahorses in and around the harbour. We are asked to note the zones mentioned.

With the loss of the Barfleur, the Harbour staff has been radically changed - 2 teams of 6 now cover all harbour operations, but seasonal staff will man the harbour patrols in summer. 40 staff have been lost during this restructuring! There is some hope that with the return of better economic conditions, Barfleur could once again return to Poole. The Cotentin remains at Poole along with the fast ferry.

A new Local Notice to Mariners reminds us that as from the 1^st of April, a 10kn speed limit is again in force throughout much of the harbour.

The exercise at the Chain Ferry was again postponed and is now expected to take place in November 2010.

Self certification has reportedly helped in improving standards of mooring throughout the harbour. However, there was a 'warning' that due to the re-structuring, the PHC maintenance service may not be available next year. Licences would only be issued on 'maintenance confirmation'. Existing users would be given plenty of notice of any changes in this service. Apparently, faulty top gear accounted for most of the boats that came adrift. The HM has asked that all users check their top gear regularly.

On a lighter note, it was reported during a review of incidents within the harbour (a good report for the winter), 'a kite surfer in the harbour became a traffic incident as it crossed the road!

Bits and Bobs.

We will be 'setting sail' again in the summer, so the next NS will be in early August.

Old flare collection - call (You will need details of quantities, type age and condition when you call)

Poole - RNLI is collection centre- 01202 336 336

Solent - MRCC 02392 552 100

(You will need details of quantities, type age and condition when you call)

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